I worked on KERF all afternoon long and through early evening while Matt was out running errands and before I knew it, the SUN had set!
Set right onto my plate:
Dinner tonight was eggs, millet, swiss chard and tomatoes. Simple, but totally fancy on the palate.
We simmered the millet on the stovetop until done, and I smooshed in a little coconut butter for an extra flavor layer. Eggs were cooked in a skillet and sprinkled with salt and peppa.
Don’t forget to poke!
Local chard + local green zebra tomato sauteed in a bit of olive oil and seasoned with garlic and salt.
For dessert my hand dipped into the "cookie jar"
Lots of people have asked me about cleaning my Camelbak. I’m really not the best person to ask – I often just flush it with water and hang it up to dry! A few times I’ve involved some dish soap on the inside. But inevitably, I think I noticed a wee bit of something organic on the inside of the tube today. Mold? Mildew? I have no idea. But I decided it was time for cleaning.
Matt to the rescue! He told me he already had a bunch of home brew sanitizers that are made to sweet organic matter from tubes. He says you can buy them at home brew shops (because they’re mostly used in brewing) so it may be hard to find, but I’m sure you can find it online.
He mixed it up and put it in, let it sit during dinner and then flushed. It seems to have worked!
Since the sardine video had an error, I had to re-do it. In case you missed it!
DON’T BE SCARED!
Off to read more American Wife. The book is so intriguing!
Leianna says
great info on cleaning the camelbak, need to do that to mine too! love the egg and greens!
Pat Kilmain says
Oh, good idea on the camelbak. I was one of the people who asked you about it. I’ve never put anything but water in mine due to worries about cleaning. My husband sometimes makes beer, so I’ll check with him. Thanks.
Erin says
I clean my camelbak with denture cleaner tabs. Kinda weird to buy, but they work good. I just drop a couple in and let it soak about 15 mins before running water through.
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
I love how you keep your Biscoffs in a lantern- so adorable! Have a great night!
Angie from Merried Life says
Yum! I love runny, dippy egg yolks; they make the best dressing in my opinion!
Have you read Prep? If not, you must after you finish American Wife! I love her writing style!
Samantha says
I did miss it before… But ended up watching a bunch of your other videos. So fun to hear Matts accent and see your wedding. Thanks for sharing your life!
XO
erica says
i always wondered about cleaning those camelbaks!
that egg looks gooooood.
Sarah says
I store my camelbak bladder in the freezer between uses (after rinsing, of course) – it prevents anything “organic” from growing. A deep clean is still needed every now and then, but not nearly as often!
Katie says
I was going to post the same tip! Love your simple dinner, too!
Paige(Running Around Normal) says
yes this is great!
Katherine says
I do the same thing with mine!
Heidi - apples under my bed says
Hi Kath!
Your dinner looks delicious. I would never have thought to add coconut butter to millet. I have recently bought some, but am yet to use it. I dont know where to start, and have been meaning to ask you. What is your favourite way to use it?
Heidi xo
Kath says
Definitely magic shell in a smoothie. Heat it so it’s runny, pour and watch it harden!
Heidi - apples under my bed says
ooooh nice! Just googled Magic Shell – im thinking its like ‘ice magic’ here is Australia. Good stuff. Thanks a bunch xo
Sally says
I just bought coconut butter for the first time and once I brought it home from the store, it melted in the jar (I live in Durham). Does it remain solid in Charlottesville? My coconut oil is a liquid, too.
Kath says
The consistency of coco butter all depends on the temperature of the room. At our old house with NO air conditioning, my butter was almost 100% liquid. But with AC on, it’s almost all solid. So if you want it to be solid, you could put it in the fridge or just a really cool space (basement?)
Wei-Wei says
Mmm, that fried egg looks lovely! I don’t have a camelbak but I could imagine how hard it would be to clean it. Strange how you used the word “organic”… 😉
nm says
your new header looks great! i do freelance graphic design work on the side, so i was curious…did you use design software to create the text portion on the cutting board?
just a suggestion (only because i am weird about stuff aligning “just so”) but maybe move the text over to the right, just a smidge? i realize you don’t want it to run into the seeds/spoon area but it just looks a little off center and my eye is visually bothered by it. also, maybe move the sub heading by left-aligning?
but of course, that could just be me since i’m weird like that 🙂 but really, great work — you have a knack for this!
