Books J's Read - 2011

The new start of a new year means yet another Books J's Read list. It will likely contain mostly cozy mysteries, and the occasional non-fiction book, but if you are looking for something to read, and you trust my humble judgement, read on for my list of reads of the year.

Fiction:

1. A Peach of a Murder (Fresh-Baked Mysteries, 1) - Livia J. Washburn - 4 out of 5
   
2. Accessory to Murder (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper 3) - Elaine Viets - 5 out of 5
3. An Uplifting Murder (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, 6) - Elaine Viets - 5 out of 5
4. Bantam of the Opera (Bed & Breakfast, 5) - Mary Daheim - 3 out of 5
   
5. Cat Sitter Among the Pigeons (Dixie Hemingway, 6) - Blaize Clement - 4 out of 5
   
6. Cat Sitter On a Hot Tine Roof (Dixie Hemingway, 4) - Blaize Clement - 4 out of 5
7. Curiosity Thrilled the Cat (Magical Cats Mystery 1) - Sofie Kelly - 4.5 out of 5
8. Dune to Death (Bed & Breakfast Mystery, 4) - Mary Daheim - 3 out of 5
   
9. Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter (Dixie Hemingway, 1) - Blaize Clement - 4 out of 5
10. Duplicity Dogged the Dachshund (Dixie Hemingway, 2) - Blaize Clement - 4 out of 5
11. Even Cat Sitters Get the Blues (Dixie Hemingway, 3) - Blaize Clement - 4 out of 5
12. Foul Prey (Bed & Breakfast Mystery, 2) - Mary Daheim - 3 out of 5
    
13. Dying in Style (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, 1) - Elaine Viets - 5 out of 5
14. Holy Terrors (Bed & Breakfast Mystery, 3) - Mary Daheim - 3 out of 5
    
15. Just Desserts (Bed & Breakfast Mystery, 1) - Mary Daheim - 3 out of 5
    
16. Killer Crab Cakes (Fresh-Baked Mysteries, 4) - Livia J. Washburn - 3 out of 5
    
17. High Heels Are Murder (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, 2) - Elaine Viets - 5 out of 5
18. Murder By the Slice (Fresh-Baked Mysteries, 2) - Livia J. Washburn - 3.5 out of 5
    
19. Murder With All the Trimmings (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, 4) - Elaine Viets - 5 out of 5
20. Raining Cat Sitters and Dogs (Dixie Hemingway, 5) - Blaize Clement - 4 out of 5
    
21. Shot Through Velvet (Crime of Fashion Mysteries, 7) - 3.5 out of 5
22. The Christmas Cookie Killer (Fresh-Baked Mysteries, 3) - Livia J. Washburn - 3 out of 5
    
23. The Fashion Hound Murders (Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper, 5) - Elaine Viets - 5 out of 5
24. The Pumpkin Muffin Murder (Fresh-Baked Mysteries, 5) - Livia J. Washburn - 3 out of 5
    

Books J's Read - 2010

1. 44 Scotland Street (44 Scotland Street, 1) - Alexander McCall Smith - 5 out of 5
   
2. A Charmed Death (Bewitching Mystery, 2) - Madelyn Alt - 3 out of 5
3. A Hoe Lot of Trouble (A Nina Quinn Mystery, 1) - Heather Webber - 3 out of 5
4. A Killer Workout (A Fat City Mystery, 2) - Kathryn Lilley - 3 out of 5
   
5. A Rose from the Dead (Flower Shop Mystery, 6) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
6. Arsenic and Old Paint (Annie Kincaid, 4) - Hailey Lind - 3.5 out of 5
   
7. A Toast to Murder (Wine Lover's Mystery, 6) - Michele Scott - 3 out of 5
8. A Vintage Murder (Wine Lover's Mystery, 4) - Michele Scott - 3 out of 5
9. A Wedding to Die For (Yellow Rose Mysteries, 2) - Leann Sweeney - 4 out of 5
   
