About once a month, Andy and I take a drive to Plain City to visit the Cheese Shop in Amish country. Each trip I find a new untried product and rekindle some that I had forgotten about. They also have great pepper bacon, cold cuts, and cheese bread. The last time I stocked up on their hot sweet pickles which are paper-thin packed with a welcome punch. I even use the juice from the pickles in the anti-pasta salads that I make for Andy and Beth. That's Hershburgers cannery Hot Sweet pickles. Yum.
Last time I rediscovered the mini marshmallows that are perfect to use in the Rice Krispy squares that I like to make if I know when Madeleine and McKenna are coming to visit. I missed the mark yesterday with their surprise visit to announce a new addition is on the way...Owlett, if it is a girl or Cat Boy if it is a boy. (Madeleine's suggestions.)
Also special and in jars are delicious pickled cauliflower, sweet baby corn, and corn salsa...all good in the anti-pasta salad. I tend to throw everything in this dish and then pour the juice from the baby corn or cauliflower over to just make enough liquid to be absorbed in a short time. If it needs other ingredients I don't hesitate to put in cheese squares, Genoa salami chunks, and even cooked pasta rendering it not the anti-pasta salad, but still good. There are no mistakes with this salad, I think I have added just about everything I see in the fridge at one time or another. One new addition is the fresh, raw cauliflower pearls right out of the bag. It gives the salad a nice crunch.
All is well on Many Branches and repairs and renovations are still going on. I try not to leave the property because when I do, Oakland Park Nursery will be my destination and it is STILL too early to plant the containers, Doris!!! Don't ask me how I know this.
