Ingredients
Method
- Prep all ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, oil and mustard, and season with salt and pepper.
- Add beans, onion and olives. Toss to combine
Archive for the ‘Tools of the Trade’ Category
Happy New Year! Did Santa bring everything you wanted? Well, OK. . .it’s time to get yourself something. I have a suggestion—a new knife sharpener. Chances are, you need one. And even if you’ve got one built into a can opener, you know you want one. Today, I’m even including one of my longtime favorite recipes that, surprisingly, I’ve never posted before.
Ready For The Second Half Of The Decade?
It’s 2026, the second half of the 2020s, and we’re all hoping for a great new year. Well, we hope. . .I just keep looking for good in the world. Occasionally, I find some, long as I don’t watch the news too much. (BLAH! Blah, blah! BLAH BLAH BLAH!!)
James was on vacation for two weeks, and we’ve been going in all directions. I managed to get all the client’s work done on time, but I’m still working on making Trello my be-all and end-all of personal organization. I wonder if ChatGPT or Grok can help with that. (Note: AI was NOT used in today’s post! )
After I published my last post on foodie gifts, time got away from me again. I don’t know what “Fraffle Salt” is in the first picture, I just thought it was funny and left it there. I’ve already got a post planned and half-written on cast iron, but I’m saving that one for later.
The Holidays and His Vacation
James took two weeks off after Christmas, and we had plans to do lots of things. We did some of them. One of the things this past weekend at the Casa de Rurale was cleaning out the pantry and giving it a little re-org. That’s also a separate blog post and a whole other ball of wax. I’ve asked James to remodel the pantry like the ones I’ve found on Pinterest for better space utilization. However, we don’t seem to be on the same page with this idea. At least it’s clean now and we have measurements for the day we can get started.
What did he get me for Christmas? A cute, adorable neck massager with a fuzzy exterior that looks like an adorable grey cat. My neck has been hurting from keeping my nose to the grindstone, and he thought this would be ideal. It doesn’t have a built-in heater, but the furry fabric warms just fine. I got him a couple of useful things from Aldi’s Aisle of Shame, including a new pair of “hybrid” gloves to keep his mechanic’s hands warm. I bought myself a pair as well, and they’re great. You can even use a smartphone with these gloves. Bring on the snow!
But now, I have a follow-up to the one from a month ago, with another planned. (Disclosure: multiple Amazon affiliate links today.)
I Need A Knife Sharpener
After publishing the last post, I realized that knife sharpeners can be a good thing to buy for yourself. Especially if your non-foodie friends or family brought you a fruitcake or something. I also realized I really needed a better grade of knife sharpener, so, I bought one. I have one of those honing rods in my kitchen tools that you use to refine a knife blade, but it doesn’t really sharpen the blade.
How much do you think a knife sharpener costs? Well, how long is a piece of string? Like anything, it depends on how much you can afford to spend and what type you want to buy, really. That comes under “fair market value” with multiple variables.
When I started researching knife sharpeners on Amazon, I found all manner of things. In fact, anytime you visit Amazon’s website, you’ll find all manner of things. That’s why it’s important to know what you’re looking for when you start. Otherwise, you’ll start traveling down rabbit holes of incredibly useful things you didn’t know existed and forget what you needed.
Side Note: The Final Downton Abbey Film Is Fantastic
In the same Amazon order, I also ordered a DVD copy of Downton Abbey: The Final Chapter. Like the other two films and the six-season original series, it’s just fantastic. Not giving any spoilers here. The trailer gives you some idea of the film but doesn’t give it all away. If you haven’t seen this last DA film, rent it or buy it soon. It’s a perfect all-wrapped-up ending to an incredible ten-year saga. We watched it the night the package arrived and both enjoyed it from start to finish.
All Roads Lead To Aldi
OK, a quick pivot to a previous topic. You know how Aldi sells those wonderful things on the Aisle of Shame for less than you’d buy for brand names? It’s great for trying something before you commit to a larger expense. You can spend less for an item that you’re considering buying to see if it’s worth the money for a name-brand or higher-end item. When the original item no longer works, you can decide for yourself if it’s worth buying another one at the market price. (No, I haven’t seen any knife sharpeners at Aldi yet.)
Case in point: this week I bought a pillow-top mattress pad on the AOS for $30. Our reaction: where has this been all our lives? We slept so well we couldn’t get up, it was that comfy. So when this one needs a replacement, we know it’s a good idea.
Additionally, I recently bought the Crofton handheld steam cleaner for $20 to see how it works and what I can clean better, like the long-neglected pantry. I even asked ChatGPT to tell me more about it before I bought it, and was very happy with the response. Bissell’s fancy-dancy version currently sells for $40, and there are others that are more expensive. So when the day comes, the next one I get will probably be a higher-end model like Bissell’s. The pantry cleanout will be an upcoming blog post.
What’s Setting Spray?
Another example: during the summer I also bought two bottles of makeup “setting spray” for 50 cents a bottle at Aldi. Because I don’t wear makeup much anymore, I only found out what it was a couple of weeks prior on Instagram. Aldi had it for about $5 a bottle new, but it was marked down, so I figured it was a good deal and bought two. I used it later and liked it, so “setting spray” is something I’ll keep around going forward. On Amazon, it runs from $5 a bottle to as much as $100 a bottle. I didn’t spend $100 a bottle to find out whether I did or didn’t like it, and I know it’s a good thing to have whenever I wear makeup.
Back To Amazon
So, getting back to the knife sharpener thing: Amazon is not only good for buying, but also great for research, even if you don’t buy something or buy it elsewhere. The website search function is a huge search engine much like Google. If you don’t believe me, check out some of the Instagram accounts that are dedicated solely to finding useful and interesting products on Amazon.
Here’s another reason: if you see something on TV or social media that you want or need, check Amazon to see if there may be a comparable or less expensive version of that product. That’s how I came to buy the Sunny Row & Ride in 2021 after seeing a similar $250 item on an infomercial. (I’m not on it for a few more days because I’m injured—again.) So, as with many decisions, starting with a low-priced product (or secondhand, depending on what you’re buying) can be practical.
This contrasts with what I was told when I was younger: “When you buy cheap, you buy twice.” That’s true for many things. But sometimes, if you’re not ready to spend $125 on something, it may make sense to get an inexpensive version. You can see how it works, if it will work for you, and if it might be worth spending $125 on one later when the useful life of the cheap version ends.
I’ve asked James about finding someone to sharpen knives locally, but anyone who does is at least an hour away from us. The post right before Christmas gave me the idea. Finally, when I started looking for a good knife sharpener on Amazon, I found a wide range of possibilities.
The Longzon 4-In-1 Knife Sharpener
Eventually, I decided to take a chance with this inexpensive model from Longzon. Even though it’s reasonably priced, a good knife-sharpener can be life-changing. Why didn’t I buy one before? This one is worlds ahead of the little one in the knife block.
