Nature Sensations Fresh Rosemary, Thyme and Sage

The recipe for spareribs calls for fresh rosemary, thyme and sage. I bought packages of each. While I have used fresh thyme and sage previously, I didn't talk about it at all and well, I guess I just feel the need to illustrate that you don't need to be a gardener to have fresh herbs. I'm certainly not a gardener as I regularly kill any basil plant I try to keep.

And look! They really are fresh! There were a couple of tiny brownish thyme leaves, but overall, the herbs were healthy.

When I use fresh herbs, I make it a point to put them in water to rinse any big chunks of grossness off. They do grow in dirt.

After a brief soak and swishing, I roll the fresh herbs in paper towel to dry.

Fresh herbs available from Grower's Direct in 1 oz packages for $1.29 each.

Food Plan and Grocery List, 052811

It's been a long time since I've cooked in my kitchen. Not-so-pleasant apartment happenings occurred in March, reduced me to tears in April, and nearly broke me earlier this month. Finally (finally!) things seem to have been rectified. I feel like I'm home again. Because I'm excited about it, I'm going to publish current posts while catching up on the back-log, starting now.

I've been craving a few things, namely lobster, spareribs and beef stew. Since 2 of 3 of those is enough to feed an army, I'm going to leave out the lobster this week.

I shopped:

Ralph's:

• Barefoot Zinfandel: $5.99
• eggs: $3.79
• TOTAL: $10.30

Claro's:

• coppa: $3.36/0.24 lb
• pancetta: $2.62/0.25 lb
• Strianese San Marcos tomatoes: $2.69/14.5 oz
• TOTAL: $8.67

Grower's Direct:

• fresh-cut cantaloupe: $1.13/2.31 lb
• fresh-cut honeydew: $1.51/3.09 lb
• fresh-cut pineapple: $1.59/2.01 lb
• green bell pepper: $0.76/0.51 lb
• brown onions: $0.40/1.02 lb (2)
• carrots: $0.67/1.13 lb
• celery root: $1.59
• sweet white corn: $1.17/3
• Persian cucumbers: $0.28/0.32 lb
• garlic bulb: $0.30/0.12 lb
• romaine lettuce: $0.89
• boiling onions: $1.99
• parsnips: $0.40/0.29 lb (2)
• turnips: $0.45/0.77 lb
• baby spinach: $1.99/6 oz
• fresh sage: $1.29
• fresh thyme: $1.29
• fresh rosemary: $1.29
• TOTAL: $18.99

Stater Bros.:

• boneless beef chuck roast: $10.14
• pork spareribs: $7.42
• TOTAL: $17.56

Grand Total: $55.52.
Total for the year: $476.90.

Update: gonna make lasagna for a potluck

Grower's Direct:

• brown onions: $0.39/1 lb (2 onions)
• garlic bulbs: $0.57/0.23 lb (2 bulbs)
• fresh Italian parsley: $0.49/bunch
• fresh basil: $1.65/pack
• TOTAL: $3.10

Ralph's:

• Ralph's frozen spinach: $1.25/12-oz
• sour cream: $1.99/8-oz
• ricotta cheese: $4.99/32-oz
• crushed tomatoes: $1.49/28-oz
• mozzarella cheese: $4.99/lb
• pork sausage: $4.35/1.09 lb
• TOTAL: $19.06

Stater Bros.:

• 85/15 ground beef: $4.19/1.05 lb
• TOTAL: $4.19

Mother's Market and Kitchen:

• Tinkyada lasagna noodles: $3.59/10-oz
• TOTAL: $3.59

Grand Total: $85.46
Total for the year: $506.84.

Computer Issues

It took me a week to post the Rosemary Chicken Lasagna. Blogger hasn't been cooperating. Apparently, there may be an issue with a video card. I'm working on it.

Registered on Tastespotting and Catching Up

I didn't realize, after 3 years of ogling food porn on Tastespotting, that I could register with the site and subsequently flag (or star) posts/recipes I liked until just now. Within 15 minutes I had 15 recipes flagged. And certainly, those flagged items are saved in my "favorites." I'm in heaven!

Lordy, now I'll have to start from the first post and work my way to the latest post.
I'm a little OCD.

Meanwhile, I've been working on getting caught up on this blog. Hopefully you aren't feeling overwhelmed. That inundation will dry up soon, trust.

The Beacon Line Cotton Blend Twine

How many chickens could I truss with more than a half-mile of twine? We'll find out, though I might be using the same bale when I'm 80.

Available at Smart & Final for $10.49. That's $0.003 a foot. I'm sure you could find a small ball of twine at a grocery store, possibly in the baking aisle where they sell the baking sheets and stuff, but you'll pay much more per foot, maybe a whole penny. 

Broccoflower: Green Cauliflower

When broccoli and cauliflower mate, you get green cauliflower.

It looks like cauliflower, and even comes with those thick leafy bits.

Peeling the leaves away leaves a stalk similar to broccoli, but with a cauliflower head.

It's the best of both worlds in one nice package.

I wish they were available at every store. Of those that I frequent, I can only find green cauliflower at Ralph's.

$3.71 for a 1.24 lb head. Note that after getting rid of the leaves and stem, there's about 12 oz of broccoflower.

Food Plan and Grocery List, 032011

Last weeks chow went over well. I even have two 2-cup bowls of the chili in the freezer.

This week I have another entire quantity of fixings for Spicy Korean Style Slaw, which made me think it was prime time to do some bulgogi for tacos. Because it's raining and generally junky outside, I'm going to roast me a bird, Thomas Keller style, though on top of a pile of vegetables. I like that one-pot action. Later when it gets sunny, I"ll have some Creamy Penne with Corn and Bacon, to use up that leftover ricotta from when I made lasagna.

To sum it up:

• Thomas Keller's Roast Chicken on Garlic Butter Roast Chicken Vegetables
• Bulgogi for Korean tacos
• Creamy Penne with Corn and Bacon

I shopped:

HMart:

• scallions: $0.33/bunch
• rice vinegar: $3.49
• yellow onions: $0.41/1.67 lb (2)
• honeydew: $2.39/4.83 lb
• hot pepper powder (gochugalu): $3.99
• thin-sliced beef rib eye: $9.89/lb
• sliced kimchi: $3.08
• mixed potatoes: $7.27/2.21 lb
• gala apples: $1.49/2.16 lb (4)
• dried persimmon: $4.18
• TOTAL: $36.52

Grower's Direct:

• fresh-cut pineapple: $1.54/1.95 lb
• onions: $0.27/0.68 lb (1)
• carrots: $1.00/1.45 lb (8)
• corn-on-the-cob: $2.37/3 ears
• garlic: $0.37/0.15 lb (1 bulb)
• fresh basil: $1.54/bunch
• TOTAL: $7.09

Ralph's:

• broccoflower: $3.71/1.24 lb
• wheat French bread: $1.77/loaf
• TOTAL: $5.48

Smart and Final:

• twine: $10.49/1000+ yards
• 9.5" tongs: $2.99
• TOTAL: $14.66

Stater Bros.:

• tortillas: $2.49/8-pk
• penne rigate: $0.99/lb
• bacon slices: $2.00/0.5 lb
• TOTAL: $5.48

Grand Total: $54.47 on food (though I'm gifting the hot pepper and persimmon); $14.66 on gadgets.
Total for the year: $370.09.