Apron Thrift Girl

Mod Mondays

Mod Mondays at Flavorstitch

I don't think the start of my week can get much better than writing a Thrift Share Monday post here at ATG and now a Mod Mondays post on Flavorstitch. When I came up with Mod Mondays I was really looking for a way to incorporate a bit of Mad Men into my food blog. As you know I heart vintage, especially around the style of mid century modern. I didn't want to call it Mad Men Mondays for fear of infringing on copyright issues on the name so hence Mod Mondays was formed.

Mod Mondays celebrate the vintage flair that encompassed kitchens in the late 50′s, 1960′s and early 1970′s. From the mod designs of Vera Neumann to the fabulous enamelware by Cathrineholm to the wacky and a little crazy recipes that filled magazines such as McCalls. Flavorstitch will features recipes, art, design and style from the Mod era each Monday.

At this point I'm not sure if I will turn it into a Link Share or not. But bloggers can take part and mention their link in the comments on each Mod Monday post. As I mention above, Mod Mondays isn't just about food. It is about anything that fits into the style of Mod whether it is a recipe you make, a piece of art you own or a 1960's car that you drive.

Did anyone notice Ashton Kutcher's house in No Strings Attached? His home was full of MCM furniture and design. He even had a a Broyhill Brasillia dresser which made my heart skip a beat.

This week's Mod Monday post featured a vintage ad recipe from French's Mustard.

You can read about my post here and find out if French's Cheeseburgers were fabulous or a complete recipe fail.

I hope you'll join me next week for Mod Mondays.

What's your favorite 1960's cookbook with some crazy recipes?

Lemon Icing

Keiran's Birthday Cake

Keiran was quite vocal about his birthday cake wishes this year.

• he wished for a spice cake
• he wished for a giant number on his cake
• he wished for fancy candles (colored flames)

Since the rest of his celebration was rather frugal I decided to go with it. We shopped local at a party store called Nancy's Fancy's where we found the candles. Since we've used beeswax candles for the last 7 years I agreed to let him choose this year.

For the cake we went with Namaste which has the most incredible Gluten Free Spice Cake ever. It's rich, moist and so delicious. You wouldn't ever guess that it didn't contain wheat.

I modified a recipe from Joy of Cooking for the frosting:

Lemon Frosting -

• 2 cups of powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup earth balance 
• 3 teaspoons half & half
• Rind & Juice of 1 Meyer lemon

Combine the powdered sugar and softened earth balance (or butter) in a mixer. Beat until well blended. Add half & half slowly while continuing to blend. Finally add the zest and lemon juice and beat until smooth.

This frosting is fluffy and so full of flavor. The slight zing of the lemon dances perfectly with the spices in the cake. The cake was such a hit that Dave has asked for the exact same one for his birthday in July. (sans the number candle(s) of course)

What's your favorite cake & frosting combination?

a sweet treat

Hungry for some Pluot Sauce with Anise over Straus Family Creamery Ice Cream?

This recipe was first inspired by Marie Claire Idees and then by my friend Jacki. You can discover my take on it at Flavorstitch.

Everyday Food - Martha Stewart

I was looking through the current issue of Everyday Food on the way to the Farmer's Market on Saturday when I saw that they had published a second cookbook. I nearly jumped out of my seat startling Dave and the children.

I adore everything about this magazine. I use their original cookbook nearly every single week. It is by far my favorite one in my collection. I am crazy about it because the recipes are fairly simple, they do use everyday foods but add a few key ingredients like lemon zest or cilantro to make the dish mouthwatering and fabulous. I must have tried at least 50 if not more of their recipes and have only been disappointed with a few. Some of the recipes like their turkey burgers have become our family regulars showing up at least once a month in our menu plans. 

My day was complete when we found the book at Coscto for $14.99 

I am really looking forward to diving into this book and planning our meals around their recipes. They decided to go with a different format than with the original book. The original was broken up into seasons. I loved opening the Spring section and planning my meals. Now I have to instead look through main course and then go to the side dish section. It is still packed with beautiful photographs and pretty effortless recipes.

My friend Guusje told me a couple weeks ago about an App for Everyday Food. I finally bought it today for .99 cents.

I've barely had a moment to explore this App so I don't have much feedback at this time.

The last Everyday Food bit of news to share is that in this month's issue offers a subscription card that not only gives you Everyday Food Magazine but also Body + Soul for only $12.00. They are also going to send 2 grocery totes as a bonus with my subscription. That equals to .60 cents an issue.  Personally I've yet to see a lower price on these two magazines. I filled out the subscription card in the car and had Dave make a small detour to the post office.

