08/12/12

Summer’s Bounty

As the days are growing ever so shorter, the bounty at the farmer’s market continues in abundance. I was saddened to have gotten what is most likely the last of the local blueberries.

This is my “take” on a recipe from the Red Spoon Blog’s “Blueberry Gratin”, and trust me, this is indeed an awesome use of fresh blueberries.

Blueberry Gratin

  1. 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
  2. 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
  3. 1 tsp. Vanilla
  4. 1 cup packed brown sugar
  5. 1 pint fresh blueberries

Turn on broiler.

Mix together yogurt, Kosher salt, and Vanilla. Spoon 1/2 of the yogurt mixture into the bottom of an oven safe dish. Cover with blueberries and pour the remaining yogurt mixture on top. Sprinkle the top with brown sugar and place dish on baking sheet.

Put under broiler for 5 minutes, or until brown sugar is all bubbly and caramelized.

Remove from broiler and serve.

It is just incredibly delicious, and tastes great the next day – if you manage to have any leftovers!

07/8/12

Beating the heat

It has been a quiet week here at Casa del KatKnits, with temperatures climbing into the triple digits causing many to hibernate to an air conditioned place to beat the heat.

My garden is growing nicely, even if my lawn looks like the Sahara Desert. We have had little to no rain here, but the bonus of container gardening is easy watering and the ability to move things out of the scorching heat, for which my plants are grateful, I am sure!

With a brief respite from the heat for a few days – it is amazing how cool the 80’s can feel after a stint of 100 plus degree-days. I am enjoying open windows, blowing breezes, and chirping birds.

I have begun my summer knitting project, in preparation/training for the highly controversial Ravelry “Ravellenic” Knitting event. Who knew that knitters could be such a divisive lot? My summer project is the lovely Buttercup by Heidi Kirrmaier, knit out of Elsebeth Lavold’s Hempathy. It is indeed the right yarn to be knitting with on these hot summer days and nights. Now, bring on the Olympics to maximize my knitting time!

Happy Summer all!

05/21/12

Are you smarter than an 10th grader??

Apparently, if you are a member of congress, you are probably not – especially if the Tea Party voted you in.

Great correlation there, if you ask me – idiots voting in idiots?

What spurs this topic is something I heard on NPR while getting ready for work this morning. You can listen to the entire story here, if you missed it.

The NPR Graphic shows the decline clearly

As America continues its “Dumb down Spiral,” stay tuned gentle reader, as it is bound to get more interesting as the election nears.

I am off to do a bit of reading, so I can continue to stay ahead of the pack…

05/20/12

Simpler is better…

I read with great regularity the Red Spoon Blog, however many times her recipe ideas do not work in my budget or on my time schedule. However, as she so aptly said, sometimes simpler is better.

This recipe is one that fits both categories – affordable and quick. I had my quiche in the oven in about 50 minutes. Now, the better part – I now have a healthy and nutritious lunch to bring to work – and it is delicious served room temperature!

I tweaked her recipe a bit – so if you are a “purist” for homemade piecrusts, you can find the complete directions here. However, my Pillsbury Pie Crust worked just fine, I just popped the extra crust in the freezer for the next time I make this dish!

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