(Mini) Blogging by Mail - 20th Anniversary Edition

 

I didn't create Blogging By Mail, but I did eventually take over the running of the event. And it was a Lot of work!

But I loved it.  Sending and getting glimpses of someone else's food life? So here for it.

I don't think it's a manageable event these days.  Too many people to keep track of, and the cost of shipping (a big fuck you to Louis DeJoy) puts it out of reach for many.

But it was one of my favorite food things to do, so I had to find a way to bring it back for the ol' anniversary celebration.

Gathering up a mix of favorite and/or interesting things, I sent a package to my friend Jasmine, formerly of Cardamom Addict.

Some rather appropriate cardamom-pistachio biscotti, one of the darling and essential mini-liquid measuring cups, gorgeously vanilla-scented candle, and a little USB-powered 'rug' to keep her tea warm.

Speaking of tea, there's a tin of my own Smoke on the Water blend, a few cookie cutters, and edible glitter.

Nutmeg ice cream perfume oil!

And brownie brittle.  

This made me happy.  It took me back to the 'old days', and I got to surprise a friend with a little bit of foodie goodness. 

Blog Party #45: 20th Anniversary Party!

Fried Gnocchi Bites with Marinara

 

Welcome back to the original online cocktail event - Blog Party!

It's been a few years, I know.  Life, eh?

 But I'm happy you're here - I've missed you!

 

I've embraced the 'china/platinum/emerald' theme of 20th anniversaries (ok, sure; that's for weddings, but I don't think there's blog gift etiquette lists out there), & hung these gorgeous strings of lights around the dining room.

 

The tables have been set with platinum cloths and platinum-trimmed emerald plates.

 

 And the jazzy sounds of the greatest hits of the (19)20's are playing!

 

Of course, there's plenty to eat.

Bites of fresh gnocchi rolled in seasoned breadcrumbs, fried & served with marinara sauce.

Astoundingly good caprese poppers: cherry tomatoes cored & stuffed with mozzarella pearls, coated in panko & fried, then drizzled with a honey-balsamic reduction.  

Little pizza bites: 3-day fermented crust topped with Fromage d'Affinois & roasted garlic, thin slices of potato, a sprinkling of smoked mozzarella, & rosemary. 

And to balance all the richness, the Paloma. Sweet & tart grapefruit & lemon juices, simple syrup, & club soda with a salted rim.

Caprese Bites

Roasted Garlic-Fromage Potato Pizza

 

Paloma

 

 

It was fun having you here after all this time.  Twenty years!  

Hopefully, it won't be another two decades until the next Blog Party...

Blog Party #44: Pantry Raid! The Round-Up

Welcome to Blog Party!  We're starting a little late, as one of our guests was delayed.

We have a small group, which, considering how long it's been since we've gathered, is still pretty wonderful. 

I've put up some pretty purple lights around the house.

I've set our bandana-themed napkins, which double as masks!

And I've got a nice music mix going, including Stevie Nicks (Stand Back), Dua Lipa (Don't Start), Men at Work (Who Can it Be Now?), Billy Idol (Dancing with Myself), and Celine Dion (All By Myself).

Keeping things simple as we ease back into Blog Party-ing, so let's take a look at our guest's contributions!

First up is Jasmine, who brought Eritrean Tsebhi Birsen and pita chips.

Using up some canned tomatoes she had on hand, spices, and my favorite, galic-chilli paste! Yum. 
And according to her, it can be turned into a soup - talk about double-duty!

Thanks, Jasmine!

Next,  Breadchick arrived with Left Over Cold Veggie Peanut Soba Noodles - looks tasty!

" a handful of soba noodles, little this and that from the past week’s roasted vegs, about an 1/8th cup of chopped peanuts, and some pho broth"

Way to use it all up!

And of course I've set out a few bites for everyone.  First up, Smoked Chicken Salad Bites.

We'd smoked some chicken (and for the vegetarians in the house, Delight Soy 'chicken') last week, which was turned into a simple chicken salad for tea sandwiches. 

There was plenty left, so dollops of the smoky stuff is served on some pecan crackers that were taking up some valuable space. 

DIVINE. 

Next, Paneer Tikka Naan Pizza Bites.

I'd made naan earlier in the week, and had some kicking around the fridge.  There was a partial block of paneer in the freezer, and oh, hey, a jar of Tikka Masala sauce in the cupboard (yes, sometimes we cheat).  A quick blast of heat, and some finely chopped mint (that needed to be used up) to finish.  

Simple, tasty, and filling mini pizza slices for all. 

And finally, Non-alcoholic Citrus Sunrises. 

Another case of using up what's already on hand. 

We'd purchased a 2 liter of Sprite for something, and never actually used it! And as I'm loathe to toss anything that could be used, there it sat. 

So, mix Sprite with some orange Crush from a bottle left over from the holidays, and some grapefruit seltzer (a favorite of Matt's), and a little bit of grenadine for color. 

Decorate with a grapefruit wedge, and enjoy!

This is where I'd usually invite everyone to hang around and visit, but this time I'm saying: Stay Home.  

Thanks for stopping by, take care of yourself and your loved ones, and I hope to see you - from a distance!- back next month.

