Friday, June 24, 2011

summertime

Today's agenda includes time off from work and writing, huzzah, huzzah!

Ysolda Teague's new book, Little Red in the City, arrived on my doorstep yesterday, and it's just delightful! Charming, informative, and full of great patterns. The layout, font, and decorative details are just precious. 
Summertime apparently puts me in the mood to knit shawlettes. This little ginkgo shoulderette shawl is ready for a bath and blocking. I liked the yarn quite a bit -- fingering superwash merino semi-solid by the March Hare in "pumpkin patch." The skein had oodles of yardage, so there's a good deal leftover.

Just like Ross and Rachel, the shawlette and I were on a break for a time. Knitting 10 in 2010 just felt like... well, a lot. Large shawls just aren't that useful for me. The little scarf-like ones, though... those are just the ticket, as they're very wearable and add a bit of cheer to my somber collection of black and dark brown coats (why I don't buy other colors of coats, I just don't know...).
I just may have cast on for another shawlette right after binding off the ginkgo one. This time it's Hilary's Citron pattern, made with some lovely SweetGeorgia Superfudge yarn (that I believe I received from creative and generous Mary Catharine of Warmth in the North). Great pattern, easy to follow, miles of stockinette. I'm using size 7 needles since I'm subbing a fingering weight yarn. I've been watching Doc Martin and dreaming of Cornwall while knitting away on this!

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Paul and I made some fantastic chicken and veggie kebabs on Tuesday night. Sadly it was too dark (and we were too hungry) to take photos, but I will share the recipe. This is adapted from The Around the World Cookbook (a fantastic cookbook, esp. the Middle East and India sections). It's a shame that the book is out of print. If you see it at a used bookstore, it's well worth picking up.

marinade:
1 large onion, cut into medium-large pieces
3 T. olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
2 garlic cloves, crushed/pressed/minced

1 T. fresh oregano (or 1 tsp. dried oregano)
salt and freshly ground black pepper

kebabs:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed (or boneless leg of lamb)

any of the following vegetables -- these are just suggestions:
     1 or 2 red or yellow bell peppers, seeded and cut into squares
     8 baby onions, or 1 medium onion, cut into chunks
     8 oz. button mushrooms
    12 cherry tomatoes
     1 zucchini or yellow squash, cut into chunks

1 T. melted butter

bulgur wheat, couscous, or rice, to serve

the night before:
1. Make the marinade. Put the onion pieces in the food processor and process until finely chopped (you'll need to stop and push everything down with a spatula a couple of times). Add the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano; process a little longer to get everything nicely blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

2. Place the chicken or lamb in shallow dish; pour the marinade over, cover, and let marinate overnight in the refrigerator.

when you're ready to eat:
3. Fire up the grill!

4. Thread the cubes of chicken or lamb onto skewers (remember to soak bamboo skewers in water in advance, or you may have a fiery experience!), alternating with vegetables. Grill the kebabs 10-12 minutes, basting with butter. Serve with bulgur wheat, couscous, or rice. I also like to serve:

yogurt with cucumber

1 C. plain yogurt -- I like nonfat Greek yogurt
1/4 cucumber, finely chopped
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced or pressed or crushed
2 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped

salt and pepper
1/8 tsp. paprika
mint leaves, to garnish

Lightly beat the yogurt. Add the cucumber, onion, garlic, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with paprika, and garnish with mint leaves. It's best if you let this chill for about an hour or so before serving, but I rarely think ahead to do this.

12 comments:

Carrie#K said...

Your shawlette is cute! Can't wait to see it after blocking, the patterning is nice and clear beforehand. I really like shawls but lack the panache to pull them off. I'm practicing.

Lillyella's jewelry is gorgeous! Must. Not. Look. (who am I kidding?)

Cream Cheese ice cream? Think I can make it without an ice cream maker? YUM.

barefootrooster said...

beautiful knitting -- and my mouth is watering. happy weekend!

Katie M. said...

The shawlettes are lovely! Also, yogurt and cucumber is one of my very favorite things -- thanks for sharing a new recipe!

Rue said...

Ooh, I can't wait to see ginkgo blocked. That yarn was really lovely when I saw it a few weeks ago.

And I definitely understand casting on for Citron right away. I'm tempted to start that pattern every time I see it. But I've really got to finish something first!

Hilary said...

Ooh, you're making a Citron!! :) I can't wait to see how it turns out! Your Gingko shawlette looks very pretty...can't wait to see it blocked, too.

Emilee said...

I've been thinking of knitting myself some shawlettes and this post has convinced me ever so more! The Friends reference made me giggle! ;)

Caffeine Girl said...

There is something about summer that calls out for shawlettes. I've got Zen Rain ready to cast on.

I didn't know Ysolda had a new book. I'm stuck on Ishbel and I gave up on Damson, so I have developed a fear of Ysolda patterns.

Mia said...

You could have made your shawl bigger, Mine is still in the knitting of stage since it is one to pick up when I do not need to concentrate part. Plus I like bigger shawls. And um, you need to buy a new coat in a different color maybe....

And I have Ysolda's book too, Now to clean up some UFOs so I can actually start a new sweater.

Chris said...

Yay for shawlettes! And YAY for time off. :)

Gigi said...

Such pretty shawls -- good summer knitting! I'm looking forward to getting Ysolda's new book too -- looks wonderful. So far this summer, I've been working on a Spring Garden tee for a grand, some stripey socks (yarn from String Theory which I love), and I just started crocheting a Cath Kidston-ish blanket (which might go into the UFO pile when it gets big and too hot to hold in my lap ;).
Blessings,
GG
G

marycatharine said...

Hope your days off are going well! I'd totally forgotten about that yarn, such fun to see it pop up in your knitting :)

masini second said...

Oh my God this looks so good and i`m sure that it is delicious too. I think it is not a very difficult recipe so i will give it a try, thanks a lot for sharing.