The Goat Meat Diaries- True Confessions

First of all, goat makes a mean pot of Chili. Everyone loved it. Small wonder. With all the beans, tomato sauce, and spices you could put squirrel in it and no one would know. (Stop panicking I'm not going to cook or eat any squirrel!)

Here is my confession: I won't eat the goat meat. Everyone else in the family likes it and eats it. But me, the woman who went on and on about it- won't touch it.

Why? I'm not sure. Venison and Elk don't freak me out and they taste similar. It is most likely because I associate goats with cute fuzzy pets. It is all in the mind my dears and my mind says goats are pets , not food.

Live and learn I suppose. Next time I get a bright idea I'll go shopping instead. *grin*

Ellen

Dante's Discovery

In a materialistic world, few things tickle me as much as a cheap, easy solution to a potentially expensive problem.

How much money would you say you spend on your skin? Take into account acne treatments, cleansers, toners, anti-wrinkle creams, etc.

So my daughter was looking on the internet and came up with this- Olive OIL. Just Olive Oil. Sounds weird doesn't it? It was hard not to laugh while watching her slather on the "EVOO". (thank you Rachel Ray)

But it worked. It really worked. Her oily teenage skin cleared up, softened and looked radiant.

Personally, I think it takes an adventurous spirit to cover blemishes with cooking oil. Why it works I'll never know. But how amazing is it to think you can have a lovely complexion while thumbing your nose at the $100-$500 a bottle products currently being offered?

As always, if in doubt, Google it and read the testimonies. It certainly can't hurt to try.

joy,
Ellen :)

The Goat Meat Diaries: "Reality Bites"

Welcome to The Goat Meat Diaries Part 2. In this segment fantasy meets reality. They clash. Reality wins.

When I arrived at the butchers to pickup our meat, I was asked to pay twice the amount quoted to me. Shocked, I asked why. The I was told about some 'charges' that the butcher claimed he was sure he told me in advance. Trust me, he didn't.

Stunned into compliance, I mutely handed over my last $85, took my box and went home.

I'm sure your wondering what $85 of goat meat looks like. VERY LITTLE. I could have bought 3x the amount of meat at the grocery store for the same price.

Thus, I am obliged to think of these little butcher-wrapped packages as a specialty item. After all, the price per pound was phenomenal.

Is it good? Yes! What does it taste like? A lot like venison.

I learned a valuable lessons from this experience:

1. Don't just take their word for it, get your quote in writing

2. If your female, take your husband with you to pick it up.

3. If they try to charge you too much, just tell them to keep it and walk
away.

In short, do the opposite of what I did. :)

no harm done,

Ellen

What to do in Oregon When the Weather is Bad

This is a subject near and dear to my heart, because so many people complain about the weather here. Out-of-staters often wonder if we Oregonians stand around in 2 feet of water all year. In fact, so many jokes have been made about Oregon's weather it was the subject of many popular t-shirts a couple of decades ago.

Although we certainly have our rainy seasons here, (Spring and Fall) the climate is gorgeously mild. I personally think that affords more outdoor activity opportunities than places where heavy snow and extreme heat are common.

Here are some lovely outings/activities for the rainy and cold months of the Southern Coast:

1. Hiking: Put on a rain jacket and some boots if necessary. The air smells fresh and fantastic during the colder months.You'll feel energized and beat the winter blues.

2. Go crabbing: During the Fall and Winter the famous Dungeness crabs have full body meat. Dress warm, bring a thermos, chairs, a picnic lunch and a good book. At the end of the day, you'll have a crab feast to reward your efforts.

3. Fishing: Okay, this isn't for everyone. But if your just needing out of the house, it could be fun.

4. Beach Combing: Although our rocky coast breaks up many shells, there are beaches where excellent specimens can be found. Locals with 4-wheelers know where to find lovely unbroken sand dollars. The beaches between Coos Bay and Bandon are great for agate-hunters.

5. Artisan Glass Floats: The City of Florence hosts a program that hides hand blown glass floats on local beaches. They are 'planted' throughout the year and each one is both exotically lovely and completely original. Search Florence beaches for these beauties.

6. Mushroom Hunting: Yes, I've said this a hundred times before and I'll keep saying it. It's fun, good exercise and has tasty results. Just be sure to use caution and common sense.

7. Country Driving: One of my absolute favorite things to do. Why? Because so much of this area's beauty is down old country roads. Just take one and discover things you have never seen before.

8. Photography: The waves this time of year are big. Go get some pics of the awesome spray that shoots into the air when a large wave hits a tall outcropping of rock. Beautiful!

9. Surf: You won't catch me doing this, but for the young and adventurous it is a local favorite.

This is far from an exhaustive list, but it will get you started. The key to enjoying life is enjoying yourself no matter what the weather is like. Stop complaining and go have fun!

