Food and Recipes while under Coronavirus quarantine #8

[PayrollNerd]

Have you ever tried growing the zucchini plant vertically? That seemed to help prevent or minimize powdery mildew when we tried it last time.

I saw a video where someone had trained them to grow around a pole and cut off nearly all the leaves. I had never seen that before. I have old tomato cages that last spring I tried to tie them up onto.

Then last fall I put them out front and they grew out over the raised beds onto the mulch. That’s been the most successful to date. But they’re about done so I need more seeds or some new starts.

I’ve ignored the gardening the last 3 weeks because of this head cold. Coughing wheezing and mouth breathing doesn’t work well in the dust and dirt. But now I’m feeling so much better. The cold front should be gone by now so I can gear up for my spring garden.

 

[iamshadow21]

I saw a video where someone had trained them to grow around a pole and cut off nearly all the leaves. I had never seen that before. I have old tomato cages that last spring I tried to tie them up onto.

Then last fall I put them out front and they grew out over the raised beds onto the mulch. That’s been the most successful to date. But they’re about done so I need more seeds or some new starts.

I’ve ignored the gardening the last 3 weeks because of this head cold. Coughing wheezing and mouth breathing doesn’t work well in the dust and dirt. But now I’m feeling so much better. The cold front should be gone by now so I can gear up for my spring garden.

My grandad used to grow his butternuts vertically.

He had this huge frame he'd put up every year, metal grid about 10in by 10in squares that stood probably ten feet tall with solid wooden posts at the ends. He'd grow the vines up the frame, probably held in place with retired pantyhose (the best garden ties, strong but soft) and fertilise all the female flowers with male ones.

I think one of the causes of that mould is moisture, and on an elevated frame, the leaves can dry faster because the air circulates.

I'm aware that that kind of construction isn't for everyone - grandad literally built houses for a living, and I think if he'd had the opportunity of an education beyond the age of fourteen when he was sent down the pit, he could have been an engineer - but something that helps air circulation and drying out after watering might help.

 

[PayrollNerd]

My grandad used to grow his butternuts vertically.

He had this huge frame he'd put up every year, metal grid about 10in by 10in squares that stood probably ten feet tall with solid wooden posts at the ends. He'd grow the vines up the frame, probably held in place with retired pantyhose (the best garden ties, strong but soft) and fertilise all the female flowers with male ones.

I think one of the causes of that mould is moisture, and on an elevated frame, the leaves can dry faster because the air circulates.

I'm aware that that kind of construction isn't for everyone - grandad literally built houses for a living, and I think if he'd had the opportunity of an education beyond the age of fourteen when he was sent down the pit, he could have been an engineer - but something that helps air circulation and drying out after watering might help.

I’d love to build a cattle panel arch and I have plenty of space for it. But I have no way to get one to my house. They’re $40 each but $100 for delivery. I have the knowledge and the tools but I need help. I’d have to rope someone in to helping me into setting it up.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Brownies!

View attachment 636003

I found an old social media post where I'd modified another brownie recipe years ago. I'd added a tablespoon of cinnamon, a teaspoon of cayenne and a teaspoon of smokey paprika to make Mexican hot chocolate brownies. And finding that, I knew I had to try making them with my current favourite recipe. I added all that and included 100 grams of chopped pecans. I haven't cut it yet, but it smells good and the batter tasted great!

I've noticed in your baking photos that you use parchment to line your baking pans. I always have parchment paper on hand but don't think of using it unless I'm making something that requires it (like fish en papillote). I've always greased baking sheets/pans with Crisco even if they were deemed "non-stick". I was reminded of your recent brownie photo and decided to line the baking pan for my oatmeal bars with parchment. I lifted the oatmeal bars out of the pan with no effort, and no cleanup was required. I don't bake often these days, but from now on, I will use parchment paper to line my baking pans/sheets.

 

[iamshadow21]

I've noticed in your baking photos that you use parchment to line your baking pans. I always have parchment paper on hand but don't think of using it unless I'm making something that requires it (like fish en papillote). I've always greased baking sheets/pans with Crisco even if they were deemed "non-stick". I was reminded of your recent brownie photo and decided to line the baking pan for my oatmeal bars with parchment. I lifted the oatmeal bars out of the pan with no effort, and no cleanup was required. I don't bake often these days, but from now on, I will use parchment paper to line my baking pans/sheets.

Baking paper is absolutely wonderful, especially when you're baking gluten free, which I always am. Doing a turn out onto a rack is a recipe for disaster without gluten, much broken cake. With the baking paper, I just lift it out, and it's in its own little supportive sling.

 

[IceIce9]

I've noticed in your baking photos that you use parchment to line your baking pans. I always have parchment paper on hand but don't think of using it unless I'm making something that requires it (like fish en papillote). I've always greased baking sheets/pans with Crisco even if they were deemed "non-stick". I was reminded of your recent brownie photo and decided to line the baking pan for my oatmeal bars with parchment. I lifted the oatmeal bars out of the pan with no effort, and no cleanup was required. I don't bake often these days, but from now on, I will use parchment paper to line my baking pans/sheets.

