Thursday, July 12, 2012

Rhubarb Recipe and Paint Choices


I couldn't resist buying some rhubarb from the local farm stand.
The farm stand is local... the rhubarb came from Washington state.
Rhubarb just doesn't do well in our southern heat.
I planted one plant as a trial a few years ago.
I figured if they sold it here, it must be able to grow.
Each spring it popped out of the ground, grew a few small stalks and sat there like that ... didn't grow anymore, but also didn't die.
I think it had "failure to thrive" syndrome.
This spring Brett accidentally dug it up and I think it is probably rejoicing to be put out of it's misery.
I love the combination of rhubarb with strawberries, so I was just happy to see it.  So happy that I had to take a picture :D.




During our recent heatwave I worked on some projects inside.
After five years of indecision I am happy to say that we've finally selected a paint color for the living room.  Five years ago I saw the shade of green I thought I wanted in a friend's house.  She told me the color and I bought a sample can.  It soon became evident that what looked great in her living room didn't look so great in mine.
After that I think I got discouraged and have been living in indecision land ever since.
Am I the only person who finds choosing the right paint color to be such a daunting task?
Recently I decided that I was fed up with indecisiveness and was following through with this project no matter what.
After playing around with 3 sample colors, the decision has been made.  Would you care to guess which one?
The picture isn't the greatest as it is an overcast day here.



Last night I tried a new recipe with that rhubarb.

~ Emeril's Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp ~

Ingredients

  • 1 pound rhubarb, trimmed and diced
  • 1 pound strawberries, halved or quartered if large
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly butter a deep-dish pie plate or other shallow 1 1/2- to 2-quart nonreactive baking dish, and set it aside.

2. Combine the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a medium mixing bowl and toss to combine. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, and set it aside while you prepare the topping.

3. Combine all the remaining ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and process on low speed until the mixture is crumbly and coarse.

4. Sprinkle the topping over the fruit, and then place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet (to catch any juices that may bubble over). Transfer it to the oven and bake until the topping is golden brown and crisp, and the juices are bubbly and glossy, 40 to 45 minutes. Set aside to cool briefly, then serve hot or warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.


6 to 8 servings

Brett proclaimed it "the best Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp" he's ever eaten . . . in his entire life.  Wow ... I think that means he liked it :D.

 I think this recipe is a keeper.

I hope I feel the same way about the paint.

~ Kim

17 comments:

  1. I might have tried rhubarb once in my life ... really can't remember. Don't think we can get it here. My bedroom is painted green -- a color sort of between your first and second choices. I would say you are going with the middle one, but what do I know -- I can't even choose the right colors to start a cross-stitch project. :/ Hope your day is great. Tammy :)

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  2. Oh, I love rhubarb strawberry ANYTHING. I made a pie a while back and had to swear it off after one day because nibbles were so frequent. My mother made rhubarb sauce and it was so tasty. My neighbor dug her plant up, too. Now I have to buy it at the grocery store.
    I can't wait to see your painted living room, Kim!

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  3. Kim, you are not alone in finding it difficult to choose paint colors. What really makes me crazy is how paint can look one way in the daylight, and completely different at night time with lighting. I have that problem. The green in the middle looks like my kitchen/dining area. I used Sherwin Williams' Sherwood Forest (or Green? don't remember). I think you went with the one on the left. :) xo

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  4. Hi Kim, I'm guessing the middle color? I have a guest bedroom painted in a similar color. It's nice, but makes the room seem so much darker and I can't wait to repaint it. Not trying to be a downer, but just thought I'd share that info for what it's worth. Personally, I hate choosing colors! It's taken me forever to decide on a color for the roof shingles.
    Good luck and I'm looking forward to seeing your living room after the job is done!

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  5. This is my hubby's favorite pie! So good with fresh ingredients! Well...I have a problem with these tones of green. Will you go for one with more sage or blue? I can't tell! They all look like they would work. I need to do this with a slate blue in my bathroom...get more than one sample and paint a bit to see how they look! You sure have a beautiful sofa!

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  6. That's how I'm feeling about our rhubarb. Failure to thrive about describes it. Glad that you were able to find some rhubarb to make this great crisp. I made your lemon cookies this evening...delish!

