Here’s a few things I’m reading, using, enjoying right now…
01. i may become a real broken record this winter about my sudden affinity for all things instant pot. after getting over my real hesitation (it’s another kitchen gadget. i am not a kitchen gadget kind of gal.), and listening to my sister kate over the last 4 years talk about her own instant pot recipes, i finally did it. it is pretty awesome. two observations: first–no one mentioned the ‘coming to pressure’ part of the recipe. everyone just says, “roast chicken in like ten minutes!!” while, even a roast chicken in twenty is still incredibly impressive, i simply didn’t know! so, add a good ten minutes to any recipe, because the machine has to come to pressure before the cooking even begins. second–i can’t remember what else i was going to say. but here’s one more note before i move on. i think a lot of people have instant pots in their basements that they are not using because they bought them on a whim on amazon and then got intimidated by all the buttons. to you people! use it, or put it on fb marketplace! and to you who are determined to use something once you’ve bought it, i’d look there before buying a new one on amazon. (i’ve had a few of you ask what model i have — this is the one. i think it’s just right. any smaller would’ve been too small, and any bigger too big. i store it in my pantry when i’m not using it.)
02. cold brew tea. i’m getting back into the habit of putting a tea bag or two right into my large mason jar and then putting it in the fridge overnight (or for a few hours if that’s all you’ve got). makes such a nice light drink. this tangerine tea is a nice one. any tea recommendations? i’m sick of so many of them having ‘natural flavors’ (this, along with ‘fragrance’ in personal care products is no good). tazos all have natural flavors!
03. this sweater. i was on a rather unusually long search for a grandfather type cardigan sweater. heavy knit, slouchy, oversized. it wasn’t a particularly active search but it has been ongoing since one i bought years ago at asos isn’t really the oversized fit i’m after. alas, i found it and i love it and have been grabbing it anytime there’s the slightest chill in the air (notice, i’m wearing it in virtually ever picture in the adirondacks post).
04. pia klemp. damn. this girl means business. in a world that feels more and more OUT OF CONTROL (the latest amazon news–clearing it for cattle grazing… WHAT!?), i find it promising that we have dedicated voices such as hers. my favorite part: “It is time we call out hypocrite honorings and fill the void with social justice… we do not need authorities deciding about who is a ‘hero’ and who is ‘illegal. In fact they are in no position to make this call, because we are all equal.” wow. i’m paying attention to this girl.
This is my favorite tea at the moment, it’s so good, but it does have “natural chestnut flavor,” so …
https://www.adagio.com/flavors/chestnut.html
I really need an Instant Pot in my life. Am I the only one? (probably!)
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I’m still resistant to the insta pot (but I really hate spending any time in the kitchen unless I’m styling something). Love that sweater!
keep resisting! one day it may win you over… and if not, you’re $50 richer than the rest of us.
Saw this sweater during the Nordstrom sale and got scared of the reviews about length but it looks great! What size did you end up going with?!
a medium! i wanted it oversized 🙂
The organic ginger, turmeric tea from trader joes is to die for. It’s decaf which works for me since I don’t do caffeine. I squeeze a lemon in it, too. Sometimes I sprinkle in some cinnamon or collagen powder. I make it in a thermos for school and my students would always comment on the smell. 🙂
drinking that one as we speak!
Burning the Amazon, or the Cerrado, to clear it for cattle grazing has been a big problem for a long time (or clearing it other ways) – it’s just the scale right now that’s different. Another reason to buy local if you’re eating meat – and if you can ask where they get their feed from, too, since growing soy for animal feed is also a big driver of deforestation!
The Zen tea by Tazos is great cold brewed
You should check out Harney & Sons for tea. Hands down – the best tea around! They have SO many flavors & are actually all natural – i.e – Peach tea contains Rose Hips, Peach Pieces, orange peel, apple pieces, safflower petals & peach flavor.
Question for you: the first, and only, time I used my new instant pot to make a bolognese, I sauteed the minced onion, carrots and celery in the pot first, as the directions said, then browned the beef, then added all other ingredients, and kept getting the dreaded burn notice. No matter what I did, it wouldn’t stop saying burn and the pot wouldn’t get to the temperature required. Is it better just not to brown anything in the instant pot? Any advice you (or anyone) has would be appreciated!
annie! how frustrating! so, i haven’t really used the saute setting much yet. almost exclusively just the pressure option. so i can’t speak to that (YET). have you tried googling it though?