I have long been a fan of the Chocolate and Zucchini blog. I love her style of writing and her general outlook on the world. Her culinary tastes are different than mine, but I have appreciated and even occasionally enjoyed the new things food doors she has opened up for me.
When I saw it, I couldn't wait to try the recipe she shared for Salt-Crusted Chicken. I had a real struggle with the dough on this one. It does not want to stay together so mine did not come out nearly as beautiful as hers. The chicken however came out so moist and tender and flavorful. I am not sure I want to try the salt-crust again mostly because it was messy and felt a little wasteful, but I definitely a convert to salt-brining (I have never tried it before). I am tempted to try the bread-crusted chicken she posted a few weeks later simply because the dough is then usable.
I also recently played with a kitchen toy I hadn't take the time to try out yet. I know that Alton Brown has long been a promoter of this gadget. We got one for our wedding and I just never took the time to mess with it. I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am for not trying it sooner. I placed it in some chicken breasts I was baking, set the temp I want, and let it go. The alarm went off and the chicken was PERFECT! I have had GOOD but never PERFECT! Totally in love with this concept and very angry at myself for my laziness at not trying it before.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
What is happening in the frozen north...
I try to keep this blog about books and knitting and cooking and things that delight me...the busy nothings that make life so satisfying for me. However, sometimes the real world does intrude, and things need to be said.
Our current Governor here in Wisconsin has introduced a bill that among other things will destroy the right of state employees to collectively bargain. There has been a lot of media swirling about since thousands of people have converged upon the capitol to voice their concerns over what this bill means to our lives and livelihoods.
I have opted not to protest. Not because I don't think it is important and not because I am not outraged. But because it is far too emotional of a thing for me to be able to handle. I am a little ashamed of myself in some respects or not taking a more active role, but I am only coping with everything by keeping busy in the little nothings of my day-to-day life. I am staying informed though, and I have contacted my representatives and written letters. I have been boycotting the stores that are supporting this bill and the parties responsible.
The thing about all of this that people outside of the state (and even those who aren't affected by it within our borders) need to understand is that state workers aren't upset about the money. All of the things they are taking away our unions have already offered. State workers (or at least those in my union) haven't had raises in 6 years and even accepted a 3% pay cut in mandated furlough time two years ago in place of a raise in order to protect our jobs. Many of the people in my department have second jobs to help make ends meet or are currently going to school part-time because they know that financially our jobs are not long term solutions for them or their families. I myself have a second job currently and plan to go back to school this fall.
I don't look for employment elsewhere because I really care about what I do. I also haven't taken any personal days to protest because that would negatively impact the people I work for and their patients. I understand that the economy has left shortfalls in our budget and that is going to impact me. I understand the need to tightened our belts even when there isn't a lot of slack left to tighten. And most of the protesters are in agreement.
The thing we are really upset over is the loss of collective bargaining. The loss of the ability to have our unions fight on our behalf. I am someone who doesn't think that unions are automatically awesome. Like any organized bureaucracy there are downsides/flaws with having unions. However, overall what they do is protect workers and their rights and give the "little guy" a voice. While I have occasionally had some frustrations with my union's representation, I think that overall it is important that it is in place, and I think that the reason I didn't have to worry about my job 2 years ago was because the unions were able to negotiate a fair exchange with the state to help protect our jobs.
Taking away our collective bargaining rights completely changes the game for a lot of us. I am not very good at explaining it so I will let Rachel Maddow in her infinite wisdom do the talking.
And for some background reading on what is really going on:
A Primer on the Wisconsin budget process
and editorial from my old home town about what these protests really mean.
I am proud of the peacefulness and the strength of protesters in Wisconsin. I am still apprehensive about the future, but I hope that this energizes the base in November. I know that I won't forget.
Our current Governor here in Wisconsin has introduced a bill that among other things will destroy the right of state employees to collectively bargain. There has been a lot of media swirling about since thousands of people have converged upon the capitol to voice their concerns over what this bill means to our lives and livelihoods.
I have opted not to protest. Not because I don't think it is important and not because I am not outraged. But because it is far too emotional of a thing for me to be able to handle. I am a little ashamed of myself in some respects or not taking a more active role, but I am only coping with everything by keeping busy in the little nothings of my day-to-day life. I am staying informed though, and I have contacted my representatives and written letters. I have been boycotting the stores that are supporting this bill and the parties responsible.
The thing about all of this that people outside of the state (and even those who aren't affected by it within our borders) need to understand is that state workers aren't upset about the money. All of the things they are taking away our unions have already offered. State workers (or at least those in my union) haven't had raises in 6 years and even accepted a 3% pay cut in mandated furlough time two years ago in place of a raise in order to protect our jobs. Many of the people in my department have second jobs to help make ends meet or are currently going to school part-time because they know that financially our jobs are not long term solutions for them or their families. I myself have a second job currently and plan to go back to school this fall.
I don't look for employment elsewhere because I really care about what I do. I also haven't taken any personal days to protest because that would negatively impact the people I work for and their patients. I understand that the economy has left shortfalls in our budget and that is going to impact me. I understand the need to tightened our belts even when there isn't a lot of slack left to tighten. And most of the protesters are in agreement.
The thing we are really upset over is the loss of collective bargaining. The loss of the ability to have our unions fight on our behalf. I am someone who doesn't think that unions are automatically awesome. Like any organized bureaucracy there are downsides/flaws with having unions. However, overall what they do is protect workers and their rights and give the "little guy" a voice. While I have occasionally had some frustrations with my union's representation, I think that overall it is important that it is in place, and I think that the reason I didn't have to worry about my job 2 years ago was because the unions were able to negotiate a fair exchange with the state to help protect our jobs.
Taking away our collective bargaining rights completely changes the game for a lot of us. I am not very good at explaining it so I will let Rachel Maddow in her infinite wisdom do the talking.
And for some background reading on what is really going on:
A Primer on the Wisconsin budget process
and editorial from my old home town about what these protests really mean.
I am proud of the peacefulness and the strength of protesters in Wisconsin. I am still apprehensive about the future, but I hope that this energizes the base in November. I know that I won't forget.
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