Flamingo Musings

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

New Year, New Look, & A Giveaway!

2011 was quite the eventful year around the ol’ Flamingo Pond. Particularly the last six months! I’ve taken my particular brand of crazy, Freakin’ Flamingo, to the web, the South Miami Farmers Market, and even teaching the occasional culinary/canning class at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, here in Miami. (Click on that last link to see what I’m teaching and find out how to sign up.) 2012 promises to be just as eventful, if not more so!

In keeping with the theme of a New Year – A New Day, I took the plunge, abandoned Blogger, and (very reluctantly) moved it all over to a self-hosted WordPress platform. Ooo. Scary. It was time for a change and part of that change was to coordinate this blog more effectively with my retail site. Kudos to one of my best friends and original retail site designer, Lynne Cohen of Tante Leah’s Handmades. Heather Jurczyk (better known to you as @bodaciousgirl) of He Cooks She Cooks did all the updates, cleanup, and took away the night terrors. Heather then rocked out the New & Improved Flamingo Musings, and did the move over here. Just in time for the New Year!

Never fear – Flamingo Musings will continue to be primarily a blog about food, not just jam. And whatever else I feel like talking about at any given moment. For instance, in the coming days you’ll see several cookbook reviews (both here and at Cooks & Books & Recipes); more original recipes (some involving jam, some not), even some restaurant reviews – both local and from my travels – (from the perspective of an average person who just wants a good meal, not a persnickety reviewer). I hope to also get back to joining in some of the blog challenges, such as Secret Recipe Club. I miss you guys!

And to celebrate, let’s kick things off with a giveaway! No, it’s not a mixer. Geez.

No, I’m giving away Jam! Of your choice! And a cool, heavy duty, last-for-the-rest-of-your-natural-life Freakin’ Flamingo market bag! And a $15 StarSux (er, Starbucks) gift card! That one’s actually a re-gift. What’s the matter with people that they keep giving you gift cards for places they know full well that you can’t stand? But you like Starbucks, don’t you? I know you do. So you want this.

What do you have to do? Well, for starters, you have to leave a comment here. Tell me how much you missed me. For additional entries, “like” Flamingo Musings on Facebook, “like” Freakin’ Flamingo on Facebook, and/or sign up for the Freakin’ Flamingo Newsletter (see the form? right over there in the sidebar?). Then leave separate comments telling me that you did.

Wanna tweet? Tweet this (maximum once per day – don’t annoy your friends!): Check out the NEW Flamingo Musings and win Freakin’ Flamingo Jam, a Starbucks gift card & more from @RJFlamingo! http://bit.ly/xaxk17

Deadline to enter is midnight, Monday night, January 8th! The winner will be chosen by random number generator at Random.org.

So? What do you think? Does this wallpaper make me look fat?

Update: We have a winner! Dena, come on down and claim your prize! Thanks for playing, everyone!

By RJ Flamingo ~ 40 Comments

Friday, October 28, 2011

Slime Soup for Halloween (Broccoli Vichyssoise)

Things have been a little crazed around the ol’ Flamingo Pond these days, and I apologize to everyone for not putting together a #GreatHallowTweet Halloween bloghop, this year.

But that doesn’t mean that I’ve forgotten about our fave holiday of the year, around here, and I haven’t forgotten that you need to give those kids of yours (young and old) a special supper before they hit the Trick or Treat trail!

Slime Soup! This falls into both categories: Trick and Treat. I mean, c’mon – what kid doesn’t want to eat slime on All Hallow’s Eve? The color’s a wonderful, bilious green, the texture is smooth and silky, and best of all – and you don’t have to tell them this part – it’s actually healthy.

Slime Soup (Quick Broccoli Vichyssoise)

Ingredients:

4 cups (1 quart) vegetable broth (I used my store brand’s organic version)
2 potatoes (about 1 to 1 1/2 lbs russets or golds)
1 16 oz. package frozen broccoli
1 cup unflavored soy milk or regular milk (1% is fine)
salt & pepper

Preparation:

Pour the vegetable broth into a 4 or 5 quart sauce pot.

Peel the potatoes, cut into roughly half-inch pieces, and add to the pot. Cover, bring to a boil, and cook for about 5 minutes.

Add the broccoli to the pot, cover, and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and allow to cook for another 10 minutes.

Add the milk to the pot, whip out your handy dandy hand blender, and puree until completely smooth. (You can carefully do this in a regular blender and then return the soup to the pot). Stir, and warm through.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with pita chips, crackers, or a nice crusty bread.

I love this soup for a number of reasons. For one thing, it’s quick – you can make this in 30 minutes or less. It’s super-healthy and perfect for Meatless Monday or anytime you want to trick the kids or your significant other to eat some veggies. It’s equally delicious hot or cold. So, if it’s chilly where you are, it makes a nice warmer-upper. If it’s 87 billion degrees outside, like it is here, it’s refreshing and nourishing at the same time. So, you can even make this in the summertime for a healthy light supper as a turn on vichyssoise!

Slime Soup would be great served cool at a party, too. Just pour it into a cauldron (okay, fine – a punch bowl would work, too), and let folks pour themselves a cup.

Happy Halloween, everyone! Bwahahahahahahahaha!

By RJ Flamingo ~ 2 Comments

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

And Now A Word From Our Sponsor…

Me, that is. Or I should say, Freakin’ Flamingo!

You know I’m making some wild and sexy jams with a South Florida / Caribbean twist down here, right? I’m playing with Florida’s seasonal best and sometimes bringing in the flavors of other parts of the country – but always with our own local flavor. And now, everyone else knows, too!

Check out the new Fall issue of our favorite publication on the local food scene, edible South Florida magazine!

Freakin’ Flamingo jam is featured in their story on brunch from your CSA box and recommended as a stocking stuffer in their edible essentials Holiday Gift Guide, too!

Want some? Order online at www.FreakinFlamingo.com (and don’t forget our Oxford Falls Boutique for some awesome salsas, vegan gluten-free worcestershire sauce, and tasty dressings and sauces!) or come see me at the South Miami Farmers Market, most Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm!

Remember: The selection changes all the time, so stop by often and create your own memorable meals and gifts with a Flamingo flare!

By RJ Flamingo ~ 2 Comments