nonblonde007

I found this odd melon at the local farmers market today, have NO idea what it is. It's taste is part cantalope, part zucchini, part cucumber, and not very sweet at all. I didn't realy care for it, but the horses loved it! Does anyone know what it is? The person I bought it from didn't know, said it just apeared in her garden and was fruiting like crazy! ( that is a regular teaspoon, for size comparison)

Unfortunately, you know you have to choose. Possibly hurt his feelings by stating your concerns, or just continueing on as things are. Remember, you are not responsible for the way he reacts to your carefully worded conversation with him. People can choose to have their feelings hurt by what you say or choose to take it to heart. Consider who all is being affected by the behavior of this one person, the amount of damage done verses the rewards for your "guest', and the length you are willing to go on a possible maybe. Ultimately, the choice is yours on whether or not this disruption in your household continues, and you are responsible for that. I feel for the poor man, have been in similar circumstances and made both choices. My opinion doesn't matter in this case, only yours does. I wish you luck, and peace for all involved.

Blissful..........I am So glad you figured out imagegullet!! Absolutely beautifull!!!!

Ditto!

I have been reading and enjoying this post and hadn't felt a need to chime in. I agree with each point of view to a certain extent. Padma turns my stomach. Tom comes across as a puke. Howie, I wouldn't hire to feed my dog, no matter how good he might be. It's not woth the trouble he would cause. Oh yea, and he's a complete ass. Hung, Arrogant, with no reason to be. Life is never as rosey as we would like. Deal with it! The pissy attitudes in the last challenge was very telling. I wouldn't even allow that sort of reaction in my children. Please don't whine, it may have been unfair, unsafe, and definately unfun, but it won't kill you to work in heels and evening-wear. I think they forgot why they were there, to win the prize! I actually only started this reply because I was laughing so hard at Carrot Tops last post. Amen! Got carried away, sorry.

Salmon w/ cucumber sauce Any fish would be nice with this. Put it ina a baking dish and pre-heat to 350. Rub butter over entire fish, in and out and if whole, stuff with lemon halves and the herb of your choice, I like rosemary. Douse liberally with lemon juice, salt & fresh pepper. Pour a cup or so of rich cream around the fish, cover with foil and bake for 10 mins. per lb. Take out and add 1 diced cucumber, lemon zest and baste the fish with the mixture in the bottom of the pan. return to oven for 10 to 15 mins. depending on size of fish, basting often. The Cucumber stays a little crunchy and realy balances the richness of Salmon. I sometimes add chopped basil and even mint afterwards. Yummy!!

My fave, Tzatziki...yogurt, cucmber, garlic and mint. Gazpacho, cool summer soup, delish. Cucumber cooler, cukes, limes, mint, sugar & your fave spirit. Sunomono, add small shrimp, crab or octopus. Fish baked in cream, cucumber & lemon. Hollowed and baked w/bacon, tomatoes and butter. I love cukes.

Bueno, that is one of the best looking burgers I have seen in a long time. Perfect 5 napkin run-down-your-arm juicy! Shelby, I would like to see your recipe for stroganoff, please. The joys of summer! I spent the evening canning tomatoes again, so my 17yo son grilled dinner. Steak, potato, and tomato. Grilled to perfection and perfectly seasoned, It was verry good, I am so proud!

Sparrowgrass, I will have to try the roasted sauce, sounds great. Kellytree, Thank you! Those are wonderful pics, I love seeing that you have the whole family involved, and the process you use, just awsome. How many bottles do you end up with?

I feel for you! As the mother of 3 teen boys, I sooooo understand. But hey, my guys are so easy, give them a campfire, sticks, hot dogs and marshmallows and they are in heaven. And for goodness sakes, Don't forget the Music! Why not try making it interactive, cut chunks of various meats, veggies, and such, give them long skewers and let them do the work while you enjoy your daughters company. Make misc. dips and sauces, (don't forget ranch, they are kids), lay out lettuce leaves, pitas, buns etc. and they will figure the rest out for themselves, and have a great time doing it too. You can allways fry up chicken the day before, and have that on hand for those who don't want to get too involved, who doesn't love fried chicken? Or, maybe lay out a sandwich bar, loads of cold-cuts, cheeses, veggies, creative dressings and breads. Again, they do the work, get what they want and you get to relax for a while. I have done these sorts of things too many times, all they realy want is to socialize, and have fun. I wish I were close enough to lend a hand, sounds like you will ahve a great time. Good luck.

Shelby, I am so glad that I "forced" you into posting!! I have never cooked my maters down before canning, does it retain the fresh flavor that way? I do like that your way leaves you with the jars of juice. I peel as you do, then just squash them into a jar with salt and fresh lemon juice, the resulting jiuce covers the toms, and process. Beautiful kitchen, btw.

How do you use it? Is is sweet and hot? Do you spread it on the ham or on toast?

Thank you for the link. I enjoy learning the individual differences and influences in the process. Plus, who doesn't love the pics?!

Details, folks, Details!!! Pics are nice too.

Fresh from the neighbors Pig! Loaded with pepper. Delish!

That looks fantastic!! How did you make this?

It's that time of year for many of us. Home Canning, break out the mason jars! I am very interested in the techniques and varieties of all things canned in different areas of the world. What do you can? How do you use what you have canned? Do you can the way it was passed down from generations or do you use modern methods? For the most part, I stick with typical vegetables and pickles. In the past I have canned salmon, stew, and soups. So far this year, tomatoes, pickles, (both the hot bath and brine style my grandmother used) okra and kimchi. I still plan on putting up corn, green beans and any other thing that catches my fancy. I will use these all winter long, far preferable to store bought. Nothing beats home canned tomatoes in the dead of winter, just warmed as is.

sparrowgrass, Never apologize for tomato porn!

Everything looks so great! Andyb, I am now craving fresh scallops, thank you. Bruce, spectacular, as allways. I spent the entire day canning, and well into the night actually. Kitchen is of course a cluttered mess, didn't realy feel like cooking a big dinner, so.....my standard go-to. Pho. I had just made a large pot of stock from Into The Vietnamese Kitchen, a few nights back. Added tripe, tendon and all the other goodies. Unfortunately, all my herbs were bad except cilantro, but it was still yummy and satisfying.

cajungirl, I just moved to Calico Rock, a hop south of Mountain Home. It's about 3 hours drive to Little Rock from MH. As for dining, MH is the closest "town" to me, and I have been very dissapointed in the choices and quality of the food. I come from Wash. State, and spent last summer in NOLA, (awsome food ops there, btw). You will most likely be going to Little Rock or Branson mo. to do your shopping and dining. It is a stunning drive tho, and wonderful place to live. cbdabney, I am truly looking forward to my next trip to LR, and visiting your place, sounds like it will be fantastic!

Marcia, isn't it grand that we can laugh at ourselves!!! That looks horrific, like some un-born creature recently dug up. Do you see the thing lying on it's side, arm across its tummy and legs curled behind? (head on the right) yyyyyyyyyuuccck! I does sound good tho!

Mmmmmmmmmmm.......french toast! How can there be evil in a world where Bacon exists!!!!

Ktepi, You know you are an e-gulleter when................................

Thats just beautiful! What is the flavor?

Thank you for the suggestion, I will try this with the remaining piece of salmon tomorow night. For tonight, i just stuck with the same ol' same ol'. It's in the dinner thread.It's pretty hard to beat the taste of fresh salmon all alone!