The Beauty Advent Calendars Are Out

Beauty Advent Calendars are always sold in limited quantities, and they launch in autumn 3 months prior to Christmas. Liberty London, the Holy Grail of calendars, comes out in October, selling out within days. So hyped is the Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar, after it's gone some customers sell their empty Liberty boxes on eBay ... yes, an empty box!

Frankly, I don't have the patience, nor wish to pay the piper for such Limited Luxe Editions marketed by high-end retailers to create demand and company buzz. Instead of joining the flock, I can find equally winning splurges for less moola and be happy! Still, they make nice gifts!

The following are 5 lovely 2021 Advent Calendars already out. They, too, will sell out by December, so wannabe buyers must grab them now:

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1) Elemis No. 25 Beauty Advent Calendar  - Skincare and pampering items. Contains:

- Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 50ml – Full Size
- Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 20g
- Pro-Collagen Rose Facial Oil 5ml
- Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix 15ml
- Pro-Collagen Energising Marine Cleanser 30ml
- Pro-Collagen Eye Renewal 5ml
- Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask 4ml
- Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter 20ml
- Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser 20ml
- Superfood Facial Wash 30ml
-Superfood Day Cream 20ml

- Superfood Night Cream 20ml
- Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice 20ml
- Peptide4 Plumping Pillow Facial 15ml
- Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask 15ml
- Dynamic Resurfacing Skin Smoothing Essence 28ml
- Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads 14 pads
- Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash 30ml
- Papaya Enzyme Peel 15ml
- Herbal Lavender Repair Mask 15ml
- Balancing Lavender Toner 50ml
- Frangipani Monoi Body Cream 50ml
- Skin Nourishing Shower Cream 100ml
- Sea Lavender & Samphire Body Cream 50ml
- Sea Lavender & Samphire Bath & Shower Milk 100ml

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2) NYX Gimme Super Stars Advent Calendar -  Not as upscale or costly as the others, yet fun eyeshadows and lip glosses fit for younger customers, especially early teens. Contains:

- NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler Mini 11ml
- NYX Professional Makeup Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator Mini 2 x 13ml
- NYX Professional Makeup HD Finishing Powder Mini 3.3g
- NYX Professional Makeup Eyeshadow Base Mini 4.7ml
- NYX Professional Makeup Eyeshadow Singles 6 x 1.7g
- NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream 6 x 4.7ml
- NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss Mini 6 x 4.7ml
- NYX Professional Makeup #thisiseverything Lip Oil Mini 4.7ml

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3) L'Occitane Signature Advent Calendar - My kind of skincare, everything needed to lube up with moisturizers in our upcoming battle with Old Man Winter. Contains:

- Immortelle Precious Cream Net Wt. 0.17 oz.
- Shea Butter Ultra Rich Lip Balm Net Wt. 0.13 oz.
- Rose Hand Cream Net Wt. 0.34 oz.
- Almond Shower Oil 1.6 fl. oz.
- Shea Light Comforting Cream Net Wt. 0.17 oz.
- Almond Body Milk 1.6 fl. oz.

- Cherry Blossom Hand Cream Net Wt. 0.35 oz.
- Aromachologie 5 Essentials Oils Shampoo 1.1 fl. oz.
- Aqua Reotier Ultra Thirst-Quenching Cream Net Wt. 0.17 oz.
- Shea Butter Hand Cream Net Wt. 0.34 oz.
- Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soap - Milk Net Wt. 0.8 oz.
- Shea Butter Intensive Hand Balm Net Wt. 0.35 oz.
- Soap with Verbena Leaves Net Wt. 0.8 oz.
- Aromachologie 5 Essentials Oils Conditioner 1.1 fl. oz.
- Verbena Cooling Hand Cream Gel Net Wt. 0.3 oz.
- Verbena Shower Gel 1 fl. oz.
- Shea Butter Foot Cream Net Wt. 0.3 oz.
- Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream Net Wt. 0.6 oz.
- Almond Delicious Hands Net Wt. 0.3 oz.
- Lustrous Hair Treatment - SOS Shine Net Wt. 0.6 oz.
- Gel Cream Hair Treatment- SOS Moisture Net Wt. 0.6 oz.
- Aromachologie Gentle & Balance Micellar Shampoo 1.1 fl. oz.
- Shea Honey Hand Cream Net Wt. 0.34 oz.

- Immortelle Overnight Reset Oil-in-Serum 0.17 fl. oz.

