bostonzest

Tag: mason jar

  • A Folding Alternative to Our Dog Boot Drying Hack

    Back in 2011, we showed you our system for drying dog boots. Today we bring you an alternative system that you can purchase, if you don't feel like putting together our hack.

     

    81a6xrrbmxL._SL1500_ 81DcGdcZEOL._SL1500_

    This is billed as a Plastic Bag & Bottle Dryer over on Amazon and it get great reviews for that purpose. We immediately saw it as a place to dry up to eight dog boots. It can hang or sit on a table or counter and can fold to be stored with the boots when winter is over. 

    We Still Love Our Hacked System

    Our Westie Poppy's Pawz Dog Boots are still drying on chopsticks. Over the years, we improved on the container we're using to store them between trips outside.

    IMG_1566 - Version 22015-02-16-dog-boots-drying-mason-jar-special-lid-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Now the chopsticks holding the wet boots are secured at a good angle by a daisy Mason jar lid. This lid was designed for scented candles or for drinking with a straw. But we think it's perfect for our purpose. You can even find them in colors to match the boots – if your dog is fashion forward. 

    We have lots of mason jars on hand because we use them to store everything from paper clips to flour. And we have an extra large container with an assortment of mason jar tops that serve many purposes. That makes this hack a natural for us. 

    You can use our system for gloves or mittens with wood dowel rods and a larger jar with some sand or beans added to weigh down and stabilize the system.

      

     Click here for more of our tips and how to posts.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino

    Related articles
    Angel in the Snow, Little Did I Know …
    Oldways: African Heritage & Health Week – February 1st – 7th
    National Cheese Lover's Day – Tuesday, January 20, 2015
    Our Improved Dog Boot Drying Hack
    Crystallized Honey 101: It's Actually a Good Thing …

  • Some Ways to Use Caponata

    If after our post 'Tis The Season to Make Caponata you made a batch, here are some ideas on how you can turn this pantry item into a meal, a course in a menu, or a snack.

    IMG_2879

     

    Caponata makes a wonderful opening bite served on bruschetta. Pack it in a mason jar alongside a package of toast and it’s a perfect addition to a picnic or potluck. Guests can spoon out as much or as little as they like. It is a perfect addition to an antipasto tray.

    IMG_2892

    One more choice you have when making this dish is how fine or coarse you chop the ingredients and how long you cook them. Finely cut it can be added to a sandwich as a relish. A chunkier version makes a great side dish. You can also chop the finished product for a specific dish if you want smaller bits.

    You can turn caponata into a meal by topping a serving with eggs. You can stuff an omelet, place a poached egg on a bed of caponata, or serve it on toast with hard boiled egg slices.

    IMG_0544

    In the photo above, I cooked up rice and ground turkey then mixed in a good helping of finely chopped caponata as the seasoning for a mixture. I stuffed this into small yummy peppers and baked. They were little bites that we enjoyed for dinner, but they would also be great appetizers.

    IMG_0466

    It can turn a starch base like pasta, rice, or a potato into a meal by mixing it in or topping it with the relish. Top with parmesan or romano cheese, shaved with your trusty vegetable peeler, and you have a luscious plate.

    More Riffs on the Caponata Theme

    For a great entrée, try mixing it with a good canned tuna in olive oil, or serving on top of a piece of grilled meat or fish.

    Caponata gets along well with cheese, so consider a grilled cheese sandwich with the caponata in the sandwich or beside it. You can also add it to a cheese plate.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino (Adapted for BostonZest from one of her Fresh & Local newspaper columns.)

    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Simple Spring Supper: Asparagus & Eggs
    Healthy Alternatives for July 4th Cookouts, Pot Lucks, or Picnics

  • Some Ways to Use Caponata

    If after our post 'Tis The Season to Make Caponata you made a batch, here are some ideas on how you can turn this pantry item into a meal, a course in a menu, or a snack.

    IMG_2879

     

    Caponata makes a wonderful opening bite served on bruschetta. Pack it in a mason jar alongside a package of toast and it’s a perfect addition to a picnic or potluck. Guests can spoon out as much or as little as they like. It is a perfect addition to an antipasto tray.

    IMG_2892

    One more choice you have when making this dish is how fine or coarse you chop the ingredients and how long you cook them. Finely cut it can be added to a sandwich as a relish. A chunkier version makes a great side dish. You can also chop the finished product for a specific dish if you want smaller bits.

    You can turn caponata into a meal by topping a serving with eggs. You can stuff an omelet, place a poached egg on a bed of caponata, or serve it on toast with hard boiled egg slices.

    IMG_0544

    In the photo above, I cooked up rice and ground turkey then mixed in a good helping of finely chopped caponata as the seasoning for a mixture. I stuffed this into small yummy peppers and baked. They were little bites that we enjoyed for dinner, but they would also be great appetizers.

    IMG_0466

    It can turn a starch base like pasta, rice, or a potato into a meal by mixing it in or topping it with the relish. Top with parmesan or romano cheese, shaved with your trusty vegetable peeler, and you have a luscious plate.

    More Riffs on the Caponata Theme

    For a great entrée, try mixing it with a good canned tuna in olive oil, or serving on top of a piece of grilled meat or fish.

    Caponata gets along well with cheese, so consider a grilled cheese sandwich with the caponata in the sandwich or beside it. You can also add it to a cheese plate.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino (Adapted for BostonZest from one of her Fresh & Local newspaper columns.)

    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Simple Spring Supper: Asparagus & Eggs
    Healthy Alternatives for July 4th Cookouts, Pot Lucks, or Picnics