Saturday, April 17, 2010

Rosemary

Rosemary Uses
•Culinary: Use the chopped leaves with a wide variety of meat dishes. Use them to flavor baked potatoes and to make an herb butter for vegetables.
•Household: Boil a handful of rosemary in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes to yield an antiseptic solution for washing bathroom fixtures.
•Cosmetic: The leaf stimulates blood circulation in a bath. Use as a facial steam. Makes a rinse for dark hair.
•Aromatic: Use the leaf in potpourri. Lay sprigs among linens. Scatter the stems on a barbecue to discourage insects.
Recipes

ROSEMARY ROASTED CHICKEN


Ingredients
• 1 4-lb. chicken
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary plus 3 extra whole sprigs
• A squirt of fresh lemon juice
• 3 slices of lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive or vegetable oil as needed
Directions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Loosen the skin of the chicken by gently working your fingers between it and the meat over the breast and as much of the legs as you can.
Mash the butter, chopped rosemary, lemon juice, and some salt and pepper.
Work the rosemary-butter under the skin of the chicken, generously covering the breast and to a lesser extent the legs. Salt and pepper the cavity of the chicken. Place the rosemary sprigs and lemon slices in the cavity. Salt and pepper the exterior of the chicken. If not using a rack, lightly oil the bottom of a roasting pan.
Truss the chicken and place in the roasting pan in the oven for an hour and 15 minutes or until the dark meat reaches 170 degrees.
Allow the chicken to rest, covered with foil for 10-15 minutes before carving.


Rosemary and Garlic Potatoes
2 1/2 pounds potatoes, scrubbed and halved or quartered, to approx. 1-2 inches in diameter
3-5 garlic cloves, peeled and diced
3 tablespoons olive oil (or less if on a fat-restricted diet)
4 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
Steam or boil the potatoes for 7-9 minutes or until they are barely tender. In a non-stick skillet cook the garlic in the oil over moderate heat, stirring, until it is pale golden, about 1 minute. Add the potatoes, rosemary and salt and pepper and saute the mixture over moderately high heat, stirring for 5 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden.

Crusty Garlic and Rosemary Potatoes

from Bon Appetit
2 pounds potatoes, quartered
5 large garlic cloves, sliced thin lengthwise
2 Tbs. olive oil
3 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
In a steamer set over boiling water, steam the potatoes, covered, for 8 to 10 minutes or until they are just tender. In a non-stick skillet cook the garlic in the oil over moderate heat, stirring, until it is pale golden. Add the potatoes, the rosemary and salt and pepper to taste and saute the mixture over moderately high heat, stirring for 5 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden.

Rosemary Lemonade
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
zest from 2 of the squeezed lemons
2 sprigs of rosemary, at least 3 inches long
pinch salt
8 cups water
Combine sugar, one cup water, rosemary, salt, and lemon peel in a saucepan and bring to boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Cook at least 10 minutes at medium heat to infuse flavors. Strain or pick out the rosemary and lemon peel and discard. Cool the sugar mixture. Stir it with the fresh lemon juice and the water and serve over ice. A rare treat!
Fresh Shelling Beans with Buttered Crumbs with Rosemary

2T butter
1C fresh bread crumbs
1/4C chopped fresh parsley, packed firmly
1T minced fresh rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 pounds shelling beans, fresh out of their shell
2t melted butter
1T lemon juice

Melt butter in skillet over low heat. Add bread crumbs and cook, stirring constantly, until they are golden brown. Transfer to a bowl. Blend parsley and rosemary together then combine with the crumbs. Season with salt and pepper. Separately steam the beans until just tender. Remove to a warm plate and stir in the melted butter and lemon juice. Salt and pepper to taste. Top with the breadcrumb mixture and serve. Serves 4-6

Potato-Tomato Soup with Rosemary from Verdura by Viana La Place

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
6 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and pureed not too fine (I would use the blender for this step)
2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary leaves
salt to taste
5 german butterball potatoes, cut into dice (peeled or not as you choose)
water
freshly grated Parmesan, optional

Cook the onion over low heat in the oil in a soup pot until it's tender and golden. Add the tomatoes, rosemary, and salt to taste, and cook at a gentle simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the potatoes and stir. Cook for 5 minutes. Add 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and adjust to a simmer. As the potatoes become tender, break them up with the back of a wooden spoon until a coarse puree forms. Cook the soup for about 45 minutes, or until it is thick and the flavor deepens. Serve. (with the cheese if desired)

Tuscan Rosemary and Pine Nut Bars
from the L.A. Times Food Section 8/11/99

1/4 cup pine nuts, roasted
1/2 Cup butter, cut in 10 pieces
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 cup flour

Melt butter. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, rosemary and pine nuts. Stir in flour to make dough; it will be stiff.
Pat dough evenly into ungreased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees until golden and firm at edges, about 20 minutes. Cool pan on rack about 2 minutes, then use sharp knife to cut bars into 16 squares. Let cool in pan at least 10 minutes before removing with small spatula.

