Dress Up - ModCloth

How have I missed ModCloth all this time??

Recipe - Crustless Spinach and Feta Pie

I tried this recipe out tonight, with winning results. It's going directly into my 'keeper' file as is because it came together relatively easy and, other than half and half, I keep most of the ingredients on hand. Be warned, the recipe says 25 minutes. Hah! I laugh at 25 minutes, try 45 if you are pretty organized. It was delicious, though, and the husband even liked it - he ate two portions.

I also made the tomato salad paired with this recipe. I used large ripe tomatoes that I wedged and fresh oregano. Also very tasty and a nice side for when the tomatoes are good.

How To - Fabric Garlands

Party garland from the purl bee

I have long loved all things garland. Nothing says special occasion better than some pretty fabric or paper hanging from above, swaying gently. As an added bonus, garlands, banners, bunting, whatever you call it, packs a lot of decorative punch for relatively little DIY time and effort. There are lots of great tutorials out there. Here are a few simple ones to get started.

paper n stitch fabric banner tutorial

While this tutorial from craftstylish is technically for a mobile, it could easily be adapted to make a garland instead. Try one out for your next party, or make a pretty one for a new baby's nursery. Or just for yourself!

Recipe - Fried Green Tomatoes

I have had a wicked case of the summer lazies. My blog and my housework (and my figure!) all show the tell-tale signs of lazy neglect. I do so apologize. I think you'll forgive me after you make this recipe, though. Or, if you also have the summer lazies, bring me some green tomatoes and I will make this for you.

If you MUST, you can make these with butter instead of bacon grease. They will still be good, but not nearly AS good. Fry the bacon and eat BLTs for lunch all week with real summertime red ripe tomatoes from the farmer's market.

2 large green tomatoes, with no hint of red
bacon grease, reserved from frying 1 lb of bacon (about 1/2-3/4 cup)
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup cornmeal
salt and pepper to taste

Core each tomato and slice into 1/4 inch thick slices. Throw away the very top and very bottom slice (the ones with skin on one side, the coating won't stick to it).

Heat 1/2 of the bacon grease in a large skillet over medium heat.

Put the flour, milk, and cornmeal in separate bowls near the skillet. Once the fat is hot, dip each slice of tomato first in flour, then in milk, and finally in cornmeal and place GENTLY in skillet. I say gently because I forgot this last time and got a big nasty bacon grease burn on my finger as punishment.

Repeat the coating process and place slices in skillet until it is full. Fry the first batch about 3 minutes per side until the coating is browned and crispy. Remove from skillet and place tomatoes on a paper towel lined plate.

Add the remaining bacon fat to skillet and let heat up. Repeat coating process with remaining tomato slices and fry as above.

Salt and pepper the fried green tomatoes at will. They are great with a little hot sauce and eat any leftovers cold on a sandwich of wheat bread with some mayo the next day.