White Bread Using Sourdough Starter

This week, I began the process of making my own sourdough starter from scratch. This means that every day, you have to discard some of the mix and “feed” the starter with new flour and water. I didn’t want to waste any of the starter discards, so I made a new loaf of bread every […]

A Pandemic Year

Time, during this pandemic, has ceased nearly all meaning. Minutes, days, months, seasons all speed up and slow down simultaneously; it drags its feet as it’s also slipping through my fingers. Time is measured between visits with my brother and his family, and George, as those are just about the only in-person human contact that […]

Gluten

I’ve typically stayed away from heavy doses of gluten for the last 5 years or so. I just feel better without it. However, I’m doing intermittent fasting right now, and in the 6 house a day that I can eat, I’m allowed to eat anything. Also, somewhat related, in a bizarre way, I’m also giving […]

My Birth Chart

I didn’t use to give a whole lot of weight to the alignment of planets, and to astrology, in general. But a newer friend of mine wanted to do my birth chart so I gave her my birth place, date, and time. She did a really interesting video for me, and I’d say that most […]

No-Knead Country Bread

This is a simple, no-knead, no-fuss, whole wheat country loaf. Implements A whisk or stand mixer with a dough hook, or other bread dough mixing implement (I use this Danish dough whisk–see images below) A Dutch or French oven or similar-type cast iron or stoneware pot for baking (I use this Le Creuset 5.5-quart enameled […]

Mexican Lasagna

I’ve also seen this called Tortilla Pie or Layered Taco Casserole. Essentially Mexican Lasagna is layers of flour tortillas (like the lasagna noodles in regularly lasagna), and layers of cheese, beans, and beef, in between the tortilla layers. I prefer using this Mexican Shredded Beef in this recipe. But ground beef with taco seasoning is […]

Mexican Shredded Beef

Use this meat with tacos, burritos (and you can use some of the extra sauce for “wet” burritos), Mexican lasagna, enchiladas, chili con carne, or any number of other dishes. It is very versatile. Implements A medium or large Dutch oven or other large pot that allows for braising (browning and simmering) Citrus juicer (if […]

Nana.

Yesterday would’ve been my great-grandmother’s 115th birthday. All day long, I was thinking to myself “Why does January 23 feel important to me? Is it someone’s birthday, or an anniversary of something?” This morning, it dawned on me. My great-grandmother (we called her Nana) was born January 23, 1906 in Ashland, Oregon. She passed away […]

Spicy Beef Jerky

I was recently visiting a close friend in Nashville and he brought a bag of jerky he’d made, knowing that I might be peckish after the flight. It was so good, and I continued to gnaw on it over the next days. Great snack! As he says, this recipe is pretty forgiving. Tweak it to […]

Carnitas de Cerdo

My brother, his family, and I are doing weekly Taco Tuesdays in 2021–for fun, but also so we can interact with each other during this pandemic where we need to stay pretty close to home and limit contact with others. This recipe is slightly non-traditional as I use chipotle peppers (instead of jalepaños), extra garlic, […]