Rosemary Cheese Fingers
adapted from The Complete Book of Herbs by Bremness

2 T butter
1 egg, beaten
2 C oatmeal
1 T chopped rosemary leaf
1 1/2 C cheddar cheese, grated
pinch of cayenne
pinch salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt the butter. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl with the melted butter. Press the mixture into a greased 8" square pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Cut into small fingers.


Rosemary Lore from The Complete Book of Herbs by Bremness

Rosemary has a reputation for strengthening the memory, it became the emblem of fidelity for lovers; some brides have worn rosemary wreaths "richly gilded and tied with silken ribands of all colors." The Spanish revere rosemary as the bush that sheltered the Virgin Mary on her flight to Egypt. As she spread her cloak over the herb, the white flowers turned blue. In times past, resinous rosemary was burned in sick chambers to purify the air and branches were strewn in law courts as a protection from "jail fever" (typhus). During the Plague of 1665 (in Europe), it was carried in the handles of walking sticks and in pouches to be sniffed when traveling through suspicious areas. In some Mediterranean villages, linen is spread over rosemary to dry, so the sun will extract its moth-repellent aroma.

Antioxidant -- better than BHT
Research into the free-radical quenching effects of rosemary have found it to be a potent antioxidant, possessing greater activity than the common food additives BHT (tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene) and BHA (tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisol). (2) The discovery of the antioxidant activity of rosemary in biological systems supports the historical use of rosemary as a preservative for meats and foods.



Estrogen Blocker
Researchers have shown that rosemary enhances the metabolism and removal of endogenous estrogens and decreases their cancer-promoting actions. Researchers evaluated the effects of rosemary extract on the metabolism and action of estradiol and estrone given to female mice. The results of the study showed that feeding female mice a 2% rosemary diet increased liver microsomal oxidation and glucuronidation of estradiol and estrone and inhibited their uterotropic action. (3)

The Little Felted Carpet Bag

Yes it looks like grandmas but I would be proud to use this little charmer.
Pattern and instructions found HERE


Crystal Palace Yarns
free felted knit carpet bag pattern                      
 For Intermediate to Advanced Knitters





English Garden Felted Carpetbag
Taos & Aran yarns
Designed, knit and felted by Terry L. Ross for Crystal Palace Yarns

Materials:[approx. retail cost including handle will be about or a little under $70]
Bag:

3 - 50 gr balls (150 grams) CPY Taos in #02 Gila Bend (Color A)
5 balls of CPY Aran: 1 - 50 gr ball each in #1021 Putty (Color B); #1006 Antique Rose (Color C); #1004 Yellow Gold (Color D); #1010 Lichen (Color E); #1003 "Pale Pink (Color G)
1 - 50 gr ball CPY Deco-Ribbon #120 Celery (Color F)
CPY Bamboo or DAISY Circular Needle 35 or 40" US size 13 (9.0 mm) Circular needle
2 US size 13 (9.0 mm) double pointed needles for I-cord embellishment

4 stitch markers, one of which should be a uniquely colored one to mark the
beginning of rnds.
1 pair Crystal Palace Yarns Handbag Handles #HD-57 Bamboo Effect
Tapestry needle, Sewing needle, Coordinating sewing thread
Floral Embellishments:
1 50 gr ball CPY Aran in #1003 Pale Pink (Color G)
Remnants from Color D, Color E, and Color F above
CPY Bamboo or DAISY Circular Needle US size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 35" long or longer
1 set US size 7 (4.5 mm) double pointed needles
Tapestry needle, Sewing needle, Coordinating sewing thread

Abbreviations:
beg-begin, BO-bind off, CO-cast on, cont-continue, dec-decrease, G st-garter stitch (knit every row), K-knit, Kf/b - Knit in front & back to inc 1 st, P-purl, PM-place marker, PU-pick up, rem-remain(ing), rep-repeat, rnd(s) - round(s), K2togTBL - K2 tog through back of loop, st(s)-stitch(es), tog-together,  St st - Stockinette Stitch, RS - right side, WS - wrong side; RH-right hand, LH-left hand, Sl-slip one, SSK - sl, sl, k - a left slanting dec 
[See this link for dec-inc information]
Dimensions:
Before felting, the bag measures 16" wide x 15" tall x 5" deep
After felting, the bag measures 13�" wide x 10" tall x 3�" deep

