(no subject)

[rootofnewt]

Since it's not likely to drop below freezing until sometime in October, I shut off the furnace and turned off the gas for it. We still need gas coming to the house for the hot water heater. Since our hot water is OMIGOD scalding hot, I turned it down a touch, to save a bit of money. I think that it will still be AAAAAUGH! hot, so my laundry should be fine.

So far, it's been a two margarita afternoon. So damn hot. I hate this weather. I wanted to move to the Northwestern Territories, but OH NO, my husband insisted it would get too cold. Well guess who's out there in this horrible heat mowing the grass?

The basement is cool and dark and cozy and has a strong wireless signal. Sadly, a persistent mosquito drove me back up here.

Sometime in the third week of June, I need two strong friends to come assist boy in putting our new window/wall unit in. It's HEAVY. nannar has said we can call him, but we'll need more help. I can't lift at all and I think this is a three or four person job, since the window/slot is kind of high. I'll also have to cut some plywood to fit. Fear me and my trim saw.

Soon to come, a Good Housekeeping video of myself and whipping cream.

Comments

[sophy.livejournal.com]

Mmmmm.... two margaritas....

[jurisenpai.livejournal.com]

Mmmm, margaritas. I'm just making a polenta casserole, but it's not as good as tequila-based beverages. ;)

We turned on the AC for the first time today when I woke up hot and cranky at 8. I also spent some time in the pool, which helped with the hottest part of the afternoon, but still! I hope it cools down next week!

[krasota.livejournal.com]

We've had it the bedroom AC on a few times, especially during that horrid hot spell in May.

I'm in the bedroom now, waiting for the room to cool off.

Mmmm, polenta. I dislike polenta prepared as it is, but using polenta grits in casseroles--I like that.

I bought one of the Lt. Bender's Tequila-in-a-Bag mixes. It's less messy than a bucket and easier than mixing up a real margarita. Plus, it's slushy and lives in the freezer. So convenient.

[jurisenpai.livejournal.com]

This is a pretty good casserole. It has polenta, beans, chiles, hominy, and cheese. I'm not sure if you can eat it, but if you can I'd be happy to share the recipe.

Tequila-in-a-bag sounds awesome. Where did you get it? I don't have a blender and I do love the margaritas.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I bought it at Whole Foods, where it is currently on sale (see if they restock it--they only had one bag left, of strawberry, today).

You can buy buckets o'margarita (mix) at just about every liquor store and supermarket, in addition to sam's club.

And WF has a very pricey, but ohsoyummy looking Mango Margarita mixer that looks yummy.

I'm told a true margarita doesn't require a blender, just finely crushed ice. I have an ice crusher and ez_mo has an ice shaver. Those, however, require *work*. ;)

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I'd love the recipe. Those things are all safe and I might be able to get over my hominy grudge. I got over my corn grits (polenta) grudge for casseroles. I've been making one all week that has polenta, butter, egg, corn, cheese, onion, and red peppers in it.

Enjoy!

[jurisenpai.livejournal.com]

Polenta & Black Bean Casserole

¾ cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 4-oz. cans diced green chiles

¼ cup canned salsa verde (tomatillo salsa)

3 large garlic cloves, minced

1-1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1 16-oz. polenta roll (store bought) sliced into 16 rounds

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 15-oz. can black beans, well drained

1 15-oz. can golden hominy, well drained

3 cups coarsely grated Monterey Jack cheese (~10 oz.)


Position rack in middle of oven and preheat to 450°F.
Grease 11”x7”x2” glass baking dish.
Mix ½ cup of cilantro, chilies, salsa verde, garlic & cumin in medium bowl.
Arrange 8 polenta rounds in bottom of dish, spacing evenly.
Drizzle them with ¼ cup of cream.
Top with half of the beans, half of the hominy & half of the chili mixture.
Sprinkle with 1-1/2 cups of cheese.
Repeat layering.
Cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes.
Increase oven temperature to 475°F, uncover casserole & bake until top is golden brown
(~15 minutes longer).
Let stand for 5 minutes; sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup of cilantro and serve.

Re: Enjoy!

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I shall try it, but without the dreaded cilantro. :D

I have no recipe for mine, but if you'd like to try it, I can give you rough estimates of the measures. It's very forgiving.

Re: Enjoy!

[jurisenpai.livejournal.com]

I don't add the cilantro either, and it's very yummy without it. ;)

I'd love to try your recipe!

Re: Enjoy!

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I use a fairly small casserole dish, because I need to use the toaster oven. ;)

Heat some butter in the dish in the toaster oven (the end temperature is around 350).

I put one measure of dry polenta/corn grits into the dish, stir, add two measures of water. I toss in enough frozen corn to make me say, "oops, too much!", stir. At this point, I often don't remember to stir in a beaten egg, but I should. I toss in some dried minced onion and dried sweet pepper. I stir in enough shredded cheese (I prefer chedder, especially smoked cheddar) to make me happy, then I bake until there are a few brown spots on top, about half an hour or so.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Sometime in the third week of July

*snaps fingers* I suppose that means we'll be there too early to help.

Soon to come, a Good Housekeeping video of myself and whipping cream

Okay, then.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Oops. I meant June. I'll go fix that.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Okay, so too late to help, then. :-)

[nannar.livejournal.com]

What? You had another Margarita after I went home? I feel cheated or something.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

You are always more than welcome to ask for a ride over here so's you can drink with the resident lush.

[circumspectly.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for the heads-up about the tea; I made Pineapple Ginger iced tea today, and I think everybody like it...it's gone. :)

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I've found that I now prefer that over grape Kool-aid.

Now I have to finish the Koolaid so I can have my pitcher back.

*pants from heat*

I'm glad you like the tea. I've tried adding extra ginger for a kick. Goes well over ice, especially with amaretto.

[glove-puppet.livejournal.com]

Here in the UK, it might just about be going to start getting warm. :)

Mm, ice based cocktails....

[krasota.livejournal.com]

We don't have a temperature setting on the hot water heating, just a dial. I could measure at the tap, I suppose. No heat booster, either.

[kesara.livejournal.com]

mmm... two margarita afternoon... the only way to cope with 88 degrees and 85% humidity.

wtf?? it's not supposed to be this hot until august... specially when it was only mid 60's last week.

le sigh.

[kesara.livejournal.com]

...speaking of booze (amaretto specifically)...

do you find that you have problems with flavored liquors? I have to go light on the sweet liquors (baileys, amaretto, schnapps, etc) or I'll have tummy problems similar to soy or gluten-related (but without the nasty allergic reaction that *also* accompanies soy)

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Amaretto should just be almond liqueur, some companies might add caramel color.

Bailey's is *not* soy-free. Avoid any of the liqueurs that might need something (ie, cream) suspended--they'll likely contain soy lecithin or brominated vegetable oil.

Various schnapps should be fine, unless they've added flavoring after the distillation.

I find that my gut just doesn't care for alcohol, but it doesn't make me deathly ill. I just get an intestinal hangover. ;)