“Food Lover Arts and Craft Addicted ”
How To Dry Blueberries (Part Two)
I decided to call my grandma, since I did not like the way my blueberries turned out and needed a little advice. Well after she laughed at me hysterically, she finally explained that I had over blanched the blueberries. I did not use a strainer and finally I am supposed to make sure the skin of the blueberries cracked. That is why I got mush and very crispy blueberries. I decided it was time to conquer the dried blueberries.
Use a medium pot and add 6 cups of water to the pot and ½ cup of sugar (I used coconut) this will add flavor to the blueberries if they are tart. While waiting for the water to boil, place 1-2 cups of blueberries in 8 or 10 inch strainer; once the water begins to boil place the strainer in the pot and let the blueberries boil for 60 seconds or less. The longer they stay in the boiling water they will turn into mush. They key is to make sure they swell in size (that is how you know the skins have cracked). While they are boiling prepare an ice bath. After they are done boiling place the strainer in the ice bath until the berries are cool. Place the blueberries on a dehydrator rack and turn the dehydrator temperature to 135; it takes about 12- 24 hours for the blueberries to dry.
Frozen Watermelon Cucumber Aqua Fresca
Ever since I was a child living in Los Angles; summer was a time when aqua fresca was a hot commodity. There are stands on every corner where you could find a little abuela selling aqua fresca and fresh fruit all for five bucks. I guess that is more of an urban thing; seeing stands on corner selling food, because ever since I move to the suburbs you don’t really see any fruit stands. I have been looking all over for aqua fresca and cannot find any anywhere.
I miss drinking it so much I decided to make my own, and if you are like me you are always so sweet to the fruit stand ladies they just may give you a recipe. However you may not want to be me, because due to your move you will loose the recipe and half to improvise. You can strain the cucumber if you like, but I like my aqua fresca a little thick.
Frozen Watermelon Cucumber Aqua Fresca Recipe:
- 2 whole cucumbers (I Used English)
- 4 cups frozen watermelon
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of sugar
Recipe Directions:
Peel and slice cucumbers and place it into the food processor and blend it, add frozen watermelon, pinch of salt and sugar to the food processor and blend. Once done freeze for later or serve immediately.
Old Fashion Pancakes (Single Serving)
When I make pancakes it can be difficult for me to eat “just” one serving. I love carbs (addicted) and pancakes make everything better. I usually make a single serving of oatmeal pancakes when I want pancakes; but when you run out of oatmeal you usually go to the next best thing and that’s flour.
I decided that it was time for me to make old fashion pancakes. Flour, butter, sugar, and milk are all you need with a few other ingredients. This is a simple recipe that most diners use and anyone who loves old fashion pancakes would use. If you go to any diner you can find the same great taste in a pancake. The best part you will not pay an outrageous price and they make just one perfect serving right at home.
Old Fashion Pancakes (Single Serving) Recipe:
- 1/4 cup Flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp melted butter ( I used earth balance)
- 1/4 cup and 3 tablespoons of milk (I used almond)
Recipe Instructions: Sift flour, baking powder, salt and sugar; add egg, melted butter and milk to the batter and whisk until the batter is smooth. Set batter aside and grease a pan with oil and set pan on burner, medium heat will do. Scoop 1-2 tablespoons of batter in the hot skillet make sure cakes are brown on both sides and serve.
Recipe Notes: I did a little experimentation with this recipe I decided to use one whole egg instead of egg whites; the pancakes had a bit of an egg flavor if you add some more sugar or vanilla to the batter, it will get rid of the flavor. Sifting also helps with the ingredients, if you do not want to sift make sure your dry ingredients are mixed in well. I also used 3 tablespoons of milk to this batter to make it thin; you do not need the extra milk, but the thinner the batter the more cakes you get.
Five Things Country Boys Can’t Live Without
From that very day we met in Wal-Mart, to are crazy online triangle, until we finally moved in together. There are few things over the past three years I have picked up about country boys that will never change, no matter what environment you choose to live in.
Camo: When you meet the love of your life and he is wearing cameo you don’t think anything of it; until one day you finally see all this camo in your closet and wonder where did all the military clothing come from? Living in the city, I have never seen anyone wear camo unless they were in the military. Meeting Josh I now know what camo is and why my closet has turned into camouflage city. The tipping point came when he started to wear a camo vest, shirts, patches on his jeans. It was a bit too much since we were nowhere in the country. I thought we maybe going to war at Wal-Mart. I am happy we came to some agreement about the camo; he only wears the hat now and will save the rest of his camo collection is for his fishing and hunting trips…
Barefoot: I have no clue why he insists on taking the trash out or going to check the mail with no shoes on, but he loves to do it. I ask him “ why do you not wear any shoes you can get something in your feet ?” His response: “I’mma country boy we don’t wear shoes unless we goin somewhere!” Compromise I bought him a pair of camo socks to wear that way he will not have dirty feet.
Boots: If they are not bare foot they will be in a pair of boots; any type of boot will do as long as they are comfortable and they can run in them! Country boys love them a pair of boots! Of course when you are a city girl like me and you want to buy your country lover some boots make sure you don’t get him “wader boots“. He will laugh at you even if it’s the thought that counts.
Trucks: When we finally decided to get a car together, I wanted a vehicle with great gas mileage and would not give us a big headache. I found a few great cars but before we could even go look at them, I received a text message to look out the window; and there he was with a 1999 dodge ram 1500. This truck had so many miles it made me wonder was I speaking a foreign language, when I told him we needed a car with not a lot of mileage. I guess all that talk about him going mudding is not talk at all. Oh… and every time I “nag” about that car that guzzles all are money in gas! I am reminded “it is not a car! It’s a truck”!
Country Music: I am a fan of all sorts of music; lately I have been obsessed with Celtic music. Josh can’t stand it, when it is on he calls me weird and will walk out the room. I guess him hollering to the top of his lungs when he plays Kenny Chesney or Tim McGraw all day is not weird. It took a while for me to get used to country music, but after I heard Chicken fried by Zach Brown band I was hooked!. Now I am singing to some good ole country music and can’t live without it.
