30 July 2009

Crochet Your Own Berry Hat


Just a quick head's-up! The pattern for my Berry Hat and Booties (as well as many other loverly patterns) is available in the book Crocheted Gifts, by Interweave Press. The hat is available in all sizes -- from Preemie through giant-headed adult! The booties are newborn and 0-3 month sizes.

You can get it at a number of places, but here are two linkies (BTW, I don't get paid for referrals, I'm just linking):

http://www.powells.com/biblio/9781596681071

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1596681071

19 July 2009

Chlo-Momma's Cow Peas (Black-Eyed Peas)

Soak cow peas (aka black-eyed peas) overnight. Drain.

Boil a pot of water with:
cow peas
any greens or any green or white cabbage or kale
jalapeƱo
bay leaf
(stewed tomatoes or coconut milk)

Oil up a pan and fry:
finely diced onion
shredded carrot
(celery)
equal parts garlic and ginger

Put a ladle of liquid from the pot into the pan to deglase and add contents of pan to pot.

Add Chloe's Cajun Blend (recipe follows) to pot. Salt to taste.

Roast in oven: halved and deseeded (green) bell peppers (cut side down) with a smidge of olive oil.
Remove from oven when pepper skins are starting to brown, slice into strips, and stir into pot.

At this point, your cow peas will probably have been cooking for about 40 minutes or so. You want to boil them for at least an hour and you want the liquid in the pot to be nice and thick and opaque.

Serve with rice or millet.

Chloe's Cajun Blend:
Paprika
Cumin
Chili Powder
Thyme
Oregano
dash Turmeric
(and garlic, ginger, and a bay leaf, but you already added those!)

(As far as portions go, quantities are up to you, but I like at least a cup of soaked cow peas, half a carrot, a quarter of an onion, half a cup of shredded cabbage, and one bell pepper per person.)