Source: Amazon.com
As always, James didn’t think we needed this. After all, he had one from Snap-On Tools! Of course, he couldn’t find it when I asked. This Longzon model was $14 when I ordered, but the price may go up or down occasionally. Still, for that price, it’s worth a try. You can always upgrade as necessary and pass the first one on to someone else who doesn’t know they need one.
Sharpening The Knives
After watching the company’s short video on using it, I put aside two of our knives to test the sharpener:
These were the tests to see how well the sharpener would work.
The black-handled Santoku-style knife is from an old Paula Deen set that James bought on sale long before I got here. This set includes six steak knives, a big chef’s knife, a paring knife and a serrated edge knife. (I might have accidentally snapped the tip off the long chef’s knife one day messing with a cheesecake.) I used to use this Santoku all the time, but it probably never saw a sharpener. This knife was just duller than dirt.
Later, I bought some new, inexpensive knives to use for everyday cooking, like the brown-handled knife you see here from Chicago Cutlery. Over time, the blades on the newer ones still cut better than the Santoku, but not as well they did new.
Once I unpacked the box, I got to work. I followed the instructions to slide them quickly one way, towards you, on an angle. NEVER use a back-and-fourth sawing motion with this sharpener—that will ruin the blade fast. The gloves are helpful, too, ensuring that you can sharpen safely.
Putting Them To The Test
As instructed, I took each knife on the three levels of sharpening to get a sharper edge. I can’t say it would be the same as a professional sharpening, but these knives cut so much better now.
First, the little Santoku: it worked great slicing up a lime, and then a red onion for some delicious White-Bean and Olive Salad. (Keep reading.) No more sawing to cut the onions—just a smooth, easy, and very thin slice. That old knife never cut that way before. The larger knife is also cutting better, much like it did when it was new.
Now that I knew they were better, it was time for a tougher critic. I handed them to James to try out to slice up some deer sausage for dinner. He wasn’t surprised with the Chicago Cutlery knife:
Here he tries out the bigger knife
But when it came to the older Santoku knife, James was quite impressed:
Now he’s using his own knife while Buddy waits for him to drop something tasty.
This newly sharp blade quickly sliced that deer sausage right up! (Buddy didn’t get any.)
And the odd thing is that James has different types of manly, non-kitchen knives that are razor sharp. But he never considered sharpening any of his kitchen knife collection. I guess that’s why I’m here.
Recipe: White-Bean and Olive Salad
A long time ago in a faraway place (called Houston) the Houston Chronicle was delivered every morning to my doorstep. On Wednesdays, the foodie section, called Flavor, (now it’s just Restaurants & Food) was just all about everything food related. I tried many tasty recipes from the Chronicle’s foodie section.
The one recipe I continue to make is this White Bean and Olive Salad which was supposed to be from the old Everyday Food magazine and website that was part of the Martha Stewart Omnimedia group. There are multiple recipes for cannellini bean salad on the Martha Stewart website, just not this one. I still have the original newspaper section from Wednesday, April 16, 2008, because the recipe never appeared in Everyday Food or on their website, nor is it there today. The only place I’ve ever found it was here on Food.com, and that’s because I just did a search.
This recipe combines a few delicious ingredients simply in a richly satisfying dish. I’ve been making this salad weekly since I can get cannellini beans easily at Aldi now. The local Walmart stopped selling them completely, but other stores have them. No, James won’t touch it with citrus juice, Dijon mustard, olives, and cannellini beans. See this previous post for his interpretation of a salad.
The test: Thinly Slicing The Onions
One of the components of this tasty recipe is the red onion. But they’re strong, so they need to be thinly sliced. For that you need a sharp knife.
The setup.
I measured out the dressing ingredients first. The lime sliced really easily:
Then I squeezed the juice and measured out three tablespoons
These little bowls made it easy.
Along with salt and pepper, this is the entire dressing.
Although the recipe calls for lemon juice, that’s actually a lime. I normally have limes around because that’s what I like, but that one is ripe. They’re sold green in this country so people know they’re not lemons. When they turn yellow, they’re ripe and juicier.
Start by draining and rinsing the beans. I leave them in the strainer in the sink so the water drains off there.
Cannellini beans
Add the citrus, olive oil and Dijon to the bowl, add a little salt and pepper, then mix it quickly in the bottom of the bowl:
Really simple
Slice or chop the Kalamata olives, and toss them in:
The recipe calls for halving, but I just chop them or slice them.
Now slice half a red onion.
I started slicing and it was so easy
I was amazed to see how thin I could slice it with this old knife. All it needed was a sharpening.
SO much better.
Look how thin they are! And that knife was in the house long before I got here. Granted, the knife took a bit of work to slice the onion itself in half, but after I peeled it, this part was easy. The other half went into a container and into the fridge.
Mix the onions and olives into the dressing first:
I think it’s easier to mix these first so that it’s not difficult to mix later when adding the beans.
Add the beans and mix it all together just until it’s all coated:
Done!
Since it makes four servings, I pack them up for the fridge and have some with lunch or dinner, or even as an afternoon snack.
And we’re done!
According to the original recipe, each serving contains:
- 192 calories
- 10 grams of fat, with 1.3 grams of saturated fat
- 4.9 grams of protein
- 20.3 grams of carbohydrates
- 4.9 grams of fiber
But I make it frequently because I really like it. Here’s the printable version.
Different Types of Sharpeners
Like many people, I remember electric can openers with knife sharpeners built in. They are still made. It’s just something I didn’t think much about, because I also had the knife block with a small built-in sharpener. That was a wedding present in 1996. (I still have that, too.)
Now, if you’re in the market for a new can opener, I highly recommend this one from Kitchen Mama.
I have a red one and love it, but I remove the batteries in between uses. It uncrimps the can lid instead of slicing it open like James’ old one, so it’s much safer. You can open any size can with the touch of a button.
Although I chose a manual knife sharpener this time, you can also buy electric ones. I didn’t investigate those, because I thought a manual would give me more control over the knife.
The GER used to sharpen knives that he bought at estate sales, but I don’t know if he still does. And I never watched him sharpen a knife, either. That long Zwilling knife he gave me many years ago is very, very sharp, and I use it occasionally to cut something large like a roast chicken or a turkey.
Let’s Roll!
One thing I did not know is that there is a “rolling” type of sharpener. What? I found many that were more expensive than the Longzon model I bought. So, you understand why I bought a less expensive one first.
Source: Amazon.com
These rolling sharpeners by Germany-based Horl are pricier but are a much higher grade of tool. You can check out their Amazon Storefront and their YouTube channel to learn more. To explain it to James, I would liken the spending over $100 or more for a kitchen knife sharpener to him buying a Snap-On socket wrench or cordless impact wrench. That’ll be a while, though.