Oodles

Hey.

How are you all doing?

JEREMY BEARIMY, my friends.
Jeremy Bearimy.

But this is most definitely not The Good Place.

Turns out, when we were all sick in late February/early March, it was Covid-19

So.  Yeah.  That's a thing.

Let me say, from experience, you Do Not Want.

Keep washing your hands.  Stay home. Get your groceries delivered. And if you can't? PROTECT YOURSELF.  If your employer isn't providing the proper materials, raise hell. We'll back you.

Anyway.

We had the tail end of a carton of eggs, and Matt liked the idea of fresh Chinese egg noodles. Sure, why not?

Pretty easy: flour, salt, eggs, water.  Mixed by hand, a bit of a chill in the fridge, then a few passes through the sheeter before switching to the cutting roller.

Really nice, tender noodles.  Alex used some to make himself peanut noodles (he even found a recipe on his own!). 

The rest were bagged and tucked into the (overflowing) freezer. 

Just wanted to remind you that Blog Party is tonight!  In these strange times, I'll take entries up to six PM (EST), in case you were still thinking about joining.

We're using up those the half-bags, hidden-away cans, and deep-freeze treasures and creating bites and sips to share - from the safety of our digital devices! - with friends old and new.

I do hope you'll attend.  See you later tonight!

The New Normal

How's everyone doing?  Hanging in there?

Strange times, eh.

And we're all facing new challenges while planning our meals, menus, and shopping.  Trying to use more of what's already in the kitchen, and crossing our fingers that the store has what's on our grocery lists!

We had a decent supply of chicken (and faux chicken) in the freezer, plenty of rice, and a few boxes of 'insta-Indian' (those thin boxes of goodness containing various paneer dishes, daal, and so on),

We did not, however, have any sort of bread.

So I made naan (using a recipe from Rasa Malaysia), and we put together a tasty, filling meal using what we had around.

These are useful skills to hone, as we're looking at, potentially, up to eighteen months of 'six feet away' and 'stay at home'.

And I can think of no better way to work on those skills than to join Blog Party! It's coming up Saturday, 4 April, so there's still time to participate.

Our theme is Pantry Raid (read all about it here), where you create appetizers and drinks (any kind!) using ingredients you already have on our shelves, in your freezer, and so on.

It doesn't have to be fancy.  We're just looking to virtually gather together, and share some tasty foods. Get experimental! Use it up! Blog Party and Dispensing Happiness are safe and encouraging spaces. 

So stop by this Saturday with your (Pandemic) Pantry Raid treats, and get ready to party!

From at least six feet away.

This time, I mean it!

We're living in strange, confusing times.

We're all a bit scared, and trying to get comfortable in our alone-ness.

Turns out, here at Dispensing Happiness, we've been practicing social distancing for years!

Welcome back, Blog Party!

Yes, the original virtual cocktail party was bringing people together - while never leaving home - before it became the rule.

So, on Saturday, 4 April, we're putting the social in social distancing with what will officially be Blog Party #44: Pantry Raid!

That's right; we're going to have a rockin' good time, nibbling on tasty bites and drinking fabulous beverages (from well over six feet apart!), using what we already have on hand.

No shopping!

Just look in your cupboards, on your shelves, check the back of your fridge, or deep in those freezers.
Let's make do with what's around.

That condiment you bought for a recipe, and never used again!  Get creative.

That can of water chestnuts you keep ignoring? Time to show them some love.

We're not going fancy. We just want to come together, be a part of something, and stay busy.

What's that? You're new to Blog Party (It's ok; it's been on hiatus)?

No problem!  You can read all about it here.  But to summarize, you make an appetizer and a drink - non-alcoholic is totally fine. Post it somewhere (blog, Tumblr, IG, Twitter, whatever works for you), and send me the link (my email address can be found under 'links).

I'll post the round-up (aka, party) on the 4th, where everyone can join in and see what our friends, new and old, have brought!

I hope you'll join!

Edited: To RSVP, send your entries to me by Friday, the 3rd!

It's back! Blog Party#44: Sweet Tooth

I hope you were sitting down when you read that. Because shocking as it may be, Blog Party is (at least temporarily) back!

Blog Party, for the uninitiated, is (the original!) a virtual cocktail party. Where friends & not-yet friends create wonderful bite-sized goodies & drinks in accordance with a monthly theme.

Curious? Here's the round-ups of all previous parties.

It's fun & easy. You 'bring' (post) a drink & nibble (as many as you want, for those of us who are over-achievers)(I'm looking at you, Cath) (Also, guilty as charged.) & I provide the music & decorations.

It's a chance to flex your creative cooking/baking muscles & meet some new people. And maybe catch up with some old friends!

The theme this time is 'Sweet Tooth', perfect for the lead up to Valentine's Day. Make & post a small/appetizer/bite-sized sweet treat & cocktail/mocktail no later than Wednesday, 1 February & be sure to send the link to me (!) (thehappysorceress at gmail dot com). That Saturday, the 4th, I'll post the round-up with music & more to match.

Any question? You know how to find me.

(Awesome Blog Party banner courtesy of Mike Kevan)