tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78090297473535432792024-10-10T05:24:02.482-05:00Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-19758808240916964822013-07-27T21:54:00.005-05:002013-07-27T21:54:59.964-05:00

How, exactly, does one spell "peezy"?  Peasy? Peesy? No clue, but that's okay because this recipe's so simple you don't need to know how to spell. (well, okay, you need to know how to read, but they're simple words...) Ingredients 3 cups fresh blueberries 3 tablespoons white sugar 1/3 cup orange juice (we used the pulp-free kind) 2/3 cup all-purpose flour (I'd like to try this with

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-87452383574654129132013-01-07T07:18:00.001-06:002013-01-07T07:18:22.406-06:00

Ummmm.... YES!   Red, blue, cream.... I love them all! (well, maybe not the purple).  How about you?

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-1936583445321735682012-11-16T09:36:00.000-06:002012-11-16T09:36:06.304-06:00

We've been renovating our 1978 tri-level home for more than five years now. When we moved in there was gold/blue/orange wallpaper on almost every vertical surface, a 70's bar with laminate yellow countertop in the family room, and blue office carpet in the kitchen (who carpets a kitchen?!?!). We immediately stripped the wallpaper, pulled up carpet, and painted just about everything.  But

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-30558297755990592332012-11-12T20:24:00.001-06:002012-11-12T20:43:26.861-06:00

It seems we've had soup on the stomach brain lately.  First, it was Posole, then Super Easy Vegetable Chowder. This week we got our first Freshfully box... Obviously we had to make SOUP! Specifically, Black Bean & Butternut Squash Soup. Ingredients 1 Tbsp. coconut or extra virgin olive oil (we used olive oil) 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-77588320739473178702012-11-12T19:59:00.000-06:002012-11-12T19:59:41.710-06:00

Who would have thought that moving to Alabama -- the buckle of the Bible Belt (don't let Tennessee fool you!) -- we'd learn so much about Hinduism and Indian culture?  It's true! Thanks to our good friends Archana and Hemant...  who have opened their house for many years for a Diwali dinner.  For the uninitiated, Diwali is the festival of lights -- one of the

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-911548665210807602012-11-09T04:37:00.002-06:002012-11-09T04:37:38.608-06:00

There are still a few tickets available to Girl Scout Troop 145's Taste of India event Saturday night (11/10 at 6 p.m.). The troop is raising money for a trip to visit the Girl Scout Chalet in Switzerland in 2015. As part of their effort they' re learning how to cook various international cuisines and hosting fundraising dinner parties. Their first is a celebration of Indian food for

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-68144714598684211832012-11-06T05:42:00.001-06:002012-11-06T05:42:13.870-06:00

It's a busy, busy week (aka "hell week"), so we're looking for super simple meals.   Saw this recipe on Facebook today and thought we might try it tonight. We'll let you know how it goes. Ingredients ½ c. elbow macaroni (regular or whole wheat)                   1 tsp. (or less) light salt 1 ½ c. “fake” eggs          

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-20804886491023251552012-11-05T06:16:00.003-06:002012-11-05T06:16:36.499-06:00

At the risk of inducing STS ("stardardized test stress") on a Monday morning, here's a question for you:  Tax season is to accountants as ________ season is to journalists.   (hint: we'll all be breathing a bit easier come November 7th).   The past two weeks have been super busy.  Not only did I have my regular anchoring shift from 4-9 a.m., but I also reported

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-45362440115100728682012-10-31T08:11:00.001-05:002012-10-31T08:11:12.103-05:00

While we're on our soup kick (you have to check out this recipe for posole!), we thought we'd share a recipe that shares many similar ingredients, but is a bit lighter....  Ingredients 1 cup halved heirloom grape or cherry tomatoes $ 1 teaspoon salt, divided 3 ears shucked corn $ 1 medium white onion, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices 1 jalapeño pepper 1 tablespoon olive

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-57037529835787807162012-10-31T07:48:00.001-05:002012-10-31T07:48:15.677-05:00

It's been a cold couple of days in Birmingham, with overnight lows in the mid 30s and daytime highs in the upper 50s/lower 60s.  Of we've got absolutely nothing to complain about, given what our friends and family in the Northeast and Midwest are experiencing right now.  Still, the cold can really settle in the bones and there's nothing better than a hearty soup to warm you up.

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-4685108426738921672012-10-08T07:44:00.001-05:002012-10-08T07:44:20.635-05:00

After spend the night sleeping in a cardboard box you wouldn't think I'd want to spent any more time outside, but the front yard garden bounty was calling my name and I couldn't resist.   We're growing okra for the first time this year, but only one plant since it's not the most popular veggie in our house. I like it, Jason tolerates it, and the girls hate it. Okra just seems to

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-61602119502359174442012-10-08T07:06:00.002-05:002012-10-08T07:06:56.516-05:00

Temperatures are starting to dip, even here in the deep South. So of course we marked the occasion by sleeping in cardboard boxes on the sidewalk this weekend!  Me (back, 2nd from L), Hannah (front, R)and fellow Girl Scout Troop 27 members Let me explain.  Hannah's Girl Scout troop is working on its Bronze Award.  When they learned that Alabama is the worst in the

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-61580354770002476402012-08-09T09:33:00.000-05:002012-08-09T09:33:17.418-05:00

It's a no brainer that food is a Necessary Pleasure.  But if you've been reading this blog for any length of time you know that (at least in our house) public radio is also a Necessary Pleasure. Today, we offer up a slice of both in the form of Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, baked by WBHM intern Will Dahlberg's fiance Katherine. Thanks guys! Nom, nom, nom..... now back to the fund drive.

