not quite knitting

When I first start a vacation, I always cycle through the same basic stages. “Vacation?” I first say to myself. “This is the BEST EVER. I’m going to do so many FUN THINGS. I’ll never be tired again!

This elation lasts for approximately an hour (give or take), before I get bored. Quickly, it becomes clear that I’ve completely forgotten how to do fun things, except in short two-hour bursts bookended by work. So I start thinking of things I can do, and end up making work for myself. You know, fun work. Things I’ve seen other people blog about, or have been meaning to do around the house, but haven’t quite had the time for. Projects.

In other words, I made my own jam this week.

It wasn’t a terribly labour-intensive process, much to my surprise. I used the freezer jam recipe on the back of the pectin packet – 1.5c sugar to 4c fruit, which was a surprisingly low ratio, as all the reading I’d done led me to believe that freezer jam involved several cups of sugar for every cup of fruit. This definitely wasn’t the case with the pectins I was able to find in my local Canadian Tire.

I smushed up three cups of blueberries and one cup of raspberries – all awesome local Ontario fruit from the farmer’s market – mixed in the pectin, and put the concoction into jars. The whole process took maybe an hour and a half, and I’d totally do it again, because the jam is delicious. I’ve gone through half a jar already.

I think, after a few days, I’m finally starting to get the hang of relaxing. But the projects are definitely helping.

sooner or later

IMG_7428, originally uploaded by pirateygoodness.

One thing I forgot to mention about the first batch of chocolate-espresso cookies was that they were for a charity function, so I didn’t actually get to eat that many of them. Over the weekend, I cooked up a second batch – these ones were all baked in muffin tins, and they are much prettier than their cookie-sheet cousins. Also, did you know that 24 cookies makes a perfect circular pyramid? (I know, math geeks, a circular pyramid is a cone, shut up.) Now you do.

Song of the Entry: Michael Tolcher – Sooner or Later

i might even be a rockstar

IMG_7437, originally uploaded by pirateygoodness.

One of my secret food weaknesses is chicken in any sort of vaguely-spicy batter. Chicken wings, chicken burgers, fried chicken tenders on a stick – you name it, I am so there. Unfortunately, deep-fried chicken is also almost comically unhealthy, which is why I’ve been working out a way to make something with chicken that has a coating, tastes delicious, but isn’t fried. I think, in these, I’ve done it.

(Also, these set off my ever-fussy smoke alarm at least six times, which is a sure sign that something’s going to turn out really well.)

ZOMG NOM: Not-That-Unhealthy Chicken Tenders
Serves 2 hungry people, 4 not-that-hungry people

1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp* chili powder
1/2 tsp* paprika
1/2 tsp* smoked paprika
1/2 tsp* salt
2 tsp olive oil

2 egg whites
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, each cut into three strips

*Confession: I did not actually measure these amounts, because my measuring spoons were drying. I just poured a bit into my palm until it looked like a reasonable amount, and tried to keep all the spices approximately equal.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees farenheit.

Combine breadcrumbs, flour, and spices (including salt) in a medium sized bowl – ideally one that’s not too deep, and has a flattish bottom. Add olive oil, and mix with your (clean) hands until everything is evenly combined.

Set aside egg whites in a separate bowl. If your breadcrumb mixture is in a very deep bowl, you may want to transfer it to a plate to make your life easier.

Dip the chicken pieces first into the egg whites, then into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides. Place the coated chicken strips onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes, turning after 10 minutes.

Devour smugly and happily with your favourite dip. I recommend Thai sweet chili sauce. Maybe throw in some vegetables on the side if you’re feeling crazy.

Song of the Entry: Miley Cyrus – Rockstar