Sharpeners like Longzon’s are readily available in different price points and features. I like this one because it also has a spot for sharpening scissors, complete with directions. So, I tried sharpening a pair of Fiskars sewing shears that had cut a lot of fabrics. So far so good. I’m not sure if I sharpened it or ruined it, but it seems to work a little better. I’ll try again another time.
Time To Sharpen Your Knives
It’s that time of year where people refresh their homes after the holidays, put things away, get better organized, and ready for the year ahead. Add knife sharpening to that task list while you’re thinking about it to make your prep work easier all year long.
If you’re a foodie and enjoy cooking, you know there’s nothing like a well-sharpened knife. One clean cut and you’re done with no mangling or crushing while you try to cut. Even a slightly dull knife can lead to injuries from trying too hard to cut something. That’s why you’ll hear people like Martha Stewart, Ree Drummond, and Ina Garten say to use a “really sharp knife.” A dull knife can ruin your ingredients, and your day, too.
Upgrading For A Better Knife
Chances are, you probably haven’t given your kitchen knives any attention in a while. Get this one from Longzon, or find another one that’s right for you and get started. It might not be as sharp as professional sharpening, but you’ll have a better slicing experience once the blade gets some exposure to the stone.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a fairly knew knife or one your grandmother gave you when you moved into your first apartment. You can likely sharpen it back to a usable condition with the right sharpening tool. There’s no reason why cutting and slicing should be difficult no matter what type of knives are in your kitchen.
I’ll be back soon with some new topics and maybe another recipe or two.
Happy New Year!
Do you have a foodie in your life? Are you shopping for a gift for foodies? With the help of my new BFF, I’ve got a few suggestions if you find yourself stumped. (Disclosure: Amazon affiliate links abound!)
Hi, again, Dear Readers:
I do hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. Mine was more like many holidays I had in Houston: me, cooking all my new and old favorites for myself.
Where was he? Gone to his brother’s place down in Baton Rouge. When he finally returned about 9:30 pm, he never touched anything I cooked, including the Mushroom Sausage Stuffing and the delicious sheet-pan turkey dinner which may return at Christmas. Long story there, and really, it was all fine. I enjoyed every bit of everything for a week.
Followup From The Last Blog Post
I received a couple of nice responses after The Mushroom Post, thanks. One reader whose name will not be mentioned here later asked the question, “why do people make a big deal about truffles? They taste the same as regular mushrooms.” I don’t have an answer, but let me investigate that one. I think I’ve had them once or twice in my life, and saw them at the Houston Central Market once. It was just a package of two or three, and they were very expensive by the pound.
Site Housekeeping And Updates
I’ve also begun some updates on the blog’s website. Some of the files on the Recipes page still point to the original blog site, which is still online. I stopped updating it 2016 when I got this domain. Unfortunately, I never got around to checking to make sure all the posts transferred over when I migrated everything into the new site. It’s time to get that finalized.
Upwork and Fiverr have people who you can pay to do it for you. But again, never got around to that task. With the help of AI, I’ve begun checking to see what posts didn’t transfer over and what recipes need to be re-linked over here so I can finally retire the old site and close it down. I’ve downloaded the PDFs for the ones that redirect back and am in the process of updating the links. Soon, I’ll go into the page and finish the link updates for the recipes, and you can download those PDFs from this site. I don’t want a redirect to that site once it’s gone.
But now it’s a couple weeks since my last post, and time got away from me again. I had a short project for a law firm client in Sydney, Australia, and it got me thinking about making Lamingtons. If you’re going to a holiday party and want to bring something different, give Lamingtons a try. You can read more at this “official” Lamington site.
A I’ve asked my new BFF (the esteemed ChatGPT) to give us a few suggestions for your holiday shopping. Time is short, so if you are ordering something, don’t wait. And yes, there are some lovely affiliate links here, too, if you’re interested.
Holiday Shopping For The Foodie
James has never quite understood what the whole “foodie” thing really means. But if you know, you know. (#IYKYK) These days, I don’t try to explain it anymore, I just buy whatever I want and use it accordingly. If I say something like, “we’re running low on Kalamata olives,” he just gives me a funny look. He did tell me a couple of weeks ago that he’s buying me a new vacuum cleaner for Christmas, ha, ha, ha. (We already have more than one.) While he will shop in Aldi without reservation, he still says the same thing: “It’s just a grocery store.”
If you’ve got a foodie in your life, congratulations–your holiday shopping just got a whole lot easier. Food lovers aren’t hard to please, as long as you get them the right gadgets, tools, and edible treasures. This doesn’t mean a box of chocolate covered cherries or other chocolates, unless they specifically ask for that. Otherwise, they’ll smile politely while silently plotting where they’re going to re-gift whatever random tin of popcorn you brought them.
To save you from that fate, I’ve rounded up ten actually good gifts that real foodies will use, love, brag about, and probably Instagram forever.
Let’s get into it.
1. A High-Quality Chef’s Knife (Because Dull Knives Ruin Lives)
If your favorite foodie is still hacking veggies with a dull bargain-bin knife, do them a kindness and upgrade their blade. A solid 8-inch chef’s knife is a kitchen workhorse. It’s the gift that keeps on slicing.
Why it’s a great gift:
People rarely upgrade their own knives. When they unwrap this, they will see you as the superior human you clearly are.
Gunter-Wilhelm
If you’re not familiar with this brand, I wasn’t either until I bought one.
Still a favorite, the Chef’s Knife
I bought it at the Houston Food Show in 2011. The two guys in the Gunter-Wilhelm booth told me it was one of the best knives you could buy at $150. But that day, they were selling them for $75–half price. I bit and bought, and have to say it’s one of my favorite knives ever.
When it’s sharp, it’s an easy and clean cut. Pay very close attention when you’re handling a heavy knife like this. I had it sharpened once at the now-closed Sur la Table in Baybrook Mall. I haven’t used it much since I’ve been here.
Gunter-Wilhelm also has an outlet website with discounts.
Zwilling
Another fantastic knife is this long Zwilling:
A very sharp and useful Wustoff, about 15 inches long.
This one was a gift from the GER, no less, bought at an estate sale many years ago. Although he did a fantastic job restoring and sharpening this knife, he decided he couldn’t sell it, so he gifted it to me. This one is also still packed and only used occasionally. It’s good for slicing through any number of things, including your holiday turkey. Both knives are treated with respect.
Note that Zwilling knives are considered very high end knives with an equally high-end price tag.
James didn’t want me to put those knives in the only small drawer in the kitchen, so both have remained packed since I arrived along with my Splayds and other exclusive culinary tools. (Note: Amazon no longer has Splayds but does have a variety of sporks in stainless steel, which aren’t the same thing. Multiple sellers on eBay and Etsy sell Splayds.) I have considered getting another knife block or hanging up a magnetic strip on the wall for my good knives but just haven’t. Getting a good knife sharpened here is a drive somewhere. So I’ve kind of avoided it and just used the inexpensive knives until I find someone who can sharpen them all within a decent driving distance.
Add a good knife sharpener for a really dedicated foodie.
