Our afternoon outing was fun and successful!
We had a little time to kill so we ventured into the most amazing antique shop I’ve ever been in (mostly because they had tons and tons of stuff and it wasn’t all breakable!)
But I did recognize some family heirlooms I have already!
Blue Willow
And I have these! Both from my grandmother
I really wanted to buy these, but I resisted:
And these! The KERF colors 🙂
When we got home around 4:30 I was very hungry for a snack.
I have bars that are YEARS old. I am such a bar hoarder. Do they even make Clif Nectar anymore!? The Dark Chocolate Walnut was (is) my favorite. Despite being a year past the "best by" date, it was still good.
Also had an Asian pear because I was thirsty!
Afternoon project: homemade greek yogurt. I often buy greek yogurt not just for the thickness, but because I think the FLAVOR is so much better than regular plain. But I had a coupon from the HSL for a tub of Stonyfield regular, so I jumped on it. We’re keeping half as it, and straining the other half to make some thickness goodness.
Big bowl + mesh colander + 2 paper towels
+ another layer and the container for weight = in the fridge overnight.
More thirst quenching – a mocktail around 6:30 of diet tonic
While we made dinner!
Dinner excitement:
Featuring homemade buns by Matt modeled after Great Harvest Dakota (but they are NEVER as good as true GH buns! No offense Matt!)
And local grass-fed beef burgers from Davis Creek Farm!
And of course…lots and lots of collards greens
Our burgers featured yellow tomato, ketchup, mustard, greens and pickle. So delish!
My all time favorite way to prepare collards:
- Tear leaves into pieces
- Rinse and spin dry
- Heat big pot and put in a little olive oil
- Add collards plus 1/8 cup water
- Stir
- Put lid on
- 2 minutes later, stir
- Add another 1/8 cup water if they are not wilting
- Put lid on
- Wait 3-4 minutes
- They’re done when they’re bright green and soft
- Drizzle on 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Season with salt and pepper and if you’re lucky, Garlic Gold Nuggets
Slightly sweet and savory!
After dinner = Mac. A. Roon.
I have determined that these Hail Merry Blondies tastes like sugar cookie dough!
***
I updated the Running page with INJURIES and SHOES
***
I have having trouble getting through American Wife. It’s just a bit slow, plot-wise. Must charge on!
Evan Thomas says
Lol, to answer your question, No, they don’t make Clif Nectars anymore and haven’t for maybe 6 months. They were really good, though!
Larbs says
umm, are you past page 70ish?
Kath says
YES and I really liked it until then…then it got boring when she grew up
Shannon says
That book was completely worth it for the ending.
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
I’m a bar hoarder too!
I need to try your collard recipe! I love em’ but never eat them.
Nite 🙂
Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward says
I love Asian pears! They are so juicy and refreshing.
Heather says
all those dishes look so cute!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Yeah, about the buns…I think it is a combination of the heat and the seasoned oven that makes bakery bread so great. His buns look good though (and no, I am not hitting on him). Have a great night!
Jillian says
homemade bread in general sounds amazing!
I’ve only tried raw collard greens and I did NOT enjoy them… Maybe I’ll have to try cooking them.
Kerry says
Thanks for the collards tip. They were new to me as an adult, but I really like them.
For just a moment, I thought you were making homemade yogurt from milk. I tried that last year and it was a total failure (likely due to not reaching the correct temperature) but I have been meaning to try again.
Kath says
If milk grew on trees I would 🙂
Cathy Breit says
I haven’t bought Greek Yogurt in over 2 years! I make it with a gallon of milk at a time and it now takes me practically no time at all! I heat the milk the evening before…add 1/4 cup-1/2 cup of yogurt from previous batch, and then “put it to bed”. 12 hours later (morning) i put it in a colander lined with a muslin cloth and stick it in the fridge…2 hours (or less) later I have 2 quarts of wonderful creamy Greek-ness! As much Greek yogurt as I eat, this has saved me money untold!!!
Rebekah @ Rebeltarian says
Love the antiques! I am a sucker for old dishware myself. I have all of my grandmother’s everyday dished that no one else wanted.
Leianna says
If those macaroons really taste like sugar cookie dough I would eat the whole package! I’m a cookie dough craving pregnant woman right now!
And I really need to try collard greens, but being a northern girl they are hard to find at the stores around here.