Happy New Year,
-E

A word about Durian

I have been interested in this tropical fruit ever since hearing about it on a cooking show a few years ago. My fascination for this fruit continues due to it's mysterious qualities. As an American, I find it intruiging that a foodstuff described as smelling like "rotting garbage" has conjured both a loyal and enduring fanbase.

First things first: Durian is a fruit grown in hot asian climates such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Malyasia. Roughly the size of a football(but heavier), this fruit is covered in a green , spiny exterior. The interior reveals large seeds, distinct segments, and a cream-colored flesh.

The popularity of Durian comes from it's creamy custard-like flesh and taste. Others compare it to vanilla pudding or almond scented custard. This inner flesh is smooth, soothing, and reportedly very filling.

But then there is the smell. Trust me, the smell of Durian is the stuff of legends. Just google it and you'll see what I mean. In countries where Durian is plentiful, there are laws against opening one on public transportation or in hotels. While some liken this odor to garbage left in the hot sun, others find it to be reminiscent of stinky socks. Mmmmmmmmmm, yummy.

I asked my local Vietnamese grocer about Durian malodorousness and she seemed surprised. "We have always thought it smelled good" she reported, as though she wasn't sure why I brought it up. Obviously, "good" is in the olfactory processes of the beholder.

At approximately 90 feet tall, the Durian tree is a potential hazard to those in the vicinity. A fruit falling from this height has been known to cause both injuries and fatalities. Smelly, spiky, and deadly-What's not to love about the Durian?

Last week a friend brought me a bag of Durian 'chips'. They were at once both pleasantly surprising yet slightly disappointing. The smell in this form of the product was very much tamed. I wasn't horrified at all-very disappointing. But the flavor was quite nice- custard like, smooth, and vaguely vanilla.

Anyone living in the larger metropolitan areas can find Durian without too much trouble. Scour you local Asian markets but be prepared to pay up to $40 for a single fruit. Visitors and denizens of San Francisco can treat themselves to Durian icecream. I've been told its one of the best.

-Ellen

The Goat Meat Diaries

Some time ago I wrote a post about goat meat. I wrote of its growing popularity in the U.S. I told of how my teenage son had tried it during a mission trip to Jamaica and liked it. But as of today, I myself have never tried it. All that is about to change.
Friends have given us a "wether', (a neutered male) for butchering. My first thought was one of delight, my second thought was, "oh, now I am actually going to have to cook it and eat."

What is it in Americans that makes us so afraid of food beyond the conventional, pre-wrapped offerings of our sanitized supermarkets? This is certainly not an urban area we live in. Many of us in this town grew up eating deer, elk, or cows and chickens raised on our own properties. Still, I have to wonder, what will Chevon (goat meat) look like? What will it smell like? Taste like?

And so I offer up myself and my family as guinea pigs. Or perhaps a better word choice would be 'product testers'. When we are finally in possession of our chevon, I will document our findings on this blog. If you have any recipes or cooking tips, offer them now.

adventurously,
-E

Cold Snap

To say it has been cold here would be a gross understatement. In fact, it has been "Where the heck are my gloves-The car won't start-Does anyone know where the icescraper is?-I need a new coat , this one isn't warm enough, "MOM, I'm FREEZING" weather.

Keep in mind this is the temperate climate of the Oregon. We don't typically get extremes of weather on either end of the mercury. Thus, a week in the low 20's nearly caused county-wide panic.

1. Our woodstove just couldn't penetrate the cold on that level. It was miserable in the house.
2. Pipes froze and some folks went without water for days.
3. Broken pipes at the stable meant that workers had to haul water to the horses by hand: terrible work in frigid temps.
4. The homeless suffered even more than usual.

God Bless the Green Spot Event Center. They opened their doors during the worst of the cold snap and provided both food and shelter for anyone who needed it- NO questions asked.

As our church meets there, our family had the honor and privilege of helping out. We had so much fun I'm almost sorry the weather has warmed up again. Almost, but not quite!

The Green Spot owner John, and his employees Anthony and Richard, did an amazing job of meeting the needs of the community. They borrowed cots from the armory, provided sleeping bags, and kept hot soup and coffee available at all times.

Word spread to the community and the donations just poured in. Peope would walk in the door with arm loads of pillows, blankets, coats, and clothing. Dante' and I enjoyed sorting and folding clothes. Phil helped wherever needed and Max served as unofficial taste tester. He really enjoys Richard's cooking, which by the way is fantastic.

About the food: There was always a hot soup bubbling in the pot. Usually chicken with noodles or dumplings and plenty of veggies. Boneless turkey and ham were roasted and made in to sandwiches. Breakfast was often biscuits and gravy. We also enjoyed cupcakes, muffins and cookies. In fact, the food was so good I would nearly get homeless to have some. (Okay, a tad of an exaggeration. But just a tad)

So that is what we are eating in Oregon this week. Food, love, fellowship and compassion. When a community turns out to help it's own, it is a beautiful thing.

Love and God Bless,
-Ellen