I found myself without Panko crumbs this week and I needed something to hold my ground chicken patties together. No problem. I had a whole box of Ritz Crackers ready to get in the ballgame. I also had my Food Saver bags to make the job easy. I put a sleeve of the crackers in the bag and pounded them down to an appropriate consistency, then used them in my chicken mixture. Ritz Crackers add a … [Read more...]

I use a lot of olive oil these days – in salads, as a frying and sautéing medium and in lots of other cooking chores. Usually, I just tip my always-handy bottle of EVOO and get the job done, but recently I ran across a product that is super handy and saves lots of time. It’s a squirt can of Extra Virgin in Olive Oil made by Simply Nature. Last night, as an example, I wanted to lightly fry some … [Read more...]

Ome of the problems a fisherman has to deal with if he decides to keep some of his catch for a future fish fry is what to do with the rascals. Fishing stringers are a royal pain. First, they are usually all tangled and you have to undo the hooks, then you have to put the hook through the jaws of the fish, then you have to lug the stringer around and keep it in the water. Or you can toss the fish … [Read more...]

If you rolled a wheelbarrow full of pistachio nuts up beside me and left me alone, I could eat the entire barrel full. Pistachio nuts are truly addictive. You put in a mountain of effort to eat just one. Sometimes they pop right out of the slightly open shell and sometimes you have to dig them out with a sharp molar. Sometimes, the shells are sealed shut and you need a hammer and chisel to … [Read more...]

One casualty of the recent cinderblock snowstorm was a beautiful ceramic bowl that served as our bird bath for the front yard. Apparently, our small bird bath water heater was not on guard duty when the temps hit the teens, and the ensuing ice caused the bowl to crack. When the ice melted, all the water ran out. But my industrious wife and a product called J-B Weld brought the lovely bowl back to … [Read more...]

As a teenager, one of my go-to lunches was a Fried Spam sandwich slathered in mustard. Usually, I had two. For Christmas this year, one of my kids gave me a can of Spam as a gag gift, but we ate it the next morning for breakfast and I still enjoy it. When we cruised in Hawaii, I was amused by all the Spam offerings aboard both the cruise ships and even at fancy restaurants. Spam is the … [Read more...]

I first saw them at a VRBO cottage in Cape Charles. They were extra-large ice cubes in a rubber-like tray. It only took one to chill my cocktail. It was perfect and I vowed to get some of my own, then forgot about them. But my daughter and son-in-law who were with us on the trip remembered and gave me a set for Christmas. I use them every night. With extra-large cubes, the ice doesn’t melt as … [Read more...]

One of the great things about cold weather is having a fire to snuggle up to, whether it’s a family room fireplace or a blazing firepit on the patio. I really enjoy firepits because – unlike an inside fireplace - I can light up a great cigar, sip a little Buffalo Trace, listen to some cello music and celebrate the close of another day while enjoying the warmth of a crackling fire. Last year, my … [Read more...]

A couple years ago, we were staying at an Air B & B and they had Mrs. Meyers Dish Soap on the sink. I used it and it was terrific. Nancy said she liked it, too, and that we should get some. I did, and I am sold. I keep their Dish Soap, their Hand Soap and their Foaming Hand Soap stocked in my pantry and order refill bottles, so I never run out. There are two things I like about Mrs. Meyers … [Read more...]

Nancy spent hours and hours in the kitchen in advance of Thanksgiving, baking pies and cakes, roasting turkeys, making dressing, snacks and so forth, but one thing she didn’t have to worry with this year was Mashed Potatoes. Our friend, Bob Evans, handled that and did an excellent job. Bob Evans, of course, is a restaurant chain based in Ohio with over 430 locations nationwide. They compete … [Read more...]