Monday, June 3, 2019

The Big Merced County Fair!

I bet you thought you were going to see lots of FAIR pictures.  I did too.  No, this isn't one of the entries in the fowl category, it's the chicken I cooked when I got home at 7:00 am.  I know things happen, but I wasn't expecting to be the sole person sitting in the parking lot at 5:30.
It seems the Sheriff canceled breakfast on Sunday.  The "one in charge" forgot to call me.  There I was, rushing to the fairgrounds, giving my "I'm cooking" excuse to the gate guard and heading through the obstacle course to the burger stand.

Uh oh ... no one there yet.  I waited, like the good little volunteer I am.  I had to move my truck twice because the fairgrounds crew wanted to power wash the area.  Finally, when no one arrived by 6:30, I called the only person that I knew would be awake.  What's so-and-so's number I asked.

I woke her up.  Sorry for calling so early (not sorry), but aren't we supposed to be cooking?  "No ..... not until noon".  I went home and never returned.  I was considering not returning at all, but then I would be the bad guy.  I received an apology about 5:00 pm.   I'm going back this morning ... at 7:00, but I'm bowing out on Tuesday, since it's Magic Kingdom Bingo night and I'm not feeling the love.

I stopped on the way home for a few of those mini propane bottles.  Cooper needed some dinner and I was completely out.  George's recipe for cooking a whole chicken has worked three times in a row.  I'm considering it a keeper.  Isn't it pretty??

Since I too was out of chicken, I threw on three big bone-in thighs.  Surprisingly, they came out perfect.  It's a miracle!!
It was a boring day, since I was geared wrong from the start.  I worked on this quilt for a few hours, but kept making mistake after mistake.  The seam ripper is now my best friend.  
Time to try something else.  You know those mini-muffin-tin take-along egg things?  They are like a quiche, only made in a muffin pan.  I buy them from the freezer aisle quite often.  Wouldn't it be better and cheaper, to make them yourself?  No it would not!!

They looked great until they came out of the oven and dropped two inches into little hockey pucks.  Unlike hockey pucks, they were not the least bit slick.  In fact, they completely refused to leave the refuge of the pan, in spite of the liberal application of butter.

By the time I got them out, they were in a zillion pieces.  I think I ate three, but honestly, I lost count of the parts.  The rest of the pieces went in a zip lok bag.  Then I faced the pan.  How could they possibly stick that bad??  

I spent the next hour cleaning each and every hole with my fingernails.  Nothing else seemed to work, short of a blast furnace!!  I considered throwing the pan away, but it was relatively new as pans go.
Needless to say, I won't be making THOSE again.  I'll pick up another box from the freezer section. 

Maybe, if I'm really lucky, I'll have a fair picture or two for you tomorrow.





16 comments:

  1. Somedays it just does not pay to get out of bed. But on the bright side, there is always tomorrow!

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  2. When you get up early for something special and it doesn't happen it seems that everything else goes the same way.
    Either use PAM Spray or bake those Take-Along Eggs on a Cookie Sheet with Parchment Paper on it.
    Be Safe and Enjoy the rest of your week.

    It's about time.

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    1. I think that made the whole day go wrong! I DID use Pam ... it didn't work well at all!

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  3. Replies
    1. AHA!! You are so right! That probably would have worked.

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  4. We did a chicken last night on our Q as well. Its been a while because chicken here has been so pricey. (3 bucks a lb or more). Glad you are enjoying your chicken , works great for us too. Muffin cup might work n the pan to prevent sticking.

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    1. That is the best way to cook chicken I've ever run across ... plus it uses NO electricity!!

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  5. I agree with Jim and Barb, staying in bed sounds like a good idea for that day!! The chicken does look lovely, perfect! I guess butter would stick but maybe Pam or cup holders. I'm like you and would have debated throw the %*&#@! thing out!

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    1. I think cupcake cups would work. I really debated about the pan ... I'm NOT good at the cleaning part!

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  6. The Way I hear it, Jack the Ripper is every quilters best friend.

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  7. Those little quiche muffin things....I used to buy those but I haven't in many years. I'll have to look for some again. Thanks...

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    1. They have several different kinds. A perfect breakfast!!

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  8. With Sams/Costco cooked chickens running for about $5, I just can't pass them up myself. As for not being told about the breakfast...that is just plain rude, especially since when you are in town you ALWAYS help out cooking. At least they called and apologized, but that doesn't give back the amount of time (and lack of sleep) that you lost.

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    1. You are exactly right Dave ... not being nice to your volunteers means you have less help. You are also right about Costco chickens. They are probably cheaper than the propane I use!!

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