10. A Witch in Time (Bewitching Mystery, 6) - Madelyn Alt - 3 out of 5
11. Acts of Violets (Flower Shop Mystery, 5) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
12. Armed and Glamorous (Crime of Fashion, 6) - Ellen Byerrum - 3 out of 5
13. Bed Rest - Sarah Bilston - 4 out of 5
14. Better Off Wed (Annabelle Archer Mystery, 1) - Laura Durham - 3.5 out of 5
    
15. Bookmarked for Death (Booktown Mystery, 2) - Lorna Barrett - 4 out of 5
16. Bookplate Special (Booktown Mystery, 3) - Lorna Barrett - 4 out of 5
    
17. Bride and Doom (Carnegie Kincaid, 6) - Deborah Donnelly - 3.5 out of 5
18. Brush with Death (Annie Kincaid Mystery, 3) - Hailey Lind - 4 out of 5
    
19. Catch As Cat Can (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 10) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
20. Catering to Nobody (Goldy Schulz Catering, 1) Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
    
21. Cat On the Scent (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 7) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
22. Cat's Eyewitness (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 13) - Rita Mae Brown - 3 out of 5
23. Chapter & Hearse (Booktown Mystery, 4) - Lorna Barrett - 3 out of 5
    
24. Chopping Spree (Goldy Schulz Catering, 11) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
    
25. Class Mothers - Katherine Stewart - 3 out of 5
    
26. Claws and Effect (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 9) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
27. Clubbed to Death (Dead-End Job, 7) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
    
28. Cooking Up Murder (Cooking Class Mysteries, 1) - Miranda Bliss - 3.5 out of 5
29. Corked By Cabernet (Wine Lover's Mystery, 5) - Michele Scot - 3 out of 5
30. Crossing the Lion (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 9) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
    
31. Damsel Under Stress (Katie Chandler, 3) - Shanna Swedsen - 4 out of 5
32. Dark Tort (Goldy Schulz Catering, 13) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
    
33. Dead Air (A Talk Radio Mystery, 1) - Mary Kennedy - 3.5 out of 5
34. Dead Canaries Don't Sing (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 1) - Cynthia Baxter - 4 out of 5
    
35. Dead Giveaway (Yellow Rose Mysteries, 3) - Leann Sweeney - 3.5 out of 5
    
36. Dead Men Don't Get the Munchies (Cooking Class Mysteries, 3) - Miranda Bliss - 3.5 out of 5
37. Dearly Depotted (Flower Shop Mystery, 3) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
38. Death By Panty Hose (Jaine Austen Mystery, 6) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
39. Death of a Trophy Wife (Jaine Austen Mystery, 9) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
40. Death Takes a Honeymoon (Carnegie Kincaid, 4) - Deborah Donnelly - 3.5 out of 5
    
41. Death Takes the Cake (Della Cooks Mystery, 2) - Melinda Wells - 4 out of 5
42. Decaffeinated Corpse (Coffeehouse Mystery, 5) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
43. Designer Knockoff (Crime of Fashion, 2) - Ellen Byerrum - 3 out of 5
44. Died to Match (Carnegie Kincaid, 2) - Deborah Donnelly - 3 out of 5
    
45. Digging Up Trouble (A Nina Quinn Mystery, 3) - Heather Webber - 3 out of 5
46. Dirty Rotten Tendrils (Flower Shop Mystery, 10) - Kate Collins - 3.5 out of 5
    
47. Don't Hex With Texas (Katie Chandler, 4) - Shanna Swedsen - 4 out of 5
48. Double Dog Dare (Kendra Ballantyne, 6) - Linda O. Johnston - 3 out of 5
49. Double Shot (Goldy Schulz Catering, 12) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
    
50. Dying for Chocolate (Goldy Schulz Catering, 2) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
    
51. Dying for Dinner (Cooking Class Mysteries, 4) - Miranda Bliss - 3.5 out of 5
52. Dying to Be Thin (A Fat City Mystery, 1) - Kathryn Lilley - 3 out of 5
    
