Patio Chair Re-do

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I was visiting my parent's home in Idaho and went out for a Saturday morning run and the neighbors were having a yard sale.  I've been wanting to change my plastic patio chairs to something more interesting, and these metal bistro chairs caught my eye.  They only wanted $2 a piece, so I bought 4 of them and hauled them home (well, I brought two home with me and my mom was nice enough to bring the other two the next time she came to Utah in her RAV 4). 

I have recovered chairs before, so I know that taking off the current cover and using it as a pattern is the way to go.  I had to laugh when I took off the brown vinyl--it was covering...brown vinyl.  Although one of the chair still had the original vinyl underneath both brown layers; a mustard/floral (which was kinda cute in a retro way, but only one of the chairs still had it). 

I got lucky at JoAnn on the fabric.  The Red Tag fabrics were an extra 50% off and I used a 20% off your entire purchase coupon.  I bought 2 yards of outdoor canvas fabric for only $5.80 

I pulled off all the old vinyl, cut out the new circles and stapled it on to the cushions.  I find that kneeling on the cushion helps you pull the fabric super tight while you staple.  I staple one side, then do the opposite side (basically I divide the circle into 8 sides).  

Next was painting the chairs.  I ordered the paint from Amazon (hello Prime, all the colors, delivered right to my door).  Only $3.68 a can for this fun Aqua color--I bought 2 cans.  I did get 2 chairs done with one can of paint, but I skimped on areas underneath that no one would see.  I probably should have had 1 more can of paint.  

Now I've got some bright patio chairs and I love them.  I also love that my total investment was only about $6 per chair.

Dutch Oven Berry Cobbler

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In the deep freeze of January, my thoughts were turned toward the warm sunshine of summer when my family usually does a bit of outdoor cooking, including dutch oven cooking.  My dad is the king of the cast iron pot in our family...and a collector of over a dozen pots.  I figured it was time that I learned a bit more about this style of cooking and signed up for a community ed class.

Dutch ovening in January is a bit less fun that in say, June, but still tasty.  After a few misses (ok, if its 20 degrees outside, it takes more coals to keep things baking) I've hit upon the favorite so far.
I've done 3 different versions and I like all 3 for different reasons.

You can do this recipe inside in a regular baking dish too, but if you've been thinking about trying dutch oven, this one's pretty fail-proof.

Equipment
10 inch dutch oven w/lid
lid lifter
leather gloves/pot holder
long tongs
24 charcoal briquettes
briquette chimney (optional, but makes it easy to start the charcoal w/ no lighter fluid)

Ingredients
3/4 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup sugar
2 Tbs. corn starch
1 cup water
4 cups of mixed raspberries, blackberries, blueberries (I use Costco frozen mix, defrosted)
4 cups of apples, sliced or rhubarb, diced
1 Tbs. instant tapioca pearls

First thing, get the charcoal going in the chimney starter-its going to take about 30 minutes to get it all hot and ashy.

In a small bowl mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon.  Add the melted butter and vanilla and stir to make a crumbly mix.  Set aside.
 

In a small saucepan, mix the white sugar and corn starch.  Then add water and bring to boil.  Boil for 1-2 minutes until thick.  Pour over the fruit and gently mix, then add the dry tapioca.  Pour into dutch oven.  Sprinkle on the crumb topping.




 


 

To bake...In a regular oven:  Bake for 40 minutes at 350

To bake...In the great outdoors: Make sure the charcoal is ready, it should look gray and not much black showing.  I don't have a fire pit...yet...so for now I use some landscape block as a base for the charcoal.  Use the tongs to put 12 pieces of charcoal down on the block, then set the dutch oven on top.  All the charcoal should be evenly distributed underneath the pot.  Put the other 12 pieces on top of the lid of the pot-also evenly distributed.  Set the timer for 10 minute increments.  Each time the alarm goes off, turn the pot 1/4 turn--this eliminates hot spots. Resist the urge to  keep lifting the lid--it lets out the heat. Bake for a total of 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Total tastiness.  If you can stand it, let it cool for about 30-40 minutes before serving with some vanilla ice cream or whip cream.

Variations:  If you have lots of berries, replace the apples or rhubarb and just go with all berries.  I'd up the sugar another 1/2 cup.  I suspect I'll try it with other fruits too in the future.

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Grilled Veggies...ah, summer

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I break out the grill several times a week during the summer, and veggies on the grill are one of my favorites. I love having zucchini, yellow squash, onion and mushrooms--but use whatever you've got.

After you've cut the veggies into similar size pieces, I like to toss them in a ziplock bag or bowl with some balsamic vinegar and oil (or just use Italian salad dressing) for 15 minutes while the grill is heating up.

I use a grill basket to keep things all contained (pick one up at TJ Maxx or Ross). I heat the grill up to med-high and keep the lid closed most of the time with occasional stirring.

It takes about 15 minutes to cook to my preferred doneness. Serve it up with whatever else you feel like.

Margherita Pizza on the Grill

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I love dinner out on the grill! It keeps your kitchen from getting hot, especially when it was already 95 degrees outside. This is a pretty fast dinner, especially if you take shortcuts like me and use store bought dough and sauce.

Lucky me, my basil is growing really well, so I picked it right out of the container.


Ingredients

1 pkg pizza dough (I got mine at Winco)
1 bottle sauce
fresh mozzarella, sliced
fresh basil
Hot pepper flakes, opt
Olive oil


First, divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Use some flour on the counter and shape each piece of dough into a pizza round. Place each crust between floured pieces of plastic wrap and let rest/rise while you get the ingredients ready (I put mine out by the grill while the grill was preheating--about 10-15 minutes).

Preheat the grill with the lid closed on high.

Slice the mozzarella and clean and dry the basil ( I julienned mine since the leaves were large).


Use a folded paper towel dipped in oil and a pair of tongs to grease the grates on the grill. Brush one side of the crust in oil and place oil side down on the grill (I turned the grill down to medium at this point). Keep an eye on the bread, it will take 3-4 minutes on one side. When you are ready to turn it over, brush oil over the top and then flip.


Immediately start spooning on the the sauce on the crust, then top with the cheese. Close the lid on the grill for a minute or two to let the cheese get all melty and delicious. Sprinkle with basil and pepper flakes. Use the tongs to pull the cooked pizza onto a waiting plate.

Green Chile Turkey Burgers

Pin It Tired of the usual grilled hamburgers? Try these very tasty (and pretty nutritious) turkey burgers!

Ingredients (for 4 burgers)
1 lb ground turkey
1 can chopped green chiles, drained
1 tsp. salt and pepper
wheat hamburger buns
toppings: pepper jack cheese, avocado, lettuce, red onion, whole grain mustard

Mix the turkey and green chiles, salt and pepper. Form into 4 patties. The mixture is very soft, so form it on pieces of wax paper (if you have time, either freeze or refrigerate before cooking just to make it easier to handle). If you don't freeze first, then take the burgers out to the grill on the wax paper and just flip upside down onto the grill and pull off the wax paper.


Cook burgers on the grill just like you would regular burgers (make sure you oil the grill grates first. Since the turkey is lower fat, it may stick if you don't).


I top mine with pepper jack cheese, avocado, red onion and lettuce along with whole grain deli mustard and sometimes mayo. I've even been known to grill some pineapple rings and add those and some pickled jalepenos. Very tasty served with sweet potato fries on the side.