Gator Pam

[quote=in the Gift Idea contest thread @magickallight] I think you just gave me a great idea for a Christmas gift for hubby! This thing looks pretty cool![/quote] Please update us on how well it actually works, if you decide to get it,

I’m intrigued by the concept of this 6-quart oval slow cooker which doubles as an indoor smoker. It offers three smoking options: standard hot smoking, cold smoking for things like cheese, and a combination of both hot and cold smoking. Reviews look pretty positive, but some reviewers warn one should pay attention to the directions and use only a small amount of wood. Otherwise the smoke may become overpowering. WESTON BRANDS 2-in-1 Indoor Electric Smoker & Programmable Slow Cooker, 6 Quart, With 3-Tier Smoking Rack for Meat, Cheese and More, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Temperature Probe, Black (03-2500-W

For those who enjoy Taco Tuesdays! Uiifan 4 Pcs Plastic Taco Holder with Divider 2 Compartments Colorful Taco Plates Microwave Safe Taco Tray Taco Bar Serving Dishes Taco Platter Stand up Divider Plates for Taco Party Supplies

My menus will be in the Festive Meals Throughout the Holidays thread. Feel free to join me there as well!

Until just now I hadn’t seen anything. But the flashlight gloves posted in the gift idea contest thread seem like a good Hanukkah gift to me for my recipients.

@tracy0504 Those Flashlight gloves are an amazing idea! I haven’t seen them before. They may just take care of all three guys on my list for Hanukkah.

For the crafters, both young and old, who want to give 3-D printing a try without a major investment until having tried it out. 3Doodler 3-D Pen Set

If it’s not too late, is it possible to request the color? Black is fine, but I would love the charcoal heather.

For the serious artisanal bread baker, and those who do long simmered stews and soups. Also perfect for slow roasting. Receive two non-enameled cast iron pieces in one. The dutch oven is lovely for baking loaves of bread, including “no knead” recipes, and the lid doubles as an oval cast iron skillet. It comes pre-seasoned, but I recommend after a good wash and thorough dry (always hand dry cast iron; air drying will lead to rust issues) putting it through several rounds of oven baking seasoning. With care, both pieces will become essentially non stick and should last for generations. Victoria 6-Quart Cast Iron Oval Dutch Oven, Combination Combo Cooker Pot and Skillet, Bread Baker,

I’ve had my left handed hand warmer mug for over a decade. It’s my favorite at home coffee mug. Earlier today it was accidentally broken. I know who the manufacturer is and even the name of the coloration on the mug, so ordering a replacement was easy. While I was ordering, it occurred to me that this style mug may easily become a favorite mug of others, so I figured it would be my next suggestion. I believe the link is to a right handed mug, but left handed mugs are out there. They do tend to be more expensive, though. 19 oz Hand Warmer Mug

@Fishboysmom The Carcup Expandable Holder is an awesome idea. My landlords each have movie theater-style recliners with cup holders. These will be perfect for snacking during football games or streaming.

In order to keep the contest threads clean for entry purposes, I thought it might be nice to have a place to ask questions about or give feedback on the entries, whether a recipe one might have tried or inquiries about products, etc. @len_mullen I read your post about wireless thermometers in the Gift Ideas contest thread and I agree with you about Meater. However, I have yet to try Thermoworks new RFX wireless probe thermometer and am quite curious about it. I am definitely a fan of Thermoworks products, but am thinking Meater may be difficult to beat in this category.

I love this fan! Woozoo oscillating circulating fan Apparently this is now an older model, with a newer version available, but I can only attest to this model. It circulates the air in my bedroom efficiently and quietly. The light panel is a bit bright at night, but it doesn’t disturb me and is nice as a moving night light for those middle of the night needs. I did get mine at Costco several years ago, but if I’m recalling correctly, the price was pretty similar.

As a raised bed gardener, I have two ollas in each of my 3’x6’ beds. This was my first year using them, and other than hand watering every other week with water soluble fertilizer, I did not water my garden at all, other than refilling the ollas. During the height of summer, I did refill them every two to three days, but the soil remained evenly moist and all of my plants, i.e., tomatoes, herbs, salad greens, root vegetables, and corn thrived. I’m definitely sticking with this method of watering! I used four ollas I made myself, each consisting of two 7” terra cotta pots inverted and gorilla glued together. The hole in the bottom pot was plugged and covered with more gorilla glue to prevent the water from pouring straight through, and the top had a 4” terra cotta pot gorilla glued with the holes aligning to use as a fill spout. A standard tray for a 4” pot went on top to keep debris, slugs, and snails out. The homemade ollas curing. Here’s how two of them looked when first installed in the raised bed. During the height of season. As you can see, I was able to plant quite a bit around the ollas, and the plants seriously thrived. The homemade ollas cost me about $10/each, about a quarter the cost of this one on Amazon. A lid for it will need to be acquired as well. However, this is a solid piece, which if gently treated should last quite a few seasons. I suspect my homemade versions may need replacing every other year or so, we shall see. For those gardeners who don’t want to make their own ollas, this looks like a very good investment. 1.25 gallon terra cotta olla

Congratulations!

