Cast Iron Cooking and making Cornbread

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I’m in the process of purging all my non-stick cookware (I also use stainless steel) and donating it to Goodwill because I just didn’t like the idea of using cookware that can be harmful to my health. I was aware that nonstick cookware had nasty chemicals in them and how it’s even worse if it’s scratched or heated too high but I just never cared enough to stop using them. It was only a few weeks ago when I decided to pull out my neglected Lodge cast iron skillet and start using it again. For months, maybe a year, it has been unused and left to rust slightly.

Why rust? Because I had NO idea how to use cast iron. I’ve owned a CI skillet years ago and when I moved to Oregon, I got another. Both instances I had no knowledge of CI other than seasoning it before using.

Now if any CI lovers happen to read this, you may cringe at what I’m about to write. I am shuddering at the thought of how clueless I was! Ok, so since I was completely clueless about CI, I used it the way I’d use any other pan and clean it like any other pan and when I say clean it, I mean use lots of soap and water and soak (even overnight on the really stubborn food bits) for long periods of time. It would rust continually. I didn’t know why so I just kept scrubbing off the rust with steel scrubby and re-season it. I had NO idea that you had to lightly oil the pan in between uses and that using excessive water is a big DON’T.

To be honest, I ONLY just learned about how to use/care/clean CI cookware when I cooked with it the aforementioned few weeks ago. I was cooking bacon and it stuck all over so I had to scrub and scrub to get the burned bits off. I was using too much heat because I didn’t know you can cook at a much lower temp with CI (Funny enough, I have a Le Creuset French over that suggests not to go past medium heat and I’ve always followed that rule with no problems and that’s enamel coated CI. Why didn’t I make the connection?!) After all the cleaning, I had to re -season it and that’s when I did research on how to care for CI. Boy, did I feel like a fool after all these years! (It’s not a coincidence I let the CI go unused; it was a pain in the ass to use –only because I was using it WRONG)

Anyway, fast forward to now, I’ve done much research and have acquired a few more CI pans from ebay and craigslist and have seasoned them (Reading about seasoning tips online is a major headache. Everyone has their own advice). I ultimately chose to follow Sheryl Canter’s method using flaxseed oil since I had some oil that had just gone past it’s freshness date. So far I’ve been using the Lodge skillet since I wanted to build up the seasoning on it after having treated it so badly. I like the idea of not using soap to clean it. There were a few times where I had to use hot water and a scrubby when I had stuck on egg bits (The eggs are a hit or miss for me). Usually I’ve been just wiping it down or using kosher salt/oil for things like stuck bits of bacon. To sum it all up, I liked reading about the love affair between a CI skillet and its owner. I want to start an affair of my own. They cherish the seasoning their CI has accumulated over the years and I want that too, besides I like to challenge myself. I did give up makeup shopping for Lent after all! (that was challenging!)

Today I finally wanted to give my newer CI a try and make cornbread in it to help season it further. The pan arrived unseasoned with little to no rust. It was on the gray side so I had seasoned it with about 4 layers using the flaxseed oil method mentioned earlier. I was getting tired of the process since it’s quite lengthy and costly (I wonder what the electricity bill is going to be this month? I was going at 500 F an hour each time) so I figured I’d start cooking in it as another way to season the pan. I used this recipe here which supposed to be a traditional Texan cornbread that has no sugar. I’ve always had sweet cornbread (or is it corncake at that point?) so I was curious to try a “savory” version.

The recipe was simple enough: grease (oil or bacon fat), salt, flour (though I’ve read in the comments that true Southern cornbread uses NO flour) baking powder, egg, buttermilk and cornmeal. I wanted to try this recipe by Pioneer Woman but I had no milk and wasn’t going to resort to almond milk.

The best part, it came out perfectly in the skillet. It even slid right off when I transferred it to plate. I don’t know if it was the grease that was in the mixture or the seasoning of the pan or both but I was beyond excited. I’m hoping I’ll get just as exciting results when I cook other things in it. I actually want to cook up some eggs and bacon but I’m here all alone and I already have a batch of cornbread to myself.

As far as taste goes, it has a really pronounced buttermilk flavor. It’s tangy and a little salty with a creamy corn flavor. Texture-wise it’s crumbly but it holds it shape. I didn’t achieve the signature crispy outer crust because when I poured the batter into the skillet, it didn’t sizzle because I forgot to heat the oil long enough after I’d poured it in. I cheated an added a bit of honey to one side of it and it was even better (maybe I’m just used to sweet cornbread!)

Next time, I’ll try the Pioneer Woman’s version (with milk, less buttermilk and less cornmeal) and bake it in this CI corn muffin pan that is shaped like ears of corn that I bought from a nice older lady on craigslist today. She was purging all her hand-me-down items from her parents/grandparents because she’s moving to Hawaii and out of the Portland rain for good.
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pictures are clickable!

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I inverted it onto a plate and it fell right out!

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Crrrrap! @#$%^*&^%!!!!!!!

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Holy crap, I missed yesterday’s Friday Five!!!!!!!

