Monday, January 31, 2011

Reflections on a windy snowy evening

Last Friday it was in the 60's. Today it barely got into the teens. Then the cold really hit. I won't share what tonight's wind chills are expected to be (don't want to scare you). Then by Friday it should be in the 40's. Downright balmy.

Little Geoana doesn't have school tomorrow. (When the projected wind chill hits 25 below zero they automatically cancel public education.) Geogal will be home with her (even if they had school we still would keep her home as little Geoana was sent home sick today).

As for me, I have to get up, dress warm, dig out my vehicle, and get my carcass to work. (I'm not complaining, I'm just sayin'....)

Tonight's meal was roasted chicken with green beans. I intimated mashed potatoes would go well with the meat and veggie, especially since yesterday's roast beef dish (prepared in the pressure cooker) yielded a heckuva lotta gravy. Good gravy. Gravy that doesn't come from a packet.

Geogal agreed. When we were eating I simply said, "It's just a potatoes and gravy kind of night." Cold outside, need to stay warm on the inside.
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Speaking of the pressure cooker, we used it twice during the weekend. Pinto beans (goes good with cornbread) and the aforementioned roast. The amazing part is that I started with dried pintos. Not soaked overnight. Totally dry.

Less than an hour later I had a pinto bean concoction ready for eating. Beans were nice and soft. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't cooked it myself.

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The same time I was making the beans, Geogal was baking banana bread. Our kitchen had an interesting mix of smells. Oniony and bakery-sweet, at the same time. Still beats eating out.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Results

How was the chicken?

Good. But more than that, moist!

When I bake or grill a pullet I tend to err on the side of caution which translated means overcooking it just a bit. Rather have meat that's a bit dry than to run the risk of gastrointestinal upset and associated unpleasantness.

But in that pressure cooker retaining fluid and flavor is no problem. The cooking did take a little more time than I anticipated. I did the recommended 12 minutes for a couple of leg quarters. Do quick pressure release, then check the bird pieces. On initial visual inspection the meat looked cooked but a quick cut revealed plenty of dark red blood inside.

Lock the lid, back to more high pressure.

After 12 more minutes everything was nicely done. I did last night's meal up simple, just the leg quarters with some celery, carrots, onion, kosher salt, pepper, and granulated garlic.

Good eatin'.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

New Toy

Those of you who know me know I don't just go around yammering about the latest in TV technology or ramble endlessly about hunting and shooting. Or talk to no end about any of my interests. Of hobbies, though, I do have many.

One of them is cooking.

Don't know if I've written much about culinary preparation on this blog (other than subjects that are related to grilling). Earlier this month Geogal bought a new gadget from our local kitchen supply retailer.

A Cuisinart electric pressure cooker.



I used it for the first time last Sunday. Lentil soup (made with vegetable stock--completely vegan dish). Delicious! Even little Geoana gave it her seal of approval.

Today I'm experimenting with chicken leg quarters. Nice to take chances on a weekend, where the evening meal sit-down time can be adjusted as needed.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Finally!!!!!!!!!!

No more waiting, the iPhone is finally available on Verizon's network.

Before much longer I will join the ranks of geeks and non-geeks who use a myriad of programs available through the Apple App Store. I've held out up to this point, using my old-style cell phone for, well, making phone calls. And sending the occasional text.

Now comes the big question: Do I ante up as soon as possible? (The contract on my current phone has long since expired.) Or do I hold out till the summer, when Apple most likely brings a 4G-compatible product to the market?

Stay tuned.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Good progress, but I'm not replacing my EyeTV just yet

I was wondering when someone would make a device that would turn the iPad into a portable digital TV set.

This is one such product
, but I'm holding out to see if a more reputable manufacturer (are you listening, Elgato?) brings something similar to the market.

My Macbook works well with the EyeTV DTV stick, but to use something such as the iPad would be a whole lot more convenient!

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Batten down those hatches!

The bit o' snow we received 9 nights ago is just about all melted off (courtesy of high temps this week being in the 40's and low 50's). That must mean it's time for...

More of the white stuff.

Depending on which weather web site you follow our area is slated to get anywhere from five to ten inches between tonight and Monday.

Geogal just got back from doing the weekly grocery and non-food shopping and said the stores were packed. "Everyone was stocking up."

Wow. I hate to think what might occur if a blizzard is forthcoming.

Sunday, January 02, 2011

Go Pistol Pete!

Hat tip to one of Geogal's Facebook friends. The only thing missing is green chile!

Saturday, January 01, 2011

Happy 2011!

I made it to the new year, and so did you.

Right now the posole is simmering on the stove and the accompanying red chile sauce is bubbling in anticipation. Posole, for those of you who aren't familiar with the dish, is hominy stew that is a traditional New Year's day meal in New Mexico.

However next year I might just do something with black-eyed peas (I saw a recipe today that just begs to be made).

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Last night didn't see any great deal of partying or celebration in the Geohouse (we're just too laid-back for any of that). The evening consisted of watching old episodes of "The Dukes of Hazzard" on CMT. At one point, Geogal asks: "So....just what do Bo and Luke do for a living?"

I had to think for a minute (I did watch the show way back when) and said they helped their Uncle Jesse on the family farm.

"The farmers I know work a lot harder than that," was her reply.

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Also took care of some of little Geoana's BB shooting homework yesterday. She shot two targets from the sitting position. In our basement.

Where else would we shoot? The garage is way too cold and the shooting must be done indoors.

Makes me think of the time, many Christmases back when my dad gave me a Daisy BB gun. Later that day someone in the family saw a cockroach on the wall. My dad said: "Where's that BB gun?"

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Here's hoping 2011 brings many positive things your way, whatever they may be. I'll be sure to document my happenings right here, just like I've been doing for over 5 years now.