These were simple to set up--I just took long, thin strips of cardstock that we happened to have from a bag of hand-me-downs from a friend (thanks, Jessica!) and cut different crown shapes on one of the long sides. The kids decorated them with markers and crayons and then, using glue sticks, applied "jewels" and feathers. Finally, we measured them around each child's head and stapled them, cutting off any excess.
I had intended to photograph Ninna and Bojey wearing theirs this evening, but Bojey may or may not have crumpled up Ninna's and flushed it down the toilet. Hopefully next week I'm not posting about the fun and educational visit from the plumber.
For dinner, we feasted on a ridiculously delicious homemade quartet of goodness--cumin-y beans, guacamole, salsa, and tortillas (served also with less-exciting plain rice, cheese, and lemon water):
This is the sort of thing that makes me very happy--a stack of imperfect (and slightly burnt) tortillas clearly not made in a factory:
This is the first time we've made homemade tortillas. I got up the courage after having dinner at a friend's house recently; she made them and they were so delicious. I followed her lead and used the basic flour tortilla recipe from Joy of Cooking
, substituting butter for the lard/shortening since I don't buy lard and find shortening disturbing.This was actually a really simple meal. Thanks to all the wonderful reader suggestions for make-ahead food made in response to my granola post, we had beans all ready to go in the freezer. The salsa and guacamole take no more than 5-10 minutes each, and the tortillas are actually really simple too, especially since I used the stand mixer.
For the first time, I cooked something that really, truly brought me back to all the yummy Mexican food I ate living in California. This could easily have been served to me at one of the myriad Mexican restaurants I came to know. That, I must say, was one very satisfying cooking experience.
And what about you--how did you spend the solstice? Do you have any traditions to share with us for inspiration?
12 comments:
Oh, I buy lard. :-)
I don't recall if you are vegetarian. But if you aren't, lard adds a wonderful flavor and flakey-ness to cookies and crusts. It actually has less saturated fat and cholesterol than butter. Which I also love. :-)
I am however, completely with you on shortening. blech.
It does sound like you all had a perfectly wonderful day. :-)
Kathryn--interesting info on the saturated fat and calorie content of lard! Now I'm intrigued, and I'll look this up. I don't even know where a person buys lard.
I'm not vegetarian (nor are the kids), but I was for about 12 years. I think about going back every so often, more so recently. But that doesn't mean I can't try out lard before that happens :).
The card paper was actually from the boxes of material the school board sent from BC :) Glad you are still using everything! And I second the suggestion to use lard. While we're talking about food: one new thing I've found since M is now on quite the restricted diet (which, by the way, has been successful at getting him to sleep through the night and has also helped stabalize his moods!) is spelt pita which I also use for pizza crusts. Delicious! If you want a recipe, let me know. It is so easy to make, and fresh pita is divine.
Jessica--We use your stuff all the time! I'm actually really sad because we just ran out of that long cardstock--the crowns were the last bit of it. We used that for so many different things. I just realized that the gems that J brought are actually from you, as well--you may recognize the maple leaf :).
Is M gluten-free now? I'd love to hear more about this--I'll send you an email.
I am with you on the lard...where do even pick that up? Your meal looks delightful!!! How fun you have all these rituals Jaimie! Your kiddies are so lucky! E spent his evening at swim class at his mema's pool in the backyard with his cousin and then we had dinner and played! Nothing crazy...but, fun nonetheless! happy summer!!!
When we lived in New Mexico lard was available everywhere, since it's such a part of the local cuisine.
Now that we're in Colorado, I have only found it at the traditional grocery store... King Soopers for us. Sunflower and Whole Foods don't have it. If your local market doesn't have it, try a Mexican grocery.
It is shelf stable and sold in a carton similar to butter, but usually near the baking suppies.
Sadly I am/was suffering from the pink eye in this house but hopefully now that I am OFFICIALLY out of my classroom and fun and celebrations can continue!
Love the post dear friend!
Jeff's sister-in-law is Mexican and cooks the most AMAZING food- Tamales being my fav!
Love the crowns too and hoping that there are no plumber blogs in the future!
;-)
Hugs-
L
My mom used to make delicious homemade tortillas! I need to give it a try. And I need to start freezing beans.
I completely forgot it was summer solstice on summer solstice, and I'm blaming it partly on our eternally rainy weather. But the real culprit is that I thought about planning something and never did!
Those look absolutely yummy! I must learn to make tortillas at home.
I love homemade tortillas! So much better than store-bought... but what isn't ? xo m.
Say, what's happening with the kids garden you started from last summer? It looked so beautiful! I've got plans on starting one of my own out here.
Love it!
Post a Comment