53. Dying to Call You (Dead-End Job, 3) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
    
54. Enchanted, Inc. (Katie Chandler, 1) - Shanna Swedsen - 4 out of 5
55. Espresso Shot (Coffeehouse Mystery, 7) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
56. Espresso Tales (44 Scotland Street, 2) - Alexander McCall Smith - 5 out of 5
    
57. Evil in Carnations (Flower Shop Mystery, 8) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
58. Fatally Flaky (Goldy Schulz Catering, 15) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
    
59. Family Affair - Caprice Crane - 3 out of 5
60. Feline Fatale (Kendra Ballantyne, 9) - Linda O. Johnston - 3 out of 5
    
61. Fine Feathered Death (Kendra Ballantyne, 3) - Linda O. Johnston - 4 out of 5
62. For Better or Hearse (Annabelle Archer Mystery, 2) - Laura Durham - 3.5 out of 5
    
63. French Pressed (Coffeehouse Mystery, 6) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
64. Fundraising the Dead (Museum Mystery, 1) - Sheila Connelly - 3 out of 5
65. Feint of Art (Annie Kincaid Mystery, 1) - Hailey Lind - 4 out of 5
    
66. Grave Apparel (Crime of Fashion, 5) - Ellen Byerrum - 3 out of 5
67. Half-Price Homicide (Dead-End Job, 9) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
68. Hare Today, Dead Tomorrow (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 4) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
    
69. Hex Marks the Spot (Bewitching Mystery, 3) - Madelyn Alt - 3 out of 5
70. Holiday Grind (Coffeehouse Mystery, 8) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
71. Homicide in Hardcover (Bibliophile Mystery, 1) - Kate Carlisle - 4 out of 5
72. Hostile Makeover (Crime of Fashion, 4) - Ellen Byerrum - 3 out of 5
73. Howl Deadly (Kendra Ballantyne, 8) - Linda O. Johnston - 3.5 out of 5
74. How to Crash a Killer Bash (Party Planning Mystery, 1) - Penny Warner - 4 out of 5
75. How to Host a Killer Party (Party Planning Mystery, 2) - Penny Warner - 4 out of 5
    
76. Hunger Point - Jillian Medoff - 3.5 out of 5
77. If Books Could Kill (Bibliophile Mystery, 2) - Kate Carlisle - 3.5 out of 5
78. Killer Blonde (Jaine Austen Mystery, 3) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
79. Killer Cuts (Dead-End Job, 8) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
    
80. Killer Mousse (Della Cooks Mystery, 1) - Melinda Wells - 4 out of 5
81. Killer Pancake (Goldy Schulz Catering, 5) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
    
82. Killing Bridezilla (Jaine Austen Mystery, 7) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
83. Last Writes (Jaine Austen Mystery, 2) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
84. Latte Trouble (Coffehouse Mystery, 3) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
85. Lead a Horse to Murder (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 3) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
86. Love Over Scotland (44 Scotland Street, 3) - Alexander McCall Smith - 5 out of 5
    
87. Love You To Death - Melissa Senate - 3 out of 5
88. Makeovers Can Be Murder (A Fat City Mystery, 3) - Kathryn Lilley - 3 out of 5
    
89. May the Best Man Die (Carnegie Kincaid, 3) - Deborah Donnelly - 3 out of 5
    
90. Misery Loves Cabernet - Kim Gruenenfelder - 3 out of 5
91. Meow for Murder (Kendra Ballantyne, 4) - Linda O. Johnston - 3.5 out of 5
92. Monkey See, Monkey Die (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 7) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
    
93. Mum's the Word (Flower Shop Mystery, 1) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
94. Murder At Monticello (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 3) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
95. Murder Between the Covers (Dead-End Job, 2) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
    
96. Murder By the Glass (Wine Lover's Mystery, 2) - Michele Scott - 3 out of 5
97. Murder Had a Little Lamb (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 8) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
    
98. Murder Has A Sweet Tooth (Cooking Class Mysteries, 5) - Miranda Bliss - 3.5 out of 5
99. Murder is Binding (Booktown Mystery, 1) - Lorna Barrett - 4 out of 5
    