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4) Rituals Advent Calendar - Another personal care option I like. Formulated with botanicals, it contains:

- The Ritual Of Ayurveda Foaming Shower Gel, 50 ml
- Océan Infini, 15 ml
- Amsterdam Collection Body Mist, 20 ml
- The Ritual Of Samurai Ice Shower, 70 ml
- The Ritual Of Jing Sleep Pillow & Body Mist, 20 ml
- The Ritual Of Karma Body Shimmer Oil, 30 ml
- Fortune Balms - Repair, 4.8 g

- Serendipity Foaming Shower Gel, 50 ml
- The Ritual Of Sakura Shampoo, 50 ml              

- The Ritual Of Sakura Conditioner, 50 ml
- The Ritual Of Ayurveda Hand Lotion, 70 ml
- The Ritual Of Jing Foaming Shower Gel, 50 ml
- The Ritual Of Ayurveda Scrub Glove
- The Ritual Of Ayurveda Hair & Body Mist, 20 ml
- The Ritual Of Karma Mild Body Scrub Clay, 70 ml

- Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Imperial Rose, 25 g
- Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Jade Vine, 25 g
- Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Orris Mimosa, 25 g
- Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Sweet Jasmine, 25 g
- The Ritual Of Oudh Foaming Shower Gel, 50 ml
- The Ritual Of Jing Mini Fragrance Sticks, 50 ml
- The Ritual Of Namaste Anti-Aging Serum, 10 ml
- The Ritual Of Sakura Body Cream, 100 ml

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5) Charotte's Beauty Dreams & Secrets Beauty Advent Calendar - Every year I'm on the fence about recommending the Charlotte Tilbury advent calendar. Love the makeup, but is the calendar worth it? Or should you just splurge on lipstick and/or favorite full-sized items? Definitely a luxe gift, but for the price, why only 12 products and travel sizes? Not the best value, readers, compared to its competitors. Nonetheless, just like many luxe advent calendars, it will sell out by December. It contains:

- Hollywood Beauty Light Wand Spotlight FULL SIZE

- Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil in Pillow Talk FULL SIZE

- Matte Revolution Lipstick – Medium Pillow Talk FULL SIZE
- Multi Miracle Glow 15ml TRAVEL SIZE

- Goddess Skin Clay Mask 15ml TRAVEL SIZE
- Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir 8ml TRAVEL SIZE
- Charlotte’s Magic Cream 15ml TRAVEL SIZE
- Wonderglow 15ml TRAVEL SIZE
- Walk of No Shame Eyeliner TRAVEL SIZE
- Legendary Lashes Volume 2 Mascara TRAVEL SIZE
- Lip Cheat Pillow Talk Medium TRAVEL SIZE
- Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray TRAVEL SIZE

How crazy to think about buying Christmas gifts in September, yet every year Advent Calendars sell out months before Christmas, so it's never too early to peruse them. (Newscasters warn in 2021 there will be shortages of goods across categories, so do your holiday shopping early.) Just for fun, look for the Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar in early October ... said to be the company's fastest-selling product in its 145-year history. For the luxe price, at least they don't skimp you on products! The following are niche beauty brands customers will find inside this year's festive box:

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UOMA BEAUTY DRAMA BOMB EXTREME VOLUME MASCARA MINI IN BLACK | LE LABOANOTHER 13 EAU DE PARFUM 15ML | OLAPLEX NO.3 HAIR PERFECTOR 100ML | VOTARY BRIGHTENING HYALURONIC SERUM 50ML | DAVINES MOMO CONDITIONER 75ML | AUGUSTINUS BADER THE RICH CREAM VEGAN 15ML | QMS MEDI COSMETICS INTENSIVE EYE CARE CREAM 15ML | DR SEBAGH SERUM REPAIR 20ML | AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES CLEAR MIND ROLLER BALL 10ML | (MALIN+GOETZ) LIP MOISTURISER 10ML | REN CLEAN SKINCARE READY STEADY GLOW DAILY AHA TONIC 100ML | DERMALOGICA MULTIVITAMIN POWER FIRM 15ML | SURRATT EXPRESSIONISTE BROW POMADE | LIXIRSKIN UNIVERSAL EMULSION 30ML | LIBERTY £15 GIFT VOUCHER | OMOROVICZA PERFECTING LIP BALM 10ML | SUSANNE KAUFMANN MALLOW BLOSSOM BATH 30ML | HAIR BY SAM MCKNIGHT HAPPY ENDINGS NOURISHING BALM 30ML | TRISH MCEVOY BEAUTY BOOSTER® MOISTURE STICK | FRANK BODY CHARCOAL FACE CLEANSER 35ML | VILHELM PARFUMERIE DEAR POLLY, MORNING CHESS + MANGO SKIN EAU DE PARFUM 3 X 2ML | OLVERUM BATH OIL 15ML | 111SKINHYALURONIC ACID AQUA BOOSTER 20ML | DECREE SOS REVITALISING EYE MASK | LIBERTY STARBURST PRINT SMALL WASH BAG

Update: The Liberty London calendar is available when the clock strikes midnight on October 6th. Here.

