Make This!! Corn Fritters

Make This: Corn Fritters

I found this recipe on Smitten Kitchen's website this a.m.

I didn't have all the ingredients but improvised and used what I had on hand. They were absolutely fantastic! I'm happy the recipe makes a lot, as I'm looking forward to having these for breakfast tomorrow morning with a sunnyside egg on top!

Here is the link to Smitten Kitchen's recipe. My adapted version is below.

Corn Fritters adapted slightly from Smitten Kitchen

2 cans yellow corn, drained

4 bunches of green onions, chopped

1 cup arugula, chopped
1 red pepper, diced

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

3/4 tsp salt

1 rounded tsp coriander

1 rounded tsp cumin

1/2 tsp turmeric

1 tsp coarse ground pepper

1 tsp cayenne pepper

4 large eggs

1 cup, plus 2 Tbs flour

oil for frying

Drain corn and combine with pepper, herbs, cheese and spices.  Add eggs and mix well. Add flour & mix well.

Heat 2-3 Tbs of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Scoop out corn mixture.  I used a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop out the fritters and they turned out large. Next time I would use the measuring cup, and only fill it halfway for smaller fritters. Fry the fritters about 3 minutes on each side (until very golden brown).  Drain on a paper towel. I did not add more salt after the fritters were finished as I felt they were seasoned enough. 

Enjoy!!

DoveLewis & Dignified Pet Services Shout Out

I have to give a huge shout out of THANKS to DoveLewis and Dignified Pet Services.

We originally had planned that when Remy's last day arrived, we would call an in home vet. Remy's distress came outside of office hours, and we knew DoveLewis was the place to go. Remy had been there numerous times before (they saved his life when he was five!). Remy was even featured in a DoveTale!

I am so thankful we took Remy to DoveLewis. His last 20 minutes on this earth he was so well cared for. They got us in immediately and took us to a Comfort Room. Remy was whisked away on a stretcher to be given pain meds and an IV. While Omid and I were waiting in the Comfort Room, we had time to look around at the surroundings. Some kids from nearby St. Andrew Nativity and St, Thomas More schools had painted rocks to take and remember the experience.

The Rainbow Bridge poem was posted.

The lights were low and the room was indeed comforting. I read the hundreds of pet names who had passed before and whose families had  purchased a leaf, branch or dove in remembrance.

Savanna, a DoveLewis staff member, came in to ask about Remy's remains. We chose to have him cremated and made those arrangements. She offered to take Remy's footprints for us and we could have as many copies as needed.

Remy was brought back in and was covered with a warm heavy blanket. I lifted the blanket up to see where his IV was and saw they had wrapped it in tape with a heart. So sweet.

We were given as much time as needed to say goodbye. When the time came, Dr. Jennifer Gorman came in and explained everything to us (this was our first time together putting a pet down). The whole experience was absolutely peaceful and beautiful, and not negative like I thought it would be. Again, we were given as much time as needed to say goodbye. Matty was patched in via cell to say goodbye and we FaceTimed Nas from Miami.

When Remy was taken away, we were given a pet grief journal and again, and literature for pet grief sessions and memorial art workshops at DoveLewis if needed.

On Wednesday, Remy's footprint copies arrived in the mail along with the sweetest card from DoveLewis.

#Remytoes

The sentiments in the card alone from Savanna confirmed we'd made the correct decision.

A word about Dignified Pet Services: I had the inclination to give them a call on Tuesday morning, as I was feeling bad that we hadn't sent any photos to be with Remy when he was cremated.  I called just to find out when he had been cremated and was told that he was just picked up on Monday and was probably going to be cremated later that day. I feel it was such a blessing that I called. I emailed some photos and Christina said she would place them with Remy for me. I also ordered a cremation heart. Half of it was placed with Remy when he was cremated and that piece was returned to fit inside another piece as a remembrance. Yesterday afternoon, DPS called to let me know that Remy's remains had been returned to DoveLewis.

I am so thankful that Remy's passing was so full of love and so very peaceful; and that Dignified Pet Services took such good care of his remains. I am telling everyone I know with older pets now about how great these two companies are. I won't hesitate to use their services again with our next dog.