100. Murder Most Frothy (Coffeehouse Mystery, 4) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
101. Murder On the Menu (Cooking Class Mysteries, 2) - Miranda Bliss - 3.5 out of 5
102. Murder on the Prowl (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 6) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
103. Murder Uncorked (Wine Lover's Mystery, 1) - Michele Scot - 3 out of 5
104. Murder Unleashed (Dead-End Job, 5) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
     
105. Murder, She Meowed (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 5) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
106. Murder with Reservations (Dead-End Job, 6) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
     
107. Never Say Sty (Kendra Ballantyne, 7) - Linda O. Johnston - 3 out of 5
     
108. Nothing to Fear but Ferrets (Kendra Ballantyne, 2) - Linda O. Johnston - 4 out of 5
     
109. No Rest of the Wiccan (Bewitching Mystery, 4) - Madelyn Alt - 3 out of 5
110. On What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mystery, 1) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
111. Once Upon Stilettos (Katie Chandler, 2) - Shanna Swedsen
112. Pawing Through the Past (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 8) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
113. Pay Dirt (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 4) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
114. Pick Your Poison (Yellow Rose Mysteries, 1) - Leann Sweeney - 3.5 out of 5
     
115. Prime Cut (Goldy Schulz Catering, 8) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
116. Pushing Up Bluebonnets (Yellow Rose Mysteries, 5) - Leann Sweeney - 3.5 out 5
     
117. Puss 'n Cahoot (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 15) - Rita Mae Brown - 3 out of 5
118. Putting on the Dog (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 2) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
     
119. Rachel's Holiday - Marian Keyes - 3 out of 5
120. Raiders of the Lost Corset (Crime of Fashion, 3) - Ellen Byerrum - 3 out of 5
121. Rest in Pieces (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 2) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
122. Reel Murder (A Talk Radio Mystery, 2) - Mary Kennedy - 3 out of 5
     
123. Rich Again - Anna Maxted - 3 out of 5
124. Right from the Gecko (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 5) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
     
125. Roast Mortem (Coffeehouse Mystery, 9) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
     
126. Santa Clawed (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 17) - Rita Mae Brown - 3.5 out of 5
127. Shoes to Die For (Jaine Austen Mystery, 4) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
128. Shoot from the Lip (Yellow Rose Mysteries, 4) - Leann Sweeney - 3.5 out of 5
129. Shooting Gallery (Annie Kincaid Mystery, 2) - Hailey Lind - 4 out of 5
     
130. Shoots to Kill (Flower Shop Mystery, 7) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
131. Shop Till You Drop (Dead End Job, 1) - Elaine Viets - 3.5 out of 5
     
132. Silenced By Syrah (Wine Lover's Mystery, 3) - Michele Scot - 3 out of 5
133. Slay it with Flowers (Flower Shop Mystery, 2) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
134. Sleeping with Anemone (Flower Shop Mystery, 9) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
135. Snipped in the Bud (Flower Shop Mystery, 4) - Kate Collins - 3 out of 5
136. Sour Puss (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 14) - Rita Mae Brown - 3 out of 5
137. Sticks and Scones (Goldy Schulz Catering, 10) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
138. Sweet Revenge (Goldy Schulz Catering, 14) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
     
139. The Accidental Virgin - Valerie Frankel - 1 out of 5
140. The Cereal Murders (Goldy Schulz Catering, 3) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
     
141. The Ex-Mrs. Hedgefund - Jill Kargman - 2 out of 5
142. The Fright of the Iguana (Kendra Ballantyne, 5) - 3.5 out of 5
     
143. The Girl's Guide to Witchcraft - Mindy L. Klasky - 3 out of 5
144. The Grilling Season (Goldy Schulz Catering, 7) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
145. The Hunt (Rachel Benjamin, 4) - Jennifer Sturman - 4 out of 5
     
146. The Jinx (Rachel Benjamin, 2) - Jennifer Sturman - 4 out of 5
147. The Key (Rachel Benjamin, 3) - Jennifer Sturman - 4 out of 5
     