I’ve been using parchment paper for all my baking for many years. When I was in my early 20s I worked in a bakery for three months. The bakers used parchment paper for everything: bread, cookies, brownies, rolls etc. Everything that went into the ovens was on parchment paper.

After I left the bakery I bought parchment paper at a restaurant supply store. Back then it wasn’t available at grocery stores. Now I buy it at Costco. It is very reasonably priced and I use it for everything.

It is very nice for fish, roasted vegetables, tater tots, and anything else that goes into the ovens.

 

[IceIce9]

The northern lights could be visible tonight in much of the country. We are having bitterly cold temperatures tonight, wind chill temperatures well below zero so I’ll be sure to take a thermos of hot chocolate outside with me when I set up my tripod.

Strongest solar radiation storm since 2003 hits Earth, bringing northern lights and possible tech issues

A solar radiation storm stronger than one we’ve seen in over two decades is in progress, the Space Weather Prediction Center announced Monday.

thehill.com

 

[killarney rose]

We are just far enough south that they will only be visible by camera. Once back in the early 80s they were visible by the eye here.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

The northern lights could be visible tonight in much of the country. We are having bitterly cold temperatures tonight, wind chill temperatures well below zero so I’ll be sure to take a thermos of hot chocolate outside with me when I set up my tripod.

Strongest solar radiation storm since 2003 hits Earth, bringing northern lights and possible tech issues

A solar radiation storm stronger than one we’ve seen in over two decades is in progress, the Space Weather Prediction Center announced Monday.

thehill.com

We are also experiencing frigid temperatures, and many school districts have already cancelled classes for tomorrow. Didn't know about the Northern Lights being visible, but I wouldn't venture out in this cold! Please bundle up and be safe.

ETA: Just looked out the front door. It's cloudy with snow flurries, so the Northern Lights might not be visible here.

 

[snooptroop88]

The northern lights could be visible tonight in much of the country. We are having bitterly cold temperatures tonight, wind chill temperatures well below zero so I’ll be sure to take a thermos of hot chocolate outside with me when I set up my tripod.

Strongest solar radiation storm since 2003 hits Earth, bringing northern lights and possible tech issues

A solar radiation storm stronger than one we’ve seen in over two decades is in progress, the Space Weather Prediction Center announced Monday.

thehill.com

WHOA, always try & watch for this! Gonna head out right now and see if I can see anything.

We are also experiencing frigid temperatures, and many school districts have already cancelled classes for tomorrow. Didn't know about the Northern Lights being visible, but I wouldn't venture out in this cold! Please bundle up and be safe.

ETA: Just looked out the front door. It's cloudy with snow flurries, so the Northern Lights might not be visible here.

Freezing here, too. REALLY bad. 6 degrees right now. It'll be down in the negatives on lows for at least a couple days this week.

On a positive note, I was able to get hold of some perch!! I can never get it. I did one filet just to see what I'm going to need to do with them on fish frys in the future. Flour/egg/panko, s/p only. Going to need cornmeal, Old Bay, onion powder, garlic powder. It was ok, it was nice and flaky, but it really needs the cornmeal in there, too, jmo. Very plain. Also, need to dry that fish off thoroughly because it won't take the coating well. Got lucky & took it ok this time, but it coulda been much better. Can NEVER get perch.

Just came in, lots of stars, no lights. So clear, but just not reaching here, I guess.

 

[killarney rose]

Down here we refer to perch as crappie or bream. They are a favorite of mine, caught fresh from someone’s fish pond. They get no seasoning or coating here other than salt and extremely fine ground white cornmeal. The cornmeal is a regional thing. It’s so finely ground that it is almost the texture of flour. Serve the fried fish up with slaw, fries, and hush puppies from that same cornmeal. That’s fine downing down here in lower Alabama.

 

[Catmommy]

Amen, Killarney Rose, amen!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

We had an appointment with our Ethan Allen designer yesterday and were looking for somewhere to have late breakfast near the store. We found a place that was about two miles north of EA (wrong direction to head home) but decided to go there anyway. The Bread and Yolk is a charming little breakfast/brunch/lunch restaurant that we truly enjoyed. I had corned beef hash with two poached eggs and sourdough toast. DH opted for a Western omelet with red potatoes and sourdough toast. Corned beef hash is an indulgence for me, and I only order it two or three times a year when we go out for breakfast or get takeout. The Bread and Yolk version was very rustic with large chunks of corned beef, red potatoes, onion, and green pepper. The thick-sliced sourdough toast was awesome - all their breads are baked daily in house. DH deemed his omelet "stuffed" with large chunks of ham, onions, and green pepper. He doesn't like cheese in a Western omelet. Food and service were very good, and if we are ever in that area, we would definitely go again. https://breadyolk.com/

We have hair appointments late this afternoon after which we are going to Picano's for their 41st anniversary celebration. It is always a very festive event with decorations, live entertainment, a special menu, valet parking, and a gift for attendees (usually a gift card or a monogrammed wine goblet). We've attended many of the anniversary dinners over the past 41 years and are hapy to be part of the Picano's family. Local Italian Restaurant – Troy, MI – Picanos Italian Grille