Kitchen Testing - Winter Sore Throat "Tea"

Some months ago it seemed that a great deal of the women I know on Facebook were all "like"ing the same "Farmer's Pal" post. But of course, that's really how it works isn't it? One person "like"s it and then we all see it and then people start following suit.

What was all the hubbub about? "Winter sore throat 'tea'"

I mentioned recently that my little lamb and I got sick. My sore throat far outweighed the annoyance of my ever dripping nose.

This is a recipe you should really make months in advance but who can really remember what you had going on months ago that kept you from doing it? Besides - there are still more winter months to go!

I bought ginger with the intention of using it in some kimchee for my mother, but my piece was large enough that I could spare half to make some tea.

I sliced it up and then got out my lemons.

Layer lemons and ginger.

Then pour honey over top and watch it drip through the open spaces.

Now I play the waiting game. This mix looks so wonderful I almost hope for a sore throat. By the time this post goes out it will only have been in the fridge six days. The original post says to wait months but I'll be trying to keep an eye on it to see when it congeals.

Pickled Red Cabbage

Who would have known that by making some pickled Vietnamese vegetables that I would have found myself bitten by the pickling bug? The only answer I can come up for this is, those of you who have or do pickle or can things knew it.

I did what I could to find a recipe that called for sea salt instead of kosher (because I ran out of kosher salt). I decided to settle on this one.

First, I mixed up the apple cider vinegar, sugar, sea salt (I told you I was out of kosher salt) and let it sit.

I cut my red cabbage in half

and washed it in a bowl once everything was cut how I wanted it.

I stuffed as much of the red cabbage as I dared into the jar I had available.

And poured the liquid over it.

I didn't shake it up every fifteen minutes on the dot or anything, I just periodically went into the kitchen and shook up the jar while I let it sit out on the counter. Here's what it looked like when I put it in the fridge for the night.

I had red cabbage left from the half that I'd cut up so I put it in a container to be used for a roasted red pepper and red cabbage salad for lunch during a planned play date for the next day.

For the moment I'm just waiting to crack into my pickled red cabbage.

Pin-testing - Chemical-Free Pest Control - Ants

With the weather being mildly crazy this last month or so we've been experiences a small surge of smallish ants attempting to move in to survive the cold. No thanks.

Today's pintest comes to us via this pin, I chose to just use the information right there on the original pin.

We didn't have jam (something I hope to resolve soon) but we do keep plenty of honey around so I chose to mix my borax with honey. I also was a bit naughty and didn't measure things exactly.

I made sure to mix the two until I have a nice paste and then set out the bowl in the bathroom near the crack in the wall that I have seen the ants using to come in.

I let it sit for about 72 hours and at first it seemed like the ants were entirely gone (pintrest be praised!)

This mixture has been sitting in my bathroom for around two weeks now and we still have a few ants. It does seem to be killing them but it doesnt seem to be stopping them.

Is this pin worth a try? Yes, but I wouldn't expect it to be an end-all solution. I will try it again in the future with a proper mixture, possibly a plate, and jam instead of honey.

Wordless Wednesday - My Brother In Law The Clown

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick

The little lamb and I have caught some pretty nasty colds so I may be taking a break for a day or so. Don't worry, I believe I have a wordless Wednesday queued up and ready to go for you tomorrow.

Pintrest

Dear Sweet Readers,

Do any of you know how I add a pin this button to my blog? It looks like I have to add it to every post or something.

Your Blogger,
Marinara

Pintresting Results - Vietnamese Pickled Vegetables

I wasn't able to wait the full five days before breaking into the pickled vegetables. I believe I made it about three and a half days.

We had made bratwurst patties that night and they were just calling out to me for some pickled vegetables.

It was delicious. So delicious that sitting down with a bowl full of them and a fork was pleasurable enough. In fact, my little lamb saw the jar in the fridge and begged me to give her some. Not sure that she would really like them I gave her a small amount, but she finished them quickly and came back for more.

She's been snacking on them every day since.

Now I need to pickle some more!