2. Electric Milk Frother
Lattes, matcha, hot chocolate — a frother instantly makes it fancy without requiring a barista’s license. These little handheld devices cost peanuts and deliver foamy joy on demand.
Image of Milk Frother AI-Generated. Source: ChatGPT
I have one or two Produkt frothers from IKEA that work nice, but they’re not as powerful as the Aerolatte I had and used until it passed away a couple of years ago. That one would froth up anything and blend small amounts of oil and vinegar for salad dressing quickly and efficiently. Put the mixer end in a cup of water with some dish detergent, turn it on, and it’s clean just as quickly.
You can find a myriad of milk frothers both online and in stores at low and high price points (especially at IKEA, $3.99.) Pro tip: Rechargeable models are stronger and don’t die right before your morning coffee.
3. A Powerful Air Fryer
Still haven’t jumped on the air frying bandwagon? Check out my previous blog post on the wonders of the air fryer. It can be a great thing to have around, if you have the room. Easy to use too.
Every foodie either has an air fryer or wants a better one. Trust me on this: look for models with at least 5 quarts of space so they can crisp up everything from Brussels sprouts to chicken wings. If I were buying one now, I would get this beautiful Teal Speckle model from The Pioneer Woman collection.
I really like that color. (Source: Walmart.com)
It’s just under six quarts and even has a window. You don’t see that color every day. Note that it’s under $100 right now on Walmart’s website.
Bonus: It’s secretly a gift for you too if you live with them. Air-fried everything = less mess = holiday miracle.
4. Gourmet Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar Gift Set
Nothing says “I put thought into this” like a really good olive oil — not the sad bottle sitting at eye level in the grocery store. Real, high-quality olive oil is peppery, smooth, grassy, and absolutely nothing like what most people settle for. Williams-Sonoma and Sur la Table are great places to start researching and looking, but you may find a set just about anywhere, including Walmart and Aldi.
Pair it with a small-batch balsamic and boom: classy gift unlocked.
5. Digital Meat Thermometer
Foodies want their meat perfectly cooked. They don’t want food poisoning. A fast, reliable digital thermometer takes the guesswork out of everything from steak to sourdough bread.
AI generated image. Source: ChatGPT
This is one of those gifts people don’t realize they need until they have one–and then they never shut up about how precise their roast chicken is now.
Admittedly, I don’t have one, but should. I’ll be looking for one with my next Amazon order. It’ll drive James up the wall, too.
6. The “Fancy Salt” Trio
There’s more to life than table and kosher salt. More than Himalayan Pink Sea Salt, even. Salt gift sets are a great gift for someone who takes salt and seasoning seriously.
Smoked salt, flaky sea salt, truffle salt — seasonings they can sprinkle on anything to make it taste like it came from a high-class (and expensive) restaurant. Salt is the adult equivalent of glitter: sprinkle responsibly.
This is a low-cost, high-impact gift that feels luxurious without requiring a second mortgage.
7. A Countertop Fermentation Kit
I’m going to admit that I haven’t tried fermentation, and may never. The closest I’ve ever tried this is making some “refrigerator pickles” a couple of years ago when we were gifted more cucumbers than I could reasonably eat.
But if you’ve got a foodie who loves tinkering, nothing will delight them more than realizing they can make their own kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, and hot sauce with a simple home fermentation kit. It taps into their inner mad scientist.
WARNING: They may start talking about probiotics more than reasonable, and breach the limits of your tolerance.
8. High-End Silicone Spatulas
You know the ones — heatproof, flexible, durable, and absolutely not dollar-store flimsy like this set from OXO. A great spatula is an everyday joy, and a set is even better. This one reaches into the bottoms of jars, and this silicone blender spatula can help you get more out of your blender before cleaning it.
Ask me how I know. . .because I’ve made basil pesto every summer since 2010 and discovered how sharp the blender blades are with my regular silicone spatulas.
This is stocking stuffer gold. Foodies love tools that work.
9. A Subscription Box of Gourmet Snacks or Ingredients
From keto boxes to globally themed meals to chocolate-of-the-month, subscription boxes are the gift that keeps showing up. It’s like giving them Christmas 12 times instead of once. Pick one that fits their favorite cuisine or dietary preferences (gluten-free, low-carb, plant-based — the options are endless). A quick search on FindSubscriptionBoxes.com can help you find just what you’re looking for. The website has a variety of subscriptions to try, not just food.
Since I haven’t had any subscription boxes like these since I sampled Graze, I don’t have any specific suggestions. They’re a UK company now, anyway.
10. Cast Iron Skillet (Yes, Even If They Already Have One)
Foodies collect cast iron like tech bros collect monitors. A well-seasoned cast iron pan lasts forever, cooks beautifully, and gets better with age. They come in a wide variety of sizes, from small 4″ skillets up to large dutch ovens and covered pans. Many of them are pre-seasoned.
AI Generated. Source: ChatGPT
If they already have one, great! But now they can have a second one dedicated to sweets, or camping, or searing steaks at 700 degrees like a culinary daredevil.
Gifts for Foodies Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful
Food lovers appreciate tools and ingredients that make cooking more fun, more flavorful, or just easier. Whether you go big with a high-end chef’s knife, an air fryer, or smaller with a frother or gourmet salts, these ten gifts will hit the mark every time.
Want to earn bonus points? Pair any of these gifts with a handwritten recipe card, a homemade seasoning blend, or a batch of your best cookies. We foodies love personal touches almost as much as we love good butter.
The Holidays Are Here
As they always are. . .and there are already ads on social media for diets, fitness, and even GLP-1 drugs online for weight loss. My favorite (and most returned) ad is the one I’ve seen for a portable Pilates reformer mat with lots of bells and whistles that folds flat for storage or travel. My front-brain says, “You need this!” While the back brain reminds me, “no, you don’t, just use the stuff you already have, regularly.” Plus all the other things I want to do that take a backseat more often than I’d like.
I have a couple of new topics in mind for future blog posts, some of which involving health and wellness. Don’t worry, I won’t ruin your holidays with that now. Enjoy the stuff you want (in moderation) because it is the holidays, but please take care of yourself too.
Until next time,
Enjoy, And Happy Holidays!
Now that the holidays are finally done and dusted, turn on your favorite Spotify playlist, and let’s get back on track. Happy New Year!
Hi, Again, Dear Readers:
Mail carriers, UPS drivers, and others who deliver packages are glad that the holidays are over and we can all get back to our normal lives. I thought I’d drop in and do a quick blog post to say Happy New Year! Because the last year wasn’t all that great, and neither were a couple of others.
I’m almost finished with the second blog on the rest of our Houston trip. . .in 2022. Now it’s 2024, I just need to upload it and install the pictures, which are minimal in this blog.
In With The New. . . .
Don’t give me that “New Year, New You” stuff. It implies that there is something wrong with the current or old you. Unless there is something badly wrong, you don’t need to “fix” anything, just make some adjustments to get what you want. Admittedly, that comment sells a lot of products to the American public, doesn’t it?
