Jo!e Mortar and Pestle

I've always wanted to buy a mortar and pestle but I wanted one that was small. Every store I went to had ones that were bulky and heavy. And they weren't pretty either. Then one day while browsing at TJMaxx I came across a Jo!e mortar and pestle by MSC International. Right away I knew I'd be taking it home. It was small, lightweight, and it looked beautiful. I thought it was going to cost me a lot of money but it turned out to be cheap. I ended up getting something I've always wanted without having to spend a lot of money. I was very happy and couldn't wait to get home and use it.

The Jo!e mortar and pestle is perfect for me. It's easy to use and easy to clean and doesn't take up a lot of kitchen counter or cabinet space. I use it all the time when I cook. It allows me to easily crush or grind herbs and spices, without the pestle slipping or the herbs and spices spilling all over the place. When I am done using the mortar and pestle I just rinse it under running water, either with a soft sponge or with my bare hands, and it's clean. There is no need for dish washing liquid or scrubbing as the water and the sponge do the trick.

If you are looking to buy a mortar and pestle and want one that is not bulky and gets the job done perhaps this is the one for you.

Jo!e mortar and pestle

Fishing for Trout...

This weekend I went to Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania to spend some time in the woods and sit by the lake with family and friends... I enjoyed my time there. The view is breathtakingly beautiful and the air is fresh. It was a bit hot though but nothing could be done about that. I had to make do with it. 

It was nice to enjoy some barbecue outdoors in the woods. One day we had grilled meat and another day we had grilled fish (trout), which I and our family friends caught together. Last time I fished was when I was a little kid so it was a fun experience. We didn't go fishing in a lake. We went some place where you rent fishing equipment and you fish in the pond using either worms or play dough like bait (which is what we used) and then have the fish cleaned for you before taking it home. It was a bit hot that day but there were plenty of trees so we got to fish in the shade. I think I caught about five trout. I didn't master throwing the fishing rod but I got the hang of actually catching the fish and getting it out of the water. It was a great experience and one I will never forget.

All in all we caught thirteen trout and grilled most of it in aluminum foil with salt, lemon and fresh dill. It turned out really good. I decided to bake the remaining three trout in the oven.  I salted the trout then smothered it with mayo all over and added some sliced onions inside. Then I added sliced onions and oil onto an aluminum cooking tray, placed the trout on top, sprinkled some dried parsley flakes on the fish and popped it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes. My dinner was complete. 

Since the fish has bones in it I prefer to eat it by itself but what goes great with the trout is roasted or fried potatoes or sauteed veggies. So I do that before eating the fish.

Baked Trout

Made Artichoke Soup Again...

I made artichoke soup again today making a few adjustments to the recipe. Last time I made artichoke soup with a yellow onion. Today I chose to use a red onion instead. I also used half-n-half that was organic, pasture raised instead of the regular one I usually buy and I added a little more of it than before. It seemed to make the artichoke soup even better. Can't wait to dive into this soup. It's just what I needed on this hot and stuffy summer day.

Want to know how I make my artichoke soup? Just click on the link below to find out.

Artichoke Soup Recipe