The Yearly Spice Procurement

Every year in November, I make a special shopping trip to restock the pantry spice shelf with bulk purchases of spices. I only buy the amount I need, i.e. a nickle's worth of chervil or double the amount in a spice jar for tarragon for less than half the price of one. I save a lot of money and a lot of waste not buying the standard sized spice jars at the supermarket. It took me seven years of marriage to use up the allspice jar I bought at the supermarket as a new bride. Today was the day for 2009, and I'm fully stocked for holiday cooking. I'm able to cook much better foods from scratch by maintaining a full pantry, and can do so much more cheaply than using supermarket allotments. I highly recommend searching out those merchants that offer choices in spices and making special trips - even if only once a year.

Stock Pot

On Monday, it's time for the stock pot. Today, it's oxtail broth. I am also clearing out the food that's been lingering with the morning sickness. I've only eaten a fraction of my normal quantity, and I left food to spoil. It's a shame, but sometimes it just happens.

Around the Kitchen

It's been a bit quiet around the kitchen lately, what with the food aversions and morning sickness. I'll post more after this time passes.

Food Factory Day

Today is fully autumn in our kitchen. It's Food Factory Monday: beef stock, yogurt and for the first time, home made lemon-lime soda. Natural fermentation! Since the ginger ale was so amazing, I'm hopeful that by the weekend we'll be sipping some delicious soda. At the very least, it should be easier on the budget than the commercial soda water. If it's actually health giving, instead of harmful, I'll be over the moon. If I'm really, really lucky, the Vintner will prefer it over the carbonated stuff.

Delicious Yogurt

How did I ever get out of the habit of making yogurt? The home made batches are so superior to what I could buy. I'm so happy autumn cooking has returned.

The End of the Summer Kitchen

Today, I commence with the food factory Mondays, after a summer break. I'm making yoghurt today, and will add in making broth when the weather cools just a bit.

Cookies

I'm baking chocolate chip oatmeal cookies this afternoon. I'd post the recipe, but it's the one on the back of the bag. It's not that special, but for the boys. I want them growing up thinking that moms stay home and bake cookies. It's not about the kitchen so much today; it's about the Cottage lifestyle.