Dear So and So

[OakLeaf]

What's the trick to keep kale chips from getting bitter? I usually wind up with a pile that are half delicious and half nearly inedible, and I don't know what makes the difference.

[tulip]

What's the trick to keep kale chips from getting bitter? I usually wind up with a pile that are half delicious and half nearly inedible, and I don't know what makes the difference.

What's your starting kale like? I made a huge batch over the weekend and it was so awesome. I used the last of my winter kale from the garden. Most of the leaves were pretty small. I spined them, tossed them in a bit of olive oil and sea salt, spread them on a cookie sheet and baked them at 350F for 15 minutes. How are you making yours? Is your kale fresh?

[jessmarimba]

Regarding airline tickets, searching "City A to City B flights" on Google will give you an option to see daily prices 6 months in advance. The Google travel thingamajigger has all kinds of cool bar graphs.

Dear cat:
I love you dearly, but I'm sleeping with my right shoulder up because it's sore. When you decide to come make biscuits on that shoulder while I'm sleeping, it's not going to be a happy response. I'd love a foot massage though!

[Biciclista]

I wonder if you shouldn't taste the kale before you cook it. Some Kale is pretty sweet,some isn't

[Reesha]

Dear Gaerne cycling products,

THANK YOU for switching your G.Emma shoes from pink to red. I ordered them planning to sharpie in the pink parts to a more preferable color, but was delighted to discover I won't have to.

Woo!

[Reesha]

What's the trick to keep kale chips from getting bitter? I usually wind up with a pile that are half delicious and half nearly inedible, and I don't know what makes the difference.

I have a dehydrator and have tried the oven method. The oven tends to yield more bitter chips, but in a dehydrator (I just have the massive Cabela's one), they come out perfect everytime dehydrated for a few hours at 120 degrees F. I also spritz with olive oil, season with chili powder and lime juice... they concentrate in flavor during dehydration!

Sadly I do not make them that often. Very labor intensive and gone in ten minutes flat

[tulip]

I have a dehydrator and have tried the oven method. The oven tends to yield more bitter chips, but in a dehydrator (I just have the massive Cabela's one), they come out perfect everytime dehydrated for a few hours at 120 degrees F. I also spritz with olive oil, season with chili powder and lime juice... they concentrate in flavor during dehydration!

Sadly I do not make them that often. Very labor intensive and gone in ten minutes flat

I didn't find making them labor intensive at all. Is a dehydrator more labor intensive than an oven? I agree with you about being gone in 10 minutes flat, though!

I had three heads of kale left in my garden, which equaled six cookie trays worth of kale chips. None were bitter; my kale was fresh out of the garden so maybe that's the reason. Some friends helped me devour the first two batches; the rest I took care of myself the next day.

[Reesha]

I think the bitter taste was more a function of my oven than anything. They just tasted cooked and less fresh.

Yes on the dehydrator though! They do taste 150% more delicious in the dehydrator but packing them into the trays is tedious. I only make them once or twice a month. Usually this is two normal grocery store heads of kale... and they fill a big bowl, but DBF and I can charge through them in a sitting

[Owlie]

Dear people next door:
First off, who the heck has a party involving a beer-like substance on MONDAY night? What is wrong with you? Do you not actually go to class ever? Second, on no planet are slippers acceptable to wear anywhere. You're not three. Third, I know for a fact that at least one of you is under the age of 21. Yeah, illegal. Also illegal for your...whatever he is to buy it for you. Fourth, if you're going to drink, drink actual beer and not whatever pigswill that is that you're drinking. Fifth, stop leaving your trash on your porch. Not only is that against complex rules, but everyone else has to deal with the fallout, from beer cans to being accosted by squirrels every morning. I'm surprised the raccoons haven't shown up. Maybe they're intimidated by the classiness of your place.

Finally, judging by snippets of conversation between your friends (with benefits)/whatever... Trading cigarettes and sex for pot and beer? There's a name for that. It's called prostitution.

Trying to see whether or not I care enough to get you kicked out,
Me.


Also: Chrome's spellcheck doesn't recognize the plural of "raccoon"

[OakLeaf]

Dear Apple Store,

The warranty repair you were supposed to do was to replace a piece of hardware. Not scr*w up my operating system. I wasn't even having any software issues BEFORE I took my computer in for repair. Thank goodness my DH is a genius, because the people behind the Genius Bar sure aren't. (P.S. - Sunday until the following Tuesday is longer than three to five days the last time I checked.)

Dear running store,

Seriously? You're going to put me in shoes that are way too narrow and then argue with me when I explain about my ingrown toenails and tailor's bunion? I know my feet are difficult to fit, but that's not a reason to sell me shoes that don't. I'll shop somewhere else thankyouverymuch.




PS - It was kale from my garden, fresh, tender, and delicious steamed or in soups, both times. I don't know what happens when I try to turn it into chips. But I do have a dehydrator, I'll try it that way next time - thanks!

[marni]

For those of you who like roasted vegetables, the BEST SEASONING IN THE WORLD! for them is Ras Al Hanaut seasoning. This is a Moroccan spice blend that can easily be made at home. It also does amazing things for left over meats stewed with vegetables, nuts, raisins etc in curry, tangines etc. as well. It sits on my counter next to the salt pepper and chile powder as daily use seasoning.

The name means "top or best of the shop."

marni

[Reesha]

PS - It was kale from my garden, fresh, tender, and delicious steamed or in soups, both times. I don't know what happens when I try to turn it into chips. But I do have a dehydrator, I'll try it that way next time - thanks!

And do try the chili powder and lime juice seasoning. It is insanely delicious!