    Green is such a difficult color for me. It never reads the same way twice. I'll be watching to see which way you went. I do think that green is calming and pretty.

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  7. Oh Kim, when I had our home built 5 years ago..... choosing paint colors and the flooring was by far the most difficult task!!!

    I love all 3 colors of green. Which ever one you choose will be beautiful!

    Would you believe......I've NEVER eaten rhubarb in my life? It's not a Texas thing. I'd probably like it......
    Hugs,

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  8. I will pick the farthest to the left green. :-)

    Oh yes, I take ages to make up my mind, on such things as paint color toooooooo!!!!! Doesn't everyone? :-)

    Strawberries and rhubarb. Oh sigh, this reminds me again, I *promised* a strawberry rhubarb pie to my middle son. Must get cracking!!!!!!!

    Oh and btw, we are in the upper NE and always grow rhubarb. Sorry about yours.

    "Summer food....Grown by you...Or on a nearby farm...Does it get any better than this?"

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  9. My pick the one on the left! But all are beautiful and I can't wait to see the end result. I have never eaten rhubarb! May have to give it a try!

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  10. Kim, I would pick the middle green - it complements the green in your lovely sofa fabric the best. I hope your room is bright because it's true a color this saturated will make the space darker. On the other hand, colors are comforting and make a sitting area really inviting, especially at night.

    I'm so neutral now when it comes to painting - other than my tiny entry which is very dark charcoal which I love, the remainder of the cottage now has neutral walls from grey blue (master bedroom) to off-white. It is always hard to choose, so you're not alone, but I do find painting larger swatches on the wall and checking the colors at all times of day and evening is the best way to go. We do not get a lot of direct light, and our house is very small, so lighter walls work best here. Good luck with the painting project - all will be lovely and refreshing no matter which color you decide to use.

    A for rhubarb........grew up with it in England, always a favorite and easy to grow there - here I buy in the store only - and I love it!!!!

    thanks for the recipe, will have to try it soon.

    Hugs - Mary

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  11. I have wanted to grow Rhubarb but didn't for the same reason you mentioned. I guess we are just to hot and humid here in Carolina, but we make up for it with our delicious strawberries! ~smile~
    Thanks for the recipe, looks delicious! I was nodding and smiling over your thoughts on choosing paint colors for a moment I thought you were talking about me. I am having the same problem now as I write trying to find the right color for our living, dining room. I have now enlisted our daughter who lives in Texas to help, as we have the same taste! I absolutely get confused by all of the different shades they have. I am guessing the one in the middle! thanks for sharing this delightful post.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  12. We don't often see rhubarb for sale here unless it is at a farmer's market, so it is a real treat to eat some. Your Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp sounds wonderful!

    My entire is painted "linen white" so, yes, I do have trouble choosing paint colors..lol My rooms are small so I like lighter colors which is why I would chose the lighter green on the left. The darker green on the right would be nice as a one wall accent color.

    I'm sure whatever color you chose it will look beautiful!

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  13. Oh Kim, I so understand your indecision on paint colors. I think it is a difficult thing to do. I believe I would chose the middle one and if you find it too bright, you can always add white paint to soften it. That is what we did in our kitchen and I really like it. But, I know with your great taste in decorating, you will chose the right one.

    As for the strawberry/rhubarb crisp...well, I only wish I lived closer. That sure does sound delicious to me.

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  14. Hi Kim,

    Your strawberry/rhubarb crisp sounds wonderful - I have never had rhubard with strawberry!
    As to picking colors - I always go with the lighter as it is easier to go darker if light is not right - rather than going from dark to light.
    Have a wonderful day.
    Blessings,
    Erin

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  15. Since I love rhubarb and strawberries and always like your recipes I'll have to copy this one down and make it myself. : )

    My guess is the middle green.

    I don't have a problem picking out colors. I just figure if I don't like it I can easily paint over it.

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  16. Your fruit crisp sounds perfect for summer! Choosing colors is really hard for me too. I do like that middle green though. Which one did you pick?

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  17. I guess the middle color! Never had rhubarb...just something my family has never eaten. Maybe I should try it sometime. :-)

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