Sunday, April 15, at home in Arizona
Mesquite trees are putting out leaves already, a few weeks earlier than last Spring.
The Blackstone griddle is in position on our covered patio and hooked up to propane!
Let me tell you about my latest experiment cooking with the griddle.
“Am I boring you guys? Pay attention here and you might be rewarded. I’m talkin’ chicken off the griddle. Chic – ken.”
Yesterday the grocery had packages of frozen stir-fry vegetables on sale. I bought three packages, a bottle of Tzang’s General Tso sauce, and a skinless, boneless chicken breast.
Today I’ll see what my griddle can do.
First I chop the chicken into bite-size pieces. With a little olive oil on the griddle I let the chicken pieces cook thoroughly.
Ooh, you browned up nicely, my pretties.
I push the cooked chicken aside with my spatula. Now for the frozen vegetables . . .
The package includes sugar snap peas, water chestnuts, carrots, red pepper, broccoli, and green beans.
Sure, I could use fresh produce and prepare it for cooking.
But you know what? No matter how creative and resourceful I try to be, I always end up throwing out produce, since I’m the only person in this household.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I could make soup. Well, I’m not always in the mood for making soup. And I admit there have been times I completely forgot what’s in the fridge.
Gooey vegetables. Ick.
For $1.99 a package, I have enough for two meals and I don’t have to chop vegetables. Open the bag and dump on the griddle.
You know, it really is laughable for me to be writing a post about cooking. As if I have any creditable experience, skill, or knowledge. Ha.
“Why do it then?” you ask.
I want to demonstrate for my fellow cooking clutzes (you know who you are) that griddling a tasty meal isn’t hard to do.
Throughout this griddling process I have the heat turned to high. As I once explained, I only use two settings when cooking — high and off.
I turn the vegetables frequently. This is the fun part: Standing at the griddle with a big, metal spatula in hand, scraping and turning vegetables, humming a happy tune, breathing in the fresh air mixed with cooking aroma . . .
I feel like an expert at this.
When the vegetables are softened, yet still a bit crunchy, and beginning to brown, I shove the chicken pieces over from the cooler side of the griddle to join in warm fellowship with the vegetables.
Time for the sauce!
I wonder about this General Tso guy . . . . (More about him later.)
I shake the bottle and drizzle sauce over the mixture.
(Note to self: Could go a bit lighter on the sauce. No need to waste it making puddles on the griddle surface.)
By the way . . .
This dish is not anything close to what is generally known as General Tso’s chicken. Different ingredients.
General Tso (or Tsao) chicken has battered chicken, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, Shaoxing wine or sherry, sugar, sesame oil, scallions and hot chili peppers.
I wouldn’t attempt to fool with all that.
Remember: YOU make the rules when you command your own griddle!
Mix up the chicken, vegetables, and General Tso sauce with the confidence of a pro and . . .
“Voila!”
Enough for two meals. Maybe tomorrow I’ll cook some rice to go with it. That is, if I want to eat it again. It does look pretty good.
With a bottle of Snapple peach tea, I settle into the wicker rocker with plate on my lap and proceed to fork in the first mouthful.
Mmm . . . It’s good! I like it!
Of course Reggie and Roger want some.
I take a paper towel and wipe the sauce off a few pieces of chicken and share with them at intervals throughout the meal.
Next time I should put their chicken aside before pouring the sauce.
“You’re not getting any vegetables. You’d just turn up your noses and waste them.”
Gosh, this is great. Now I have another dish to add to my griddling repertoire. Woman does not live on Mexican pizza alone!
Hmm . . . Pineapple might make this even better. Next trip to the store I’ll pick up a can of pineapple chunks to griddle along with the vegetables.
rvsue
WHAT ABOUT GENERAL TSO?
“General Tso’s chicken is a sweet deep-fried chicken dish that is served in North American Chinese restaurants . . . . The dish is named after Zuo Zongtang (also romantasized Tso Tsung-t’ang), a Qing dynasty statesman and military leader, although there is no recorded connection to him nor is the dish known in Hunan, Zuo’s home province.” — Wikipedia
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ATTENTION GRIDDLERS!
How about telling us your griddle recipes and/or techniques? Thanks! — Sue
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FIND IT AT AMAZON!