Yes, it’s 2024, and there are all kinds of things to help you with your “New Year’s Resolutions!” That would not be me, of course. If you want to clean up your diet, which is always a good thing, I’m always going to try and find (and make) healthy food for us. Sometimes you’re out or on vacation and that goes by the wayside.
Most of us know that resolutions usually last from one to six weeks into the new year. Few people actually accomplish them as intended. But it’s not for lack of trying for a few days. Real life comes back with a vengeance and throws the proverbial bucket of cold water at you. Then, that new routine you’d planned just doesn’t fit. Or whatever goes wrong. Been there, done that, as we all have.
Reading And Exercise Are Fundamental
One of my actual real resolutions is to read more this year. I have a couple dozen books stacked on my coffee table that I want to get through. Included is Suzanne Somers’s last book, A New Way To Age. I bought it and several more recently after watching AWAI’s annual Copywriting Bootcamp. These were books either referenced or written by the speakers. I have others I’ve bought elsewhere, and they’re all mostly business books. I also want to go back and watch the replays of several of the sessions.
During a recent power outage, I managed to finish reading two books that I’d already started. They weren’t terribly long reads. The first was one for copywriters and their clients by Kim Krause Schwalm, and one was on ChatGPT, which I’m still learning. But I want to make sure these books don’t just collect dust, I need to know what’s inside all of them.
It’s also a good time to get back on my previous resolution, the Sunny Row & Ride #077, which happens to be under $100 at the moment.
It’s a great piece of equipment. . .when I use it. (Source: Sunny Health & Fitness website.)
I’m not saying you need a Row & Ride. (They actually have three versions of it now.) I wanted one for myself after seeing a commercial for something more expensive, and I’m glad I bought mine. Sunny Health & Fitness is a good company, too, and has its own YouTube Channel with free workouts that don’t all require equipment.
Getting Fit Isn’t Expensive
You do not need to join a gym or spend too much money. Remember:
- If you have a bike, you can ride it, even in the house with a bike trainer stand in front of your TV. Mine came from eBay several years ago.
- If you can move and have sidewalks or other available safe amenities in the area, you can walk.
- If you can’t walk, or have limited mobility, even light weights are good for strength training.
- An inexpensive bike pedal exerciser is also great for getting movement. Walmart has these too.
- YouTube has millions of exercise videos for every level of fitness, most for free, just find what works for you. From gentle yoga to the most difficult weight and kettlebell workouts, it’s available 24/7 at the touch of a button. Pick one and start. Don’t like it? Find another one and save it–the choices are endless.
- Your local public library likely has exercise videos you can borrow for free to see what you like, whether it’s yoga, Pilates, weightlifting, kettlebells, or anything else. This is especially true of the Freeman Library in Clear Lake, where they can get you seemingly endless things on VHS, DVD, and on-demand online. For many libraries, you can request them online and pick them up at the counter.
Amazon is the perfect place to research something you’re thinking about with info from both the manufacturer and people who bought it, even if you don’t buy it there. Furthermore, you may find something equal to the thing you’re considering but a less expensive model. That’s how I came across the Row & Ride. Heck, Five Below has plastic push-up stands for $5 right now, just like these from Amazon for $10.
Just make sure you don’t buy something with which to hurt yourself. Self-inflicted injuries are not a great way to start your new year.
Buy Sustainable, Buy Used
If you want a new exercise bike or other fitness equipment but don’t have a big budget, check out Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, (exercise care with these, and don’t pay in advance) eBay, or local thrift stores run by nonprofits.
People buy things with the best of intentions, and after dusting them multiple times, eventually want them out of the house. Some have been used once or twice, just like sewing machines. Now’s a great time to score something for less than you’d pay retail for new, and help someone clear out their space or who needs a little post-holiday cash. Use Amazon as a research site and go from there.
Sitting too much and being sedentary just isn’t good, because one day moving might not happen anymore. I was told that a long time ago by a lady right after her knee replacement.
Motion Before Motivation
Sometimes you’ll hear someone say, “I’m trying to get motivated.” Or someone is just sitting and waiting for the motivation to come to them like this woman waiting forever for divine intervention. Well, you could be waiting for years for that or to get motivated to do something. I have a suggestion: just get started and the motivation will come to you.
How I know this is a self-help book I need to re-read myself: Motion Before Motivation by Michael Dolpies. Someone mentioned it one day in a Facebook group for copywriters, and I bought the book on February 2, 2016. (Thank you, Amazon for that bit of data.) Get started doing it, whatever it is, and the motivation will come. That’s the theme, although there’s a little more to it than that. Just pulled it from my bookshelf and will be adding it to the coffee table stacks.
If I had one of those fancy, expensive Peloton bikes with a book rack on it, I might be reading it on that. Truth to tell, you can find an exercise bike for much less—even Aldi has a foldable one for under $75.
Our Holiday Week
We’re still here and getting on each other’s nerves, as I like to tell people. For Christmas, I made BF some comfy pajamas out of a modal knit I found at Girl Charlee Fabrics called Unimpressed Bear:
They came out great, and he loves them.
They’re warm and comfortable, although I need to take the pants up a little for him. When I saw the fabric in July, I knew it would become pajamas for him, because he hates cold weather. It didn’t last long–right after I bought some, it sold out completely.
Otherwise, our holiday period wasn’t always joyous. Many things went sideways, and I ended up throwing in the towel Christmas Day on cooking after two finger cuts, a burn, and a hard nibble from TigerCat, aka, furry little terrorist.
TigerCat And Broccoli Stir-Fry
There she is, a little puddle of fluffy orange fur.
Twice, this orange beast walked outside on her own for a grand adventure.
Isn’t she so cute? She’s small and fast, too. I was hoping the open window would get her back inside.
The first time she stayed out all day, roaming the property like the Norwegian Forest cat that she is, with Broccoli Stirfry keeping a close eye.
BF was going to try and catch her when he got home. He texted me when he was leaving work, and asked me to bring the dog inside. When I did that, she walked back into the house with the dog like she was returning home from work.
Yesterday, she slipped out unnoticed while I was dealing with the dog. When she discovered it was cold, about 32 degrees, she loudly howled at BF to be allowed back inside. We think she was outside two or three hours before he found her on the patio.
Back To Cooking
Anyway, BF finished the Christmas Day cooking, and we ate that afternoon. I didn’t bake any cookies this year, either. Plans for a keto copycat version of Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars also didn’t happen. I may do that next week because I have everything I need, including the Sugar-Free Dried Cranberries that I made in the Dash dehydrator.
You can do this yourself, the recipe explains how, either in the oven or the dehydrator.
And I didn’t get a real CBB because three different Starbucks stores I visited said they sold out of them very quickly long before Christmas.
Blog post on this one of these days too.