Kath says
It’s SAFE for a pregnant woman too – no eggs!
coco says
will Matt share the recipe of that bread? it look amazing!!! 😀
I’ve never had green collard because I don’t know how to prepare it, now I have no more excuse 🙂
Kath says
Unfortunately, Matt can’t share any of his bread recipe. They are very influenced by Great Harvest’s recipes, which he knows by heart, that to share his would be to give away some of their secrets. It’s a downside of owning a bakery 🙁
coco says
I wish I lived close to you so I can buy fresh bread at your bakery 😉 I trust Matt’s baking skill 😀
Amelia says
Making your own greek yogurt out of the plain is such a good idea! I definitely prefer greek plain to regular plain yogurt, so maybe i’ll have to try that with my coupons as well!
Kaitlyn (College Girl Runs) says
That’s awesome that you made your own greek yogurt!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
hahaha i’m a bar hoarder, as well! i have some that i might even be afraid to open!
Christine says
I have those plates too! (The second picture)
Gree says
Those collards look amazing, I cook mine with bacon quite often but will try these, they look divine!
Wei-Wei says
Oh, I’ve tried straining yogurt but it didn’t quite work out… I used coffee filters, and I never thought about pressing down on the top! Any tips?
Chelsey says
Your own greek yogurt? Awesome!
Sabina says
I’ve never thought of using paper towel in lieu of cheesecloth for straining. Does it work well?
I love Asian pears. Such a treat! 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
i’m about to start american wife…well, when it comes in anyway. i can’t wait to start reading!
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
I have never prepared collards, but yours look so good. Although, there is nothing better than fries with a big juicy burger.
Your run page looks wonderful, thank you for spending so much time on your blog!
Nicole, RD says
Beautiful dishes! And I love Asian pears!
Hannah says
I love poking around places like that – you never know what you’ll find! Those are such perfect colours for KE!
Stacey says
I made collard greens a few weeks ago for the first time and I loved them! I tore them and steamed them over the stove. Yum yum 🙂 I heart antique shops
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Homemade Greek yogurt’s the best! I tried it not too long ago with already thick yogurt so it took much longer than usual to thicken up even more..but it was fabulous! 🙂
Josie @ Skinny Way Of Life says
I LOVE antique shops! My hubby and I went antiquing on our wedding day hahhaha, I like to buy my jewelry there, it’s fun thinking about the woman who once wore it : )
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Oh you had me at sugar cookie dough, sounds amazing.
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
I wish I could get homemade buns to come out half as good as Matt’s not-as-good-as-GH ones. 😀
Jenn
Jean@RoastedRootsandPumpkinSpice says
those blue and green separate mugs you almost bought are SO pretty and cute. Love those colors.
Hope your greek yogurt turns out well!
lauri (RedHeadRecipes.com) says
Love the bouquet 😉 I will have to try collards cooked this way, Ben likes them SUPER cooked and drowning in vinegar!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’m relieved someone else eats bars past date and thinks they’re fine too. sometimes i think my taste buds are crazy!
Cara says
Love antiquing!
You can always find something unique and special.
whitney says
another really good way to eat collards is to cook them exactly the same way but drizzle vinegar and hot sauce on them for a more savory green!
Christa @ O, Cake! says
Okay. I broke down and ordered one of the Hail Merry starter kits tonight because the macaroons look So. Good. Can’t wait to get them!
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
I have the American Wife on hold at the library. Hmmm maybe I’ll wait for a review of the book.
Kristi says
Do you ever make your own veggie broth from the scraps left behind? I use it all the time when cooking down greens…collards, kale, chard, etc. It adds a great depth of flavor! Obviously, it’s also great for cooking beans and grains. You guys seem to go through as many veggies as we do, and you can’t beat yummy, FREE broth for times when you won’t be using an entire carton of store-bought broth. Just a thought!
Sabina says
Great suggestion! I do this too. 🙂
kate says
thanks for the step by step collard green explanation. ill need to test them out!
Marina says
A burger with home made buns…sounds like an awesome dinner to me.
Freya (Brit Chick Runs) says
I can’t wait to see how your homemade greek yogurt turns out – I’ve heard of that method but neverseen anyone do it before 🙂
Neen @ Broad Bean to Runner Bean says
the home made buns look awesome! i’m very jealous of you being married to a baker!!
Anne @ Food Loving Polar Bear says
Good looking burgers!