If you like to get inexpensive magazines, keep an eye on Savings With Amy blog or follow her on Twitter. Amy alerted me to an offer subscription for Everyday with Rachel Ray for $3.50 last week. Amy also has the latest on many discounts and coupons. It kind of makes your frugal head spin with excitement.

Do you have a favorite coupon or deal blog or website?

Menu Plans Feb 28 & Giveaway Winner

Thanks to everyone for taking took part in our Sharper Uniforms Apron Giveaway. Also a big thanks to Rebecca from Sharper Uniforms for generously donating a beautiful pink apron for this giveaway.

 

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

14

Timestamp: 2010-02-28 18:33:49 UTC

Congratulations to Katie! Katie, I'll email you for your address and send your new apron off this week. You are going to love this apron.

Menu Planning

Dave is heading off to New York on business this week after having been gone all of last week. I have a million exciting things on my plate including meeting up with Holly & Cathy this week. This leaves me little time to spend making complicated meals. I usually turn to family favorites that don't require a recipe when I am short on time.

Sunday: Shrimp & Rice Parsley pg 22 Everyday Food Magazine (current issue) & Salad w/ homemade Green Goddess Dressing.

Monday: Meatloaf - Fanny Farmer Cookbook & steamed broccoli

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Baked Potatoes covered in vintage cheese & avocado slices with Murray river sea salt

Thursday: Egg Fried Rice

Friday: Amy's Kitchen Frozen Rice Crust Pizza ($4.99 from Grocery Outlet)-adding additional toppings

Saturday: BBQ Steaks, Baked Fennel w/ Parmesan & Thyme pg 110 Everyday Food (current issue) & cherry tomato salad.

What's your favorite staple dish when you are tired and need to get something out on the table?

Quick & Simple Spaghetti Cabonara

I grew up eating American staple meals like baked beans and Jell-o, hot dogs, fried chicken and mashed potatoes and of course meatloaf. My mother mostly cooked out of her Betty Crocker Cookbook, copyright 1950. I loved her food and didn't know that other food even existed since we didn't eat out much.

When I met Dave in 1996 and I traveled to England to visit strange form of dating he opened up my world to food. I had never had a curry, a mango or spaghetti cabonara. I still remember sitting at Blenheim Palace on a picnic blanket when he gave me a piece of mango. A sensational taste hit my mouth and I remember saying that I don't understand how I could go into adulthood without having tasted a mango.It was simply divine.

When he made me spaghetti cabonara for the first time, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Although as I watched him prepare it for me, I couldn't believe how complicated it was. In the years since, we have only had this dinner a handful of times. Mostly because it can be complicated depending on your cooking skills. It's the egg part that makes me nervous.

This quick and simple recipes happened by accident last week when I was searching for something to eat for lunch. We had some leftover garlic noodles in the fridge and when I added some other ingredients in, I was reminded me of spaghetti cabonara.

Spaghetti Cabonara - serves 2 adults 2 small children

• 6 slices of Havarti Cheese - diced
• 6 slices of Ham - I used Applegate Black Forest - diced
• 1/4 cup half/half or whole milk
• 4 garlic cloves diced (or to taste)
• 1 pack spaghetti
• Pepper & Salt to taste

The ham replaces the bacon making this a quick recipe while the Havarti helps create a rich creamy sauce while omitting the egg.

Cook the pasta per directions on package. This is gluten free Tinkyada rice pasta. I do prefer Bionaturae but we didn't have any in the cupboard. Bionaturae is from Italy and by far the best gluten free pasta that I have tasted. It isn't as starchy as most of the other gf pastas and to me it taste just like wheat pasta would taste. Why wouldn't it? it's from Italy.

After the pasta is cooked, drain the pasta, rinse (especially if it is a starchy gf pasta) and return to pot. Add minced garlic and stir while heat is low slightly cooking the garlic.

Add all ingredients together under heat low. Stir until cheese is just about melted and smooth.

I added a mixed bean salad to go with the spaghetti. Dave rated the meal and gave it a 4 out of 5 stars for easy to make, 4 out of 5 stars for children liking it & 4 out of 5 stars for taste. Since this is his recipes I was pretty delighted by the rating. And he's not one who is afraid to tell me if my dinner doesn't work. Although he tries to let me down gently and I him. We are just that way about food. 

a foodie blog?

My husband Dave knows me so well. He doesn't need to buy me expensive gifts for Valentine's Day. All he needs to do is give me food and a wee bit of chocolate. This was his gift to me.

