What We’re Eating: Memorial Day
Life is hard; food doesn't have to be #169 [vol5, 5.4]
Pizza Night - this book is excellent for helping trouble shoot all the things pizza. Before John Isaac left for the summer, we made pizza. (By we, I mean me. Ha!)
I made one dough; divided into two portions. One became a Detroit Style (pictured), with thick crust like focaccia plus lacy cheese frico crust. The other was a grandma-style in 13x18 sheet pan. The kids kept asking why it was called Grandma style and I didn’t have an answer except in the style of my story-telling dad: make it up. I said, “Because Grandma is coming over.” John’s mom actually was coming over because his dad was in Texas at the NRA convention.
Before making the grandma style pizza, I thought the Detroit style was forever my fav. I was wrong. The grandma style has a slightly thinner crust but less fussy (didn’t have to parbake the crust) AND I could make two grandmas at once if needed. The crust is not what I’ve had before in a sheet pan. It is light and airy and delicious.
Next week we plan to fire up the outdoor pizza oven. So I might add another fav in the line up. Ha!
Summer = Salads
Last week I tried two new to me salads, and both by
.White Bean Salad with burgers on the grill. The third image is from her website. Let it never be confused that I’m a food photographer. Middle picture is mine with cheeseburger no bun (but I made these easy brioche buns for the kids). On top of my burger is purple sauerkraut with a side of copycat Chuy’s jalapeno ranch that my MIL made and gave us.
Last night we had chicken thighs on a sheet pan with chickpeas with cilantro lime dressing.
Another simple summer salad that’s perfect for taking to the pool is this one with black eyed peas, cauli rice, and olives if they’re your thang.
A year ago, I wrote about this quinoa, chickpea, spinach, feta, apple salad.
Perfect Chickpeas in the InstantPot
Soak dry chickpeas in filtered water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of dried chickpeas to help jumpstart germination and increase nutrition.
After 8-24 hours, rinse.
Cover again with filtered water. Add 1t-1T sea salt. Set to high pressure for 7 minutes and natural release.
Drain and use.
Garden Update
I pulled the garlic that was planted in October then destroyed by chickens in early spring. The garlic was small; I think mostly from too much shade. My garden is in between two very tall stands of trees.
Just before a good rain last night I was able to get everything planted. In place of garlic I put watermelon seeds in the dirt. The sun is higher now and I think enough for watermelon.
Also in the garden: cantaloupe, cucumber, peppers of all variety, tomatoes, eggplant, red onions, squash (yellow and butternut), herbs and flowers. A friend gave me blackberry canes but I don’t expect much fruit this year.
Family Update
I realize not everyone following here cares about my family — yet most comments stem from how much people like this part. So here goes…
Schaeffer, age 11, got a bee in his bonnet this week that he wanted to start a lawn company. My husband and I decided long ago to always say yes and help the kids be entrepreneurs.
{side note: I’m the one with more hours at home. I get to be the sounding board and sometimes the emotional expenditure of such a decision falls to me. This week I was weary (it’s MAYcember!) I felt frazzled answering all his questions while attempting to steer him in the right direction without absolutely squashing him just about wore.me.out. BUT! I could only think of our oldest son, who started a similar endeavor about the same age and it was one of our best decisions to get his high-energy-self going so I pushed through. All this is to say: keep going to the weary mommas out there! I would rather boys be working than in front of a screen.}
VBS
Vacation Bible School is a big deal at our church. It’s one of the few in our area that still operates during the morning hours. The younger kids helped with decorations this week. Caroline painted a whale! Shay made coral.
Unrelated but fit in the pic collage - The dog caught a mole two days in a row. As much trouble as she gives us, as long as she keeps catching moles I will let her stay.
Life is hard; food doesn’t have to be.
Julie
PS - let me know what you’re eating this weekend!
PPS - I started another substack called CleanMajors focused on baby steps for cleaner living. Today I wrote about sunscreen: words to look for as well as avoid. Perfection isn’t the goal. Cleaner is. One swap at a time. Check your promotions folder and drag to your inbox. Or maybe you should sign up.
I'm going to try your IP chickpea method... I need to get back into cooking dried beans. And thank you for all of this as always :)