Extra tips: Sometimes Beauty Advent Calendars in the $24 range end up at T.J. Maxx. Not Liberty London, but I see Crabtree & Evelyn, The Body Shop, and Ole Henrikson. Also at a great value, Macy's Beauty Advent Calendar is spectacular. Staller skincare or makeup at budget-friendly price points!

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For Comfortable Support: Bra30 & Tommie Copper

Tommie Copper Compression Tops

Recently I mentioned my dislike for loungewear.👎 Often made of terrycloth or sometimes called sweats, I never ever wear it ... not around the house, nor in public. To me, it looks like pajamas and feels like never changing out of them.

IMHO, dark (especially black) sleek leggings or yoga pants are just as comfortable, but can be disguised as trousers with the right shirt, sweater, or blazer, so that's what I wear to look casual smart at home, as well as, away from home.

Absolutely, the desire to dress in comfort is understandable. Two brands make it easy to do so in style. First up is for women only ... support bras and bra tops designed by a woman, originally to wear just for herself before she put them on the market ...

Bra30 styles

Bra30 makes tops that are 100% supportive and 100% soft and cozy. You get the support without the structure of a built-in bra. Made of 90% Supima cotton with 10% spandex which hugs your chest, it has a pull-on closure, keeps you dry, and is machine washable. It's the bra top some women like to sleep in as it's that soft and comfortable.

Tommie Copper Compression Bottoms

The 2nd support apparel is designed with 3 levels of support: (1) for daily wear; (2) athletes; and (3) people with aches and pains. Tommie Copper creates a complete line of support tops, bottoms, and accessories for both men and women. There are 3 constructions that correspond to the 3 levels of support:👆1) core - for everyday support, followed by 2) performance - with extra support (suitable for runners) and 3) pro-grade - offering ultimate support. The pro-grade pieces support various pain points like the upper back, lower back, shoulders, forearms, elbows, core, or biceps. 

Still, as specialized as the merchandise is, both retailers are super affordable! You pay less and get more for active and casual wear -- greater value over what some other well-known competitors offer.

The Bra30 top comes in 4 colors

There's no good reason not to live in comfort, support, and style every day at very reasonable prices!

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Homemade Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cookies

Although Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cookies still exist, I can't find them at my supermarket nor at Target. A customer can buy a very expensive bite-size pack at CVS Pharmacy, but I'd like more than 1 ounce, especially if I'm paying nearly the same price as I would for the 15-16 ounce missing family size. 

So after a dozen+ trips of coming home empty-handed, I decided to make a batch at home. How hard could it be? Not very ... as it turns out. Here's the recipe I came up with for 18 single -- 9 stacked sandwich cookies:

Homemade Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients for the cookies:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup peanut butter

a pad of butter (= 1 - 1.5 teaspoons - I eyeball it.)

1/3 cup of brown sugar syrup + 2 tablespoons of dry granular brown sugar - I make and stock brown sugar syrup for pancakes. You can substitute either 1/3 cup of water with 1/3 cup of brown sugar, or use any pure syrup you have at home -- maple syrup, golden syrup, etc.

1 teaspoon baking soda

a pinch of salt

🥄🍽🥄

Butter to grease the baking sheet

Extra all-purpose flour if needed to work with the cookie dough.

Directions for the cookies:

All for you readers I ate 2 cookies. Testing.:)

1) In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, peanut butter, and butter together. 

2) Stir in the syrup, extra brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.

3) At this point use your hands to fold and mix the dough until you get a solid texture that is no longer sticky. Sprinkle a tad of flour on your hands and the dough to help with the task. [If you go up to an extra 1/4 cup of flour as you mix, the taste and texture of the cookies will still be fine.]

4) Form into 18 round balls by rolling them with your palms. Dip out about a tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Flatten and place each round ball on a buttered cookie sheet.

