I've been so busy learning how to use my new Mac that I've been neglecting the free iPod Touch I got with it until the other night when I wanted to make basil dressing using a recipe on my blog.
As I was heading over to my Mac to look up the recipe, I glimpsed the iPod Touch and had one of those lightbulb moments: It would be so much easier to bring this into the kitchen and look up my recipe than to look it up on the computer and run back and forth to check the ingredients. (Yes, I know I have a laptop, but I really try not to bring it in the kitchen for fear of spilling something on it.)
The iPod Touch was the perfect solution. I was able to quickly get on my blog and find the recipe I needed and then reference that recipe while preparing the dressing.
It was so much fun! I'm pretty sure I'll be using the iPod Touch in the kitchen more often. And now that I've downloaded the Facebook and Twitter apps on it, I have a bad habit of finishing up my social networking from the comfort of my bed, likely prolonging the time before my head hits the pillow. (Is it bad that I really want an iPad and iPhone now too?)
But back to that dressing... and onto my new vinegar. I ran out of champagne vinegar last time I made this dressing, so while we were out and about on Saturday, we stopped into Whole Foods (in Dedham!!) to pick up more. Next to the O Champagne Vinegar I usually get was a bottle of O Citrus Champagne Vinegar, which is infused with Meyer lemons. I envisioned the basil dressing kicked up with a hint of lemon and decided to buy the citrus champagne vinegar instead of plain champagne vinegar.
I made us some salads for dinner chock-full of farmers' market goodies and some supplements from Whole Foods (like feta and chicken) and followed the basil dressing recipe, simply substituting the citrus champagne vinegar in for the champagne vinegar.
Lemon-Basil Dressing
Mix 3 tablespoons O Citrus Champagne Vinegar with 1 minced garlic clove in a small bowl. Whisk in 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil and 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over your favorite salad!
And why do I keep mentioning O vinegars? Because I love them. Like most things, I bought my first bottle of O vinegar because I'm a sucker for packaging, and those long, slender bottles with their long, skinny necks are aesthetically pleasing. Once I bought one, I kept buying more, and now I'm hooked. Sherry and champagne are my standbys, but there are tons of other interesting flavors too, like the citrus one I just tried and pomegranate champagne vinegar, which I'll be scooping up as soon as I see it.
Do you make your own salad dressing? What are your favorite vinegars to use? Do you bring a laptop, iPod Touch, iPad, your phone, or another device into the kitchen to reference recipes?
Don't forget it's Mass Farmers Market Week. You can donate to Mass Farmers Markets or join the blogathon, hosted by In Our Grandmothers' Kitchens to show your support!
11 comments:
First of all, congrats on taking the plunge and buying an Apple. I'm scared to do this but think my next computer will be an Apple too. Let us know how you like it!
I'm kind of a vinegar collector myself so I know the thrill of finding one you don't already have.
I usually make my own dressing with white champagne vinegar, olive oil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
And I print out all the recipes I use for our recipe book, which has sheet protectors but otherwise I bring my laptop in the kitchen. But I'm like you and totally contemplating an iPad.
I do the same thing before my head hits the pillow. It's pretty redic. I have a bottle of raspberry champagne vinegar in the same shape bottle but it is not the O brand. It looks good on my counter but it's about to run out!!
Welcome to the Mac world! I converted last October and couldn't be happier about it. That said, I might need to visit your sister too ... since I'm sure I'm not making full use of all its glories!
This is the second time today I've read about O vinegars. Sounds like something I need to check out!
I don't make salad dressing as often as I should. Which is odd, because I do think its better - and better for you. As for devices in the kitchen ... not so far, but, again, I should!
I usually make my own salad dressing too, either a vinaigrette with red wine vinegar or a homemade caesar dressing. I've been meaning to buy a bottle of that citrus champagne vinegar but keep forgetting! I'll have to pick it up on my next Whole Foods run.
I'm just like you- too terrified of spilling something ridiculous on my lap top, or ipad for that matter, so I use my iTouch in the kitchen. It is so convenient! Glad you are enjoying the mac!!!
I definitely make my own dressings- and I have far too many vinegars for my own good. Lately I've been loving crumbling blue cheese or gorgonzola cheese into a little olive oil and red wine vinegar...sometimes white wine or champagne vinegar, and then whisking until it becomes a bit like blue cheese dressing- but without all the cream :-) Yum.
Mac is a wonderful thing and I'm sure you will love it! I love a variety of vinegars and this sounds great.
Have fun with the new laptop! I hit print and take that with me. :)
I have never made my own dressing but definitely think I must try it out! I am a new follower!
xo
Have fun with your new laptop. I love the dressing recipe. Nice post :)
Congrats on your new Mac! I love mine as well as the iPhone and iPad. I have a clear silicone keyboard cover for my Macbook Pro. Perfect for when you are in the kitchen and have sticky fingers or whatever as it protects the keyboard. Here is a link on eBay so you can see it. They have lots of colors.
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=apple+keyboard+covers&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Am looking forward to Fall cooking and baking and getting back to my blog!
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