I can explain why though: it was another shitty week. In some of my previous posts, I’ve lightly touched upon how I have mental health issues and mood issues and well this week, shit has hit the fan again and I’ve been mentally and physically worn out.

I have anger issues, I have “relationship” issues (term is used looooooosely because it’s a joke, seriously), I am just so sick of it all. In fact, I seriously thought I was having a heart attack a few days ago when I was on a yelling, angry spree. I guess it turned out I was just hyperventilating (is that the term for not being able to breathe/feeling like a piano pressing on your lungs?) TMI? I don’t know but I just have to put it out there, no matter how inconvenient it is.

You may wonder: Are you seeking help? Are you ok?

For the most part, yes. Part of my “therapy” (I’m not seeking traditional therapy in the form of counseling–I was a couple years ago but that was through the university health center and since I’m no longer enrolled and I don’t have health insurance, well there you go) is exercise and eating right. I signed up for some challenges on the Toneitup.com (their 3rd annual bikini series where you have 8 weeks to do workouts, challenges and check in everyday as well as complete 100 miles of activity by the first day of summer) because it is a way to stay positive and not give up. I have a tendency to just push everything off the desk and just quit when it comes to certain things in my life. It comes and goes and sometimes I’ll feel inspired to live life and accomplish things but sometimes I’ll feel so mopey and not want to get out of my PJs and go to the gym. This was one of those weeks. I did go to the gym but with great effort and because I wasn’t so thrilled to be going to the gym, the quality of my workouts weren’t so great. I didn’t give my lifts my 100%. I’m pretty sure I could’ve lifted more weight (especially since I’m on week 5 of Jamie Eason’s LiveFit program) but I was just so worn out that I just wasn’t feeling it.

I’m not sure what truly causes these feelings if it’s something that I deal with on a yearly basis. Maybe it’s my BC pill. I was lucky to find “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” by Toni Weschler (for $3 at a Tillamook Goodwill store out of all places! I almost ordered it brand new online too!) and I want to give it a read before I decide if I want to continue with pills or quit altogether. I’m only taking pills because before I went on it (and the reason I went on it) I had super debilitating cramps that would cause me to have chills and faint and once I got on the pill, it all went away. Nowadays, I’m rethinking the whole thing. Are the side effects worth the depression (if they were the cause in the first place?) ?

Anyway,

I’m posting this here because I’m not ashamed of how I am. I even posted it on my Instagram (@favabeany) explaining why I didn’t really check in today with my Tone it Up progress. A lot of people struggle with their mental health and wellbeing. At least I’m aware of it. Some people aren’t so lucky to realize that something is up with themselves.

Hoping for a better tomorrow…

tin

 

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The Friday Five!

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1. What’s something you know about constellations?

I know that the Big Dipper is my favorite and it’s latin name, Ursa Major means “big bear”.

2. What’s something you know about bugs?

The common  mealworm that is fed to your larger insects and reptiles metamorphose into Darkling beetles if they aren’t being sold as food. (I just learned this at the SF Zoo this past Tuesday)

3. What’s something you know about a car’s engine?

It has cylinders, pistons and sparkplugs. That is all I know. The car I used to drive had 6 cylinders. (Gah this reads like a grade schooler’s sentence–minus the driving part)

4. What’s something you know about wine or beer?

Oregon is famous for their Pinot Noir and is also the microbrew capital of the world (is this still true?)

5. What’s something you know about the Pacific Ocean?

Magellan named it as such because he thought it was a peaceful ocean. Also, the Pacific Ocean is home to the West Coast (USA), ahem–Best Coast. (Yep, Bay Area girl speaking here)

questions from here

 

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Random Polish Spam from April 2013 (clickable images, as always)

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I got the inspiration for this gold and teal design from Instagram. The metallic gold is Because you’re worth it by L’Oréal and the glittery gold is Milani’s Gold Glitz. The blue is Turned up Turquoise by China Glaze.
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This green is Orly’s Coachella Dweller. I’m digging the whole honeydew/matcha green tea shades right now. I like mint shades too (Think Essie Mint Candy Apple, Butter London Fiver, Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet) but I like the slight variation of this sort of pastel green. Buying this color made me happy that I realized I also own Essie Navigate Her and Milani Dressmaker. The geometric glitter is Whirled Away by China Glaze.

IMG_2798Notice my nails are short and square? I’ve mentioned that I’m not into squared nails because my nails don’t take to them well (they’ll eventally start to curl inwards and look tapered) but I broke a nail recently and ended up cutting the rest (I had kept the short nail and the rest of them long but then it just looked so tacky so I cut them all off). This is Butter London’s Jasper.

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The Friday Five!

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1. What are you like when you are very nervous?
Probably quiet or pissed off

2. How do you deal with nervousness, especially nervousness about something that’s going to happen several days later?
I lose sleep. I keep thinking about it over and over. For instance, I’m kinda worried at the moment, sitting here at the airport gate because we missed our flight and now we’re rerouting to Oakland. More nervous/concerned at how we will be able to get around since we will have no car.