Bottom of bag:
With circular needle, and holding one strand of Color A and one strand of Color B together, CO 42 sts and work 28 rows in garter st (knit all rows).
Sides of bag:
PM after the last st knitted, and then cont around the bag from there, picking up 14 sts across the first short end. Place a marker and pick up 42 sts across the CO edge. Place a marker and pick up 14 sts across the remaining short edge, and end by placing the uniquely colored marker to designate the beginning of the rnds. (112 sts)

Join and begin to K in the rnd in St st, always with two strands of yarn, one of which will always be Color A. So that it will be easier to K on the I-cord bindings on the side edges later, we�ll knit in a visual map. To do that, simply make the first st and the last st on the front and back of the bag a P st. In other words, for each rnd, you will *P1, K40, P1, slip marker, K14, slip marker* and then rep. This creates a ridge of P sts on each side of the front and back that we will use for picking up sts for the applied I-cord. For the color sequencing, when Color B runs out, attach Color C and cont knitting. When Color C runs out, attach Color D to finish the body of the bag. When Color A runs out, always replace it with another ball of Color A.
To shape the bag, K for 8" and then begin decs as follows:
Rnd 1: *P1, SSK, K to the last three sts before the marker, K2tog, P1, K14* twice (108 sts)
Rnds 2 and 6: K
Rnds 3-4: Rep Rnds 1 and 2 (104 sts)
Rnd 5: *P1, Sl, SSK, PSSO K to the last 4 sts before the marker and then K2tog, return to the LH needle and then pass the 2 st over the st just made and Sl that end st to the RH needle, P1, K14* twice (96 sts)
Rnds 7-8: Rep Rnds 5 and 6 (88 sts)
Rnds 9-10: Rep Rnds 1 and 2 (84 sts)
Knit 8 more rnds after Rnd 10.
BO sides and knitting top flaps:
K28, BO14, K28, BO14. Let the second set of live sts rest on the cable while you work on the first set. Work 8 rows of St st beginning on the RS of the first set of 28 live sts, then BO. Cut yarn, attach to the RS of the 2nd set of live sts and rep.

Attached I-cord edge bindings:These will be K using two size #13 DP needles and one strand of Color A held tog with one strand of Color E. Place the bag in your lap, RS facing and the top opening nearest your abdomen. To work the attached I-cord, CO 3 sts to the needle, and then starting at the right hand side in your lap, PU one st on the edge onto the RH needle after the 3 CO sts.
Slide the sts to the RH end of the needle, switch it to your left hand and work the attached I-cord as follows: K2, K2togTBL. Knitting the last two sts together through the back loop accomplishes two things. First, it attaches the I-cord to the bag, and second, it twists the last cord st over the picked up st to hide it and help it appear seamless. Cont down the flap extension, PU a total of 8 sts along that edge. When you get to the main body of the bag, you will then have your knitted-in roadmap to follow for PU sts. Rather than pulling a loop through to make a st, simply PU the P bump and place it on the needle after the 3 cord sts and then K as instructed above. After you�ve picked up that first P bump and put it on the needle, the rhythm of doing this becomes: *K2, K2togTBL, PU the bump*. It�s a catchy little tune guaranteed to give you a straight line.
When you get to the bottom of the bag, simply PU the P bump from the end of each G st row (there should be 14), then work your way back up the other side of the bag on the mapped P bumps, ending with PU and working 8 sts from the flap. Cut yarn and pull through all 3 sts on the needle, and weave in the ends. Rep for the other edge of the bag.
[See this link for a pictorial view of making applied I-cord.]Handle fasteners: (make 2)
Using the size 7 circ needle, Deco-Ribbon, Color F, and working in G st, K a rectangle that is 7 �" wide and 3" tall. These rectangles will be used after felting and during finishing to attach the handles to the top of the bag. You will just hand sew the rectangles to the inside top of bag and wrap them around the straight part of the handles and sew to the bag. You can see part of one of these rectangles peeking over the edge of the bag in the top photo here.

