crunchymamasoda

Perfect hard boiled eggs

crunchyconmama — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:20:09 +0000

Hard boiled organic eggs are a great, easy, nutritious snack in our household. For the longest time I couldn’t get them to be “perfect” — and it drove me crazy when the shells did not peel off easily. I finally found a great technique that works for me.

1. Place your eggs in the bottom of a pot and cover with cold water (enough to cover them with another inch of water above them). Be sure that you don’t overcrowd the eggs — in other words, make sure that they can all “lay” down on the bottom of the pot.

2. Cover the pot with its lid, place it on the burner with the high heat.

3. Bring the water to a hard boil (this usually 10 minutes for my stove & pot — from cold to boiling).

4. Remove pot from heat and set the timer for 12 minutes.

5. After 12 minutes, drain the hot water and run cold water over the eggs in the pot for 1 – 2 minutes. You could also add ice to the pot to help cool the eggs down even faster.

6. Don’t drain the water yet. Take each egg and crack its shell against the counter then return the egg to the cold water. This will allow some water to seep in between the shell and the egg which will make it easier to peel.

7. After all the eggs are cracked and returned to the cold water. Proceed to peel the shells off of each egg.

8. Enjoy your hard boiled eggs!

PS If you have your own laying hens, like we do, be sure to let your eggs “age” for a week or so. Older eggs work better than fresh from the chicken eggs.

PPS If you would like soft boiled eggs, just reduce the time from 12 minutes to 8 minutes.

Feb Class: Creating Soap From Scratch

crunchyconmama — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:01:28 +0000

You can register for the class on January 2nd — online at http://www.577foundation.org/takeaclass.asp or call 419-874-4174.

Thurs Feb 23rd

Creating Soap from Scratch

Come learn how to create your own soap from scratch – both cold process and hot process. In this hands on class, you will learn about the safety precautions that you need to take when working with lye and about different types of oils, fats, and other natural additions to achieve a soap that reflects your needs and desires. Please bring your own safety goggles, rubber gloves and long-sleeved shirt.

Class fee: $35

Limit: 8

If it is waitlisted, I recommend getting on the waitlist b/c people inevitably have to drop out due to schedule conflicts so they call folks on the waitlist.

Soap from Scratch class coming soon!

crunchyconmama — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:02:28 +0000

I am excited to announce that I have solid plans to teach folks how to make soap from scratch — both cold process and hot process. The classes will likely be held at the 577 Foundation in Perrysburg, Ohio. Stay tuned.

December and January Bread baking classes

crunchyconmama — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:00:46 +0000

At the 577 Foundation in Perrysburg, I am teaching several bread classes this month and next (January 2012). You can register online at: http://www.577foundation.org/takeaclass.asp or call them at 419-874-4174. Note: if a class is full, please add your name to the waiting list — often registered students have to drop out at the last minute.

Thursday Dec 15, 2011 6:30 – 8:30pm — Easy and Delicious Homemade Bread: With 4 simple ingredients, you can bake fresh, yummy bread every day without a lot of work. Bring your taste buds, we will bake baguette, pita bread, calzone & more. Go home with dough ready to bake! Class fee: $15.00

Thursday Jan 5, 2012 6:30 – 8:30pm — Easy, homemade whole grain bread: Using a simple technique, bake delicious, whole grain breads without special equipment & without a lot of work (no kneading!). Explore different types of wheat & other grains that work well in whole grain breads, including rye bread. Bring your taste buds for some taste testing. Go home with dough ready to bake! Class fee: $17.00

Monday Jan 23, 2012 6:30 – 8:30pm — Easy and Delicious Homemade Bread: With 4 simple ingredients, you can bake fresh, yummy bread every day without a lot of work. Bring your taste buds, we will bake baguette, pita bread, calzone & more. Go home with dough ready to bake! Class fee: $15.00

Easy, Homemade Yogurt Class

crunchyconmama — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:47:21 +0000

On Tuesday, August 9th, from 7 – 8:30pm, I will conduct a class on how to make your own homemade yogurt, including Greek yogurt. No special equipment is needed and it will save you a lot of money to make your own yogurt. It is so easy to make your own yogurt. I will also make the following in class for you to taste: fruit smoothie, “instant” frozen yogurt, tsatziki, Greek-style yogurt, and an Italian-herbed spread. So, leave some room in your tummy for some yummies

The class fee is $10. Please email me if you would like to join us.

Clean 15: list of the cleanest non-organic produce items

crunchyconmama — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:20:26 +0000

You can find it at: http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php

You can print out a wallet-sized chart.

It also has a list of the “dirty dozen” (a list of the most heavily “pesticided” produce items; try to buy organic when you buy these items).

Upcoming class offering: homemade dairy desserts

crunchyconmama — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:35:54 +0000

This summer CMSODA will offer a class on a variety of homemade, cold and creamy desserts: ice cream, custards, puddings, yogurts and smoothies. Specific dates and times will be forthcoming. Please leave a comment if you are interested in taking this class when it becomes available.

Good article on making homemade ice cream

crunchyconmama — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:57:43 +0000

http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Homemade-Ice-Cream/Detail.aspx

Cherry tomato cutting tip

crunchyconmama — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:50:18 +0000

Just saw this great tip on today’s Rachael Ray show. Take multiple cherry tomatoes and place them on a circular deli lid (or your cutting board) and place another circular deli lid (or small plate) on top of the tomatoes and slice right through all of them at once.

Barter List

crunchyconmama — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:21:55 +0000

I’m looking to get the following things in a barter exchange:
*therapeutic massage from a licensed massage therapist
*hair cut from a licensed hair stylist

I can offer a free course(s) in my school of domestic arts. Contact me and we can make arrangements.