For our Canadian friends. Come share your menu in Festive Meals for the Holidays.

Precisely!

We are currently in the 10 Days of Awe, the time between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. While I’ve been making Jake Cohen’s Upside Down Apple Honey Cake for several years as a traditional dessert this time of year, I thought it was traditional because of the apple and honey for a sweet new year. I learned of this second tradition regarding it just this past year: Why ask for sweet honey cake before Yom Kippur? Upside Down Apple Honey Cake Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing 3 Honeycrisp apples, cored and sliced into 8 wedges each 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar 8 oz (2 sticks) unsalted butter 1 cup honey, plus more for garnish (optional) 3/4 cup buttermilk 2 large eggs 1/2 cup packed (100g) dark brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups (270g) all-purpose flour 2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda Whipped cream, for garnish (optional) Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a high-sided 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper cut to fit and grease with cooking spray. Line the bottom of the prepared pan with apples wedges, arranging them in concentric circles, then shingle any remaining slices in the center. In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar with 3 tablespoons water. Cook over medium-high heat, shaking the pan as needed, until an amber caramel forms, 6 to 8 minutes. Immediately pour the caramel over the apples in an even layer. In another medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Cook, stirring continuously, until browned and nutty in aroma, 6 to 8 minutes. Pour the melted butter into a heatproof large bowl and let cool slightly, then whisk in the honey, buttermilk, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and baking soda to combine. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold until just incorporated. Pour the batter over the caramel-coated apples. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then run a paring knife around the edge of the cake. Place a plate over the cake pan and invert them together, then lift off the pan and remove the parchment. Let the cake cool slightly, then serve warm. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with honey, if desired. I use an 8” high sided cake pan and bake for the hour and 10 minutes, as I like a taller cake. It is extremely important to turn the cake out of the pan after only 15 minutes of cooling, otherwise even with the parchment the glaze turns too sticky and crumbles the top.

I’m pretty sure I have shared my instructions for crockpot stuffing in the past, so this won’t be eligible for the contest. But, I guarantee this will give you the moist, cooked-in-the-bird texture your looking for, and it works with any stuffing/dressing recipe. Mix up your favorite stuffing or dressing recipe. Spray or grease the crockery insert. Put the mixture into the crockery. Cover the crockpot and cook on High for 45 minutes. Turn the crockpot to Low and cook for four to six hours. Serve. The bottom and edges will crisp up like the bit which would pop out of the bird as the stuffing expanded, but the rest will taste like it was infused with the drippings from the bird.

Huzzah! Thank you!

Received my prize. Looking forward to talking about it so I understand everything it can do.

Informed Delivery has been telling me all week that a package from WI was expected today. Today it has been updated to tomorrow, as the package arrived at the main Seattle distribution center around 4:30 am today. Hopefully it will be processed through and be at the Redmond post office in time for delivery tomorrow.

Two nights ago I attended the community festive meal for Erev Yom Tov Rosh HaShanah at Chabad of Kirkland, so last night we cut into the challah and honey cake I made for the holiday. We had a marinated flank steak, so it was a great opportunity to try the corn I grew in my raised beds as roasted corn on the cob for the first time. Four ears of my corn experiment, grown in my raised beds at Marymoor Community Gardens. I did hand pollinate, but still have gappy corn. However, the ear in front was nearly perfect! Buttered and seasoned with dill weed. I’m pretty pleased with the interior crumb of the challah. Here’s my first slice of the challah I made. The interior of the upside down apple honey cake. My slice of honey cake with homemade whipped cream. A very happy and holy Days of Awe to all!

Rabbit Rabbit! Rabbit!!

#1 “I don’t care what anyone says. Isn’t Bullseye the Bestest Boy ever?” #2 “Bullseye might be in the running for Bestest Boy, but he still doesn’t beat out Best Buy for deals.” #3 “Mo-OM! Enough with Target, Best Buy, and everywhere else. You promised us Denny’s for all-you-can-eat pancakes. LET’s GO ALREADY!!!”