A sample of the fun earrings at the dandyapple shop on etsy. I love how these appear to glow from within.
blue glow
A sample of the fun earrings at the dandyapple shop on etsy. I love how these appear to glow from within.
We have a winner!
Thanks to all that entered my first giveaway. A big congrats to Diane!
Diane's etsy shop: http://www.colormebella.etsy.com
And her blog: http://dianemeriam.blogspot.com/
A giveaway to say thanks
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I topped 300 hearts in my etsy shop this week, and I just wanted to say thanks. So, I am having my first giveaway by offering you all a chance at this sweet little key charm necklace.
All you have to do is comment to this post. I welcome you to visit my shop and if something strikes your fancy, feel free to mention it. Just make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you win. Giveaway open to U.S residents only until midnight December 8, 2008. Good Luck!
Black Bean Stew on a Chilly Night
We had a wonderful quick soup for dinner last night. A friend from work discovered the recipe a few weeks ago and has been encouraging me to try it. I am glad we did, It was delicious, quick, inexpensive, and filling.
Black Bean Stew
Olive Oil
1 Medium Onion, chopped
4 or 5 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
4.5 oz can chopped green chilies
3 cans black beans rinsed and drained
2 cans diced tomatoes (I love the Muir Glen no salt added)
1 cup veggie broth or water
3/4 tsp salt
10 oz frozen corn
Remove corn from the freezer so it can begin to thaw.
Cook the onions in some olive oil over medium heat for 5 or 6 minutes.
Add garlic and cumin, cook about 2 minutes.
Add beans, cans of tomatoes, chilies, salt, and water or broth.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, 20 to 25 minutes
Remove 2 to 3 cups of the stew and puree with your blender, food processor, or immersion blender.
Add the puree back to the stew, and add corn.
Simmer about 5 more minutes.
Garnish with chopped green onions, sour cream, or cheese.
We had tortilla chips on the side, but my friend said it is fabulous with cornbread, too.
Bloggy Loser, Yes I am.
I am alive, I promise. Just tons of things going on in the "real" world. I promise some updates by the end of the weekend.
I have the sniffles, and a treasury show off
Sorry about the lack of posts. I have been a bit under the weather this week. I haven't listed anything new at the shop either, but I did just finish up a very fun necklace. And I have several things that are ready to list, but all I want to do right now is get back in my jammies, curl up with my tissues and orange juice, and watch old movies.
Something that does make me feel a bit better is that starvingartistdsgns was kind enough to include one of my collages in this lovely yet eerie treasury. Be sure to check it out before it ends on Saturday afternoon.
Something that does make me feel a bit better is that starvingartistdsgns was kind enough to include one of my collages in this lovely yet eerie treasury. Be sure to check it out before it ends on Saturday afternoon.
Easy and quick homemade pizza
Homemade pizza in thirty minutes.
1.Roll out dough (see this post about my always ready dough supply)
2.Make "sauce" A splash of olive oil, herbs, a dash of kosher salt, and crushed garlic
3.Place dough on cornmeal sprinkled stone and brush with oil mixture. Pre-bake crust for about 10 minutes. I like a nice thick crust. A thinner crust might not need any pre-baking.
4.Watch it get all puffy
5.Cut tomato. Well, when I cut into my tomato it was no good, so luckily I keep a stash of back up tomatoes on hand.
6.Apply tomatoes
7.Apply cheese and fresh basil from windowsill. I keep shredded cheese on hand just for quick weeknight meals like this.
8.Bake about 10 more minutes
9.Yum Yum
There you have it. 100% homemade pizza that is easy peezy, quicker and cheaper than delivery and much much tastier that frozen. And only one dish to clean, and its a tiny ramekin so it really doesn't count. Of course, I go all out and make fancy pizzas, too, but for a weeknight meal, this cant be beat. Also, since I have two stones in the oven, I always make two at a time. Just as quick and we have yum yum leftovers.
Now I am off to try a new spicey corn soup recipe and homemade buttermilk buscuits. Will let you know how it turns out.
Life changing recipe
As promised, here is the info on the recipe that has literally changed my life. At the beginning of this year, I was listening to an episode of The splendid table when I heard a fellow named Jeff Hertzberg discussing his new book Artisan bread in five minutes a day Being a die hard breadaholic, the interview immediately sparked my interest. He was declaring that you could mix up a batch of bread dough, not even knead it, and keep it for up to two weeks to use whenever and however you see fit.
I promptly tried out the "master recipe" expecting an absolute failure. I formed and baked a small loaf to have with dinner. I say, it was the best bread I have ever made in my life. I admit, I am no master baker, but I do know my way around a mixing bowl. And once again it was absolutely the best bread I had ever made. It was crusty, chewy, it smelled fantastic, it tasted fantastic, and it was pretty. It looked just like the picture on the cover of the book. Now for the nitty griity on making the "master recipe" and a little history on how Jeff and coauthor Zoë François developed this process.
I have been using this method for nearly a year now, and it really has changed my life. I always have bread dough ready to make what ever concoction I can dream up. From pizza to french boules to ciabatta buns I have made it all. No more planning to make bread. I can do it at the spur of the moment. No more lugging out the bread machine and waiting an hour, for it to make a less than spectacular dough.
A few things I must say. You REALLY need the baking stone. Jeff and Zoë recommend regular all purpose flour. I like a mixture of King Author bread flour and King Author AP flour and reduce the amount in the recipe by about a half a cup. The bread flour has a higher protein content and results in a denser chewier crumb, which I happen to prefer.
One of the most amazing things to me, is that Zoë and Jeff have generously distributed the foundation for the book. The "master recipe". You don't have to buy their book, to begin using their method of bread baking. However, the book is absolutely worth it. There are so many recipes and other doughs that it really is a nice cookbook to add to your collection.
More on using it as the base for my pizza coming up soon.
Etsy Friday Finds
Here are a few handmade craftsman/arts and crafts inspired goodies that need a new home at the dandy bungalow.
I love the earthy colors in this soap dish by LaPellaPottery.
I need this tile by GretchenKramp That is all there is to it. Actually, I think I need two, to accent the golden/mustard colored field tiles on my fireplace.
This tags by farouche are just plain awesome.
And maybe a little something just for me, by talkingteapot
I love the earthy colors in this soap dish by LaPellaPottery.
I need this tile by GretchenKramp That is all there is to it. Actually, I think I need two, to accent the golden/mustard colored field tiles on my fireplace.
This tags by farouche are just plain awesome.
And maybe a little something just for me, by talkingteapot
Homemade Pizza
It's not delivery...It's not d'frozen....It's 100% from scratch, and on the table in thirty minutes. I make homemade pizza at least once a week. I can get it on the table in less time than the delivery driver can get here, it is a quarter of the price, and ten times as tasty. I will post more about it soon and include the recipe that has literally changed my life.
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