Monthly Archives: May 2011

Adventures Near and Far

“I just like the way the world looks from a bicycle seat.” 

Saturday was filled with friends, activity, and sunshine.

Eight of us headed out for an adventure.

Destination: Virginia countryside.

And a few of these.

Check out my (super-technical) biking outfit.

I was a little overdressed for most of the day but once we reached fancy-shmancy Varitas and the velour couches I fit right in! 🙂

Mmmmmm, Varitas wine is yummy!

Refueling station!

Valet parking.

The scenery was outstanding. I ♥ green mountains big time.

Our legs and lungs pedaled us about 20 miles of rolling rural roads.  I was the least experienced biker of the group but I managed to keep up, even if I brought up the rear as we climbed Afton Mountain!  I’ve always ridden a bike and I bike commuted an hour a day when I lived in Portland but I’ve never ridden long distances or used biking as exercise.  This ride was hard but so much fun!  I want to do this more often!

Tate and I are heading out on another adventure this afternoon.  We are driving to New York City to celebrate my grandmother’s 90th birthday with a dinner party.  My cousin and his fiance were kind enough to let us crash at their condo in Brooklyn for a few days of family and city fun.  We are taking the long route home-Jersey Shore here we come!

P.S  BTW the first quote is from the best thing to come out of the 90’s, Singles!

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Filed under travel

Say Cheese!

Or make cheese!

A few weeks ago I became enamored with the idea of making my own mozzarella.  I’ve read recipe after recipe but have yet to buy the rennet and find the right time.  It’s not all that complicated (so they say) but is a little time intensive.  I will make mozzarella soon but I decided to start with something quick and simple, a beginner cheese if you will.

This cheese is super simple, quick, and tasty.

I heated a half-gallon of milk to 180*, added two tablespoons of white distilled vinegar (I tasted no residual vinegar flavor when all was said and done), turned off the heat, and stirred up the curds and whey.

Man, someone should have told Ms. Muffit to strain that sh** into cheese!

I poured the mix through a clean cloth napkin lined strained, reserving the whey for another use.

Once the curds were well strained, I was left with a ball of ricotta-like cheese weighing just over half a pound.   The cheese ball went into a bowl and mixed with salt, smoked paprika, and fresh ground black pepper.

[My dear husband was supposed to be shooting pictures of this part but when I looked at the shots they were all of my smiling face and not cheese-centric.   I guess I should be clearer with my directions and pleased that he found me a more worthy subject than the dairy. 🙂 )

The cheese was delicious on tostadas Wednesday night

And on my Egg In The Basket breakfast this morning

Man, this was a good breakfast.  Tate and I stopped by Matt+Kath‘s new Great Harvest bakery at the end of our run yesterday and snagged a loaf of Honey Whole Wheat from their very first batch of bread.  The slightly sweet, doughy bread was an awesome contrast to the smokey cheese and egg.

I don’t this this cheese will become a kitchen staple but I will be making it again.  It will be fun to play with fresh herbs and different flavor combos.

I’m off to go order some rennet and get my mozzarella on!

Have you ever made cheese?

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Filed under cooking, food, goals, recipes