Making Calamari Without the Grease
Friday nights have been a pizza night in my family since I was born. My very religious Catholic-Italian Grandfather, Sabatine, didn’t eat meat on Fridays year round so we always either bought delicious pizzas from Rubino’s, a wonderful little pizza place in the small town were I was raised in upstate New York or we made them from scratch. As much as I love pizza and we still get or make it every Friday night, I have added calamari to our Friday night menu. If my husband and I go out or have friends over this is so easy to make for my kids to enjoy or to put out as a little appetizer for my friends. I like to serve this with a cold white wine from the Loire region of France.
I take a ride down to the Denville Seafood market Friday afternoon and purchase a couple pounds of their delicious squid. It comes breaded, so I don’t even need to bother with that and it is so tender, fresh and delicious.
I don’t care for overly greasy fried foods so I use the Fry Daddy deep fryer to cook our calamari. I’m telling you it works perfectly every time. It is never ever greasy and it comes out golden brown and crispy. When you are finished frying you really should have almost all the oil you started with remaining in your fryer/pan. That makes for a crispy not greasy food.
First Take: Making Popovers
Until this morning, I had never had a popover in my life. The crusty little hollow creations are somewhere between an easy bread roll and an eggy delight. I was hoping for something crusty and tender, dry but moist … the recipe I made had hints of those qualities, but still fell a little short.
The recipe I am seeking for these will be buttery (this had no butter) and will use the two temperature process where the popovers are cooked at a high temperature and then browned at a lower temperature. This will produce the appearance I am seeking in the popovers. I would also like to experiment with add-ins like garlic and fresh herbs.
Easier Cake Decorating?
I love the idea of decorating cakes and cupcakes and cookies, but hate having to manage the pastry bag. It’s my ultimate nemesis. Whenever that darn pastry bag and I come in contact, frosting ends up all over me, my counter, my floor … and last time it was even on my dog’s head.
That’s why I was psyched to see these Decorating Squeeze Bottles at Crate and Barrel. The description says that they are so easy even little hands can use them — sounds like a gadget for me! They come with tips already on the caps (yea! no fussing with complicated attachments!) and retail for about $5 each.
I’ve got to try me some of that!
Make Herb Mincing Easy
This past weekend I made a creamy, delicious, fantastic (or so I was told) Artichoke and Herb Risotto. The fresh herbs took this comforting, creamy dish from good to great. But halfway through chopping, my one-year-daughter woke up and tears and demanded to be held…so I set about to chop the remainder of the herbs with one hand. Not easy.
But I discovered a tool that could make it a breeze. The Oxo Rolling Herb Mincer is a one-handed device for quickly and easily chopping herbs. It’s like using a pizza cutter (another good one-handed tool), except better since there are four blades to speed through the chopping.
It’s available at Williams-Sonoma for $14.
Make a Statement with Your Plates
When I was young, my grandmother had a book of Andy Warhol’s work that I would leaf through. I found him fascinating — and his art intriguing. I loved his use of repetition and color to make statements.
When I saw the Andy Warhol plate collection at CB2, which feature a Warhol image and quote, my eyes lit up. These would make fabulous conversation pieces for a dinner party. And, at the sale price of $0.95, they are an undeniable bargain.
The only downside? They are made of melamine, which I avoid when possible … but for cold appetizers maybe I could make an exception.
Photo: CB2
Honey Sticks For On The Go
After coming across these honey sticks in the store, I instantly knew my girlfriend would enjoy them. An avid tea drinker, she only takes her cup with honey and the sticks are perfect for her on-the-go schedule. Then I thought, what about me? I enjoy a good cup of tea every now and again, especially in the office. So, I bought a box for myself.
Once arriving to work, I unpacked my bag and placed the box of honey sticks on my desk. Like everyday upon my arrival to work, I was inundated my questions, visitors, and ringing phones. I had forgotten about the honey sticks. It wasn’t until I called a student in my office for a discipline referral that he brought my attention to them sitting by my water bottle.
“Honey and water? Not very tasty, Dr. A.” (How can you not love 8th graders? They always have something to say.)
“Don’t knock it until you try it. Hot water and honey isn’t totally bad. But, no. They’re for when I make hot tea.”
“I thought you always drink coffee.”
Great Tray for Patio-side Relaxing
Table for two?
If you love enjoying a snack and cocktail on the porch or patio as much as I do, then you might just love this wicker serving tray from Pottery Barn. The round tray can hold all the snacks you want — and drinks too — in a classy, fashionable way. And it’s got some durable leather handles to boot.
Available at Pottery Barn, $69.
A Great Glass for Summertime Sipping
What’s better than an icy beverage served up on the rocks while relaxing on the porch? Just add some brilliant blue skies, a cool summer breeze and a beautiful sunset and you are all set. But what will you be drinking that icy beverage from?
How about these fabulous Zazz Glasses from Crate and Barrel. The impossibly cute flower design on the glasses (with that fantastic interior bubble design) is perfect for any summer night. These retail for $6.95 each and are available in high-ball and double old fashioned sizes.
When A GE Cooktop Flops
When building my house a few years ago I had the joy of picking out kitchen appliances. One item I selected was a 36-inch GE 4-burner propane gas cooktop - Model JGP628CEC1CC. I thought I was getting the upgraded model but when it arrived and was installed it turned out to be last years model and I was told I was stuck with it unless I paid for a reinstall. I was assured that I was given a quality item that would offer me many years of trouble-free service. Little did I know they most likely meant months, not years. I should have never settled for the model installed but with building a new house you have to pick your battles and the cooktop was a battle I lost.
The cooktop is not living up to the expected potential, and perhaps it’s due to some internal gas problems.
Loving the Nigella Lawson All Purpose Cooking Pot
Not in a million years could I ever pick my favorite kitchen product, gadget or accessory. No, never. I just love to cook, bake and entertain too much to play favorites with any of the accouterments that hold court in my favorite room in the house. Although there will always be many kitchen items that I couldn’t live without, my Couscoussier pot from the Nigella Lawson line (it’s officially called the Nigella Lawson All Purpose Cooking Pot
Nigella has had this pot for over 20 years and it goes wherever she goes. Just like Nigella’s, my Couscoussier always sits on top of my stove where it feels both cozy and majestic. I use it several times a week and it is just so fabulous to look at that it would be a shame not to keep it on display and share its beauty with all those who pass through my kitchen.
I love the voluptuousness of its shape, like both a good woman and good meal should be: delicious, curvy, shapely, useful and with the promise of good things to come. I use it for everything. The big curved pot is perfect for cooking long pastas, for stews, soups, stocks, just about anything. The top part is great for making couscous, steaming vegetables and making English puddings. My favorite way to use my pot is to steam little neck clams. They take only minutes and I can put about 4-6 dozen easily in the top. They come out tender and perfect every time.
This pot is as useful as it is beautiful, and sure to become an heirloom in your family.
(Psst! The Nigella Lawson All Purpose Cooking Pot
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