Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Avocado Tacos

1 Avocado, firm but not rock hard
1 Jalapeno
1 Tomato
Corn Tortillas
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Lavender Salt

Wash and dry the jalapeno. Roast on stove top on medium heat. Use tongs to turn and char but not burn each side evenly. Place charred jalapeno on a cutting board and cover with a dish for five minutes.

In the meantime, wash and dry the tomato; then chop and place in a bowl. Wash the avocado well and then dry. Slice open and remove the pit. Wash and dry the knife and then cut the interior flesh into a grid. Use a spoon to scoop out the avocado and place the chunks in a bowl with the tomato.
Rinse the charred jalapeno under water and remove the skin. Place the jalapeno on a cutting board and cut off the stem end. Slice open the jalapeno and remove the seeds and veins. Chop the remaining jalapeno and add to the tomato avocado mixture. Toss.

Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet. Dip corn tortillas in oil and heat. Drain on a paper towel lined plate.
To assemble tacos, grind one or two sprinkles of lavender salt on each tortilla. Top with a spoonful of avocado, tomato and jalapeno mixture.

Yields:  8 small tacos.

Notes: A friend Wanda, gave a lavender salt and pepper mix, from Western Colorado, to me.  I have altered many recipes using these flavorful condiments.

Lavender salt may be found at A Pinch of Lavender at https://www.nielsenvillage.com/.


Saturday, June 6, 2020

Book Review Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid Body Guitar and Rocked the World


GUITAR GENIUS: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World


Kim Tomsic writes a delightful story about childhood learning, play, invention, perseverance and success. Music strums through the pages along with disassembly and reassembly of household electronics such as telephones and radios. Illustrator Brett Helquist evokes the early days of jazz and musicians such as Nat Cole with whom Les Paul performed. Guitar Hero is a fun read for all ages and Ms. Tomsic includes notes and a bibliography which will help those parents educating at home.
Parents may wish to have a separate box of older electronics for their children to take apart and reassemble.

Learn more about Kim Tomsic:  http://kimtomsic.com/books/
Learn more about Brett Helquist: http://bretthelquist.com/
Learn more about Les Paul:  http://lespaulfoundation.org/
Support your local bookstore:  https://www.tatteredcover.com/

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Key Lime Pie, Easy


Key Lime Pie, Easy

9 inch diameter graham cracker crust, store bought
1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Key West Lime juice

Whisk or stir the condensed milk, whipping cream and lime juice together. Pour into graham cracker crust. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Cool on counter for 15 minutes. Then place on flat hot pad or folded towel, in freezer and chill for an hour before serving.

Serves 6 – 8.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Biscotti with Oatmeal and Blood Orange


Biscotti with Oatmeal and Blood Orange

1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 stick
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/16 or less teaspoon lavender salt
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup oatmeal
3 smaller, older blood oranges

Cream butter, sugar, vanilla and lavender salt. Add eggs and mix, thoroughly. Add first cup of flour with the baking powder and mix. Add second cup of flour and mix. Add oatmeal and mix. Peel, removing all pith and then chop the blood oranges, removing any seeds. Stir into mixture. Drop by spoonful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.

Yield: 3 dozen cookies.

Note: Authentic biscotti are baked twice and uniform in size. This is a quick, tasty biscotti recipe.


Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Book Review: An Inconvenient Alphabet: Benjamin Franklin & Noah Webster's Spelling Revolution








Beth Anderson writes about evolving goals and long term projects in her book about the first American English dictionary, An Inconvenient Alphabet: Ben Franklin & Noah Webster’s Spelling Revolution (Simon & Schuster). Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley, bright colors and lively characters draw the reader through history. A fun read for elementary students and older readers as Ms. Anderson includes a bibliography of primary and secondary sources.



Learn more about Beth Anderson: https://bethandersonwriter.com/
Support your local bookstore: https://www.tatteredcover.com/

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