testing recipes part 2

After my soap testing earlier today, I decided to test a recipe from Martha Stewart Living
In the Feb. 2009 issue: Champvallone

As Martha says: Lamb + Potato Gratin = Champvallone


I used my mandoline to slice about 3 russet potatoes. Potatoes are tossed with a bit of olive oil.

Lamb cubes (from a pastured lamb steak I had in the freezer) browned in olive oil with onions, garlic and rosemary. Then simmered with some chicken stock. 1/2 of the potatoes layered in the bottom of the dish. Then topped with simmered lamb, then remaining potatoes. Into a 400 degree oven for about 1 hour and:

Voila!

It was crusty, savory and delicious!

FYI: when i googled Champvallone all of the recipes called for using browned rib lamb chops instead of the cubed lamb. I think this was easier to make and serve.

testing recipes

In the soap kitchen today testing new fragrances for spring. I've had these fragrance blends in dark bottles for a couple of weeks now...letting them 'mellow' together.

They smell good...but now it's time to try them in soap. Sometimes that alters the way they smell. So....I get everything ready first. I have these nice little 2 lb. molds that we make for Creekside Soaps that I like to make test batches in. They're all lined and ready and the measured amount of fragrance is ready for each batch.

I'm making just 6 lbs. of soap and dividing it for the test. Sometimes there isn't much time to mix in the fragrance and pour so I like to have everything ready so I can work quickly.

Here is my 6 lbs. of soap divided into 3 - 2 lb batches. Add fragrance to each and some fun stuff...like orange peel in the lavender/rosemary/orange soap...and pour into the molds.

Tomorrow, I'll unmold and cut into bars. Then Monday I'll take bars to Sarah for evaluation and suggestions. If they don't pass the test, it'll be back to the soap kitchen for me.

Hotlanta....isn't so hot

but it's a heck of a lot warmer than NY right now.

And, Jessica is here and we're having a great visit.
It's fun to help her furnish her new apartment.

Now it's Monday AM and I've shopped
more in the last 2 days than I do
in 6 months at home.

Ikea, Target, and Bed Bath and Beyond.

....I draw the line at WALMART.
Here are a couple of links as to why: Walmart Watch and Store Wars: When Walmart comes to Town.

Don't get me on that soap box....I haven't been in a Walmart (though we have one a mile away) in 10 years...

I also spent some time yesterday at America's Mart. We have our soaps with a sales rep there in a permanent showroom.

But Jess and I also walked through the temporary booths in Body and Soul (bath and body stuff) and Handmade. This is a HUGE show...and not to be done in high heels, huh Jess!

i'm all undone

Time to undo all of the Christmas decorations.
At this time, I'm always glad I don't put up too many.
Poor kitties....have to give up their favorite resting place.
They think we can't see them under there....
Now I'm ready to receive the seeds I ordered from Tomato Bob last week. Sarah and I conferred on the varieties we would plant this spring. She starts the seeds in Brooklyn...and then I put most of them in the garden up here. We are both ready to think about planting!

A Buddy Sunday

It was only a month ago that Buddy paid us a visit....and he arrived this morning just as I was going out the door for church. I had Pentti hold him captive in the house until I got home.
I guess he wasn't too happy about that, but he's still here and not scratching at the door to get out.

Come on, Bud...move back home for good!

resolutions: #1

So one of my goals for 2009 is to rid myself of unnecessary flotsam. We've been 37 years in the same house, so there is a lot of accumulation.

I fear that if I don't pare down....I could end up with stuff gushing out of my garage and they'll come and put yellow tape around my whole house.

I am not a hoarder...but I just want less 'stuff' around.

There might be more resolutions, but I don't know what they are yet.

A new year begins

I've been counting the last few days...how much soap in inventory, etc....and today I counted how much soap I made last year....I think it was about 34,000 bars. Whew!!

One small batch at a time....

I made this peppermint pumice yesterday. My last batch of 2008. It's one of our longtime favorites...and I still do 30lb. batches like this.

Sometimes we use the 'big kettle' and d0 a 120 lbs. all at once....but I still love stirring the small batch and watching it 'turn into' soap!

Here's to another year of soap, gardening and food with friends and family!


Happy New Year!