Penzeys Spices

I am so fortunate to have a Penzeys Spice Shop in my small town in Colorado.  I know they have a huge mail order following, I believe that's how they started their business. Anyway, they have a new sign that I totally believe in:  LOVE PEOPLE.  COOK THEM TASTY FOOD.  I am one of those people that go to bed reading cook books, occasionally, it's a plant book, but most times, it's a book about food or recipes.  It is one of my passions and my husband loves the tasty food that shows up on our table every day.

Toasted Granola

Just made enough granola to last us two weeks.  Some of my favorite additions are coconut, wheat germ, flax seed, sesame seed, pecans, and sliced almonds.  After the oat mixture has cooled off then I add the dried cranberries and apricots.  It's so good, it almost seems like dessert.

Pineapples

This pineapple has been sitting in my kitchen for about 10 days, waiting to ripen.  Today was the day, it smelled sweet enough.

 

I have this really neat kitchen tool, that is made by Vacu Vin B.V. in the Netherlands.  It's like a wine opener for pineapples.  You place the device on top of the pineapple after you've cut off the top, and twist as if you were taking the cork out of a bottle of wine.

As you pull the corer out, you bring the slices with it.   You can see the center core of the pineapple is left attached.

It was very juicy.

This tool also spiral slices the pineapple as you are twisting it down.  Very cool.  It is made of plastic and very easy to clean.