Raspberry Glazed Beets

Came across a really tasty recipe recently (from 3 Bowls). I didn’t make it, but it gave me some ideas on how to create one that seemed simpler. I took the Mirin and Balsamic idea from it and came up with the one below. If desired, you can garnish the dish with Feta or Chevre cheese, freshly chopped chives, both, or be creative!

I did not grow up liking beets; I never knew much about them and never had them fresh. After many years frequenting farmers’ markets, Michele and I thought it made sense to try some after seeing these beautifully looking root vegetables presented, topped with their brilliant bright greens.

Boy . . . we are really happy we did! We love them and this recipe has gotten raves from everyone who has tried it. Hope you like it too.

Andy

1½ lbs of beets (about 4 beets 2.5 to 3 inches dia.)

3 green onions

1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

2/3 cup walnuts

¼ cup Mirin (sweet rice wine; NOT Sake)

2 to 3 Tbsp Raspberry Balsamic (love Fustini’s!) 

1. Boil beets until tender, about 45 minutes. While the beets boil prep the following.
2. Chop the green onions and place in a medium sauce pan with the olive oil and set aside.
3. Measure and place the walnuts aside.
4. Combine the Mirin and Raspberry Balsamic in a measuring cup with high sides. (You’ll whisk them just before pouring.)
5. To test if the beets are done, stab them with a fork off and on through the last 15 minutes or so until they are about the same hardness as boiled potatoes, slightly firmer. Run each under cold water while you rub off the stems and skins with your hands; the skins slide off easily.
6. Slice the beats into approximately ½ to ¾ inch cubes and place in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
7. Sauté the green onions in the oil for a few minutes over medium heat.
8. Turn the heat to high. Whisk the Mirin-Balsamic mixture well and then pour into the sauce pan. Add the walnuts immediately.
9. Stir every few seconds while the mixture boils. Stir and boil for about 2 to 3 minutes total.
10. Remove the sauce pan from the heat and pour over the beets in the mixing bowl. Mix everything very well and serve warm or cold. 

Cygnets, Part IV

I was really lucky. As you know, Michele and I have been “stalking” a swan family in Suttons Bay for several weeks now. This latest time I took A LOT of shots and was about to stop for the night. I could tell the family was a little more shy this night which was likely a good thing seeing that tourists (i.e., boaters) were back in full force.

Then, I saw the light turn even prettier; that soft, yellow evening light that makes subjects glow. It had a beautiful affect on the water in contrast to the birds. I decided to try another round. This time, the family seemed used to me since I had been following them from the shore for over 30 minutes already.

Alternately stopping and feeding, they got absorbed and paddled across the water to within a few feet of where I was standing. I don’t think I took my finger off the shutter button for 5 minutes except to switch from landscape to portrait and back again.

I was engrossed with one parent feeding the 2 cygnets when I heard a mild “honk” off camera-right outside of what I saw in the viewfinder. One parent had remained vigilant and signaled to the others that we were WAY too close. Without a pause the three quickly swam away to the other.

Hopefully, they weren’t bothered by this and were fine. And, I guess I’ll keep stalking them . . . until they learn how to file a restraining order.   ;->

Andy

RAK

Recently, I was the lucky recipient of a "Random Act of Kindness." I stopped in a friend's gallery; a person of many talents, one of them being jewelry making. He showed me some of his latest designs, which include beach stones and we chatted about the joy of stone picking. As we shared stories of favorite stones and the best rock hunting places, in the humblest of ways he placed one of his new creations around my neck and simply said, "I would like you to have this." A true gift of the heart that I will always cherish.

I made this thank you card for him, using stones and beach glass that I have collected. The blue one is called "Leland Blue" and only found on beaches in Leland.

~Michele

Katie and her boxes!

Andy gets really tired of seeing cardboard boxes all over the house. But what kitty doesn't love a box, right?! I argue Katie's case for her, saying that she is an indoor kitty and needs things to play with. But I also try to get rid of the ones she isn't using. This has happened more than a few times.....she hasn't used a certain box for months and I'll say "Katie, you aren't using that old box anymore so lets recycle it, Daddy will be happy!" Within a short time she's in THAT box! It happened again today.

It's your Day!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Love and Hugs,

Michele, Andy and Kate

Strawberry season

The strawberries are in and we can't seem to get enough! As I type, I am drinking a strawberry, banana smoothie. We both love shortcake, but we bake simple scones for the cake part.

Classic Cream Scones (adapted from "Simply Scones" By L. Weiner & B. Albight)

1 1/2 C white flour

1/2 C Barley flour

2 t baking powder

3 T sugar

1/8 t salt

1/3 C unsalted butter, chilled

1/2 C heavy cream

1 egg

1 1/2 t vanilla

In a large bowl mix dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or 2 knifes to cut butter into flour mixture, working until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl combine the cream, egg and vanilla; stir into flour mixture just until combined. I use a Mini-Scone Pan and bake at 425 for 10 - 13 minutes. (if you don't have a scone pan you can pat dough to about 1/2 inch thick, cut into wedges, place on a baking sheet and bake as directed above. Serve with strawberries and save the leftover scone to enjoy for the breakfast. (see June 13 post for Andy's strawberry and whipped topping recipes)

~Michele

Cygnets, Part III

Got some more shots of the baby swans on Saturday, 6/12. I was able to get some "action shots" of the parents feeding them---very sweet.

I'm not sure how to tell the difference between a male and female swan---anyone know?

Enjoy!
Andy

My favorite . . .