3. In what circumstance are most people nervous, but not you?
Doctors visits, dental visits, annual exams…I’m not nervous when it comes to those sorts of things. Report cards make me nervous, credit card bills and loans make me nervous.

4. What conditions seem to be fine for most people but make you feel nervous?
Grassy lawn conditions. People walk on grass like it ain’t no thing but it racks my nerves to no end. I am so scared of grass. (why? Poop. I fear seeing dog poop)

5. When did you last feel nervous about something that turned out completely fine?
I am too tired to remember. (been up since 4:30 am…it is 9 am now). I’m hoping that the situation that I’m nervous about will end up fine.

OK just heard on the PA that our flight is cancelled. I guess today’s theme is very fitting

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OPI Bond Girls Liquid Sand “Jinx”

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It’s an orange-red coral shade with gold glitter. I am really liking these liquid sand formulas! I am curious to put topcoat over it since it’s such a multi-dimensional shade but you know me, I would just rather paint my nails an entirely different color altogether!

 

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Dehydrator Kale Chips!

I mentioned several Friday Fives ago that I was making a video on kale chips and here it is finally!

This is the recipe I’ve come up with 4 years ago when I first bought a bag of locally made kale chips at People’s Co-op. They were about $5.00 a bag and extremely addictive. The ingredients were very simple: tahini, lemon juice, salt, nutritional yeast. I decided that instead of buying bag after bag of expensive chips, I decided to try it out myself. I just mixed the sauce ingredients together until it tasted like a nice tangy cheese and I’ve been doing it that way ever since.

I also use a Nesco food dehydrator. I’ve seen it at Bed Bath and Beyond for about $69, but I got mine on sale for $40 at a Fred Meyer store in 2009.

Try it and let me know what you think!

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The Friday Five!

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1. What was the last play you saw?

Anna Karenina at the Portland Center Stage Theater, last year.

2. What kind of experience have you had as a performer in plays?

I’ve never performed in a play except for dinky skits in drama class back in high school.

3. In general, what kinds of plays most turn you on?

I’ve not been to many plays (L’Avare, Phantom of the Opera); I’ve mostly seen standup comedy shows/skits, which I LOVE) but I’m sure I’d prefer dark stories with an equally dark score.

4. There are many movies* where the characters say, “Let’s put on a play,” often as a means for raising funds or bringing attention to some cause. If you and your friends decided to do that, what would be the play, who would be its star, and what role would you play in its production?

I’m on a fitness kick right now (well, it’s something that I’m *really* feeling right now as opposed to the occasional eating healthy and working out –because I’m challenging myself by following this 8-week Tone it Up series that is happening right now) because my mom is in town visiting (hence the lack of updates) and I’m really trying to get her to be healthy because she has a decades-long bad habit of eating the wrong things and not exercising. I tell her that she can improve her health and not rely on high blood pressure medication and possibly getting diabetes if she got her act together but man oh man, it’s so difficult to convince someone who doesn’t feel the need to change. I remind her that if she doesn’t want to do it for herself or my sister and I, she should do it for her grandson…she claims she’s old but I tell her that she’s only as old as she feels and she uses that as an excuse for not doing anything healthy and active.

So big tangent/mini rant aside, my play would focus on health. In my mom’s eyes, she’d probably see me as the dictator/drill sergeant because I keep telling her how to make healthier choices and reminding her of the dangers of continuing her current lifestyle (sedentary, out of breath easily, too much sugar and sodium and refined carbs, always on Facebook).

5. If I handed you a lump of Play-Doh right now and asked you to sculpt me something, what would it be?

My vulgar side would say “penis” but my “mature” side (used loosely) would say  a mug because I love mugs.

(Via The Friday Five)

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Random Spring 2013 Polish Shades Spam

As always, images are clickable!

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Royally Yours by L’Oréal from the Versailles Romance collection. (I also have Creme Puffs but I have not worn that one yet)

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Butterscotch by Sally Hansen Limited Edition Designer collection (Tracy Reese). I love this one, it looks exactly like yellow mustard!

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Go Ginza by Essie Madison Ave-Hue collection

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On the right: Essie’s Hip-Anema (from Madison Ave-Hue). After I bought this I said “Shoot, this might be similar to Geranium!” (I hate having colors that look near identical) When I got home, I put them side by side. Yep, pretty similar except Geranium (left side) has a tad bit more orange.

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photo 4This last shot shows Geranium on the middle finger. Can you see the slight difference?

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The Friday Five!

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(Lan Su Classical Chinese Garden, Portland)

1. How much frosting do you like on a slice of cake (or on a cupcake)?

Just enough. While cupcakes with a thick swirl of frosting looks great, I prefer to eat just part of that amount.

2. What’s something else (besides cake or cupcakes) that’s excellent with frosting?

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(I made this using this recipe)

3. How close are you (or how many years removed) from your hair turning grey?

Probably more than 10 years though I have found a white strand or two in the past. Most likely stress-induced.

4. With whom would you say you have a frosty relationship?

My conscience!

5. What item in your freezer is most likely to be consumed next?

Frozen fruit to add into my green smoothies. (I actually just made one prior to doing this entry)

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