A little cool and blustery gray today, so I don't feel too bad about not being outside in the garden (excuses, excuses). I did decide to cook up a storm today, however. We've been cooking on and off since about 7 am this morning, and I'm not sure the kids know what they are in for, although they helped with bits and pieces of it :)
First we needed a trip to the market to stock up on a few things I was missing, and it turned into the shock of a lifetime...
I needed tahini... needless to say I did not buy it at the natural foods market - check out the price... $22.69! What??? I went here to save myself the 15 minute trip to an ethnic store that keeps several varieties, duh... I ended up going there anyways and buying it for the more normal price of $6.59 which will give me enough to last for months.
Another gem at the natural foods market... I just had to get a picture of this - individually wrapped turnips, has everyone lost their d@mn mind?!
I was able to stock up on a variety of dried beans and whole grains, what a savings over buying canned/prepared stuff.
Luckily all my herbs for tonight came right from the garden: rosemary, parsley & mint. Also from the garden for tonight is the garlic and peppers. I also pressed my own olive oil... gotcha! :)
I made pitas first thing this morning, this was my first time making them from scratch and I'm really happy with the way they came out. Next time I think I'll try whole wheat.
The kids helped me with the marinade by peeling garlic, I hate that job :)
I then decided to sub beef in for lamb due to the ridiculous price of it at the store. I really need to be raising a few of my own for meat, or at least get an order in locally, but it won't happen in this area. Ideally, what I'm cooking tonight would have lamb or goat ('chevon' for the trendy folks), neither of which is something sold very much around here.
I'm finally getting this dry bean thing and remembering to soak them! Sooooo much cheaper and healthier.
Finn helped with draining cucumber
Here he is cleaning up my mess... what a strange child...
An hour ago, as I prepared the "dip", they couldn't keep their hands off it. This is due to them not seeing what went into the food processor, and me making up a fake name for it... can you guess what it is?
None of this kitchen flurry means I have any real energy for outside chores, I am stumped by this latest behavior of mine - I seem to be constantly moving inside and am really enjoying cooking again, but the thought of pulling weeds and building garden contraptions instantly has me depressed. Maybe just a cyclical thing? At least I am dealing with it by cooking and not gambling some other destructive avoidance technique LOL. Although I've been having such a good time in the kitchen today I kept looking at the clock wondering if I could yet imbibe in a glass of wine or homebrewed ale...not very mom-like but my favorite time to enjoy an adult beverage is while I'm cooking. If I would have started at 7 am though my kids would have walked to McDon@lds by now, stepping over me to get to the door. Hubby is at work now so this is for him: don't worry, I'm waiting for you! :)
So who can guess where our dinner table is taking us tonight?
I'll post the dinner and the answer later this evening...
Oooh Mediterranean food. My favorite! Did the boys help you make hummus? And are you making kabobs. I am so impressed you made your own pita. Wow Erin! You go girl! I can't believe Tahini is so expensive at that store. Who buys it for $22 bucks. Crazy. Luckily for us, Tahini is sold at the regular grocery store, and it's not pricey at all. BTW, since you love cooking, you might be interested in this. I am hosting a pie cutter giveaway. Today is the last day to enter. http://nycgardening.blogspot.com/2011/04/400-and-100-and-giveaway.html
ReplyDeletemeems, sssshhhhhhh! We can't say the "H" word LOL... it's "Lebanese Muscle Dip" :) When the kids were little they would both get a rash around their mouth after eating "H" so they always say "I'm allergic!" even though that hasn't happened in a long time, see, I don't "believe" in allergies!
ReplyDeleteMeat is getting so ridiculous in price--hope your substitute works out okay.
ReplyDeleteI used to love veal (not very PC, I know!) but I quit buying it when it hit $13 a pound. Love has its limits!
Great post and now I'm dying for tahini ... and a beverage to go with it ... time to head home from work. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteFalafes for dinner?
ReplyDeleteYou make me hungry!
ReplyDeleteWell, I GUESS you're enjoying cooking again!? Holy Moly, Rocky! Looks to me like you're preparing a veritable FEAST! Don't know what it's all going to be or look or taste like, but I sure wish we were part of it!
ReplyDeleteThe thing I like about cooking my own grains and beans is that they are SO MUCH MORE FLAVORFUL than anything you buy in a can. Oh, yeah, and lots and lots cheaper, too.
Mmmm, 'lebanese muscle dip". Love that! And my kids eat out the lemons too so yours must be just as normal as mine (good luck with that)
ReplyDeleteI soooo wish I was coming to your house for dinner.
Judy
Sue, the prices I saw today were crazy!
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ONG, welcome! Just remember to look at the price before you toss the tahini in the basket LOL!
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Dani, you are the closest so far!
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The Cast, hello! Now go eat :)
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Mama Pea, you don't know how much I would love to have you over for dinner tonight, there's a LOT of food! How fun a dinner party would be for all the blog family, to actually be able to cook for "appreciative" people LOL... well, the hubs is good about that but the kids, not so much.
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Judy, one day our "normal" kids will rule the world :)
your right about the prices-i think greed has a lot to do with it and not supply and demand [ and do not get me started on gas prices] but your right ,everyone has gone crazy. I have to check out some beef prices in our area so my daughter and I can go in on a 1/2 a cow. one of these days I will tell you all the story of trying to raise cows in the city [ well ,not really the city,but if you stood on the roof I bet you could see downtown--never the less IT WAS A DISASTER !
ReplyDeleteThe reason the tahini was so much was because it was RAW. The regular toasted tahini was priced more reasonably according to the label. It is bad enough someone eating the average diet gets hit hard, but if you follow a special diet, like a raw food diet, they really slam you. Sad.
ReplyDeleteJudy "2", going in with another is an awesome way to afford good meat! We usually do a "share", I'd love to do more but I don't have the freezer space.
ReplyDeleteJane, holy moly I feel bad for the raw people! But a bit of that is tempered with humor for me since I find the continuing parade of new diets kind of amusing. I remember years ago when the "Fruitarian" people were the trend, not only would they only eat fruit, they would only eat it if it fell to the ground "of its own accord" LOL! Fruit had feelings and it hurt them to be picked :)
We love hummus here, too! My Mil actually introduced me to it and I've been making it ever since. I actually like spreading it on bread, adding some lettuce or spinach and eating it for lunch. :-) They sell Tahini in the commissary here and it's right around $6.-. Your pitas look so good, I'm going to have to try and make some.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you and your family!