Ten on Tuesday

1)  Fireworks are going off like mad outside right now.  Ummmm.  No one told me there were going to be fireworks tonight!!?

2)  Soooooo, I'm pretty much a southern belle now.  I know this because I had grits for breakfast yesterday.  Cheeeeeeesy grits.

Okay, here's what you do if you want to be a southern belle too.  Bring 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup milk to a boil.  Add a pinch of paprika, and a grind or two of pepper.  Add 6 T of coarse cornmeal.  Reduce heat to very, very low, cover and simmer for a couple minutes until desired thickness.  Stir in 1/3 cup grated sharp cheddar, and if you're feeling sassy (like me), stir in 1 T of Cheese Whiz.

This makes A LOT of grits.  You might want to make this much for two people.  Or pig out.  I won't judge.

3)  I don't like not liking foods.  I was never really a fan of smoked oysters, but every time I got the opportunity, I tried one.  I think I have finally acquired a taste for them! 

Grind a little salt on the top, and they're even better.

4)  I love corn on the cob, but I hate having to dress it up at the dinner table.  My solution to this is to butter and season the corn before cooking it.  Just spread softened butter all over the cob ...

Then season liberally with fresh ground salt and pepper ...

Wrap it up in tin foil ...

Tightly.

Then, go ahead and BBQ it.  The butter gets all melty and it's just perfect.

5)  I don't care if it's +30 C outside, I still make chicken stock.

I loaded a chicken carcass,carrots, celery, onion, bay leaf, peppercorns, 3 star anise, and 5-6 cloves into this pot with just enough water to cover.  I brought it to a boil, and then simmered with a lid for about 4 hours.  The smell was intoxicating, and it made for a pretty fantastic soup yesterday for lunch.

6)  Sometimes for dinner we just share a giant plate of homemade perogies.  If you haven't tried sriracha on your perogies, you must.  Cover 'em in sour cream and then load on that sriracha.  And, you're welcome.

7)  I like to have Christopher's lunch ready for him when he gets home.  Today it was a giant spinach salad, with a toasted kale and tomato sandwich.  We are sandwich addicts.  Kale and tuna was on the menu the other day ...

8)  I've been researching for our trip to Montreal.  I think we are in trouble.  Poutine trouble.

9)  We rarely eat Greek salad, but we had it yesterday and were reminded of how good it is.  We had Greek ribs with it.

10)  This evening we BBQd sweet potatoes, corn, and Indian spiced drumsticks.

Brine them, then season and cook 'em low and slow for perfect, moist chicken.

What are your Tuesday things?  

Have you been to Montreal?  Recommendations?