Monday, December 13, 2010

Skillet Turnips and Potatoes with Bacon

I have never had turnips so tasty as these (you know you can't go wrong with bacon)! This recipe uses a sweet vinegar mixture to help the veggies caramelize a bit and become oh so flavorful. I followed the recipe pretty closely, well, I thought I did. The only change that was significant is that I browned my turnips and potatoes in batches apart from the bacon mixture (in the vinegar mixture) because my skillet wasn't large enough. Also I had to use some dry parsley because I didn't have any fresh on hand and I used celery salt for a bit of an extra flavor boost.


Ingredients:
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 8 ounces thick-cut bacon slices, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 large garlic cloves, peeled, crushed
  • 1 1/2 pounds turnips, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 1/2 pounds white-skinned potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley

  • Mix 1/4 cup water, vinegar, and sugar in small bowl and set aside.

    Combine oil and bacon in heavy large skillet; sauté over medium-high heat until fat is rendered, 3 to 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic; sauté until onion is golden, about 5 minutes.

    Add turnips and potatoes; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sea salt and toss 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium/low, cover, and cook until vegetables are almost tender, stirring and turning vegetables occasionally, about 15 minutes.

    Push vegetables to 1 side of skillet. Pour vinegar mixture into cleared space. Toss vegetables with vinegar mixture. Spread vegetables in even layer in skillet; cook until golden and slightly crisp on bottom, about 4 minutes. Turn vegetables over; spread in even layer and cook until browned and slightly crisp on bottom, about 4 minutes. Continue to turn, spread, and cook vegetables until tender, golden, and crisp around edges, 7 to 8 minutes longer. Season with more sea salt and black pepper. Transfer to bowl. Sprinkle with parsley.

    You can also find the recipe here: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Skillet-Turnips-and-Potatoes-with-Bacon-361293#ixzz183czZJDM

    Thursday, December 9, 2010

    Wreath How To

    Here's a link to the actual tutorial, but I'll show you my progress and outcome through pictures. It is such a fun and inexpensive project!

    Wreath Sequence

    Wreath Sequence

    Wreath Sequence

    Wreath Sequence

    Wreath Sequence

    Wreath Sequence

    Wreath Sequence

    Wreath Sequence

    Wreath Sequence

    Wreath Sequence

    Wreath Sequence

    I just love how it turned out! I took a lot of hot glue, but it is holding up great!