Just like everybody else, we have a slow cooker. Just like everybody else, we never use it. But in my quest to use things or get rid of them, I have stated emphatically that I’ll make something with the slow cooker at least once a month, and if I don’t, in six months I’ll get rid of it. To that end, I’m using it. I got a slow cooker cookbook, and could make a difference recipe every week for the rest of the year before having to repeat myself. The…
First, I had better say go vote for The Last Days of Ancient Sunlight before Swan River Press totally kicks my ass. :) Second, I, who can go years without a business call, had TWO today. One was with my editor for revisions on SHAMAN RISES (which she really likes except the one part that totally doesn’t work, and which I cannot give to my brainstorming filter because I’m not bloody spoiling the last book after this long! We think we have it sorted now, but we’ll see.) and the…
French Vanilla Ice Cream 4 egg yolks 1/3 c sugar 1.5 c cream vanilla to taste pinch of salt Mix egg yolks and sugar at a high speed until they’ve thickened to a lovely light yellow and make ribbons when you draw the beaters out and across the surface of the mixture. Scald the cream. Remove from heat when a perfect scald is reached. Add salt and vanilla. (I judged the vanilla by the mixture’s smell, and would guess I used 2-3 tablespoons. But that’s a guess.) Drizzle the scalded…
When I was a kid, we used to go down to Homer for the 4th of July. Loads of us, extended theatre family types. Lots of kids, lots of adults, lots of mosquitoes. Fireworks you couldn’t see, because the sun doesn’t go down in Alaska in July. Wading in the slough and getting clay up to your knees and convincing each other that the mothers wouldn’t notice. Picking Alaska cotton and tickling each other with the fluff. Running up the solid mud road to the cousins who had running water,…
Ginger Snaps 3/4 c vegetable shortening 1 c sugar 1/4 c molasses 1 egg, slightly beaten 2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp ginger 1/2 tsp cloves 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon 2 c flour Melt shortening in a large pot over a low heat. Cool a bit, then add sugar, molasses and egg. Mix well (it won’t completely mix together). Stir in spices, then add the flour and mix thoroughly. Chill in fridge until completely cold. Form 1 inch balls, roll in white sugar, and bake at 350/175/gas mark…