5) I don't shape the cookies into peanuts like the store-bought Nutter Butter cookies, but here's how to make the peanut shapes: Divide one round ball of dough in half; flatter each round half; lay the 2 halves side by side, then seal the adjacent sides of each circle that are touching.) I'm fine with circle cookies. [My mom was always the cookie fuzz pot, making cookie shapes and decorations. I simply aim for a good taste for the piehole, neat in appearance, cute optional. Hey in a cookie, you can always make ugly disappear!😋]

6) With a fork, score the tops of each cookie horizontally than vertically.

7) Bake in a pre-heated 350 degrees F oven for 10 - 12 minutes until slightly brown.

7) Let cool while you make the Peanut Butter Filling.

Ingredients for the filling:

1/3 cup of peanut butter

1/4 cup powdered sugar

a pad of butter

Drops of milk (or cream)

Directions:

1) Mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and butter together until combined. Use the drops of milk to get the consistency smooth, creamy, and spreadable.

2) Spread the filling on a cooled Nutter Butter Cookie and top with a 2nd cookie for one sandwich cookie. 

In the recipe, you can get away with omitting the 2 pads of butter and extra 2 tablespoons of brown sugar for a less in calories cookie, but adding them makes a tastier, richer, sweeter cookie ... without oversweetness. This recipe for homemade Nutter Butter Cookies has fewer ingredients than the commercial ones, but is very peanut-nutty and tastes much like the original. Enjoy!

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What Coffee Table Style Are You?

Photo: Wayfare Sobo Mini-Fridge

When I saw the top👆mini fridge coffee table on Refinery 29 I fell in love with it! It's the coffee table I wish I had room for in my small Manhattan apartment, but alas, there's no way unless I move out!🙂 (Do I really need a refrigerator in my living room? No. Better for me to think about having a snack and walk into the kitchen to get it.)

In fact, a coffee table was the last piece of furniture I bought after decades of not having one out of fear it would only add clutter to my space. What I decided upon was super conservative ... two 15'' x 15'' foldaway storage ottoman cubes pushed together, and I put wheels under them. I even shied away from their larger 30" single ottoman version, which now I see would also work. Yet, I don't mind the 2 separate ottoman cubes as they are even more versatile! I can push them almost anywhere if I wish. Since they sit in front of my couch, I store blankets, as well as, pen and paper for a quick note inside the cubes. They fit so well in the room, I never fold them away! When guests come, we flop the tops over to use as trays to hold our refreshments. Also, I sit and stand on them as needed. The standing, I don't recommend on a regular basis, but in a pinch, yes, they hold up to 200 pounds.

Living in Manhattan has taught me to never bring anything into a home that doesn't have 2 -3 jobs, and now I'm forever a minimalist.

Photo: Raymour & Flanigan's Cross Island Lift-Top here

For a huge living room I'd simply size up the furniture, and you could get away with heavy, solid pieces, but keep the multi-functional aspect of a coffee table. I love how the Cross Island Lift Top coffee table (above↑) can hold a spread of food and drink (or work papers), and its bottom has several drawers for storage. The challenge is not to fill up storage with useless things you should get rid of instead of forgetting you own them.

Photo: Houzz - GDF Studio Leather Storage Ottoman here - A style that looks mod in a big living room.

The final idea (below↓) is also clever. For a tiny space, you still can have a designated spot to rest a coffee cup, computer, or phone. Behold a table that slides into almost nothing when not in use! What it lacks is a charging plug, which the manufacturer should include, though adding a charging portal would surely up its price.

Tuc-A-Way Table - the closest I can find is offered by Wayfair.

What's your coffee table style, my lovelies?

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The Sweater Vest Is Back

Photo: Storets

Cooler temperatures call for layering, and this fall the sweater vest is back in so many attractive ways. Never out of fashion, you'll just have more lengths and style choices in 2021 with many design houses jumping on the sweater vest bandwagon updating its appearance. The following are a few interpretations from well-known retailers:

Photos: 1) Endless Rose; 2) MUNTHE Rowland; 3) Sandro Evone available at Nordstrom

As you can see, a v-neck in the vest is popular, yet there are as many flairs as there are tastes: Feminine, chunky,  smooth, textured, checkered, and cable-net to name a few.

Photos: 1) Urban Outfitters; 2) & Other Stories; 3) Mango

A sweater vest is not just for librarians anymore! The look is polished and practical, sophisticated, chic, and warm. 

Photos: 1) Rag & Bones; 2) Maje Maela - available at Nordstrom; 3) No Comment - available at Macy's 

The sweater vest can pull an outfit together, plus keep you in toasty comfort with just enough coverage. Covering your trunk minus sleeves avoids overheating ... plus hides a wrinkled blouse!😄 Worn solo, it looks fashionable and edgy; or layer over a top for a classic vibe.

