Eliot's Eats

Felted Dryer Balls

By Eliot, on November 12th, 2013

OK—no snickering at the title of this post. It could have been worse. I could have simply titled it “wooly balls.” 🙂

I tried to be proactive all year and keep on the look out for cool homemade gift ideas. During the months of November and December, I would like to share with you some . . . → Read More: Felted Dryer Balls

Jalapeno Relish

By Eliot, on November 9th, 2013

I am posting this late but as of the end of October, I was still picking peppers out of the garden. You never know what you are going to get with Oklahoma weather. It might be mild until Thanksgiving our you might be snowed in for the holidays.

Some were giants!

. . . → Read More: Jalapeno Relish

Garlic Confit

By Eliot, on November 6th, 2013

During the end of June this summer, I harvested wagon loads of garlic.

The first wagon full.

Then I got smart and started trimming the stalks at the garlic bed.

The second load.

I ended up with two full baskets of garlic.

Basket one.

Basket . . . → Read More: Garlic Confit

Butter (DIY)

By Eliot, on November 3rd, 2013

In my recent Día de Muertos post, I mentioned making my own butter for the Pan de Muerto recipe from Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.

I wanted to post the procedure here.

But first….a “remember when.”

In the early 80s my mom had her heart set on a KitchenAid stand mixer. Mom had many careers . . . → Read More: Butter (DIY)

“Bread for the Dead” on Día de Muertos

By Eliot, on November 1st, 2013

I made Pan de Muerto for my Cooks the Books post this month. We all read Barbara Kingsolver’s “Animal, Vegetable, Mineral.” . . . → Read More: “Bread for the Dead” on Día de Muertos

The Ghost of Halloweens Past

By Eliot, on October 30th, 2013

Over the years, Halloween has become a major holiday in itself, one worthy of outrageous parties and get-togethers. According to Yahoo news, Americans will spend $8 billion on Halloween. (That seems a bit excessive, right?)

When did Halloween morph into such a national spending frenzy?

(Segue alert…Here I go into a “when I was young” . . . → Read More: The Ghost of Halloweens Past

Herbed Olives and “A Good Year”

By Eliot, on October 27th, 2013

This month’s Food ‘n Flix feature is “A Good Year.” Please check out this recipe to make your own marinated olives. . . . → Read More: Herbed Olives and “A Good Year”

Quick Jalapeno Focaccia

By Eliot, on October 25th, 2013

It is still peppers all the time here at EE. To make room for those delicious Bourbon Pickled Peppers, I was cleaning out the fridge of the previously pickled jalapenos and carrots and using them in chilis and soups to freeze away for weeknight dinners.

I had just gotten back from lunch with a dear . . . → Read More: Quick Jalapeno Focaccia

Sous Vide Steaks (DIY)

By Eliot, on October 23rd, 2013

Remember a while back we attended a cooking class and had sous vide octopus and Chicken Saltimbocca? That chef/instructor also commented that this water-bath method was the only way to do steaks to perfection.

So what happens when you take your husband with you to cooking class?

What happens when said husband has a temperature . . . → Read More: Sous Vide Steaks (DIY)

Trick or Treat Halloween Bark

By Eliot, on October 20th, 2013

Trick or treat….It is time for October’s Secret Recipe Club Reveal. . . . → Read More: Trick or Treat Halloween Bark