Dash’s entire website is 20% off sitewide through the 7th if you’re interested in one of these or any of their other little appliances (code “NEWYEAR.”)
Our New Year’s Eve involved some cocktails (he had no alcohol), some delicious cheeses, and crackers in front of the TV. But that’s OK, too, we had some nice quality time on New Year’s Eve, and we both enjoyed our cocktails. Need to find more drinks like that.
Out With The Old. . . .
Everything changes, yes? Sometimes it happens in the new year, sometimes it just happens.
I mentioned that we had guests for Thanksgiving, following a visit in July. Both times it was someone from Houston I know for a long time. Well, they won’t be returning, like, ever, nor appearing in this blog again.
On New Year’s Day, I received a text message from Miss Alice, visiting relatives in Florida, telling me that she did not want to continue our friendship. Like she was canceling a Netflix subscription. I said, “OK, Good luck” and proceeded to ensure that she would not see me on social media or my phone number again. Didn’t think fast enough to say “Bye, Felicia.” She’s not on the blog email list, and I removed her email from the back end of the site. However, there’s no stopping anyone from locating and reading the website and blog on the open web. Not that I care, really, and I doubt that will happen. Good luck, God bless ya.
BF has been very supportive since we saw this stunning text. Conversations with The E Man and nearby friends J&B reminded me that I do have friends like them, plus Rafael, Aunt Ruth, Aunt Kathy, and so many others. YouTube videos by funnyman Jeff Dunham also helped.
One thing I’m thinking about in the new year is to either start a new blog or a podcast and call it, “What The Hell Is Wrong With You People?” BF and I read and hear so many stories about people who may not qualify for the Darwin Awards but show that they could indeed be in the running. Finding one person to highlight for a weekly podcast would not be difficult, just read the news. I’ve already downloaded podcasting software and tested it, so don’t tempt me.
It’s Coming, Honest
The pictures are what will take the longest to finish up the blog on our trip. I hope you’ll see it as worth the wait.
Meantime, we go forward in the new year because there’s no going back, not yet. If there was, I’d be heading back to my 16th birthday with some serious warnings to my younger self.
Happy New Year!!
Chocolate cake in a single serving is always a good thing, especially when it’s keto. I’ve got a quick and easy chocolate mug cake that you can make and enjoy anytime.
Hi again, Dear Readers:
It’s been over a month since my last blog post, and for that, I apologize. We did a little traveling, and it’s been go-go-go since we got back. Maybe I need to listen to Stephanie O’Dea’s Slow Living Podcast, if I could find the time. I’ll tell you more about our trip in a future blog post.
I intended to post this much earlier. With the Holidays bearing down on us there’s a lot happening for nearly everyone. Things are about to get very busy and complicated for many people. As I was once told by a former supervisor at Boeing, “we’re getting into the time of year where a month is not a month.” For those working in the corporate sector, it means vacations, either yours or someone else’s. Many people will be gone for days, and probably when you need them the most. That’s been my experience, so be forewarned.
But at the Casa de Rurale, we’re debating on whether we want to tackle that backroom area where all the Christmas stuff is stored behind a bunch of other things or leave it for another year. I’m guessing we’re probably going to try later.
Meantime, let me catch you up on our recent happenings.
My Birthday
Before our trip, it was my birthday. I did make a Swerve chocolate keto cake, although we didn’t “do” anything because we had a trip the next week. I made some chocolate buttercream icing from Suzanne Somers’ book Somersize Desserts but using the same 1:1 sweetener you see in this post. Then rushed the process so the icing’s texture was a bit clumpy:
Chocolate birthday cake!
But it was still delicious and we enjoyed a keto/low-carb/Somersized (sort of) chocolate cake. Earlier in the day, I made it to Starbucks for my birthday treat:
The protein box wouldn’t ring up, so it ended up being the drink that was free. I was also running errands so I needed a bite.
The Banana Rat Gets Married
We went to Houston for a few days, finally. It was a short trip with multiple mishaps, but we made it there and back just fine. After hiring a local sitter on the Rover app, we solved the problem of who to ask to take care of things while we were gone.
Yup. This little cutie loves to sneak outside. Thank heavens she’s chipped.
We couldn’t see everyone and go everywhere, but we did make it to our intended destination and made a few in-person visits. Zoom calls just aren’t the same. It was good to see some folks after so long away. BF was his usual very entertaining self.
The focus of the trip: our favorite web guy, Rafael, aka “Banana Rat,” recently married his longtime partner, Carmen. It was a beautiful wedding at an incredibly gorgeous place called The Springs of Magnolia. The venue is in Magnolia TX, north of Katy, and about a 45-minute drive north from Katy on the Grand Parkway.
Their wedding was at the Stonebridge venue. The actual ceremony was outside, with cocktail hour on the porch including delicious appetizers, then the full reception inside. The building is nestled in a grove of pine trees with fountains and bridges for picturesque views. Pinehaven has a long porch area that goes around the entire building. The weather was perfect, and I’ll tell you more about the wedding and the wonderful food in a future blog post.
Meantime, here’s a picture that Rafael put on social media not long after the wedding.
They just look so good together.
I managed a selfie with Rafael during the busy reception, too:
My buddy and “Boeing Brother.”
We took our own pictures, of course, and were close enough to get some great shots. I’ve since shared them with Rafael, once I figured out the most efficient method to do that. More in a future blog post.
The Double Chocolate Mug Cake
I’m piggybacking on my last blog post about the new book Easy Dirty Keto by Emilie Bailey. I decided to try this recipe after I published that blog. I intended to publish either before we left for Houston, or right after we got back. That didn’t happen. Finally, when I’m caught up a little bit, I have the time to finish up.
To make things easy, I’ll put the printable recipe right here so you can print your own copy. It’s an easy, fast recipe, and it takes just a few minutes. If you don’t have sugar-free chocolate chips on hand, you can skip it—because, let’s face it, you may just snack on the chocolate chips anyway. There’s also an unusual ingredient that you might not be expecting, but it works well here.
Double Chocolate Mug Cake
A fast, easy, keto dessert from Easy Dirty Keto by Emilie Bailey, page 142
Ingredients
Method
- In a mug, combine cake mix with cocoa powder and mix well. Add mayo, egg, and water; stir well to combine. Mix in the chocolate chips
- Put the mug into the microwave and cook on high for 1 minute to 1 minute and 20 seconds, until the cake is firm but still glossy. If you're using a large mug, you may need to cook for a few more seconds.
- Top as desired and enjoy.
- NOTE: if you do not have a boxed keto cake mix, stir together 2 tablespoons of almond flour, 1 tablespoon of 1:1 granulated sweetener, ¼ teaspoon of baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix together, then proceed with Step 1.
Now let me show you how to make one when you just really need some chocolate cake.
How To Make It
Like many of the mug cake recipes you see on Pinterest, Instagram, and other places, there are only two steps here, and the third is optional.
The setup
First, you mix the cake mix and the cocoa powder in a cup.