 
Pancakes with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

A BLT - being gluten free means these are less common around our house. Luckily we found some new bread that is very wheat tasting and makes the BLT's work.

Steak, mashed pots, broccoli and asparagus. All my favorites.

We finished off the day eating delicate chocolates from Theo. My favorite Ghost Chilie Salted Caramel. Seriously to die for chocolate.

Dave is just so thoughtful when it comes to me and food. Friday evening I went to my first Thai meal in 5 years. I was scared to try Thai because of my gluten allergy. Often wait staff just don't have the understanding of gluten free, they get annoyed by my questions and my need for more information. It can lead to stressful meals. We still have our airmile restaurant vouchers to use though and I didn't want to cook. In the end we had the most incredible meal at Khoom Lanna in Railroad Square, Santa Rosa. They don't use a titch of MSG and were so happy to work with my food allergy. My husband suggested that I order two dishes that most appealed to me and he would take the one I least like. He always does this for me. He thinks of me and my food obsessed stomach and caters toward it. What a sweetheart.

I can't think of a more loving gesture than that for Valentine's weekend.

While I was at Blissdom Cathe Holden suggested that I write an additional blog and focus on food. I said no initially because I'm not really a make-my-own-recipe type of gal. I do share them from time to time but not enough to be considered a foodie girl. Yet she planted the seed and I couldn't let this idea go. While I may not be a chef or exceptionally creative in the kitchen, I do adore food. Food is one of my other passions in life, just one that I kind of take for granted. Could I write about it five days a week? I was so inspired by Rachel at Blissdom and her talk of food from her blog A Southern Fairytale at Blissdom. Her tweets constantly leave me hungry. Maybe I could do this. She makes it look so much fun writing about something she loves.

At Blissdom one of the panels suggested that if we start a new blog to ask for name suggestions from our readers. I might end up using a suggested name or it might spark off ideas about a name. It really would be a blog focusing on the quality of taste in our food. Food should tantalize your taste buds and inspire you rather than leave you with the feeling that you could make it better at home. Or that you could have written the recipe better. It will be gluten free food but I would rather have it be about food in general and a place that anyone who loves food will feel welcomed. Gluten Free doesn't have to be in the name. What are your thoughts?  Any names come to mind? What do you want to see on a foodie blog if I write one?

Menu Plans for the Week 2/14/10

I thought I would begin to share my menus for the week for a Sunday post. I normally take the weekends off from blogging to thrift and spend time with the family but a menu-plan post should be pretty quick. Are you interested in this type of thing? What would you want to see besides the basics?

Lately I only shop once a week. I plan my menus on Saturday and shop on Sunday. This has changed around to fit into our ever life over the years. I used to shop on Wednesday and other months on Friday. Because my work week is so limited I try to work rather than shop. We pick up our raw milk from a farm on Tuesdays so we don't have to go to the store twice a week. I hope to eventually move to making our own yogurt, butter and whipped cream using the milk. Which means even less dairy to buy at the store. I do pop into our fabulous local grocery store Olivers on Wednesday to pick up the sales ad but try to avoid buying anything, perhaps picking up some fruit if anything. The ads are also on-line but I'm old fashion and need to look through the ads at the table with shopping list in hand.

No matter how many new cookbooks I try, I tend to fall back on Everyday Foods. It just is so simple, so tasty and I always seem to still find a recipe that I haven't tried before. You'll find that many of my menus includes recipes from this book. If you have a similar book to recommend, I'd love to hear your suggestion.

Menus:

Monday: Bean & Cheese Wraps using these better-than-wheat Food for Life Brown Rice Tortillas. We place on the table; rice (from the rice cooker) , freshly grated cheese, beans and then whatever we find in the refrigerator. This is a great way to eat up leftovers. We serve the tortillas warm.

Tuesday: Chili-rubbed Skirt Steak -pg 294 Everyday Food Cookbook. Romaine Heart Salad with Creamy Dressing (same page)

Wednesday: Easy Spaghetti Carbonara (check back Wednesday for recipe) & bean salad.

Thursday: Chicken Caesar Salad - pg 119 Everyday Food Cookbook  

Friday: Golden Spice Rice with Chickpeas - pg 142 Feeding Your Whole Family by Cynthia Lair.

Saturday: Roast Chicken with Artichokes - pg 162 -March 2010 Martha Stewart living Magazine -accompanied with with Steamed Broccoli.

Off to do my grocery shopping and enjoy Valentine's Day with my family. 

