Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Kindle VS Nook and Spring Peas



I am a reader. I read ALOT. Books, newspapers, magazines, cookbooks, recipes, books, did I mention books? If I'm doing something where I can't read, like sewing, I listen to audio books. I TRY to visit my local library as often as possible but I also BUY books. ALOT.

TBHITW and I are trying to lighten our load and a big part of our load is books. Lots of books. Stacks of books. Bookcases full of books. Books under beds, on night stands and dressers, and on the coffee table (why is it called a coffee table? I never put coffee on it).

So TBHITW suggested I buy myself a Kindle from Amazon.com. Barnes and Noble also have their version of a Kindle, it's called a Nook. I like the idea of a handheld device that can download a book (and store up to 1,500) in a matter of seconds. I like the idea of not having all these books laying around.

I like the idea of not having to drive to a book store or library.

I did some green research and if I buy 40-50 e-books, the environmental impact of electronic device versus print book is paid for. I will definitely buy more than 40-50 e-books.

Does anyone out there have either e-reader? Any opinions? Any help in comparison shopping? I'd appreciate any feedback anyone can offer.

Now then,

I don't care how many daffodils bloom in my front walkway garden.




Or how many incredible pink trees I see:



Or how many little yellow flowers Holly stops to sniff (she loves these things):



To me, it is not officially spring until these babies appear in the market:


Fresh, spring peas. Oh joy, oh rapture. I could eat these little green pearls everyday and not regret one mouthful. And when my family can absolutely eat not one more pea? Time to freeze for the winter. Peas freeze beautifully and on a cold dark day in January, steaming up a few handfuls of peas will give you hope for spring.

Finally, it's here - spring AND peas!

Fresh Peas with Olive Oil and Mint: (make as much as you want)

Peas in their pods - shell as many as you need (about 1/2 cup per person)
Salted boiling water
Sea Salt
Olive Oil
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped

Shell the peas and place in a fine mesh strainer. Meanwhile, set a pot of water on to boil. Add some salt to the water.
Immerse the strainer into the pot of water and boil peas for 3 to 5 minutes. Taste a pea to make sure it is tender.



Raise the strainer out of the water, place peas in serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and toss in the fresh mint.

Yum.

Freezing Peas: Blanche the shelled peas in boiling salted water for 2 minutes. Strain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let peas drain and dry off. Freeze in individual zip lock bags. They stack beautifully and take up hardly any room in your freezer. To cook, steam or microwave in a little water.

Do your local farmer a favor, if you find peas at the market that were grown locally, buy 10 pounds or so. Come this winter, you and your local farmer will be happy you did.

A Cook's Notes: I just realized that it has been a year since I opened this blog. Thank you all for following, encouraging, commenting and most of all COOKING!

As always, Bon Appetite!



14 comments:

  1. I have tried, but cannot get into peas...I like the pods better!

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  2. oh, yummy! I'll definitely try this!

    As for the Kindle or Nook. I don't know anyone who has tried the nook but I've heard great things about the kindle. I don't have either as I'm reluctant to spend the money up front. Which is rather stupid as I have hundreds of books and I'm a BIG re-reader. Which seems like it would make perfect sense for me to get one of these. I have to say that I love the feel of a book in my hands, turning the pages, even the smell. Let us know what you decide; I could certainly use the info!

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  3. Buffalo - oh I love the sugar snap peas too and they are so easy to grow!

    Whitney - I KNOW what you mean about the feel of a book in your hands, the weight, the smell, the anticipation of turning the pages.. but also the thought of carrying around 1,500 books and to be able to read them anytime, anywhere... it is a dizzying thought.

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  4. I have a Kindle 1 and have had it for 2 years now. I love it. I'm an avid reader and knitter so it serves both purposes in being able to read books and knitting patterns on it. Living in a NYC apartment can get cramped and this has been a great space saver. I also love being able to download a book at 3 am if need be. If you're interested, there are forums on Amazon specifically for Kindle users. You may get some good information there too.

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  5. Susie - thank you so much for responding. I am currently leaning toward to the kindle because it has a web-browser. Thanks also for the Amazon forum tip - I will check it out. Happy reading!

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  6. Look at your flowers! Look at them! And the tree! And, and, and! Nothing THAT spectacular has happened here yet and I'm waiting!

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  7. Mmm peas! My dad has a Kindle and he LOVES it. He carries it around with him everywhere. I really want one! Someday...

    Haven't heard anything about the Nook... I like the name though!

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  8. I love your daffodils! And the peas look wonderful.

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  9. My husband loves his Kindle. I'm thinking maybe the I-Pad once they work out all of the bugs. I like the idea of it being color. But I'm not sure about giving up the paper books - they are so much a part of me. I love the smell, the feel, the security of knowing they are always there. What if the people of Amazon (who I am currently mad at for doubling my order of things - three times!), decides to just erase all the e-books? :-) I know for a fact they are not always on the ball.

    Love spring peas - especially with rice and mushrooms. Thanks for the recipe.

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  10. Kate - it is pretty spectacular here right now. My daffodils have multiplied over the years and I now have hundreds - plenty for vases all over the house AND keeping the garden looking festive.

    Jen - Peas should be showing up from your CSA, no?

    Blissed - Peas and daffodils look pretty sharing the same table. ;-)

    Nancy - I thought of the iPad but I don't need another computer (no matter how small) I just want an e-reader. I think e-Books are here to stay AND a Kindle can download books at Barnes and Noble (although they don't like to tell you that). Mmm... I love mushrooms. Morels are showing up right now at the farmer's market too!

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  11. Love veggies,green,red or yellow. I am a book worm and I haven't made the paradigm shift to e-books.I love the paper,the covers,the glue,the dust. If I plan to re-read a book, I buy it, but mostly, I check out books from the library.My house is over stocked with books and I'm a miser so I won't buy e-books for now therefore I don't need an e-reader.

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  12. I like pea pods, but not peas alone. Oh, well.

    Just noticed the photo on your previous post, which I somehow missed. Have to go inspect that a bit more closely. See you!

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  13. Just found your site three mins ago.I love peas. Our season for peas is in feb. Florida heat.

    And I own a Kindle. Got it for my birthday in June 2009 for my birthday. I can read a book a day or a book in two days or four books in a week, usually. I spend so much LESS on books now. LOTS of free books on kindle. LOTS. LOts of books you can download for free.

    Most all newer books are at $9.99. But the older ones that are five years old or more and authors want to try to bring in new readers will give one away free, or put it out for 1.99. So I can spend 10 bucks on up to five new books. I love it. I hope you will too.

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  14. Girl - hello and welcome! Thanks for the Kindle plug. I did go ahead and order one! I'm excited to receive it and start buying books!

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Wow. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I love feedback... what with being a cook and all. I will respond to your comments via email (if you do not have a "noreply" address or here, below your comment) As always, Bon Appetite!

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