Fantastically relaxing Saturday

For once I didn't spend my Saturday running around doing errands, working out, and shopping. Or, maybe I just didn't spend ALL day shopping? While I did head to the farmer's market, picked up some cute shoes from Lands' End at the Sears Outlet, and went to the gym, I didn't feel stressed out by all the other things that need done around the house. I just let it all go. WIN!

 

Since I went to the farmer's market this morning and bought more vegetables than two people can reasonably eat in a week, AND I already had a bunch of leftover veggies from the previous week, I decided to try making vegetable stock. The recipe I used is loosely based/inspired by this recipe I found on Yum Universe.

I threw in two red bell peppers, a tired-looking leek, two small potatoes, a mini yellow squash and mini zucchini, okra, a handful of parsley, and a few green beans. I let it simmer for two whole hours and actually ended up with something that tasted good and looked like it was supposed to! I once tried to make chicken stock and it was kind of a fail.

I took the recipe suggestion of pureeing the boiled leftovers and was rewarded with a lovely end result. I was planning on making chana masala this weekend (another first), and instead of using tomatoes, I'm going to spice up this puree with various Indian spices to mix with my chickpeas. 

Other food-related activities today included trying out my new corn stripper on some unsuspecting corn cobs. I need some more practice, but eventually I'll get the whole kernel in one swipe instead of just half...or 1/4 or it. I blanched 3 ears worth and froze it. I also blanched a bunch of green beans and froze those, too.

I also made some walnut-basil pesto, chopped up various veggies for easy consumption/usage, and just roasted and simmered a vat of green zebra tomatoes (my favorite!) to make tomato soup. Yes, it's after 9PM, but if I don't do it now, it won't get done tomorrow.

I know I've been MIA for a LOOOOONG time. I don't know how other bloggers have lives, read other blogs, AND are still able to maintain their own sites. I think about blogging often, but then I get sidetracked living vicariously through other bloggers. I'm going to try and be better about it this time around, but I make no promises! My posts will be about food, exercise, life, cats, and of course...SHOPPING!