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Jan Scott
Fashion isn’t my forte, but I do keep a few reliable items on hand to help me out when I need to dress for an occasion. I think of these treasured items (little black dress, perfect jeans, classic blazer) as the workhorses of my wardrobe, dependably enabling me to pull the right outfit together when the time calls.
I stock my fridge with the same approach, keeping only the most trustworthy, yet less fashionable items on hand. Yogurt is one of my workhorses. It can be used as an ingredient in baked goods, smoothies, meat marinades, dressings, and dips. It can be served for breakfast, packed into a lunch and offered up for dessert. It’s versatile and dependable.
Yogurt can be bought, of course, but it can almost just as easily be made. This past Sunday I made up four 500 ml jars in less than half an hour. It has to incubate of course, but that’s nothing more than just resting time in a warm space, meaning it doesn’t require any effort on my part. It’s also a very economical project and is void of some of the less-than-favourable items often found in packaged yogurt (gelatin, natural/artificial flavourings).
What are your kitchen workhorse items? Have you made yogurt before? Would you?
Find the full printable recipe here: Homemade Yogurt
A Picnic for the Planet
Picnic season has finally arrived, and the timing couldn’t be better seeing that this coming Sunday is Earth Day. I plan on packing up some good eats and a cozy blanket, and hitting an outdoor space with the kids for a little croquet and lounging on the lawn.
My plan is for our picnic to be a totally eco-friendly and tasty outing. Here are some ways in which I hope to achieve that:
- For starters, we won’t travel too far from home. It defeats the purpose of trying to save the environment if we drive to a far-away location. The local park is a great spot, or we may just use our own backyard and invite a friend or two over to join us.
- I’m not going to go to the expense of purchasing biodegradable plates and napkins, but I will definitely pack reusable ones. Glass mason jars are perfect vessels for lemonade and iced tea, not to mention bean and lentil salads and individual desserts. Cotton napkins are ideal, but if you don’t have any, roll up a few extra tea towels and use those instead.
- My favourite picnic foods include pressed sandwiches and/or baguettes, cured meats, chopped fruits, hearty salads, cookies and drinks. All of those items will be stashed in my bag for they travel well, and are practically perfect finger foods.
- The electronic devices are staying home. No ‘apples’ or ‘blackberries’, unless they’re they edible kind, of course.
Are you doing anything to celebrate Earth Day this year? What is your favourite picnic fare?
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