Seglare in Copenhagen says
Those are Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates, right? It’s funny that you also find them there, with Danish text and all. 😉 I have a few of them as well, found on the local antique markets here.
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Aww…how is it possible to leave without buying all those gorgeous dishes? I always have the hardest time. They’re seriously like potato chips. 😉
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I didn’t like American Wife at the beginning, but once you get going, you will love it! At least I did.
Sana says
I really can’t wait for the first green bride! I think you are on to a new bridal trend!
Lauren says
I do the same thing with fruit when I am a little hungry but more thirsty. I usually grab some watermelon or grapes because not only does it satisfy my slightly noticeable appetite, it quenches my thirst too.
I love cooking Kale the same way.
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
haha i don’t think they make that bar anymore but i could be wrong
Simply Life says
those burgers look great!
Andrea (@ Puppy Dog Tales) says
I’m with you on American Wife. I loved it, but it did drag at times. I had to renew it at the library 3…yes 3 times!
Lily @ Lily's Health Pad says
I’m curious about this greek yogurt making process. I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
lisasfoods says
How long do you leave the yogurt that way? I’ve wanted to try making yogurt cheese before, which is basically the same process using cheesecloth, but I’m wondering if the Greek yogurt is finished sooner than the cheese.
Kath says
I’d say overnight at least
CMae says
I liked the adult part OK… though it seems like the book skips a lot of history before the last part. I don’t want to give away anything, so I’ll just say that all of a sudden, they end up in the White House. And then it wraps up really quickly.
Sarah B says
Beautiful meal! Those burgers look good enough to make me want to eat red meat again, and don’t get me started on those collard greens, Yum~!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
Due to your review of the blondie tasting like cookie dough, I’ve concluded that I need those suckers in my life NOW. Thanks for the tips on preparing collard greens, I never know what to do with them. A little drizzle of syrup sounds delicious!
Julie says
I have seen lots of rave reviews for American Wife but I really just thought it was so-so. Oh well! I think I may have enjoyed Prep more.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I love blue willow patterned dishes! They’re so pretty. 😀
kellie says
Kath,
I cant believe you have cliff nectar bars left!! I was so in love with those things (yes, definitely the chocolate walnut) I actually wrote the company and begged them to keep making them when they announced the discontinuation . . . unfortunately I got no response.
Oh well, well hope you enjoy what”s left of yours!
Take Care,
Kellie
Andrea says
You went to Circa! And those mugs you almost got are classics by Russell Wright, I’ve admired them too. 🙂 I have a serving dish designed by him that I LOVE.
Kate says
FYI – the liquid that drains out of the yogurt is all whey….there are some great things you can do with it. Check out the book Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon for a few ideas.
I couldn’t get into American Wife either…and I loved Prep.
stine says
are you of danish descendants? i saw the christmas platters and saw that the writing are in danish(im danish)
Kath says
I’m not! I’m not quite sure how my family acquired the plates
laura says
I’ve been thinking of just breaking down and buying some Garlic Gold after reading about it on here. But it isn’t sold near me and I hate paying $5 to ship a $5 jar of something 🙁 I also don’t really want to spend the $ on the package deals they have b/c I’m just not sure I’d use them. Which do you (or any readers) find you use/enjoy more – the nuggets or the oil? When Kath posts Garlic Gold I’m never really sure which she means. Thanks 🙂
Kath says
Laura,
The Garlic Gold oil is unlike any other food product I’ve used for cooking. The nuggets are give -or-take.
Lauren @ 40Apples says
Happy Big 3!!!
I love how your morning shifted gears… I say pancakes are worth it 🙂 Especially those ones…
Lauren @ 40Apples says
GAH I don’t know why my comments got all messed up today!! Sorry for the comment pollution 🙁 I think you get the point about the pancakes already…!!
Aaannyway, I used to LOVE those Nectar bars too, and was wondering if they were still around! Looks like not so much… too bad! That flavor tasted like a brownie. Delicious.
R @ Learning As I Chop says
I love that you are straining your own yogurt.
Sarah says
as someone new to the blogging world, it is really cool to see your progression from Blogspot, to world press, to your own platform.
Happy 3!
melissa says
What kind of diet tonic do you buy? Is it sweetened artificially? I’m going to try your collards this week. I’ve never made them before!
Kath says
Just regular Harris Teeter tonic. It’s nothing organic/pure.
Fancy says
I miss Clif Necter! I loved them!