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let's take stock...stock in what?.......chicken works >

Really stocks are easy, and one of the best investments in your kitchen. I'll present a pictorial walk through of the basics of a stock. I chose chicken, simply because I can get 3lbs of chicken backs for less the 3 $$....point being, lots of dark meat connected to bone, which equals lots of good, rich flavor.
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I took said chicken bits and set them under the broiler for a bit, to get them browned.....get the juices flowing...
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I then take a basic bit of veg, standard to most any stock....carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and sage this time...adjust as needed..or to taste..whatever fits your needs or tastes...
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lets break that down...it doesn't need to be neat or uniform...but I feel the greater the surface area, the better the flavor.
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now...basically throw everything into a stock pot, cover with water, bring to boil, back off to simmer and let it simmer for a few hours.....
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now...this bit differs from person to person...but I'll let it cool and set in the fridge overnight, then bring to a boil once again the next night. I'll then strain and put in usable containers. After it's in the fridge, it'll stay good for a few weeks with the fat on top, but less than two, if you skim the fat off, but will last several months if frozen right away. It's an easy way to get several weeks of stock, and a right tasty chicken sandwich to boot.
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Cheers and enjoy......we'll play with goat cheese next time... :)greg

Holidays, comfort food and other ramblings.

On the watch front, nothing especially new or impressive. I still have a stack of projects on the table, and might have time in the new year to get some stuff finished up and off the table.
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Still employed, to my surprise. The cutbacks were endless, and promise to be deeper in the new year.
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The holidays went off without a hitch. I have to say, this has been one of the more enjoyable in years. Got to relax and enjoy family and friends....and if you can't do that, then what's the point?.
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So....comfort food? Food that comforts, and that makes me think, potato soup. Never having done before, I attempted potato soup, to great success if I may say so. I'm usually not a fan of fancy presentation, with tidy little stacks, and smears of tasty color, or odd ribbons of goo from squirt bottles......so, potato soup served in the baked potato it was made from, complete with bacon, cheese and sour cream......of course.
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Being the holidays, I felt turkey and dressing need to be on the menu at least once. I decided to give it some greg though. I took turkey breasts and rolled them with a home made cornbread "stuffing". I used the ribs from the breasts to make a nice rich gravy. Fresh green beans and a butternut squash mash completed a very good meal.....just a bit different from the original, but a successful concept none the less.
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a before shot, just cause I can.
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Happy holidays, Merry Christmas and happy new year kids...cheers and enjoy.
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next time, we'll see just how easy a stock really is.

other random tasty bits

roasted tomatoes with spinach, and feta cheese


or...roasted tomatoes with leeks, basil and balsamic vinegar


lamb...leg of....bone out

talapia with chimichurri wrapped in corn husks and steamed on the grill


and a parting shot of some veg, when I was making stock one day...cheers kids.

pizza...it's cheaper than therapy

We've been making a good deal of pizza at home lately, it's almost become a weekly tradition. I find it's a great deal more than just making something to eat. Yeah, I get an amazing dinner out of it, but I find it's so very relaxing...anywho.....some crappy pics of some pizzas past...cheers and enjoy

pizza neapolitian
with capicola wrapped mozzarella
not really sure what all I put on this one

Prosciutto, olives, mozzarella and mascarpone cheese

and even pizza for dessert.....cinnamon and sugar, and again with apples

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and a classic, pepperoni and several kinds of cheese...

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my photography skills may lack, but I make up for it in food....cheers kids

ya know...

I should really look at what I posted last time....and not post the same pics twice....so...another random pic...of a mod I'm working on....custom dial and bezel...cause I'm cool like that

Almost Friday......hells yeah >

The world is turning as it should currently. New free watch came in, and looks great...like the last new free watch actually. I called today to have my knife blades re-cut, using a metal that might be a bit easier to work with, maybe with a much higher carbon content.
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little to moan about I guess...and that's a good thing....all good :) and I may be getting back into making buckles for watch straps....and I've got my plans down to make it much easier. I'm not in it to make a ton of money, but I won't do this for free either......band-aids cost money too :)
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random pic of blood.....little cut last week working on those silly knives....later kids

almost friday and dental work sucks ..

anyway...dental work is going to cost me a mint to beat the dents out of my grill, but it's all good...least I'll be steak-ready. I have another watch on the way...actually like the one posted before, but cheaper..free actually...and not free from me finding cash, but free.
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Anyway..working on knife handles today and that went well, aside from some finger cuts, it's going well......cheers and enjoy
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.more on that later..and I've almost finished the sammich dial Mod watch...I'm still rethinking the bezel....it's good...but not great.....I'll work on it...later....sleep and job first...cheers
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new free watch and old food pics...

I don't feel like working on knives tonight, but I did get a fun new watch today..and not any high $ stuff....this watch is basically free...I say basically...because I paid a whole $20 for it, and by some twist of fate, I found a $20 bill by the elevators today...so..you do the math....anyway...watch pics..and some random food pics...cheers
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maybe some roasted tomatoes with spinach and feta cheese..
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later kids....greg

intro...of sorts....

basically, this is just a way for me to catalog my various hobbies...watches, cooking and the metal work that applies to both....pics, recipes, and ongoing projects will be address asap....until..cheers, and enjoy...greg