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Flower's Forbidden Fruit Eyeshadow Palette

Flower's newest Forbidden Eyeshadow Palette contains such gorgeous blendable colors I'm compelled to write a quick and dirty blog to announce its launch. There are 10 perfect, any-season shades in 3 different finishes that deliver rich lasting pigments in a flattering natural or dramatic look. You decide which way to wear them in how you mix and match the hues.

The following 10 shades are:

Lychee (Creamy Metallic Finish) - White Gold 

Guava (Soft Matte Finish)- Pastel Peach

Juicy (Soft Matte Finish)- Punchy Pink 

Citrus (Creamy Metallic Finish)- Light Copper 

Dragon Fruit (Soft Matte Finish)-Magenta Plum 

Melon (Creamy Metallic Finish)-Duo-Chrome Frosty Pink 

Papaya (Multi-Reflective Shimmer)-Coral Pink 

Exotic (Creamy Metallic Finish)-Duo-Chrome Purple 

Pomegranate (Multi-Reflective Shimmer)-Deep Burgundy 

Blackberry (Soft Matte Finish)-Dark Brown

As my regular readers know, Flower by Drew Barrymore is one of THE SAVVY SHOPPER'S favorite makeup brands. You cannot beat its quality or price with a competitor's. The makeup is both top-notch and inexpensive! The palette is $15, and if you subscribe to get the brand's emails you'll regularly receive promotions that you can apply to purchases. Imagine that! [Ulta carries the Flower brand and is another fabulous retailer to get discounts.]

Flower offers fabulous deals just because! After all, customers need no incentive to buy designer-tier makeup on the cheap!💋💖

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All Eyes On L'Orèal's Best Mascaras

All photos: Courtesy of Target

Before our pandemic, I never left home without a dab of makeup. Nowadays with having to wear a face mask indoors, no makeup is the norm for the simple reason, I don't want to soil the inside of my mask. Yuck! But we could get away with wearing mascara, and L'Orèal makes several excellent offerings, each with a different type of brush designed to create a unique look. They are from left to right:

1) L'Orèal Paris Volume Mega Lightweight Air Mascara - As its name suggests, it gives your lashes a mega volume that's light as air. The formula is whipped, washable, and lasts for up to 24 hours. Suitable for sensitive eyes, it comes with a large cushion bristle brush to coat each lash.

2) L'Orèal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara - Creates voluptuous volume and intense lash length. You get full eyelash fringe, feathery soft eyelashes with no flaking or clumping. The brush is a soft wavy bristle for dramatic volumizing.

3) L'Orèal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara - Volume building, the brush separates and builds every lash up to 5 times fuller and thicker. Claimed to be America's #1 mascara, it has a double bristle cushion brush.

4) L'Orèal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara - For intense length, incomparable lash definition, the carbon black mascara gives you a dramatic look that is also waterproof. It's a patented small bristle brush. How cute is the pink color?!

Top-notch mascara every bit as luxe as the expensive behind-the-counter brands, yet available at Walmart, Target, drugstores, Ultra, and Amazon so you know the cost won't break the bank!👀💋

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Single Serving Of Fruit Cobbler

One of my kind Facebook friends called me a talented lady after I uploaded a photo of Southern Baked "Fried" fish I made from scratch for the 1st time ever. Yes, it turned out crispy and delicious, but as I replied, I'm only a home cook who isn't afraid to experiment or try new dishes. What's the worst that can happen? You fail at making a meal, so what? Usually, you can still eat it, and the next time you try, it'll be perfect. 

I have been craving a fruit cobbler for ages, but today there is nobody here to help me eat it, so I experimented with making just a serving for myself. (BTW: To know the differences between cobblers, crumbles, and grunts, etc, check my recipe for Blueberry Crumble.)

Today I wanted a cobbler with no leftovers. Moreover, I decided to use what I already had in my cupboard: a can of mixed fruit in extra light syrup, a handful of blueberries, along with my plan to make a low-fat biscuit dough to keep it healthy. Since it was a success, I'll post my recipe for you and me to remember how to make it again. If you also toss in a handful of uncooked oatmeal flakes to make the dough (which I forgot) you turn a cobbler into a crumble.

