Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Time I Needed Ricotta...


I had it set in my mind that I was going to make this pasta dish that my sister had mentioned.  I thought I had everything, which ususally means I do not and I should check my list again.  After I went to my refrigerator and saw that I was indeed missing a key ingredient of Ricotta, I decided to make some.  When I browsed the world wide web for recipes I came up with a delicious one by the fabulous Barefoot Contessa.  However, there were a few problems: 1) I needed heavy cream...didn't have it.  2) needed white wine vinegar...didn't have it.  Therefore I moved on to finding a recipe with only three ingredients that I did have: Whole Milk, Salt and Lemon.

Thus I was able to conjure this one up.  

3c Whole Milk
2T Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp salt

This is my new favorite milk.  It is from our farmer's market and it is low temp. pasteurized.  So it's as close to Raw milk as I will get with a ten foot pole. (I'm paranoid)

 This next step is key.  Juice the whole lemon, even though I told you you only needed 2T.  This is because when you spill the first measured amount all over the kitchen floor, you will have another dose ready.

Next you heat the milk and salt slowly until it reaches 190 F.  Be sure you stir constantly to avoid the milk scorching.  And keep your aproned belly away from the burner.

Once you reach the desired temp, turn off the heat and pour in the lemon juice.  Stir only 2-3 times and let it sit for 5 min.  After this you pour into a double layer of cheese cloth over a colander into a bowl.  

You can tie it up and let it cool for 30min to 2 hours depending on the consistency you are desiring.

This was my finished product.  I mixed it in with linguini, asparagus, tomatoes and lemon chicken.  I also mashed some blackberries with it for Maggie.  It was yummy!

Also, save the whey and add it to whatever recipe to boost the protein.

I modified this recipe from this blog.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

How We Told the World #3's a...

Incase some of you aren't friends with me on facebook or don't follow me on instagram, you might have missed our latest announcement to the world...

We are extremely thrilled by this! (for the record we would have been extremely thrilled with a girl as well)  We have done something a little differently with each child, in regards to discovering the gender. 

With our first we did not find out until he graced us with his presence.  Loved it.  Probably my favorite way to go about this process.

With our second we found out and told the world right after.  My grandad was in the hospital and was on a rapid decline, we were so glad we were able to share that with him.  He passed away before she arrived.  I think I snapped a pic and put something on facebook to announce it, but nothing creative at all.

With our third, we were very tempted to not find out again (seeing as it was my turn to choose) but the prospect of having 3 under 3 and not having the correct clothes in the drawers led this mother to deeply desire to have a little order in out life.  I also hadn't felt like anything had been very special for this baby so I wanted to take a little time and think of some way to tell our families.  We are now spread across the south TN, OK, AR, and TX.  So having a party was out of the question.  So I put on my apron and made some cookies.  


As I was walking through Joann's I found these giant letters and started giggling as I thought of my children holding them.  So into the cart they went.

As a photographer, I feel like in session with children I am constantly reassuring parents that the meltdowns are completely normal.  I can show you proof that I only got one good one.  My dear husband came in from work and snapped these.  All we needed was one, but here are just a few of the outtake that will make the baby book as well.  My personal favorite is the second one.





Thursday, March 7, 2013

Good 'ol Fun

Things I love:

1) warm sunny days
2) tutus
3) being pregnant
4) my anthropologie yoga pants that you would think I bought at goodwill because they are so worn out
5) sidewalk chalk
6) bubbles
7) dance parties in the backyard with my kids
8) naturally, my children