Classy and Opinionated Lifestyle Mom Blog
I’m 71 years old and have always taken care of my skin. Decades ago I was taught the importance of cleansing and moisturizing it on a daily basis. Back in those days you were limited in the type’s of products that were available and they …
I’m 71 years old and have always taken care of my skin. Decades ago I was taught the importance of cleansing and moisturizing it on a daily basis. Back in those days you were limited in the type’s of products that were available and they …
A few months ago my one neighbor gave me 7 eggplants from her backyard garden. I enjoy eating eggplants but knew that I couldn’t possibly eat 7 of them over the course of a week. That’s when I got the bright idea to freeze them for later use. Since it was my first time freezing them, I had to do some research online and ask my daughter how to do it. Here’s what I learned.
You should blanch and freeze them shortly after picking or buying them. Don’t wait until they get super-soft or mush. Discard any that have blemishes or mold. If you can’t freeze them right away wrap each one in 2-3 paper towels and place in a zipper closure bag in your refrigerator with the bag left open.
How to Properly Freeze Eggplant
Wash them thoroughly in running water to remove dirt and debris. Lay them out on a clean, dry kitchen towel.
You’ll need to bring a large pot of water to a boil on your stove-top. Add in a pinch of table salt and a 1/2 cup of lemon juice. Bottled or fresh lemon juice is fine.
Remove the skins from the eggplant. Chop into 1/2″ to 3/4″ thick slices. Place all of the slices on a large plate or platter until you get them all sliced up.
Gently place the slices into the prepared boiling water and blanch for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat. Pour slices and water into a colander in your “clean” kitchen sink with cold tap water running over them. You need to stop the cooking process by cooling them down quickly.
Once cool place all of the slices on a large paper towel lined plate or platter. Use paper towels or a clean cotton kitchen towel to gently “pat” them dry. You want them to be as dry as possible.
Place the slices into a freezer container (leaving 1″ headspace) or a freezer zipper-closure bag, purging out the air before sealing it. Label with contents and date. Place into the freezer right away.
Thawing – I like to thaw mine overnight in the refrigerator or on my counter-top for 2 hours before I plan on using them. They will be “soft” in their texture so best used in stir fry, soups & stews, and/or casserole recipes.
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I’m 72 years old and in my mid-twenties I learned how important it is to take care of your skin. Back in those days you were taught the importance of cleansing, toning, and using a good moisturizing cream. Fast forward a few decades and now …
Every week I make at least 6 hard-boiled eggs. I use them in salads, soups, sandwiches, and will snack on one when I’m in a hurry. They’re a classic in my home and very versatile to use in recipes. When it comes to purchasing eggs, …
Primitive, Country, and Americana Home Decor is one of the most popular styles of home decorating across the mid-west and in the north east. Living just 45 minutes from Lancaster Amish Country, we see a lot of it! It’s been popular for several decades and continues to be strong.
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My one friend Renee decorates her entire home in it! I’m talking about every room, from top to bottom! She has handcrafted and store bought pieces. It’s easy to mix-n-match the items throughout your home if you stick within the main color scheme of barn red, Americana blue, mustard yellow, black, hunter green, and beige.
Let’s take a look at the 4 pieces I purchased for her last month while out bargain shopping. The 4 items were purchased at 2 different retail stores and from different manufacturers. As you can tell, they coordinate well together thanks to the color scheme.
This decorating style doesn’t cost a fortune! All 4 of these items were purchased on clearance and at a bargain basement price! The Faith and Family with Sheep wood wall plaque was marked down to $3.00. The Live Simply with the red house was marked down to $3.00. The little red wood heart that says Friends was marked down to $2.50 and the Faith with a rusty metal star was marked down to $3.00. Total for all 4 pieces was less than $12.00. These are not miniature pieces!
You can shop flea markets, yard sales, Etsy, Ebay, retail stores, country boutiques, etc. and find a lot to choose from. When giving this type of decor as a gift (like I did), you want to stick within the main color scheme. Look for accent pieces, not a big focal point. Don’t be afraid to buy second hand (if it’s in great shape). If you’re looking for unique, then look for hand-crafted items.
* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!
This Vegan Chorizo Paella Recipe is perfect for a weeknight or weekend dinner. It will take approximately 40 minutes to make (15 minutes prep time and 25 minutes cook time) and will yield approximately 6-8 servings. The recipe is courtesy of Before the Butcher. Vegan …
The holiday season is coming, and you need to prepare for everything from stocking up the groceries to gift wrapping and, of course, your skin. The constant pressure of having things streamlined so you can enjoy a lovely holiday season with your family often puts …