Yesterday was RED DAY! HBear had to bring a red snack and wear something red. When I pulled out her red dress that she picked I noticed a few grease stains on the front! WTF? I hate stains. I don’t use bleach, fabric softener, or any detergents with chlorine or harmful chemicals. I have used Borax, Soap Nuts and wool balls for years. So, stains are somewhat of a pain in my ass. This time I searched all of Pinterest to find something that may help. I found something called the Miracle Cleaner. I wish I had taken before and after pictures because it worked AWESOMELY!!!!!
Miracle Cleaner
Mix ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide with 2 teaspoons of Dawn dish detergent (not something I use regularly but I bought a bottle to try this). I also added 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Shook it up and used a brush to scrub the spots. There were about 6 spots.
No more spots!
My Mom’s cousin has an apple orchard. We had Mom’s Celebration of Life there. They use their bounty to make the BEST Apple Cider in… well, probably the whole world! It is called Summerland Heritage Cider. It won best Cider at Last year’s Fest of Ale. Last week they gave us 2 flats of apples. They smell so sweet and like fall. Because it is finally cooler this week, I am so getting into fall. So today I am making applesauce!
I am using a basic recipe that I have tried before. SBean loves it! I can use it for a pork side… which reminds me I have to order my pig! I can also use it for an alternative sweetener. It is super yum. I think applesauce truly depends on the quality of apples that you use. Maybe that is why mine is so damn good! Thanks Marg and Tom!
Applesauce
makes about 6 quarts
8-10 pounds apples, peeled and cored
1 1/2 cups fresh pressed apple juice
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon all spice
juice of half a lemon
Place the apples and the spices into a large stockpot.
Pour in the water, apple juice and juice from the lemon.
Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes. Give it a good stir after about 20 minutes, so the apples soften up evenly.
After 30 minutes use an immersion blender to mash it up as smooth or as lumpy as you like.
Pour into clean jars and freeze applesauce, just be sure to leave plenty of head room in your jars for expansion.
In keeping with my TV addiction tonight is one of our favorites!!! New Girl! Yeah, it is a show even Ninja will watch, I love Zooey Deschanel and Schmidt is hilarious!!! I am not a fan of the main guy Nick, but the show is smart and funny. I haven’t enjoyed a half hour comedy so much in years. So in honor of New Girl tonight we are having a veggie pasta that is nutty and earthy… just like Jessica Day J
Autumn “Jess & Nick” Pasta
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water
3 sprigs thyme
4 sage leaves
pinch of saffron
1 handful parsley
5 tablespoons olive oil
1 large leek, white and light green parts sliced (dark green flags washed and reserved)
8 ounces mushrooms, thinly sliced (stems removed and reserved)
1 small bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 bunch cauliflower, florets only
1 bunch broccoli, florets only
16 ounces pasta
1 cup white wine
1 package seaweed
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Heat vegetable broth and water in a pot over medium. Add the thyme, sage, parsley, saffron, and reserved leek leaves and mushroom stems. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to maintain a light simmer.
In a large pot, heat 4 tablespoons oil over medium. Add pasta and stir well to coat. Cook for several minutes, until the pasta is golden brown. Pour in the wine and cook, stirring often, until most of the liquid has evaporated. Do this like you are cooking risotto!
Strain the vegetable broth, discarding the solids, and add the liquid to the pasta. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over medium. Add the leeks, mushrooms, bell pepper, garlic and a big pinch of salt, sautéing until all are soft. Add the broccoli and cauliflower, mix everything together. When the broccoli turns bright green, the veggies are ready.
When the pasta has absorbed most of the broth, stir in the vegetables. Taste and season. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and crumbled seaweed.