Kath says
Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I’m going to let it be. I used Photoshop Elements 8.
Mastering Public Health (@MasPublicHealth) says
I have to agree about the sub-header alignment because that caught my eye, too, but overall it looks very pretty — a perfect fall theme.
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
After I read American Wife, I immediately turned around and read a Laura Bush biography! I was so curious about how much of it was “real” and how much was fiction. Enjoy!
Erin @ A Girl & Her Mutt says
I’ve never had sardines but I pass by them all of the time at TJs. I need to give them a try!
leslie says
Hello! Confession: I’m afraid of sardines. I’m not sure why, but I’ll watch your video and maybe I’ll change my mind. The real reason I’m posting is that I was so excited to find Kodiak Cakes at my grocery store today (and I wasn’t even looking)! They were in a random camping/summer section and a great price. Can’t wait to try them out! Have a nice evening.
Erin says
That dinner looks really similar to a lot of meals I ate in Korea, with the egg plopped right on top of veggies. Yum!
Teri [a foodie stays fit] says
your dinner look so good! I wish I could cook my eggs that perfectly!
Stephanie says
Just wanted to say two things:
1) Because of you I picked up some Chard from my CSA and I actually LOVED it! I put it in pasta with tomatoes and blue cheese and my husband loved it as well. I saved the stems and baked them with some olive oil and Parmesan as a little snack. I plan on picking up more.
2) I’ve been dying to try Garlic Gold and saw some at Gelson’s today. It says on the jar that you can use it on bread (i got the one with the little flakes on the bottom), but I am wondering what else I could use it on? I was hoping they had the dressing, but no luck!
Kath says
Yay!
I use Garlic Gold oil on everything – salads, grilled veggies, anywhere you’d use olive oil. For the little flakes, i’d just use them to season cooking dishes like green beans and stuf.
Sarah @ Sarah's Shaping Up says
omg, love the “cookie” jar! very creative!
Hannah says
Oooh, millet and coconut and egg? Ingenious! I’m most intrigued by the green tomatoes, though, as I’ve never seen those in Australia!
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
I love dinners like this that include a fried egg — I think egg yolk is one of the most delicious things on earth!
I’m still on the fence about those sardines…
Dynamics says
I have never seen you eat an egg before and we are in a massive egg recall. It just struck me as kind of funny. Also, you are the first blogger who I have seen use a knife the correct way. Yeah Kath!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
that’s what she said…?
Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman says
Really like your dinner salad with egg. Thanks for the tip on the camel back:)
Chelsey says
sardines? 🙂
i’m horrible about cleaning water bottles and such!!
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
I loooooooooooooove runny yolks 😀
Jenn
[email protected] lady says
Love the cookie jar! And that dinner looks simply delicious 🙂
Enjoy the book!!!!
Liza @ Health Nutting says
Eggs are just such a good any-time-food! I have yet to try millet (and wheatberries!) but want to try both!
Ally @ Girl in Her Kitchen says
I have two cans of sardines in my pantry that I have been afraid to open. So glad to hear they don’t have heads 😛 I am going to make this soon!
Donna says
Dinner…um, not so much for me. I usually love your meals but this one just didn’t resonate.
Kath says
Was that really necessary to state?
Kaci Higgins says
I really don’t know why people feel the need to say things that aren’t necessary or as positive criticism. *sigh* I, on the other hand, think your dinner looks fabulous! I love how you are able to make such nutritious meals with only a few ingredients. It reminds me that it isn’t always about being extravagant but rather tasty and healthy. It has also made me crave an egg over easy. 😉 Have a great day Kath!
Caitlin says
I think I’ve only commented once or twice, but I read your blog every day and after this post I made a salad for lunch topped with an egg. Yum! One person’s negative is anothers’ inspiration! Also, love the new header! 🙂
christina cadden says
Dinner looks good!
Heather says
interesting. I always wondered how those things stayed clean!
Susan says
I bought the camelback cleaning kit so I could get the brush to clean the tube. I’m so bad about cleaning it sometimes. The BF just started brewing beer so I’ll see if he has that cleaner. I’ve also just baking soda to clean the camelbak and water bottles.
Meg says
LOVE the sardine video, again, I am totally picking some up next time I hit the grocery store 😀
Enjoy your book!