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-3638279172458383082012-08-02T17:58:00.002-05:002012-10-31T08:08:11.574-05:00

While we're on our soup kick (you have to check out this recipe for posole!), we thought we'd share a recipe that shares many similar ingredients, but is a bit lighter....  Ingredients 1 cup halved heirloom grape or cherry tomatoes $ 1 teaspoon salt, divided 3 ears shucked corn $ 1 medium white onion, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices 1 jalapeño pepper 1 tablespoon olive

J Fulmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02034403218955844517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-18655227817311475772012-07-31T10:10:00.000-05:002012-07-31T10:10:08.792-05:00

Mark your calendars... this looks like a really fun event for Alabama foodies! The Birmingham Public Library is planning to "feed the mind, body and soul" during its Eat Drink Read Write Festival planned for September 8-15, 2012. They've got a bunch of partners in the project, including our good friends over at the J. Clyde. Here are some of the highlights: Saturday, September 8 Time: 9:00 a.m.

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-80461140721303950572012-07-30T21:25:00.001-05:002012-07-30T21:26:10.826-05:00

"All kinds of yummy smells are wafting up from the kitchen tonight." That was my Facebook status at 6:30 tonight.   Miranda and Jason were making dinner. Which sounds like such a basic statement, especially for a family food blog.  Unless you're a regular reader of Necessary Pleasures and you know that Miranda rarely eats dinner with us, let alone cooks dinner.  

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-90063653846479154302012-07-30T07:06:00.000-05:002012-07-30T07:06:14.403-05:00

Cherries, cherries everywhere!   They're in season right now and pies aren't the only way to soak up their sweet goodness.  Check out this easy (and healthy) recipe from our new favorite cooking magazine. Ingredients  3 tbsp olive oil, divided 4 (6-ounce) bone-in center-cut pork chops (or, if you're like us, a really nice organic, humanely raised tenderloin bought on sale)

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-85702883205824363632012-07-18T20:52:00.000-05:002012-07-18T20:52:02.738-05:00

(note: this post may say "posted by Tanya", but it's really Jason. Though Tanya agrees, the Porter is something special!) Alright so I drink plenty of beer - but rarely do I blog about it. The reason is ... many beers are similar. IPA's taste like IPA's. Most Russian Imperial Stouts (RIS) taste very similar and so on. Now that isn't to say that there isn't a difference between Back Forty

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-6861586279322718112012-07-18T20:31:00.000-05:002012-07-18T20:31:00.465-05:00

I am toast today.   Not "ate".   AM. The Morning Edition schedule + lots of important stories to cover + kids home at all kinds of odd hours of the day + everything else summer throws at me  = complete and utter exhaustion...and frustration...and... Well, suffice to say that I really needed to find some zen tonight. And what better way than

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-28864072959966228722012-07-17T20:50:00.000-05:002012-07-17T20:50:40.085-05:00

Why, yes. I AM listening to a robust debate about whether obesity is the government's problem WHILE eating a chocolate chip-rich Energy Power Mix from Earth Fare and blogging about beer.

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-15221288045911721232012-07-17T20:25:00.000-05:002012-07-17T20:25:43.946-05:00

Did you know that out of every $100 American consumers spend, about $1 goes to alcohol. NPR reports that "hasn't changed much over the past 30 years. But where we spend our money on alcohol has changed quite a bit. We spend a bigger chunk of our booze money in bars and restaurants. We spend less money buying alcohol at the store to drink at home." Now, here's an interesting graphic:

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-29496828172828928782012-07-17T20:08:00.001-05:002012-07-17T20:09:55.943-05:00

Again, hangs head in shame over the photo... but I wanted to share another recipe we tried recently (but apparently didn't shoot): Spicy Basil-Beef Salad. Review: It was good, but a little intense. Go light on the dressing (trust us!). The only thing we did differently from the recipe was include romaine hearts with the basil. Even though we have a basil plant that's nearly tree-size, we

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-63509478246523033222012-07-17T19:57:00.000-05:002012-07-17T19:57:51.614-05:00

Just one of the benefits of being married to Jason. He returns from a three day business trip, walks straight into the kitchen, and starts making me this for dinner. Chicken, Sausage and Peppers = #luckygirl I'm not going to post the full recipe here because, honestly, I'm already feeling guilty about ripping off their photos (above). I can't find the photo we took. Which bums me out

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-40601730595100673132012-06-11T07:21:00.000-05:002012-06-11T07:21:53.479-05:00

So many food choices in Alabama this weekend!  Of course there's the Freshworks event at the Jones Valley Urban Farm (did you know there's a working farm right off the highway in downtown Birmingham? Here's my radio feature on it.) There's also this event, which looks like a whole bunch of soul train fun! (click the photo to enlarge it and see all the details) WE Community Gardens 

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809029747353543279.post-24976084246382065122012-06-11T06:17:00.000-05:002012-06-11T06:17:09.497-05:00

Guess where we'll be Saturday?

Tanya Otthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12421253698827450504noreply@blogger.com0