Banana Pancake Recipe

I am a bit behind schedule. It is hard for me to keep up with Andy! Ha! He likes a schedule...I'm not so good with schedules, but I am a planner! Just ask him! Anyhow, here is our recipe (adapted from "Post Punk Kitchen").

Banana Pancakes

1 1/4 C whole grain flours (I mix whatever I have on hand; barley, spelt, WW, amaranth)

1/4 C oatmeal (if you don't have oatmeal, throw in some extra flour)

2 t baking powder

1/2 t cinnamon

dash of allspice

1 1/2 - 2 C almond (or soy or rice) milk

2 -3 medium ripe bananas; mashed

1 -2 T oil

1 egg

1) In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients. In another bowl beat the egg and then add the rest of the wet ingredients. Add wet to dry and mix well, but try not to over mix.

2) I use olive oil spray on the griddle and then heat it over medium heat. Make sure it's nicely heated before starting. Cook, flip cook some more and enjoy with your favorite topping. Andy shared his strawberries and whipped cream topping in the earlier post. They are also quite tasty with locally made peanut butter and local honey.

"Jack's Pancakes"

Awhile ago, Michele and I enjoyed a local restaurant called Home Grown. They had a recipe for banana pancakes that we adored. And, the owners Tanya and Chris and I loved Jack Johnson's song "Banana Pancakes" hence the name of their dish. Tanya and Chris are now doing something else and we miss their cooking, but hope they're doing great.

Fast forward a bit and Michele has developed her own FANTASTIC, very healthy banana pancake recipe. If you don't like your pancakes "healthy", then, no problem, top them with whatever you want! That's what I do . . . and like 'em healthy. ;->

Michele will post the recipe later, but my contribution was the strawberries and cinnamon whipped cream. The former is just washed and de-topped whole berries put into a bowl. Add honey and salt too taste (yes, you might be surprised how a dash makes 'em pop) and mash to your preference.

The whipped cream? We LOVE Shetler's Heavy Cream. Add a Tb of powdered sugar and 1/4 Tsp cinnamon per 1/2 cup cream. Whip to your preferred stiffness.

If it isn't obvious, we had a tasty weekend--hope you did too.
Andy

recipe

Market Bounty

We LOVE market time! Not being “good gardeners” ourselves, we really appreciate what people can do with their green thumbs. We routinely visit flower gardens, elaborate landscapes, parks, and of course the beautiful flora and fauna of our area supplied by nature.

Take this another step further. When local farmers bring in there products from our area, from our soil and water, it’s just a wonderful site to see. And, more importantly for us, to taste! I think seeing the incredible bounty and anticipating its use in recipes is half of the experience—before we even take a bite.

Here’s a quick shot of our haul from the Suttons Bay market. Strawberries (they’re in!), beets, radishes, a new preserve, locally made granola, the list goes on. To be honest, we do NOT use bushel baskets to shop at the market, as serene as that sounds. We DO use canvas bags though, but Michele thought the arrangement “spilling out of” a bushel looks more inviting. I agree.

And, yes, later we’ll share some shots of the dishes we made and may even include some recipes.

Here’s wishing you great bounty as well,

Andy

Missing Abby

Last night Andy and I were talking about how much we miss Abby. Independently, we both thought about posting this picture. It was taken after the, one and only, time we went away for a few days and left Abby and Katie with a kitty sitter. After lots of attention we found her relaxed in the sun, as if she was thinking "all is right with the world." (notice her leg is going right through the handle of the stool.)

Her favorite spot was in this sunny window, watching birds. Her favorite things to were sit on our laps, purr, and play. One of our favorite things about her was her ability to keep us constantly laughing.

~Michele

New Babies, Part II

If you look back at the Friday, June 4th posting, you'll see we've been "following" a swan family. We think the babies are somewhere around a week old or less. I'll let tonight's pix speak for themselves. Click on an image to see it larger. Hope you enjoy.
Andy

PS

For those interested, our Suttons Bay Relay is July 23 and 24, 2010. Here is a link for details:

Relay for Life

Michele

Relay for Life/Cancer Study

We learned earlier this week that the Traverse City Relay for Life event had a significant addition. It allowed participants/visitors to sign up for a long term (20 to 30 years) cancer study sponsored by the American Cancer Society and Emory University.

As you may know, Relay for Life is a cancer fighting awareness program that holds events around the nation to raise money to support the fight. Typically, teams walk for 24 hours straight in a large park or track while camping, promoting, and partaking in events held along side. We felt fortunate that our local group coordinated the intake of the study participants with the event. You can see "proof" of our participation with Michele's band-aid below (they took 4 vials of blood along with a small booklet of health survey data on each of us). ;->

Also note the other pic below of the wonderful initiative of a local construction company---Team Elmers. Yes, they just repainted a cement truck in support of the fight! Yes, it's driven by their only female driver. What's really cool is that they have a Facebook page devoted to this and if you click on "Like" they will donate $5. Tweet when and where you see the truck in action and they'll donate another $1. Very cool.

Team Elmers Facebook Page

I certainly hope you are never affected by cancer whether personally, with a family member (pets included!), or a friend. We know we're not unique, but Michele and I have lost our share of loved ones. We give every year and thought another and significant act would be to participate in the study also.

May you live long, happy, and healthy.
Andy

New Babies

I checked the swan nest on Tuesday and she was still sitting. Here is a picture taken last night. Aren't they sweet?

~Michele

Paper Goods

Another great find at an Estate sale. I love to work with old photos, papers and cards. I need to get busy in my studio now!

~Michele