Shopping for Organic Discount Groceries

Years ago before there was the internet as we know it, or blogs or tweets there was something simple called a newsletter. It usually arrived in your mailbox and consisted of eight or so pages of information. Back in the day I would eagerly await the moment that the latest edition of The Tightwad Gazette arrived at my door. I would come home from work, grab a cup of warm coffee and pour over every page. This is a time when I saved every cent and even went too far as to freeze in my little home because of my stubborn pride of striving to keep an $18.00 electric bill. I didn't quite get the whole frugal/balance thing.

I remember Amy Dacyczyn telling amusing stories about going to a canned food store and buying unmarked (mystery) food. If memory serves me correct, she would open one of these .5 cent cans and the contents would be part of their dinner that night. She took frugality to an entire different level. I was in complete awe of her.

I've shopped at the store Grocery Outlet for years. I grew up calling it the Canned Food Store so I'm unsure as to whether they changed their name over time or if that is the name my parents used to call it. Monday afternoon the children and I went there to pick up some dinner. Dave was in Texas and I was still mentally in Nashville. I needed something quick, easy and affordable.

The Grocery Outlet offers name brands at 40-60% off of what you might find at your regular retailer. There are 130+ independently owned Grocery Outlets in six Western States. I used to shop at the one in Bremerton when I lived up in Washington. My two local stores are located in Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park.

Here's some of the items I found on Monday.

Organic Pineapple Green Tea $1.99,  Romance Tea (4 mini stacking tins) $3.99 (thought it might make a nice gift in a tea basket)

Organic Poppy Seeds $1.49

Scharffen Berger Baking Chocolate $2.49 each.

Wild Smoked Salmon $4.99, Nacho Cheese (natural and gluten free) $1.49, Organic Mango Green Tea $1.99.

Organic Tortilla Chips $1.99, Cruchitos $1.49 and Natural Lime & Salt Microwave Popcorn $1.99 (for 10 mini bags).

Haagen-Dazs Five - Brown Sugar Ice-Cream. $1.50. Have you ever heard of a more delectable flavor of ice-cream? Simple to the point and so scrumptious tasting. I topped it with some Reddi Wip topping $1.49 since I'm still going through whipped cream withdrawals from Blissdom. Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Total amount saved: $45.30.

I could pop into the Grocery Outlet a month from now and not find a single one of these items on the shelf. Their inventory is constantly changing. What I try to do is either stock up if I'm familiar with the product or buy one bag/can/box, take it home, try it out and return to the store to buy more as soon as I can. I'm certainly going to go back tomorrow and buy a few van full of the Haagen Dazs ice-cream. It was beyond mouth watering. Seriously.

I've never had bad luck with an item purchased at the Grocery Outlet. An item might not be as flavorful as I would have liked but that's part of the game of trying any new food product. Overall I've been so satisfied with my purchases. My only disappointment is falling in love with something only to find that they have sold out when I next went shopping. I'd say that is a good problem to have.

Here's an article on Salvage Grocery Stores by Brian Tuttle. It includes a fabulous list of salvage grocery stores in the United States.

Babycakes Banana Bread

My sweet friend Joanne was telling me about this fabulous cookbook called Babycakes. Three hours after she mentioned it I spotted it in Anthropologie. When I took my first look through the photos and the gluten free recipes I nearly fainted.

You can have gluten free but it often taste like sawdust. You can get organic but it's not gluten free. You can have natural but it's loaded with gluten. It's rare to get a cookbook or food item that is gluten free, sugar free, organic and natural. That combination is such a rare thing. This book is nearly perfect in the fact that it's almost all gluten free (ignoring the handful of spelt recipes) and practically all the recipes call for Agave (Costco now sells Agave for a very affordable price).

A friend and I recently started a building development group. We met last week and I was the host. I had an hour to throw together a last second dessert that was sugar free since I was feeling a cold coming on. I grabbed Babycakes and quickly found these ingredients.

 

Babycakes uses Bob's Red Mill which makes throwing a recipe together far easier than most recipe books. Financially I haven't properly analyzed the cost of using Bob's versus other books where I combine gf flours myself. I'll do that further down the road. For this occasion the recipe was perfect.

 

I went with straight forward banana bread since all my chocolate chips have sugar in them.

It was heavenly tasting and perfect for a stormy night. The recipe was extremely easy to follow and it felt lovely to use healthy, wholefoods ingredients. Next up is her chocolate chip cookie recipe. I've yet to taste a cookie that reminds me of my childhood favorite: Nestles Tollhouse Cookies.