148. The Killer Hair (Crime of Fashion, 1) - Ellen Byerrum - 3 out of 5
149. The Kitchen Witch - Annette Blair - 2 out of 5
150. The Last Suppers (Goldy Schulz Catering, 4) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
151. The Main Corpse (Goldy Schulz Catering, 6) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
152. The Pact (Rachel Benjamin, 1) - Jennifer Sturman - 4 out of 5
     
153. The PMS Murder (Jaine Austen Mystery, 5) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
154. The Proof is in the Pudding (Della Cooks Mystery, 3) - Melinda Wells - 4 out of 5
155. The Purrfect Murder (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 16) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
156. The Tail of the Tip Off (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 11) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
157. The Ten Best Days of My Life - Adena Halpern - 4 out of 5
158. The Trouble with Magic (Bewitching Mystery, 1) - Madelyn Alt - 3 out of 5
159. The World According to Bertie (44 Scotland Street, 4) - Alexander McCall Smith - 5 out of 5
160. The Unbearable Lightness of Scones (44 Scotland Street, 5) - Alexander McCall Smith - 5 out of 5
     
161. This Pen for Hire (Jaine Austen Mystery, 1) - Laura Levine - 4 out of 5
162. To Love and To Perish (Annabelle Archer Mystery, 3) - Laura Durham - 3 out of 5
     
163. Through the Grinder (Coffeehouse Mystery, 2) - Cleo Coyle - 3 out of 5
164. Tough Cookie (Goldy Schulz Catering, 9) - Diane Mott Davidson - 4 out of 5
     
165. Trophies - Heather Thomas - 4 out of 5
166. Trouble in Bloom (A Nina Quinn Mystery, 2) - Heather Webber - 3 out of 5
167. Trouble in Spades (A Nina Quinn Mystery, 4) - Heather Webber - 3 out of 5
168. Undead and Unappreciated (Queen Betsy, 3) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
169. Undead and Uneasy (Queen Betsy, 6) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
170. Undead and Unemployed (Queen Betsy, 2) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
171. Undead and Unfinished (Queen Betsy, 9) - MaryJanice Davidson - 4.5 out of 5
     
172. Undead and Unpopular (Queen Betsy, 5) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
173. Undead and Unreturnable (Queen Betsy, 4) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
174. Undead and Unwed (Queen Betsy, 1) - MaryJanice Davidson - 4 out of 5
175. Undead and Unwelcome (Queen Betsy, 8) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
176. Undead and Unworthy (Queen Betsy, 7) - MaryJanice Davidson - 3 out of 5
177. Veiled Threats (Carnegie Kincaid, 1) - Deborah Donnelly - 3 out of 5
     
178. Weeding out Trouble (A Nina Quinn Mystery, 5) - Heather Webber - 3 out of 5
179. Where There's a Witch (Bewitching Mystery, 5) - Madelyn Alt - 3 out of 5
180. Whisker of Evil (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 12) - Rita Mae Brown - 3 out of 5
181. Who's Kitten Who (Reigning Cats and Dogs, 6) - Cynthia Baxter - 3.5 out of 5
     
182. Wish You Were Here (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries, 1) - Rita Mae Brown - 4 out of 5
183. You May Now Kill the Bride (Carnegie Kincaid, 5) - Deborah Donnelly - 3.5 out of 5
     

J's Onion Soup

Well not only have I been a bit obsessed with soup lately, Brett and I have both been fighting a nasty cold that doesn't seem to want to go away. So soup has been an even bigger part of our lives lately.

Nothing feels better on a sore throat than a flavorful, brothy soup. At least that is how I feel.

I wanted something simple, tasty, and that would also do the trick. I've never been much of a chicken noodle girl (or a "No Chicken Noodle" girl as it now stands), and I really love the taste of caramelized onions, so I thought I'd give this a shot.

It turned out good - darn good, and it was easy to make, and that is the only tolerable cooking that can be done when sick. Not that I don't like quick and easy meals on a good day though either...

Anyways, check it out.


















