Wednesday Miscellany: A Wear-Now-Wear-Later Sweater & More
Have you been watching the Olympics? I’ve been catching some of the women’s gymnastics performances, and these athletes just take my breath away! So much power and grace.
I’ve been trying to ride out summer (which for us usually lasts well into October) with my existing warm-weather wardrobe. To be honest, there’s not a lot out there now that’s tempting me. But I did succumb to this petite-friendly J.Crew pointelle sweater, which is as cool as many of my summer tees and tops. It’s 100% cotton, and the open knit provides plenty of airflow. I’m wearing it here without a base layer, and don’t feel exposed. When the weather cools, it can be layered over a lightweight shirt or tee. It’s available in 4 colors, sizes XX-Small to 3X. (That green is excellent for most Springs!)
Asleep in Paris
I tend to steer clear of cutesy Paris prints in my clothing, but when it comes to pajamas, I don’t hold back. These are available in X-Small to X-Large and Plus.
Salad dressing in a few shakes
Salad dressing shaker with juicer
I usually prefer to make my own salad dressing vs. bottled, but have always made it in bowl with a whisk, adding the oil a little at a time. (I don’t know why, that’s just how I was taught to do it.) I recently saw someone using a shaker like this and decided to try it. I love being able to just add all of the ingredients and shake, and yes, it stays mixed and doesn’t separate. And with that juicer attachment, you can just squeeze the lemon right into the container. Two thumbs up!
Well seasoned
Trader Joe’s Chile Lime Seasoning
So I’ve been using my new air-fryer almost daily, usually to make some quick grilled veggies. I just toss the veggies with a teaspoon or so of olive oil and a couple shakes of this seasoning, air fry for a few minutes, and YUM!!! It adds just enough umami, not too much salt or zing.
What are your favorite veggies to grill/air fry? Is there a particular seasoning you tend to use most often?
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It is a fab new sweater and it suits you so well. I like this kind of knit. Very feminine.
Greetje
I’m interested to find out other air fryer suggestions! But I always have trouble finding the link to the comments! (I wondered if it was because one has to comment before it will be available to see?! Who knows?!) But anyway, I also purchased that cute little oven! And I’m still trying to justify its existence in my kitchen!!!
I love to air fry broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower snd carrots. They take minutes in the air fryer vs 30 min in the oven! I love Penzeys spice mixes like Mural of Flavor, Arizona Dreaming, Fox Point, Sunny Paris, Greek and Southwest. I picked up some nee ones from TJ (I don’t make it there often) Agilio Olio and Green Goddess but haven’t tried them. I’m all for shaking one bottle on things w/maybe salt and pepper vs a little of this, a little of that!
Another Penzey Girl here votes for all of Shari’s seasonings and would add Galena street and Old World to the mix. Our air fryer rarely returns to its cupboard, we love that thing. Sweet potato, cut to small cubes, a little evoo add some seasoning and boom… yummy side dish!
And an additional note, if you drop a tablespoon of Penzey’s Sunny Paris into your rice cooker water you’ll need no other seasoning, just a pat of butter.
I would love to read a more comprehensive review of your Wonder Oven!
I love that sweater on you — very chic. I would love to purchase it, however, it’s a FOOT too short for me, LOL. And looking at the J Crew site, I see the cropped trend shows no signs of dissipating. I do give J Crew credit for posting a photo of the actual sweater, laid flat — which clearly shows the torso being shorter than the arms. My clue!
An air fryer is pretty much the same as a convection oven. The difference really boils down to that the air fryer is smaller so heats up more quickly etc.
The salad dressing shaker is cute but I just use a clean empty jar (usually a mustard jar or even an empty spice jar for a small amount). Recycling rather than adding another single-use item to my kitchen. Shaking instead of whisking always works better for me.
I hear you about recycling, but the issue I’ve always had with jars is that the acids in the dressing rust the metal lids after a few uses. And I’m fine with a single-use item if it’s one I keep and use regularly (like my salad spinner, now going on 15 years…)
And I feel this isn’t a single use item. I have something similar and use it for cooking/baking. Measure citrus plus other liquids and oils. I use mine all of the time!
I have quite a few mason jars and the lid rusting was a problem. My daughter recommended plastic lids that I bought online and they are perfect. My mason jars are reborn and the lids will last for years.
A big YES to this! Rusty lids can always be recycled….plastics, not so much.
Hi Susan, would you please remind me the brand of air-fryer you use? Many thanks❤️
It’s called “Our Place.” It’s smaller than most air fryers, I think, which is perfect for my small kitchen.
Huge thanks for the info Sue!❤️❤️
The salad dressing shaker is genius! I just purchased one — thanks for the information.
I also love TJ’s chile-lime seasoning and also their Aglio Olio seasoning, which is a delicious mix of garlic, parsley, salt and chile pepper. It is delicious on chicken, fish, potatoes, roast vegetables, just about everything.
I love that sweater, but alas no colors for a dark summer! I wish clothing manufacturers would vary their colors more across the season spectrum! Sometimes all of the colors offered are obviously only season, like Autumn!
That Chili Lime seasoning is the best! I put it on everything. The other day I sprinkled it on scrambled eggs. Also good on avocado toast. My husband mixes it with mayonaisse to make a dressing for frozen breaded fish sticks. (after they’re cooked)
Regarding salad dressing, I also make my own. It’s so easy. I just use a jar and shake it up. Thanks Susan.
Susan, Really interested in the air fryer. Have you prepared proteins as well? If so, what do you feel is the best preparation?
So far, I’ve just used it for vegetables. But I am searching out some recipes for fish and chicken, and will report back.
Have you tried the “Everything but the Elote” seasoning from TJ’s? It has salt, chile pepper, cheese, chipolte and Cumin for those who are interested. It is absolutely fabulous on corn (elote)! I haven’t tried it on corn-on-the-cob yet, just TJ’s frozen corn and some homemade dip that needed a bit of zing. It’s lovely on both. I also recently got some Mexican Tajin seasoning. It contains chile pepper, sea salt, citric acid, and dehydrated lime juice. I’m not really sure what I’ll be using it for, but it’s delicious just sprinkled on my palm to lick off!!! It would really be good on potato chips… Maybe I’ll bake some homemade tortilla chips and sprinkle some on it.
I’m intrigued by the air fryer after your comments! I have a tiny kitchen and keep appliances to the bare minimum. Is an air fryer something that needs dedicated counter space, or can you store it between uses?
Mine’s about the size of a large toaster oven (a little taller) so I suppose it could be stored in a cabinet. But I’ve been using mine daily, so just keep it on the counter (as I did with the toaster oven).