Veggie Wednesday: Fried Green Tomatoes

I adore fried tomatoes--green or red. My mom, being from an area of Indiana with a large Southern influence, talked about these often when I was growing up. Only thing that would make this better would be ham with red-eye gravy and grits.

Fried Green Tomatoes

1 egg
1 T milk
1/3 c flour
1/3 c cornmeal OR breadcrumbs (that's simply a preference thing)
1 t salt
1/4 t paprika
1/8 t cayenne pepper
1/8 t black pepper
3 firm green or under ripe tomatoes
oil for frying

Beat egg and milk together well. Mix flour, cornmeal or breadcrumbs and spices--(My own way is nothing but salt and pepper-add the other spices only if you'd like to). Core tomatoes and cut into thick slices-about 4 per tomato. Dip slices in egg and then flour mixture to coat. Heat 1/4 inch of oil in a large skillet (cast iron works beautifully for this!) until hot. Brown tomatoes on both sides and drain well. Serve immediately.

Now I'm going to see if any of my green tomatoes are big enough for this!

A Different Eight

Elizabeth over at Mom Cooks has come up with a little twist on the Eight Things meme. She's listing her 8 favorite things to eat, and even though I did something similar not too long ago, I'll do it again, 'cause I love food. I won't tag anybody since this seems to have made the rounds, but feel free to list your own 8 in the comments!

I'm a bit of a food purist-definitely not a snob-but I do like just plain food, so not many of these will be anything pre-packaged or prepared.

1) Tomatoes. Tomatoes had to have been the first thing planted by God-no contest.

2) Olives. Those were second ;o)

3) New potatoes. Yum--I can eat these plain--cooked, of course.

4) Goat's cheese. What is the world without it?

5) Chicken. Just about any form will do. Nothing beats a slow roasted bird, though.

6) Garlic. No brainer. I know it's not really a food itself, but it's so necessary to the flavor of so many things. I know when it's there, I miss it when it's not.

7) Ben and Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk. I've eaten a whole pint myself before. Not for some time now, but when I was pregnant with my third child, I ate a pint nightly for the last month of my pregnancy. Scary. She seems fine, though.

8) Pissaladiera. I could probably eat this daily. I may not have anyone to talk to, but it's worth it.

Veggie Wednesday

I know I've mentioned Vegan Treats before, but this time is different. Usually when I walk by, they're closed. Last week, I was fortuitous enough to be walking by when they were open.

I purchased the most sinful looking dessert I laid eyes on and asked after I paid what it was. That's telling, yes? He told me "Brownie Chunk Cheesecake". Of course. I mean, what else would you call something loaded with mini brownies on the top? Heaven? I bet they thought of that. I certainly thought it once we started devouring it. It was a mini version of the full-size that they have pictured on their site (go to the main page, click on cheesecakes and then Brownie Chunk) except that mine looked better. I mean, really; this is one time that the real deal was far better than the photo.

There isn't any way you would know that it was completely vegan, either. No wonder they've won awards and been featured in numerous magazines. The kids and I could have used a full-size cake, but I figured this little one would be the tryout. We'll definitely be going back; after all, the kids had that thing gone so fast I NEED to get another for a photo! I tried to take one, honestly, but the batteries in my camera were dead, so we were forced to eat the cheesecake right then and there.

If you're lucky enough to live between NYC and Philly, check out the website (check it out anyway) for a spot near you that carries these wonderful confections!

Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters

My latest acquisition (haha) from Hass MS&L was a box of Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters. I have to say this, raisin bran is my favorite cereal, so there was no way I was going to turn down the chance to do this review. I'm not sorry in the least, either. This is just good cereal. It has a nice balance of crunchy flakes, light sweetness and isn't overloaded with raisins. Just right. The extra fiber doesn't hurt, either.

Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters was provided by Charlie Kondek of Hass MS&L. This is not a paid product endorsement.

Pasties

While researching the Harry Potter books for my HP-inspired recipes, I came across Cornish Pasties several times. In my family, being from Michigan, we've always made Michigan Miner's Pasties, a direct descendant of the traditional pasty made in Cornwall, England.

My taste buds being so easily influenced by simply reading about food, I had to make a batch. Mine were the UP (Michigan-Upper Peninsula) version, but I really like this page about the Cornwall kind (and Connie-who shares her recipe and step-by-step photos, is absolutely adorable). Ken Anderson has an awesome site devoted entirely to the pasty! Good reading.

I have NOT been idle!

Rather, I have been researching, concocting, conjuring and otherwise devising recipes and writings for Harry Potter posts over at Cookies to Caviar, my Disney Family.com blog. Go check it out if you can, and comment there if you would!

It's been a complete BLAST doing this, and I don't plan to stop here. The only thing missing is a chance to ask J.K. Rowling how she really envisioned these foods. I have a few other recipes up my sleeve, and will post them as I get the time to test and photograph them.

Meanwhile, these are photos that would not fit over at my other blog.

Onion Soup
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Butterbeer
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Pumpkin Pasties--one made and one ready to be folded
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My Pumpkin Juice guy
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One "little" mishap-baby playing on the floor while mommy is racing back and forth with flour on my hands--oops!

Shades of Dinner Tonight

There's definitely NO pretension in this house.

Another "Birthday"

It's my Blogging Birthday! I've been blogging here at Cooking with Anne for TWO wonderful years! My first post was on July 4th, 2005 and I've come through so much in those two short years. Life, death, love, friends, family, and FOOD--covered it all.

Thanks, blogging buddies, for reading and being a part of my life-love you all!

Happy Birthday, Loverboy!

My littlest man, Ian Oliver, is 3 today! He shares his birthday with my grandma, who would have been 99 today-whew! Happy Birthday to you, too, Poopsie.

Ian, shortly after birth.

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Ian and big sister Katie (6).