Thank you to everyone at DoveLewis and Dignified Pet Services!!

The Best Dog in the World

Remy crossed over the Rainbow Bridge early Sunday morning. He was in obvious distress and was ready to go. I know he's with my dad. I know he can run and chase small animals again. That gives me tons of comfort. 

His passing has left a huge void in our lives. Our hearts are broken and only time will heal the hurt. One day when we think of Remy, we'll only smile and have happy memories.  We had 13.5 wonderful years with him that we wouldn't trade for anything.

For now, I want to remember everything about him.

We wouldn't have had Remy in our lives if it wasn't for Naseem. She used to be a very picky eater and refused most food except for chicken nuggets, buttered noodles, raw carrots and mangoes. Omid made her a deal: Eat whatever was put in front of her for one month, and he would buy her a dog! It was hard for Nas, but she did it! We were all so excited. She thought she wanted a Bearded Collie, but after visiting the Rose City Dog Show, a Vizsla actually found us and the search was on for a breeder.

 A year later, she finally got her puppy!

Remy loved oranges, blueberries and tomatoes. Every year we bought him his own cherry tomato plant. He'd check it everyday. He'd also check the neighbors tomato plants and blueberry bushes too. 

Remy loved to go on our boat and dive off the back again and again (50 times in a row, no joke), he would get so tired, Omid would have to put a lifejacket on Remy and stay in the water with him to keep Remy from sinking. 

Remy loved the beach. There were so many miles of sand for him to run and run and run.

 Remy also loved to go clamming with us. He never missed a trip. He was a pretty good clammer too.

He always came away with one or two clams.

Remy loved his people and we loved him back. 

Remy was a 55 lb lap dog who loved his snuggle time.

He gave us so much love and affection. 

He was silly, goofy, elegant and noble all at the same time.

RIP my sweet, good boy. I know we'll see you again. 

Make This!!

Make This: Cauliflower Couscous Salad

I absolutely positively love the recipe site, The Kitchn. So many great recipes on there. This salad is one of them. My changes are in red.

To minimize mess and save time, purchase a bag of cauliflower rice from Costco. I bought the bag of florets, but making the couscous made such a mess.

I also doubled the dressing as it didn't make enough the first time and lacked the punch I was looking for. Adding the cumin and cayenne pepper did just the trick! Make this salad. It's delicious! 

Mediterranean Cauliflower Couscous Salad Adapted slightly via The Kitchn 

Serves 4 to 6

• For the chickpeas:
• 1 cups
  (15-ounce) can chickpeas (1 1/2 cups), drained, rinsed, and patted completely dry I used two cans.
• 1 tablespoon
  olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon
  ground cumin double
• 1/4 teaspoon
  salt
• 1/8 teaspoon
  cayenne pepper double

• For the dressing: I doubled the dressing & added cumin and cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons
  freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1
  clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon
  Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon
  salt
• 1/4 cup
  extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper

• For the salad:
• 1
  large head cauliflower, cut into florets I used one bag of Costco Cauliflower florets. The best bet would be to purchase cauliflower rice
• 1 1/2 cups
  cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2
  medium red onion, diced
• 1
  English cucumber, finely chopped
• 1 cup
  fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon
  red pepper flakes
• I left out the pine nuts (1/3 cup) and the Kalamata olives (1/3 cup)
• Salt and pepper

Roast the chickpeas: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400°F. Place all the chickpea ingredients in a medium bowl and toss to combine. Transfer to a rimmed parchment-lined baking sheet and spread into a single layer. Roast until slightly browned and crisp, stirring halfway through, 35 to 40 minutes total.

Make the dressing: Place the lemon juice, garlic, mustard, and salt in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed; set aside.

Make the salad: Place the cauliflower florets in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment (work in batches if needed). Pulse until the cauliflower reaches a fine, crumbled consistency. Be careful not to over process; you don't want to purée the cauliflower at all. 

Transfer the cauliflower to a large bowl. Add the remaining salad ingredients and toss to combine. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Top with the roasted chickpeas and serve.

Happy Birthday Nasjoon!!!

Happy 24th birthday, Naseemjoon! We love you so much!!!!