A Teenage Gourmet (Sami) says
How do I get your life? 🙂
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
I love sardines. My parents makes sardines scrambled with eggs and eat with toast for breakfast. It’s a versatile fish. Also at asian stores, the sardines are flavored in different spices i.e. curry or with tomato sauce.
I buy my sardines at Trader Joes. I mix it with celery and peperoncinis and use it as a sandwhich spread.
Thanks for posting the video.
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Runny yolks are the best! 😀
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
love the sardine video! here’s my recipe for my really easy “sardine dip” – basically just laughing cow, frozen spinach and sardines; so good!
http://theactorsdiet.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/lynn-hijacked/
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) says
I am looking at getting some sardines while we are at the grocery this week. I’ve never had them before, though.
Amy @ Amy Starts To Run says
I was just thinking about cleaning my camelbak, thanks for the info!
Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat says
Thanks for the tips on the camelbak! I ended up putting some Gatorade in there for the first time today, so it will definitely need a cleanin’ sometime.
[email protected]://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
I love eggs for dinner. I haven’t tried millet but I should since I love all other grains. The blog’s looking extra nice. I can tell you have been working hard.
Kath says
Thank you!
[email protected] says
Love the new banner! I love runny egg yolks-yum!
Megan @ The Daily Sweat says
I just ate sardines for dinner before I watched the video! I love them now! Plus, I’m very anemic and needed a good iron source rather than eating red meat. You got me to eat them in your tasty sardine salads. Thanks!
Emilie @ One Mom in Maine says
Hey Kath,
I bought a camelbak cleaning kit that has a long wire with a tiny brush on the end of it. Every month or so, I scrub the hose from both ends and rinse with soapy water. For folks who can’t find the beer stuff, I think you can buy the kits wherever they sell camelbaks.
I use gatorade in mine so I feel like it def. needs good scrubbing out.
Love the new banner, too.
Gree says
What a nice simple dinner, sometimes that is just what is needed. I was happy to read about all the Camelbak cleaning advice because mine is pretty grungy.
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
I really loved the video. I have been so curious about your sardine salad. I really want to try them, but I HATE the fishy smell. Crab cakes and tuna is the only seafood I will eat because of the smell. Does it go away when you mix the sardines in with everything else?
Kath says
Yes the smell does subside some. And it’s not a fishy smell like a fish market…it’s more of a sardine specific smell!
Cara says
I love eggs for dinner!
Camille says
For some reason I just love the poking pictures 🙂
Oh my… I had totally forgot to clean my Camelback. It’s been sitting in my closet for over a month now and I am officially scared to go look at it :/
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
I’ve always wondered about cleaning my camelbak – mystery solved, thank you!
Marina says
I would love to have a camelback to clean 😀
Eggs and millet are such a great combination, I really miss various grains in my life :/
Neen @ Broad Bean to Runner Bean says
dinner looks fab so sunny! good idea for cleaning the camelbak!
j says
Blog looks great, we regular readers appreciate your dedication:)
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I love American Wife so much, glad you’re liking it!
Nicole, RD says
Thanks for the camelbak info– I’ve always wondered the same! They’re hard to clean!
Stacey (The Habit of Healthy) says
I love fried eggs but hate running yolks. Something about them makes me cringe.
I love your cookie jar!!
Stacey (The Habit of Healthy) says
Running yolks? I’d love to see that! I, of course, meant runny yolks!!
beth grossman says
There is a HUGE recall for eggs contaminated w salmonella.
Not wise to eat runny eggs right now.
If you’ve never had foodborne illness, it is horrible.!!
Kath says
I know that, but these were from a local farm just a few miles from here – pretty isolated.
Dynamics says
Another reason to buy local! Have you thought about having your own chickens?
Stacey says
I usually just put a teeny, tiny drop of soap in mine and then rinse it out repeatedly. Then hang it to dry. We once had a case of mildew in the tube part of it, but we bought a bottle brush (the skinny kind) and stuck it in there and cleaned it 😀 Annndd it worked!
Christie {Honoring Health} says
So funny about all the runny egg comments. If people just bought local, free range eggs to start with, they wouldn’t have to worry.
Kath says
Exactly!
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
i didnt think it would be so difficult to clean a camelback! that’s good to know
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
I love eggs. Especially when they’re only partially cooked and runny. Love it. 😀
MelanieF says
I made sardine melts this weekend and they were really good. Thank you Kath for encouraging people to eat sardines 🙂
Lindsay @ The Ketchup Dairies says
I just ordered my Camelbak, so I haven’t cleaned it myself yet. But, my friend simply throws hers into the dishwasher!
