The Verdict Is In...

Howdy ya'll!  I know it's been over a week since my last post, but I've been a busy little bee cooking and baking my way to a more wholesome lifestyle.  Last weekend was dedicated to trying new recipes, some with new ingredients never before used in the Batch household, others with old standby's.  While I would love to say that each recipe tried was a smashing hit, I would be less than honest.  Many were great, some not-so-great, and others just plain terrible.  But, I refuse to throw in the towel and for those not-so-great and terrible recipes, I am determined to find ones (through trial and error, of course) that work.  I will not accept defeat!

The very first recipe I tackled was for granola, found on the 100 Days of Real Food blog.  This recipe was one of the "greats" and I am steadily gobbling it up.  It makes a ton, which is nice, because it bakes for just under an hour and a half, so defs not a quick whip-it-up kind of snack:

Moving on...I quickly then whipped up a jar of basil pesto (which is really a no-brainer and while I plan to have this for dinner tonight, I can guarantee the deliciousness of it, as I have made homemade pesto countless times and love it)

While the food processor was out (or shall I say my La Machine), I also whipped up some homemade PB (which, BTW if you have never done this, you are missing out and have to try it), sweetened with a bit of raw honey:

These here Cheesy Crackers were next, and while I had high hopes for these little gems, disgusting does not even begin to describe these.  Nast.  Do not attempt unless you have a hankering for gross things.  They were easy enough to make, so I am on a mission to find a recipe that doesn't produce a terrible product.  After the cracker debacle, I stored away the processor and moved on to baking.  While I didn't snap a picture of the brownies I made, I can tell you that they're not-so-great, in my opinion.  Mike, however, said he liked them and since I'm not much of a sweet eater at all, maybe he's the expert.  Said brownies included homemade chocolate chunks as well as chocolate fudge frosting, all made from Sucanat.  For those of you who've never heard of sucanat (also known as rapadura) it's a brand name for a variety of whole cane sugar. Unlike refined and processed white cane sugar and brown cane sugar, Sucanat retains its molassas content. It is essentially pure dried sugar cane juice.  It takes some getting used to, let's put it that way.  While it's not necessarily bad, it is different.  So that's that.

I also made tzatziki, which is great with raw veggies:

Saturday morning I got up bright and early and whipped up these delicious pancakes for my bestie and Godbabies before heading out to the EP Fest parade (which was later cancelled due to the rain ).  While the pancakes themselves had no sweetner, the bananas lended a delicious sweetness to them, and when coupled with 100% pure maple syrup, they were right on the mark.  All of Sunday was then spent making homemade chicken stock, and then with the leftover chicken, I made chicken salad for sandwiches later this week.  Mmm mmm good!

While I defs did my fair share of cooking, I wish I had been able to tackle more.  Next on the list is homemade tortillas for my tortilla loving hubby, though I had to wait until my press arrived from sur la table, which lucky for Mike, just came in yesterday!  More to come soon from your very own Suzie Homemaker (ba-dum-bum).  Stay tuned!

Friday Fun

With the 2nd week of July already looming ahead, it's fair to say this month is in full swing.  We had an ultra fab 4th of July weekend, spent attending any number of parties, get togethers, bbq's and the like.  We celebrated with great family & friends and even managed to fit in a night of cuddling on the couch, watching movies (well, I watched while Mike slept, per usual).

Being supah busy at the j.o.b. (umm...being important is taxing) def helped push this week along.  Working from home a day or two a week also helps to break things up, and then, before ya know it, it's Friday.  I made an appointment at the salon in my building for a mani/pedi during lunch and tonight brings me to my old stomping grounds of Oak Park for dinner in La Bella's outside patio with one of my oldest pal's, Joellen.  Since the weather is perfection, I plan to doll it up with some super simp cotton shorts and a peasant top (said peasant top will do double duty of looking adorbes and discreetly hiding my pasta/dessert/wine belly).  Dinners with Jo are usually hours-long affairs as we're not short-winded individuals, so likely I will head straight home after, but don't quote me.

Tomorrow will totes be spent laying out at my pool, and as for the evening...it's still up in the air.  My bestie is trying to convince me to meet her and the Godbabies at a carnival just down the street from the casa, attempting to entice me with promises of a beer garden.  We shall see.

Sunday, as ye all know, is my day of rest.  As such, I will be resting.  The day may just take me to Costco, where I will do some shopping to prep for...(drum roll please).....

BIRCHWOOD!  (whoop whoop)

That's right folks...exactly one week from today, we will be packing up to hit the road for our summer place.  I seriously can.not.wait.  The obligatory planning phone calls with our Birchwood besties have already commenced and the count down officially begins tomorrow.  Get ready to hear more than you've ever cared to know about Birchwood, WI.

In the mean time, have a Happy Friday peeps!

Bread & Butter

Nothin' says lovin' like mowing grub with my bestie & Godbabies

 

Give us Lord, a bit o' sun,
A bit o' work and a bit o' fun;
Give us all in the struggle and sputter,
Our daily bread and a bit o' butter.