Monday, March 15, 2021

Signs of Spring & Cooking Q & A

I had to pick something up in the neighbourhood on Saturday evening. 

I walked to my destination and back and took these photos along the way. 

The air was nice and warm so the walk was lovely. 

Afterward I met a friend for a coffee. Of course we followed the procedures which are in place.

Crocuses are always the first signal of spring season.





I love this little outside cafe area.

This building with the bricks and bay windows has always been a favourite of mine.

The public murals on buildings (right side) is always a beautiful sight. Can you see the pussy willows?

I love the lace like effect of the branches and the brick building in background.

A beautiful sunset but I didn't have the best view of it for photo taking.

This building is a church I attended before they sold it and turned it into condos.

 

Tonight the weather was much different. It was very windy and cold. 

But I think spring is around the corner (she says hopefully).

 Joining in with Our World Tuesday 

 and

 I'm also joining in with Tuesday 4 Meme which is hosted by Annie at Cottage by the Sea and in memory of Toni Taddeo.

This week's theme is cooking.

 

1.  What is the most valuable kitchen utensil you have or one you use often and could not live without?

My most valuable kitchen utensil is probably my blender stick. I use it often but so far it is best at whipping up instant puddings and whipping cream.  I actually bought it to make blended soups but have only used it once for that purpose, lol. I also use it to whip potatoes into mashed but I prefer using a potato masher and doing it manually. 

2. Do you have any fancy gadgets like air fryers, etc in your kitchen? How are they working out for you?

I do not own an air fryer though I'd like one. My brother and his wife enjoy using theirs. I do have some appliances (juicers, food processor, Kitchen Aid mixer. George Foreman Grill and Vitamix blending machine). I  don't really use the juicers anymore because the Vitamix does it all. I love the Kitchen Aid for mixing up bread or dough for cinnamon buns or pizzas. I don't use the food processor that much except to shred cheese. I don't find it does a great job of it.  I love a George Foreman Grill but mine has seen better days. I still use it now and then. I forgot to mention the Instant Pot (IP) until someone mentioned it in the comments. I do like my IP because it softens tough meats and makes cooking beans much quicker. I also forgot to mention the rice cooker which get called into action several times a week so it has more than paid for itself.

3. Do you have any step or labor saving ideas that make cooking and meal preparation easier?

The only thing I do from time to time is advance preparation of vegetables and meats or fowl. If you chop up vegetables ahead of time and or prepare the meat a day ahead, it makes cooking much more fun. However, you still have to do the dishes. I prefer doing dishes by hand rather than loading and unloading the dishwasher.

4. What is your favorite recipe of all time? Would you share it with us?

I don't have a favourite recipe that was handed down to me. I cook mostly everything from my childhood or that we ate in my family. It is all by 'feel' rather than recipe. If I want to try a dish mom never made, I google it and try the recipe with the fewest ingredients. I'm not afraid to omit ingredients or substitute ingredients within reason (using common sense). I'm a lazy cook at heart. It needs to be easy or I won't  try it since cooking has never been my favourite thing. If I try a new recipe I will often post it on my blog so I can search for it later.

 

24 comments:

Tanza Erlambang said...

beautiful flowers and skies and sunset....
thank you for sharing.

Jeanie said...

What a fun post! I would like the outdoor cafe -- and since your spring is ahead of ours, you can enjoy it! Loved the Q&A -- that's great fun and I loved your answers.

Lowcarb team member said...

I enjoyed seeing your photographs, thank you.

All the best Jan

Joanne Noragon said...

I always love your photos.
My most valuable kitchen utensil is the Revere Ware pot my mother in law gifted me from her kitchen. It is nearing a hundred years old. I recently picked up two smaller Revere Ware pans at a thrift shop, and the two of them together were not as heavy as mine.

Joyful said...

Thank you Jeanie. I hope to have a coffee at the outdoor patio soon.

Joyful said...

Thank you Joanne. I don't know what a Revere Ware pot is so I need to look it up but it's so great that you have an old one which is well made.

Joyful said...

I just googled Revere Ware and would you know it I have two look alike pots! But I'm thinking mine are knock offs. I got them from my mom and I don't want to get rid of them because they are good pots.

Mari said...

I love seeing the signs of Spring! No flowers or leaves here yet.
That last building is really pretty.

Practical Parsimony said...

The outdoor cafe is a nice view. A Kitchenaid mixer is at the top of my wants. I hate the air fryer!

Joyful said...

I highly recommend a Kitchaid mixer especially if you find it hard to knead dough manually. The mixer does a good deal of the work though not all. What is it you don't like about the air fryer?

Pamela M. Steiner said...

I enjoyed seeing the signs of spring and the interesting architecture of the old buildings. The bay windows and that other one you said was a church before, with it's round turret corner, looks very interesting. I wonder how much of the original design of the church they left in the condos. Would be interesting to see if they did. I think you are a great cook. Your dishes that you post on Facebook always look so inviting. I have a Kitchenaid mixer and I do not like it. It doesn't get down into the very bottom very well when mixing cookies, etc., and I end up having to re-mix it when I think it should be done. I prefer my old Sunbeam mixer that I can use a rubber spatula and keep the sides scraped as it turns. Thankfully I did not pay for my mixer...it was a "gift" from my SIL, who got a newer one and gave me her "older one". Maybe the Kitchenaid would be better for bread, but I use my breadmaker for that. (which isn't very often). Have a happy spring! I love Pussy Willows, but they don't grow here.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

I have several of my mother's Revere Ware kettles and saucepans. I have added some other pieces that I have picked up at yard sales...a large frying pan. I love that they are stainless steel and not aluminum...and they do cook very well. My mother had hers for her whole marriage from 1942 on...so yes, the pots I have from her are very old! And they still look great and cook great.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Penny

I love the pretty crocus. I enjoyed seeing the neighborhood and the pretty skies. The cafe seating outdoors does look nice. I would like to buy the immersion blender, it sounds handy. Take care, enjoy your day!

Kami Gimenez said...

I use my blender stick a bunch, too!! And Josh and Tabitha love their airfryer. For my family I would have to do several batches, so I think it would take too long. Maybe they will come out with a super size deluxe one day! ;o) Although having yet another appliance doesn't sound all that appealing to me.
Love the pictures of your city!

shayndel said...

I share in your excitement for the early signs of spring! Beautiful photos of your findings!! Beautiful sunset and city and garden views!! Happy Sprintime!!💕

shayndel said...

Springtime!

Lori said...

I love my George Foreman grill also. It is so quick and handy. Loved your answers. Have a nice day!

https://lorisbusylife.blogspot.com/

2 gators said...

your photos are awesome. May I ask what is a blender stick *sorry* I would love the air fryer/insta pot but hubby still likes the old fashioned way of cooking

threesidesofcrazy said...

I LOVE your answers and your pictures are fantastic. What a neat old church! Have a GREAT week.

Anne in the kitchen said...

Your photos are gorgeous!
I use my stick blender only for soups and whipping cream, but I really like it when I use it.

Joyful said...

A blender stick or stick blender is an immersion blender. It is a stick or wand with a piece at the bottom which you plug in and whip up your liquids or veggies.

Annie said...

I like that lacy effect too! So lovely. Spring is coming for sure but slowly around here this year.

affectioknit said...

Hi Penny,
Spring is definitely springing there...it's nice to see new life in the city...kind of sad about your old church being turned into condos though...I just took my new spring banner photo...and spring is definitely here although it's cold and raining today...
~Have a lovely day!

Sharon Wagner said...

My labor saver is making huge batches, like three or four hotdishes and freezing them. I have a huge freezer in the basement.

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