NANCY NOODLES
Reflecting on Life
I have years of experience - some good, some bad, some funny, some serious. Nancy Noodles serves as a place for daily musings on life, friends, family and ideas noodling around in my head.
Helpful Lesson 13: Cooking Dried Beans
I love beans of any type and I've been using canned beans! I have a variety of recipes that honor black beans, lentils, pinto beans,...
Helpful Lesson 12: Getting the Most Flavor out of Canned Tomatoes
Alex Delaney of Bon Appetit tells us that canned tomatoes aren't fully cooked or, specifically, they are cooked but not to the point we'd...
Gratitude 7: Thank the Places You've Been
I'm not a consummate traveler. I haven't been to Europe, Africa, Canada, South America, Central America, Australia and many, many Asian...
Helpful Lesson 11: How to Cook Grains Perfectly
When experimenting with new grains, I've relied on recipes to tell me how to prepare them. I've cooked couscous, farro, barley, oats,...
Helpful Lesson 10: Rinse Rice and Other Grains
Rinsing rice is worth the time and energy. It is the difference between fluffy and mushy rice. Bon Appetit's Basically newsletter gives...
Helpful Lesson 8: Mince Garlic without "Mincing"
So many times, I have almost chopped my fingertips when I mince garlic. Those slippery things are so small! Once again, Alex Delaney of...
Helpful Lesson 9: Store Your Herbs Carefully
I love fresh herbs. They make such a difference in my dishes! I was told, many years ago, to stand the bunches in a glass of water in...
Helpful Lesson 7: Reheat So Your Leftovers Still Taste Good
Alex Delaney of Bon Appetit provided us with answers to reheating just about anything. Clearly, these methods describe why some of my...
Observations from the Polling Booths
In March, I had volunteered as a poll worker for the Presidential Primary Elections. It was grueling work - a long 15-hour day with one...
Helpful Lesson 6: Use the Freezer!
Marian Bull of Bon Appetit says that the easiest—and most direct—way to preserve your fresh food is through your freezer. While the...
Gratitude 6: Thank Your Body
I wake up every morning, just a little creaky and achy from tossing in my bed. I can't seem to find that perfect spot/position to sleep!...
Helpful Lesson 5: Toast Nuts at Home
Alex Delaney of Bon Appetit SWEARS that toasting nuts at home are infinitely better than store-bought toasted nuts. Apparently,...
Is Your Dog Kissing You?
What's it like for a dog to experience life amidst the smells, sounds and sights from two feet off the ground? What's it like to smell...
Helpful Lesson 4: How to Store CERTAIN Produce (Outside the Fridge)
Alex Delaney of Bon Appetit has identified eight kinds of produce that should not be stored in the refrigerator. In some cases,...
Gratitude 5: Thank Spiritual and Other Communities
Our city has several robust "communities" who contribute to our well-being - without fanfare and, sometimes, without credit. This month,...
Should Safety Be Mandated?
Wearing seat belts has almost become a habit nationwide. Why is the usage of face masks, then, so contested? After researching seat...
Helpful Lesson 3: How to Store Produce in the Fridge
Knowing how to store what you buy makes all the difference when it comes to keeping your fridge stocked with greens and veggies. Bon...
Helpful Lesson 2: Learn Basic Knife Skills
The Bon Appetit staff recently gathered all of the short video clips of knife skills into one article. Many were embedded in a video...
Helpful Lesson 1: 10 Tips for Keeping Produce Fresh Until Your Next Trip to the Grocery Store
First, plan your menu for the week with some attention to what foods will last longer. The end of the week's menu should make use of...