Emily @ Relishments says
Thanks for the sardines tips! Maybe I’ll try them someday…you made them look a lot less scary.
Danielle says
I am so happy to see someone else using sardines out there! I love sardines. I often just eat them as is on sandwiches, topping with pickles, tomato, lettuce, and onion. I will have to try eating them like a tuna salad like you showed, looks fantastic!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I can never get my eggs done perfectly like that! I always break the yoke in the pan by accident and end up scrambling them. 😛
[email protected] says
Great example of eating locally! I buy my eggs from a farm right down the road now- I’m not worried about the recall either 🙂
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf says
Nice info on cleaning the camelbak! I’ve wondered how to clean my husband’s.
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale says
I put fried eggs on top of everything! It’s my new obsession, especially since we’ve been getting these delicious local/organic farm fresh eggs (which taste amazingly better than regular eggs to me!) Last night, we did stir fry veggies over noodles, with fried eggs on top… and I agree, you got to poke the yolk so it can create a “sauce”!
Lauren @ 40Apples says
Dinner looks absolutely perfect. It reminds me of one of my favorite restaurant meals ever: roasted kale salad with rustic bread croutons, topped with a couple lightly poached eggs. Oh was it ever perfect! 🙂
[email protected] says
Eggs and greens are one of my fave dinner combos – glad to see I’m not the only one! Also, loved the vid! I’m already a fan of sardines, but usually only have them once a year – it’s the family tradition to get all the weirdest foodstuffs we can find on New Year’s Eve, and they always seem to show up there. Maybe it’s time to try them out in a non-party setting, though…
Paige(Running Around Normal) says
I do the water flush too to clean out my camelbak. As far as the actual back pack part, a while ago on Twitter, Ashley @healthyhappier said she just took it in the shower with her after long runs – works perfectly!
Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward says
I need a cookie jar like that!
Brittney says
Camelbak actually makes cleaning tablets if Matt’s beer stuff doesn’t work well… I have some but haven’t tried them yet.
http://www.camelbak.com/sports-recreation/accessories/cleaning-tablets.aspx
Kim says
They have a cleaning kit too that works well, but I use it without the tablets. The tablets contain chlorine dioxide and I am a bit wary of it.
The kit has a tube cleaning brush, bladder brush and hangers for drying it out.
I also keep mine in the freezer after It has drained.
http://www.rei.com/product/757176
R @ Learning As I Chop says
Zebra tomatoes? Interesting!
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
Love that this meal is totally in keeping with the victory garden poster themes of eating local. We grew green zebra tomatoes this year, and, while they are not consistently good for eating fresh, they cook into an amazing sauce. For other readers, if you’re looking for them at the farmers’ market, they’re green with yellow stripes.
Steph says
Thanks for the sardine video. I’ve been looking at recipes for them. Also the eggs and millet look great. I like to have a poached egg over steal cut oats with sauted leeks. I was surprised how good it actually tasted. People still think it’s weird because it’s oatmeal and suppose to be sweet.
Do you ever eat savory oats, or have any other ideas for them?
Kath says
Only on occasion. I don’t really have a taste for savory in the mornings
Christine says
I’m sorry but the thought of sardines makes me want to puke! Love your brekkie bowl though!
Steph says
I was just finished aeting sardines for lunch inspired by you) and i thought they were pretty good. Like tuna but creamier. I added carrots, celery, onion, and pickle and put them in a pita with lettuce and cottage cheese. Thanks for the inspiration.
Caroline says
I really appreciated the sardines tutorial. I have been interested in trying them now for a little while and this just gave me the confidence to do so! Thanks!
Susan says
Love the sardine video, thank you for posting it! I have to admit I’ve not been brave enough to try them yet (I don’t even do tuna) but I’m determined to add more super foods! [email protected] me almond butter gave me an idea… I’m going to try sardine cakes, subbing out the salmon I usually use, which I subbed for crab! I’ll let you know how it goes!
Simply Life says
Those eggs look perfect!
elaine! says
Great video! You piqued my interest in sardines in previous posts, then I saw Alton Brown praising sardines on Good Eats. His recipe involved non-mashed sardines on mashed avocado on toast… but I think your “fancy tuna salad” is probably a better gateway dish to sardine consumption. 😉