The local booty legend (aka revealing my sources):
no asterisk = grocery store
+ = local produce from The Root Cellar
++ = The Peace Nook (will denote whether product is local or just from the Nook)
* = farmer's market
** = CSA
*** = Container or Community Garden
**** = the non-profit buying club, Blue Planet or Purcell Mountain Farms

J's Onion Soup

Mushroom Broth:
1 package portobello mushrooms
1 yellow onion, halved
5 cloves of garlic, crushed
2-3 tbsp Earth Balance or butter
6 cups water

Melt EB or butter in pot over medium-high heat.

Add the mushrooms and onion and cook until they begin to caramelize, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional 10 minutes.

Add the water and simmer over low heat for about an hour.

Strain broth with a wire mesh strainer. Reserve at least 3 cups.

Rest of the Soup:
2 tbsp safflower oil
2 red onions, peeled and sliced
2 yellow onions, peeled and sliced
6 cloves of garlic, peeled
salt
pepper

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until they begin to soften and caramelize, about 15-20 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional 5 minutes.

Transfer to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Add the mushroom broth in batches until it is at your desired consistency.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Very simple, very good.

J's Songs of the Day:
Japura River - Philip Glass
Paru River - Philip Glass

'Til next time.

Citrus-Marinated Veggie Sandwiches

As a vegetarian, I tend to be at a loss for ideas for sandwiches. I don't like tofu or any meat substitutes and one can only eat so much egg salad. We also prefer Mexican food, and I just don't picture sandwiches when I imagine Mexican cuisine.

But you can improvise, no?

I decided to get a bit creative when I saw this gorgeous Sourdough French loaf at the DanJo Farms stand when I was picking up our CSA. Brett and I have fallen in love with the Herb Focaccia, so I decided we needed to try this.

I wanted something spicy, yummy, filling, and at least reminiscent of Mexican flavors, so this is what I came up with...


















The local booty legend (aka revealing my sources):
no asterisk = grocery store
+ = local produce from The Root Cellar
++ = The Peace Nook (will denote whether product is local or just from the Nook)
* = farmer's market
** = CSA
*** = Container or Community Garden
**** = the non-profit buying club, Blue Planet or Purcell Mountain Farms

Citrus-marinated Veggie Sandwiches

Citrus-marinated Onions and Mushrooms:
3 oranges, squeezed
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup white vinegar
5 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 guajillo chiles, washed
1/4 cup cilantro *
a few dashes of cumin
1 large red onion, halved and sliced
1 pack button mushrooms, sliced

Combine and cover. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for at least a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld.

Once onions and mushrooms are marinated, heat 2 tbsp safflower oil over medium-high heat. Remove the onions and mushrooms from the marinade and tranfer to hot oil.

Cook until caramelized and cook through, about 15 minutes.

Other Fixin's:
1/2 loaf of Sourdough French bread, sliced in half
1 avocado, smashed with a little lime juice and salt
mayo or Veganaise mixed with two chipotle chiles in adobo
pepper jack cheese or "cheese"
Preheat broiler.

Place bread halves on a pan, if using cheese, top one slice of each pair with cheese. Place under the broiler and remove when bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.

Spread chipotle mayo on the "dry" slice of bread and avocado mixture on the cheesy slice, layer on half the onion/mushroom mixture for each sandwich.

Enjoy!

*These could also be prepared to be eaten "open faced".

'Til next time!

Southwestern Lentil and Veggie Bisque

I've been on a soup kick for quite some time now, so nobody should be surprised that this is...yet another soup post.

I have been into trying out smooth soups lately, perfecting the arduous process of pressing everything through a wire mesh strainer feels like quite an accomplishment when you get a beautiful tasty soup in the end. And it is a good arm workout.

So without further fanfare...


















