Monday, March 31, 2008

Tote Bags & Meatos Recipe

I finished up my bag for the swap. Anytime I try a new pattern, whether knitting or sewing, there is a learning curve involved. I usually find myself in the slow learner category. I stare at the words trying to decipher their meaning. I often wonder, is this written in a secret code? Many times, on a second go round with the same pattern, I am wiser and more immune to slack jawed "huh?" of my first attempts. I'm sure this pattern will be no exception.

I do have one thought on the pattern that others might find helpful. The pattern makes a very strechy bag with a fairly narrow opening. This is great for preventing things from rolling out of your bag when you put it down but it might be bothersome if you're trying to pack quickly as the cashier scans your groceries. I suspect if you use larger double pointed needles, a wider opening would result.

Also, I need to practice kitchener stitch when no one else is around. I get distracted way too easily. Overall, I love the pattern. It's easy to follow and the bag really looks nice. (I'm not bragging, I'm just so surprised that it actually came out looking like a bag!)

So here's what the bag looks like empty:


Here's what it looks like full (we used balls of yarn to simulate groceries):


Some people were having trouble opening up the link to the Meatos recipe so I've cut and pasted it below. This recipe comes from Judy in the Vegetarian Group

Meato's
1 cup Peanut Butter
2 16 oz. cans Petite Diced tomatoes with Green Chilies or Jalopeno's
1 tsp. Sage
1 c. Onion, diced
1 tsp. Salt
3/4 c. flour(more or less)

Mix all the ingredients, adding the flour until it is thick like cake batter
mixture. Put into a sprayed casserole dish. Bake @ 350 for about 1 hr.
Check middle for being done.

I've used salsa in place of the tomatoes with green chilies. I've used plain diced tomatoes and added a teaspoon of chili powder too. I usually use 1/2 the amount of salt or skip it entirely. Everyone in our house loves this recipe.

5 comments:

Chile said...

Laughing at your "secret code" comment. You should see me try to decipher directions. "What do they really mean by this?!" The first year I did my own taxes was probably the year I got my first white hair, trying to figure out what the heck they were saying. But, like you say, after you muddle through it once, it makes more sense.

Hm, I wonder if that Meatos recipe would work with the lowfat peanut butter we use (Better 'n Peanut Butter).

Ruthie said...

I have to tell you that is the weirdest recipe I have ever seen.

What do you do with the big tomatoey peanut cake (this is how Im imagining it) when it's done? Slice it and eat it? Yuughh.. maybe it's better than it sounds. :-)

We had the left of the lima bake mixed with extra water and soupified tonight. Russell really likes it but it's kinda herby for me. Trust me, something Russell likes and I don't is weird thing. He's very picky sometimes!

Ruthie said...

That should be 'left over' or 'rest of', but I kinda combined both of them for a new saying entirely.

Katie said...

Hey Chile, it probably would work with the lowfat peanut butter. Give it a try and let us know.

LOL Ruthie, it is a goofy sounding recipe. It comes out like a meatloaf. It can be sliced and put on sandwiches or eaten as is, which is what my kids normally do. I swear they fight over the leftovers!

I'm glad Russell liked the lima bake. When you come up with something a sometimes picky eater like its gratifying. Play around with the herbs next time, make it your own.

As for the "left of", that was clearly a slip of the tongue (or fingers as the case may be) revealing a bit more about you than you originally planned :-)

Ruthie said...

Katie, the bag looks great!

Your daughter is hilarious.

Ruthie :-)