Finishing:
Weave in your ends and then felt the bag using your preferred method. [Note: Taos is a quick felting yarn - check your bag often as you felt it - over-felting will make a smaller thicker bag.] Shape to dry and then embellish with knitted vines, leaves, and flowers. To attach the purse handles, wrap them around the base of the handle and seam across the open edge, then stitch that edge to the inside top of the bag, just below the top edge. Sewing it above and below the handle will make a more secure attachment.
Vine:

Using Color F and the size #7 double pointed needles, CO three sts and work 18" of I-cord. Sew to the front of the bag with coordinating thread and a sewing needle.
Bobbles:

Row 1: Using Color E and the size #7 DP needles, CO one st and then K first into the front and then the back of that st until there are 7 new sts created from that one. Turn.
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8: Purl
Rows 3, 5, 7: Knit
Row 9: SSK, Sl, K2tog, PSSO, K2tog (3 sts)
Row 10: P3tog
Cut yarn, pull tail through the remaining loop. Use the yarn tails and tapestry needle to attach the bobbles to the bag along the vine. Make three using Color E, and them make two using Color G and two strands of yarn instead of one for a slightly larger bobble.

Flower buds:

Using the size #7 circ needle and Color G, CO 40 sts and K as follows:
Rows 1, 2, 3, 5, 7: K
Row 4, 6, 8, 10: P
Row 9: Switch to Color E and K
To BO, pass each st over the last P st one at a time until that st is the last one remaining. Cut the yarn, pull the tail through the loop. Curl the bud and use the yarn ends to tack together, pulling all remaining ends down through the center and using the tails to attach to the bag along the vine. Make three.

Leaves:

Using the size #7 DP needles, CO 3 sts with Color F. Work 4 rows of I-cord and then work flat, back and forth, as follows:
Row 5: Turn and P3
Row 6: K
Row 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17: P
Row 8: Kf/b, K1, Kf/b (5 sts)
Row 10: Kf/b, K3, Kf/b (7 sts)
Row 12, 14: K
Row 16: SSK, K3, K2tog (5 sts)
Row 18: SSK, K1, K2tog (3 sts)
Row 20: S1 K2tog, PSSO (1 st remaining)
Cut yarn, pull tail through and weave in ends. Make 3. Use sewing thread to attach to the bag along the vine.

Large Flower:All three layers of this flower will be knitted with Color G, one at a time, and using the Magic Loop Method and the Closed Bottom CO. (Mini-tutorial found here: http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns/bags/bag-deco-tri.html ) Use the size #7 circ needle.
Bottom layer �
CO 12 sts, evenly divided on the two halves of the needle.
Rnds 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11: K
Rnd 2: Kf/b all sts (24 sts)
Rnd 4: Kf/b all sts (48 sts)
Rnd 8: Kf/b all sts (96 sts)
Rnd 12: Kf/b all sts (192 sts)
Bind off in P and weave in ends.
Middle layer 
CO 8 sts, evenly divided on the two halves of the needle.
Rnds 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17: K
Rnd 2: Kf/b all sts (16 sts)
Rnd 5: Kf/b all sts (32 sts)
Rnd 8: Kf/b all sts (64 sts)
Rnd 11: *K2tog* (32 sts)
Rnd 15: *K2tog* (16 sts)
Rnd 18: *K2tog* (8 sts)
Cut yarn and pull the tail through all 8 sts and tighten. Flatten the centers together and pull both yarn tails to the same side. Secure this flattened layer to the bottom ruffled layer (RS of each facing up) by pulling the yarn tails through the center of the bottom layer.
Top layer 
CO 6 sts, evenly divided on the two halves of the needle.
Rnds 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11: K
Rnd 2: Kf/b all sts (12 sts)
Rnd 4: Kf/b all sts (24 sts)
Rnd 10: *K2tog* (12 sts)
Rnd 12: *K2tog* (6 sts)
Cut yarn and pull the tail through all 6 sts and tighten. Flatten the centers together and pull both yarn tails to the same side. Secure this flattened layer to the other two layers (RS of each facing up) by pulling the yarn tails through the center of the bottom layer.
Center Bobble �
Row 1: Using Color D and the size #7 DP needles, CO one st and then K first into the front and then the back of that st until there are 5 new sts created from that one. Turn.
Row 2, 4, 6, 8: P
Row 3, 5, 7: K
Row 9: SSK, K1, K2tog (3 sts)
Row 10: P3tog
Cut yarn, pull the tail through the rem loop and use the two yarn tails to secure the bobble to the center of the flower, and pull rem yarn tails to the underside. Tack the flower as necessary to help it hold your preferred shape. Sew the flower to the front of the bag at the bottom of the vine. 

The Manta

Oh Look what I found a tutorial on.
A Manta Ray Toy
He is one of my favs and really a wonderful project
Tutorial found HERE at littlegreen
Check out here other freebie patterns and to buy patterns.