The local booty legend (aka revealing my sources):
no asterisk = grocery store
+ = local produce from The Root Cellar
++ = The Peace Nook (will denote whether product is local or just from the Nook)
* = farmer's market
** = CSA
*** = Container or Community Garden
**** = the non-profit buying club, Blue Planet or Purcell Mountain Farms

Southwestern Lentil and Veggie Bisque

1 cup green lentils, rinsed
water

2-3 tbsp safflower oil
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped *
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped *
4 New Mexico chiles, seeded and chopped (red if you can get 'em) *
1 red onion, sliced
1 yellow onion, sliced **
3 red potatoes, scrubbed and cubed *
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup sweet corn
1 tomato, cored and chopped **
5 cloves of garlic, peeled
1/2 cup veggie broth
1/4 cup cilantro *
cumin to taste
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Put lentils in a small sauce pan and fill with water.

Bring to a boil and simmer until done, about 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat oil over medium-high heat and saute peppers, onions, potatoes, carrot, and corn until they begin to soften, about 15-20 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and garlic and cook for an additional ten minutes.

Tranfer veggies to a blender or food processor and puree. Add the veggie broth and cilantro. Slowly add the lentils (with cooking liquid) in small batches and puree until smooth.

Over a large soup pot, smash the mixture through a wire mesh strainer.

The resulting soup should be very smooth.

Season to taste with cumin, salt, and pepper.

This was a really tasty soup and quite filling too!

I will be working on updating the recipe index this evening, as well as responding to the comments I have been neglecting (I suck sometimes).

I hope everyone is have a great weekend!

'Til next time.

Who Says Homework Has To Be Lame?

First off I am not going to bother to make excuses for my absence. Laziness is, of course, part of it, but I've also been writing (135 pages!), reading, cooking, and as you will see, creating invaluable works of art.

Those of you out there who are astute might be wondering why I am talking about homework - I graduated two years ago and have a full-time job, I have moved "beyond" homework. BUT...(of course there is a but or there would be no point in this post), Brett is still in school, having followed along in my footsteps (copy-cat!) in pursuing a degree in psychology even though he doesn't want to actually do anything related to psychology. In both of our defense, the courses are so fascinating and it gives you quite and interesting perspective. I tended to prefer sociology to psychology in all honesty, but at least a degree in psychology is fairly useful in the job market (well, when there was one).

Anyway, he is currently taking Research Design, a core psychology course. I may be giving away the extent of my nerdom here but Research Design was one of my very favorite classes. I recall a fascinating paper I wrote about sampling procedures...you all will have to trust me, it was really an interesting thing to explore in depth but I won't bore you with the details.

MOVING ON.

(I get off on tangents easily.)

One of B's assignments was to watch an hour of television and write down all the commercials aired within a one hour program (there is obviously more that went into it, lest you think upper level psychology courses involve you doing random observations, I just don't want to bore you with the details). B and I, being super nerds, already make comments about the commercials and their content, so I decided I would help him out because, well, I like learning and with B taking it, it is like getting to take the class a second time without having had to fail to do so. Yes, I am that lame.

However, we rarely watch TV besides NFL football and only have one of those digital coverter box things because B's mom got one for us. Our pair of rabbit ears is old and antiquated and because of that, the digital "transition" has been a wee bit on the irritating side. It is incredibly hard to pick up the stations and it requires a lot of jostling around to get reception between the channels. B says there is some boosting thing we can get that would fix that, I've told him he could get one, but we both hate going out places and have just dealt with it.

So, it was 9:00 - what we both thought was a good time to watch TV. Oh - and by the way NBC, I am quite bitter that there was a stupid NICK CAGE movie on last night instead of football. NICK CAGE OR FOOTBALL? C'mon! Anyway, what we ended up finding to watch was something on CBS called Cold Case which has to be one of the worst television shows I have ever seen. I was bored, irritated, confused, and I actually looked forward to the commercials because they were more entertaining. But I am a devoted wife and I said I would write down all the commercials as we watched the show, so I stuck it out (it was tough and tentative at times). I survived by doing some doodling - bad bubble letters, the return of Stickman, bad spelling errors and missing words, it really was what made the time bearable.

I present you - alongside the commercials aired during our 60 minutes of torture they call "entertainment" - my doodles, we thought you might enjoy...















































You may need to look at the full screen image to see what they say.

Well, have a good one. I hope to be back soon with some tasty recipes!

'Til next time.