an announcement and (unsolicited) advice

happy tuesday! we have been busy plowing, tilling, composting, and planting. the response to our produce has been so positive that were expanding that part of our farming operation. be sure to check out our virtual farm stand banner at the top of this blog and the what we are growing banner in the margin. we have added a lot and sold a lot! thank you to everyone who has given us business this season!

i thought of something this weekend that i wanted to share with you all. roasting, remaking leftovers into new meals, and the crockpot are my secret weapons in the kitchen. when short on time or creativity, i can always fall back on one of these three things. if you can become confident and innovative at these three things in the kitchen you can do anything in the kitchen. here's my revelation for you all on this fine, fall-like day:

1. roasting!

olive oil and fresh herbs are your best friends when it comes to roasting.

roasting a chicken for dinner? pop some veggies in the oven during the last thirty minutes of cooking. you got a whole meal. or try this recipe for prosciutto wrapped pork tenderloin with pears and sweet potatoes. roasting anything is the best way to bring out the full flavor of it. you can roast virtually anything, too. roasted peaches, apples, pears make amazing meal additions or desserts. roasting vegetables are great ways to incorporate a healthy side to your meal. just make sure everything is cut about the same size and hard, dense veggies (like potatoes) are cut smaller to ensure even cooking time.

2. leftovers!

remaking them saves time & money.

had chili on monday? have huevo rancheros for breakfast on tuesday. or chili cheese dogs for dinner on wednesday. or make your leftover roasted vegetables into a cold salad by dressing them with a little olive oil and dijon mustard. or stir them into some prepared quinoa. make sunday's roasted chicken into a chicken salad with just a few fresh herbs, diced apples, S&P, and mayo. leftover pork tenderloin makes a great cuban inspired sandwich (cubano). be creative. mike hates leftovers and i almost all of the time can figure out a way to remake them into something new for him.

3. crockpot!

it will save your life (and your time)

you can literally make almost anything the crockpot. books have been written about it. blogs have been dedicated to demonstrating it. i am here to tell you today that the crockpot is the best the thing to happen to me ever. hendrix, too. and mike. i make the following in my crockpot on a regular basis (i'm talking at least weekly): korean ribs, chili, jambalya, stuffed peppers, honey glazed ham, beef & mushroom stew, pork tacos, pulled pork, and sloppy joes. i currently am cooking pork & apple stuffed acorn squash in my crockpot. i am convinced this is the best way to cook for dinner guests. it allows you to clean your house before the people come and to enjoy the people when they do come.

now go roast or slow cook something for dinner. or better yet remake last night's dinner into something new.

*we, also, had a very busy weekend celebrating our nephew, killian's, baptism. the menu included fried chicken, mac & cheese, chips & salsa from jacobos, and tamales from jacobos. the party may of been for my brother more than his son. although, killian did so wonderful at his baptism and marta, his grandmother from uruguay, made the best dulche de leche cake. amazing. congrats to my sweet baby boy nephew (and godson!), killian. we love you!