Just a little
Then add the wet ingredients: mayonnaise, egg, and two teaspoons of water.
Yes, mayo. No, you can’t taste it.
Stir it well, then stir in the chocolate chips if you’re using them.
Just a tablespoon
Stir them in:
Next, microwave it on high for one minute to one minute and 20 seconds. Emilie says, “until the cake is firm but still glossy.” A larger mug takes a few more seconds or a microwave that’s not as powerful. I think our microwave takes one minute and 30 seconds to be completely done. Just don’t cook it too long.
Easy!
At this point, you can sprinkle on a little bit more of the 1:1 sweetener, you could put a little whipped cream on it, or just eat it as is. I usually skip the embellishments because I think it’s fine right out of the microwave. But if you put, say, some sugar-free raspberry preserves on top when it’s done, I won’t judge.
Mayonnaise In Cake?
Yes, you read that right, and I’m guessing Aunt Ruth and Aunt Kathy are nodding their heads in agreement. I’ve heard of it before, but never tried it myself, until now. And, honestly, I thought it was a horrible idea. But Emilie comments in the book that she’s tried multiple recipes for cake in a cup but they tended to be too dry or too “eggy.” The addition of a tablespoon of mayo makes it rich and fudgy, just like a cake should be. You don’t taste the mayo, honest.
No, I haven’t told BF.
You can read more about mayo in cakes in this article on Epicurious’ website with links to other recipes, including this one by BestFoods/Hellman’s using their own mayo. Apparently it’s a “secret ingredient” in chocolate and other cakes that gives it richness and moistness. Here’s another chocolate mayo cake recipe from Taste of Home. Warning: unlike Emilie’s recipe, these cakes aren’t keto, and are both whole cakes.
The Keto Cake Mix Dilemma
Like many people, I haven’t bought much in the way of prepared keto products. There are so many keto things in most grocery stores now. Of course, you must read through everything to know if it really is keto or just something with the “keto” name pasted on it. I’ve seen a few things that claimed to be keto, but they contained wheat or other things in them that disqualified them from being “keto.” But then again, there’s “dirty” keto, too, but I don’t want wheat at all.
What I really like about this recipe, and what made me try it, was Emily’s note to tell you how to make it with other ingredients. Well, I had them, and I appreciated the note on making them without buying a full box of cake mix. Since discovering this little variable, I’ve enjoyed this chocolate cake in a mug several times.
Instead of the boxed mix, you simply whisk together 2 tablespoons of almond flour, one tablespoon of granulated 1:1 sweetener, ¼ teaspoon of baking powder, and a pinch of salt for your cake base.
The setup, part 2
That replaces the three tablespoons of the boxed yellow keto cake mix. Just mix it up and proceed with the recipe.
Just Like this
Easy!
Ready For A Little Keto Chocolate Cake?
Really, I wish I’d done this before, but I’m glad I finally got around to trying this recipe.
Miss Alice has not had the pleasure of making any recipes from the book yet, but she’s planning on doing some while she’s off for Thanksgiving break. I highly recommended this recipe and a couple of others to her so that she and her daughter don’t have to rely on mac and cheese or some other “instant” thing when they get home at night. But they still haven’t gotten around to using a slow cooker during the week just yet.
This chocolate cake is an easy and fast keto dessert that makes just one serving whenever you’re ready. You don’t have to make an entire cake, just one little cup of cake. And isn’t that what you need sometimes just to hit the spot?
Enjoy!
Crab cakes in your air fryer? Yes—and they’re pretty good. Of all the versions of crab cakes you can find, this one is simple and easy to make. And if you want, it’s gluten-free, too. (Note: plenty of live affiliate links included today.)
Hi Again, Dear Readers:
Here’s hoping you had a great Labor Day. I sewed for most of the day, but I’d imagine Miss Alice, who is a teacher in HISD, slept in. Can’t say that I blame any teacher for that.
With fall in our forward sights, I need to use the basil and make some pesto soon. This year’s basil didn’t take off like it normally does, so next year it’s back to buying new plants or starting seeds inside. I was kind of proud of saving and propagating two cuttings from last year’s crop, but it just didn’t work well.
I’ll use up the basil, more mint, and some leftover parsley from this weekend’s recipe to make one or two batches of pesto for the freezer.
Most of this will be for pesto.
I only needed this much:
That’s it.
Thankfully, I’ve got a big pesto stash in the freezer from the last two or three years to hold me over. I just need to stock up on frozen peas.
Hungry? Let’s get started.
Finding A New Recipe
OK, this is part procrastination, and part “you need to know about this.”
Friday afternoon, I found a new recipe for crab cakes on Instagram and I just had to make some for us. BF, as always, was skeptical. After all, he can always have a ham sandwich or bowl of cereal if he doesn’t like what I made. But not this time.
For this occasion, I pulled out our little air fryer from the back of the cabinet.
It’s not much, but it works.
If you’ve not seen my previous blog post on the air fryer, you can read it here. At first, Neighbor E said he wasn’t getting an air fryer, but eventually, he decided to get one.
Nice, isn’t it?
E’s air fryer is a 2.5 quart, while ours is 1.9 quart. Most are not terribly expensive, and many are under $100. There’s even a Pioneer Woman branded 6.3-quart model. You can find them as big as 8 quarts or even more. Some have two baskets, so you can air fry two things separately at once, like burgers and French fries.
I bought ours for $30 two years ago. It now costs $50 in the store at Walmart but shows up as $40 on their website. If I was going to spend $50 on an air fryer, I’d get a bigger one. We may buy a bigger model one day, but for now, I’ll use this little dinky one.
The Crab Cakes Recipe
This comes from a blog called DanniMade Kitchen, and you can read Danni’s bio here. The Dash Company featured it on their ByDash Instagram account to show off their air fryer. It’s a quick and simple recipe that’s tasty, and you can make it anytime.
To make it easy, I’m putting the recipe here so you can print it and take it to the grocery with you. Heck, I need to print one for myself so I can add it to my notebook of recipes I have on the bookshelf.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix all ingredients together until evenly combined. if the mixture is too wet, sprinkle more Panko breadcrumbs until they reach the desired texture and are easier to shape into patties.
- Form into six even balls, and lightly flatten balls to create patties,
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the patties in an even layer inside the fryer basket. Spray lightly with oil then cook for six to eight minutes at 400F.
- Serve patties hot, warm, or at room temperature with tartar sauce, ketchup, or condiment of your choice for dipping.
So here are the ingredients:
The setup. Don’t tell BF about the Greek yogurt!
I made one change, and that was to use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. I found them at Rouses, but I’ve bought them at our local Winn-Dixie before.
Longtime readers know I always like to measure everything out before I get started.
Ready to roll.
I do this even when I’m not taking pictures for a blog post because it just makes the process easier. Additionally, there’s no risk of “oops, I put too much salt” or something else in the mixing bowl, pot, etc. Then it’s one-two-three and you’re on your way.
Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa recommends cracking each egg into a separate bowl before you add it into your recipe. This is in case you get a bad egg, and you don’t ruin the entire recipe. I usually do that, too, although I’ve never found a bad egg.
Once you’ve got everything taken care of, it’s time to get started.
In the original recipe, Danni lists eight ounces of lump crab meat from Whole Foods. On Instagram, Dash lists “eight ounces of lump crab meat.” Of course, when Amy was buzzing through our Rouses on a busy Saturday after running errands, she read “eight ounces of canned crabmeat.” So that’s what I bought.
And it worked just fine.
Drain the Crabmeat
The cans are 6 oz, but once you drain the liquid off, it’s about 4½ ounces of crab meat. That’s why I bought 2, which comes to just over 8 oz.
Danni says that if the mixture is just a little too wet, add a little more of the panko. I drained the crabmeat as best I could, pressing it with my hands to squeeze out more of the liquid.
Quick drain
I didn’t spend too much time on that task, so the resulting mixture was a bit damp. Decided to add one or two more tablespoons of the panko, and that was perfect. The mixture must stick together like ground beef, or it will fall apart in the air fryer basket.
Bottom line is that if you can get fresh crab meat, great, but if not, the canned is available. I also know from another book by keto author Jen Fisch that Trader Joe’s has affordable crab meat in their own freezer section.
Mix And Air Fry
Really, once you have all the ingredients measured and the parsley chopped, it comes together quickly.
Just mix it and it’s ready.
Mix well, and pat down into the bowl:
Like this
Separate the mixture into 6 sections like you would ground beef:
Like this.
And shape them into little patties.
Easy!
The cutting board makes it easy.
Spray the inside of your air fryer basket with oil.
Just like you would with a frying pan, really
My air fryer’s instructions say to preheat it for five minutes before cooking. So if yours says that, do so now. Then spray the patties with oil.
Right before you cook them.
Add the crab cakes into the basket and cook at 400F degrees for about ten minutes. With my little air fryer, I had to do this in batches, but that’s OK. I put them into the countertop oven to keep them warm until dinnertime.
They really do come out nice and crispy and tasty.
Tah-dah!
What to serve with it? Well, I made some Triston’s potatoes in the big oven:
These went well with the crab cakes.
Of course, if you’re making a keto dinner, you’ll have something else. The frequent rain means a not-so-hot summer, so it was OK to turn on the big oven. As always, they were delicious.
Dinner is served.
Danni suggests serving these with tartar sauce. BF didn’t want tartar sauce, so he didn’t buy a bottle. I just had some sugar-free ketchup with mine, and BF had his regular ketchup.
We both enjoyed dinner that night, with a thumbs-up to make them again sometime.
About The Oil
One of the more prominent features of air fryers is that they only need a small amount of cooking oil. But you still need some oil for most recipes. The difference is that compared to regular deep frying, you don’t need nearly the amount of oil that’s required to get the crispy texture.
Additionally, remember the quality of oil you use is also important. We use a lot of olive and coconut oils even when the recipe calls for vegetable oil. That’s because vegetable oil, which is toxic hydrogenated soybean oil, is banned at the Casa de Rurale.
You can use cooking spray, or get an oil sprayer, which sprays a fine mist of whatever oil you put in it.
Buy it or get a sprayer, your choice.
Olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil cooking sprays are available now, so it’s easy to use them. But oil sprayers easily and inexpensively do the same thing.
That white one in the picture is from the old Martha Stewart Everyday line at Kmart. I used to have two, but I think I threw one out. Only when I went to use the second one did I discover that you’re not supposed to fill it more than halfway full. You pump the cap a few times to build up the pressure and that’s what propels the oil through the sprayer nozzle. Works perfectly.
I recently washed it to get the old oil out and refilled it with fresh oil. I don’t know how long it’s been sitting since I moved here. Now that it’s clean and refilled, it still works perfectly.
But Amy, I Don’t Have An Air Fryer
Well, nobody said you had to use an air fryer. Like the Instant Pot, it’s 110v vs. 220v. It’s a neat little appliance that offers another way to cook meals. Some folks have reconfigured nearly all their cooking to the air fryer. They are devotees. An air fryer is not a bad thing, but not an absolute necessity.
I’m thinking about Aunt Ruth and Aunt Kathy dismissing the idea of getting an air fryer for this type of thing. Really, though, you don’t need one to enjoy these tasty crab cakes.
If you have a toaster/countertop oven or even a regular oven that has a convection setting, you already have an air fryer. But even if you don’t, there’s no reason why you can’t make them either in a 350F degree oven, or even in a frying pan with a small amount of olive oil.
Other Alternatives
Have a countertop grill like the Cuisinart Griddler? You can also fry them this way. There’s also the sauté function on your Instant Pot if you’re itching to use yours. If you’re lucky enough to have one with an air fryer lid, that would likely work too. I can’t see pressure cooking as a benefit to this recipe. But if you’re on a generator, as we were a year ago, the Instant Pot sauté function and the countertop grill are both good options for frying them.
You’ll still need to use a little oil. So don’t be afraid to use some however you cook them.
If you decide to make these crab cakes, I do hope you enjoy them as we did. It’s another recipe to add to our regular dinner rotation, long as we have some crabmeat and a few other ingredients available. There are two crabmeat recipes we like, so I guess I need to stock up on a few more cans. I don’t want to disappoint BF if he decides we should have crab cakes again.
Much as we both enjoyed them, BF says that they should be served alongside fried fish, as you would see in a restaurant. Maybe next time.
Incidentally, I told Neighbor E about this recipe on Saturday when I was making dinner. But because he no longer has a Facebook account, I had to send him two screenshots so he could see the recipe. He says he’ll try them one day this week.
Coming Soon
Labor Day is over, and so is “summer,” officially. All the fall décor is out at Hobby Lobby, Walmart, and every other retailer in the US. Next month is when retailers begin up-shifting for the holidays. They’ll shift into top gear the day after Thanksgiving when the fall frou-frou goes on sale for 50% or more off.
Here in the South, we know that cooler weather won’t be coming for a while. We’re still going to experience heat, humidity, and of course, mosquitoes for quite some time. But I’ll soon be sewing up fall things, including a sweater, this weekend because one day we’ll wake up and it’s chilly again.
I’m late on the Easy Dirty Keto book review, I know, but it’ll be worth the wait. It’s already a long blog post, and I just need to finish it up and load it and the pictures into the website. Plus, I have a couple more topics in the draft queue that I need to finish up soon.
Our sixth anniversary is on the 15th of this month, and I’m wondering what kind of nice dinner to make for BF that day. It’s not a “wedding anniversary,” but our date for getting together. I say we celebrate six years together no matter what. I’ll find something. I’ll blog it if I do anything spectacular.
As always, if there’s a topic you’d like me to research and write about, let me know.
Happy Dining!