Single Serving of Fruit Cobbler

Ingredients for the fruit filling:

1 cup of fruit (most any fresh fruit like peaches, apples, pears, or berries; or 1/2 can of mixed fruit with fresh berries) -- whatever you have.
a handful of blueberries (if you use mixed fruit like I did and like blueberries)
a sprinkle of cinnamon

a sprinkle of lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon of sugar (which I omitted because my fruit was in extra light syrup. If you use fresh fruit or canned fruit in its own juice add a teaspoon of sugar).

Directions for the fruit filling:

1) Toss the fruit into a small (6 inch) cast-iron skillet. I poured in half of the can's juice. If using fresh fruit add about half a cup of water. Eyeball it.

2) Add the flavorings: cinnamon, lemon juice, vanilla, and a teaspoon of sugar if needed.

3) Let the filling mixture simmer on low-medium heat for 10 minutes while you make the dough. After the raw fruit softens and the liquid simmers some, turn off the heat.

Ingredients for the dough:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2/3 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

a pinch of salt

1 - 3 tablespoons of very cold butter - the more butter used, the more moist and caloric the finished dough will be ... but a dier dough will have the fruit, so it's up to you how fattening to make it. A smaller amount of butter makes drier, yet edible dough. And, more butter tastes richer.

1/4 cup buttermilk

Directions for the dough:

1) Stir together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt.

2) Cut the butter into tiny cubes and work into the dough uniformly with your fingers. 

3) Next pour in the buttermilk, start with 1/4 cup and add by drops as much as needed. The right consistency is when the dough is no longer dry, but elastic and not sticking to the bowl or your fingers.

4) Pinch off pieces of the dough and lay them over your filling in the hot cast-iron skillet.

5) Bake in a pre-heat 375 F degree oven for 20 minutes, or until the dough rises and starts to get a tad brown.

My blueberry-mixed fruit cobbler was plenty sweet for me. If not for you, all you need to do is top with a scoop of ice cream, a little powdered sugar, syrup, or honey. 

So I didn't have to wait for more mouths to feed to eat a fruit cobbler. The single serving of cobbler (which was meant to be a crumble) was delicious. Yet a single serving is enough to hit the spot ... and I don't have to eat it again tomorrow!

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Eating A Plantain

From time to time, I bet every home cook gets tired of his/her own cooking. That's when I'm open to trying a new food or dish. New York is such a mish-mash of cultures I really love it! This week I received two plantains, a staple in African, Asian, and Latin American cuisine. 

To tell you how unfamiliar I am with this fruit, during my 1st year in Manhattan I bought one by mistake, thinking it was a large, oddly shaped banana. It took longer to ripen, was harder to peel, and tasted raw ... after I waited a long time for it to soften, then bit into it. Because. It was raw, and I didn't know I was supposed to cook it!😂

So flash forward to our present day. Lucky me, I got not one, but 2 plantains. One was yellow, the other green. 

So this time around, I knew the plantains had to be cooked, but I still didn't know how best to do it. Well ... that's what Google is for ... to tell me how!

Photo: AllRecipes

The yellow one I sliced and grilled both sides in a 12" skillet brushed with extra virgin olive oil on a stovetop. I could have sprinkled it with sugar and cinnamon; instead, I kept it plain and ate it with leftover cauliflower, lima beans, and carrots. Not bad in lieu of potatoes or rice. Good in taste and texture. Yep, I'll eat it again.

Now I must figure out how to eat the 2nd green plantain. If sliced thin with a mandoline, I could bake it into plantain chips seasoned with salt, dried garlic, and red pepper flakes. Or if I wait too long and it begins to soften, as I understand it, plantains can be mashed like potatoes, or not dilly-dally and use it green to thicken soups or stews. It's a brand new plantain world in the Turner household! The spicy plantain crispy baked chips are tempting!

Photo: BigOven

As it turns out, plantains are a complex, starch-resistant carbohydrate that keeps your glucose index (blood sugar) in a healthy range.

They are rich in iron, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin A, and the B vitamins, as well as, fiber. Plantains naturally contain beneficial plant compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids (which act as antioxidants) to help fight free radicals that otherwise damage the body. Eating plantains also lowers blood pressure, reduces constipation, and prevents iron deficiency anemia. The green plantains are low in sugar. As they ripen and turn yellow, plantains get softer and sweeter but stay mild in flavor. You can use ripe plantains like bananas in baking but they don't taste like bananas although they are in the same genus Musa family. 

The word "plantain" indicates the fruit is a cooking banana. In other words, the name, "plantain," itself means fruit that must be cooked. Oh, right, NOW you tell me! Not when I needed to know as a young, innocent transplant to New York City. Thanks, universe.🙂

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