Let me just say right now that February was not my favorite month here in East Texas! The coldest on record with below freezing that went on for days at a time. While we do not get the deep snow like many other areas, cold is still cold! And we were cold! But get through it we did and today we join Sherry for In My Kitchen.
As we celebrated mid month with red hearts and roses or even strawberries dipped in chocolate. But this year, OMG it was cold, very cold actually! And I cannot even begin to guess where those strawberries came from, definitely not from around here! Valentine's Day is also our wedding anniversary. I think we originally decided on that day to help remember that we needed to stop and celebrate, even if life gets super busy. And now 12 years later, we want for nothing. That is the gift, if I do say so myself.
But, I won't lie, motivation was in low supply around here in February.
Living in an RV in below freezing temps is difficult, after just a day or two. But our local cold snap went on for a week or more, then we would get another one. In my kitchen I was working to develop and transition to whole wheat, a couple of long time favorites. In the end neither one saw the light of a blog post. But I have to admit that truthfully, it might have just been the cook...
I did complete purchasing the rest of the stainless baking pans I needed.
Plus I got a set of "prep bowls" that can also be used as serving bowls or even "dish up and take your meal outside, to enjoy the nice weather" bowls! I also upgraded my small kitchen scale to one that has a gram/ounce toggle. While I had used a gram scale when I worked in R&D for boutique food products concern, I did not have one in my own kitchen. Plus we made one additional purchase, an electric stainless steel percolator to replace the black plastic drip coffee maker. That ironically had been purchased about six months prior when our trusty maker decided it needed to retire! I do have a stovetop percolator tucked away for those rare times we have no electricity, but for everyday use, I just want to plug it in and have coffee ready in 8 minutes!
Officially, we are now non-stick coating, Teflon, plastic cutting boards, and aluminum pans free! Plus no black plastic kitchen tools or appliances like the practically brand new electric drip coffeemaker. As a consumer I am less than happy that something is safe enough to manufacture, and sell, but soon it will be reported as unsafe to use. I can't be the only one...but now all baking pans, mixing bowls, and utensils are stainless steel. Along with some cast iron and a few glass pans and measuring cups.
The fun kitchen adventure I have been working on is a 100% Whole Wheat Sourdough starter!
I have been building an easy to use whole wheat starter that does not take constant maintenance. Plus there is no discard needed, creating jars of discard taking up valuable space in the refrigerator.
Yes, you did read that right, no discard. You can also use it straight out of the refrigerator, if desired. I will be finishing that project up in March and you can bet that it will see the light of a blog post! Sourdough bread has eluded me for decades, until now...and all in all, it's a funny story actually. Because it was all, a misunderstanding on our part.
I did update 19 posts, for better content and or photos.
As well as developing and baking Whole Wheat Sourdough Sandwich Bread. Recipe development in bread is interesting. What you thought might be the best ingredient ever, is not. What you think you need to do for and to the dough based on past practice, is really just a guess. My goal? Developing a loaf that does not require anything more than a kitchen scale that has a gram reading and a couple of loaf pans. Everyday sandwich style sourdough bread...
And I have been using my stove top pressure cooker for cooking. I am hoping to update the Instant Pot recipes, if needed, when using a stove top model. And I have learned there are definitely advantages to both types of the pressure cookers. And that about takes us from the first of February to the 28th day, where I begin taking a look back.
And you, what has been happening in your kitchen?
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