This is the part of my blog where readers share suggestions for products from Amazon that they think you might be interested in.
If you know of a great product, you are invited to write a review in a comment, along with a product description, including brand name.
I appreciate the help! — Sue
Columbus Calvin in Ohio recommends:
Dr. Comfort Men’s Ranger Diabetic Hiking Boots
“They’re good solid shoes with velcro closure and no-tie laces. I just walked roughly a mile and a half in these. They’re light enough to not wear me out and heavy enough to last, with a good sole to cushion impacts.” — Calvin
Denise in Richmond, Virginia, recommends:
“In the past, I have used those space bags that compress with your vacuum. The bags have a very strong odor. Maybe the odor is from the plastic that they are made of?
“I found a better solution. Ziploc Flexible Totes. The jumbo size is 2’2” x 1’4” x 1’. The totes are semi-transparent with a double zip and convenient handles. There is a mesh panel below the zipper, so this is not a solution for those looking for something waterproof. All of my heavy weight throws fit with room to spare. The tote is out of the way on a top linen closet shelf.
“I was also looking for a storage solution for my fabric stash. . . . I found Ziploc Big Bags – Stand & Fill with Expandable Bottom – Size XL – 4 per package.
The bags measure 2’ x 1’8” x 7”. The bags close by ziploc, so the fabric will remain dust free.” — Denise
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THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!
RVSue and her canine crew is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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Yummmmmy!
. . . AND TODAY THE WINNER IS . . . RENEE FROM IDAHO! YAY!!!
Thank you!
Who-Hoo, Rene!!! 🙂
Thank you!
hi sue…..
hi chuck…..
🙂
First?
Nope, but you tied second with chuck. 🙂
Great work, Chef Sue! You are absolutely correct in using frozen veggies, perfectly blended for the gustatory effect. Quite frankly, I would buy many more since they are on sale. Unless you can employ a sous chef to buy and chop the exact veggies that fit your appetite. I have seen veggie mixes for “Mexican” dishes. Jeeze. I am sure you can locally source the ingredients.
I think you will be grilling outside for the remainder of the “hot season” down there, at least until the monsoons in July.
The boys will be boys pictures are funny. In the first, Reggie seems to have the hold on opponent Roger. Tough boys! Hahaha.
Hi, Diann,
So often I’ll see a sale, buy a small amount, and then wish I’d stocked up. I’m going to the grocery again tomorrow. I’ll see if the vegetables are still $1.99.
I’m very happy with our covered patio now that the trellis is gone. The openness makes it fresher, a place I feel like cooking in. Two sides are walls of the house. The other two sides are half walls and it has two wide entrances. Breezes come through but they are slowed, which is good for griddling. So, yes, I hope to be griddling out there for several weeks, if not months. I’m having fun setting up a cooking station. 🙂
It helps to place the frozen packets into Gallon sized Freezer bags so they will last a few months longer.
Good to know!
Hi again, Diann!
I got four more packages of stir fry vegetables on sale this morning. Yay! And they are presently in the freezer in freezer bags as you suggested.
Hi, Sue,
Looks pretty tasty! We have a griddle in our RV. So far, I’ve only used it for Buttermilk pancakes and fried corn bread (Hoe cakes). You’ve sent me in a new direction. Thanks!
Hi, Joe,
That’s great! I wish you success with whatever your try.
Yum! We’re they frozen veggies? Mine always turn to mush…the frozen veggies I mean. I tried thawing them out first but get same results so I resorted to fresh veggies. I use a stove top wok.
Hi, Rita,
I used frozen veggies, straight out of the freezer, no thawing. Plenty crunchy. I don’t know why yours turn to mush. ??
Hi, Rita from Phoenix — I use a TON of frozen veggies (often by far the least expensive way to buy “organic” if that’s something you try to do). I’ve found a key is often — just as Sue did here — to use high heat and a bit of fat. So the Blackstone works great, a hot cast iron skillet with a bit of butter (ahh, for great flavor) or other high heat oil (avocado oil is fabulous for this), bacon grease if you keep that… then add your veggies and essentially “stir fry” them for a few minutes, adding whatever “seasoning” you want. If they need to cook more, you can THEN turn the heat down and let them hang out for however much longer they need until however tender you want them. The combo of high heat and some fat really seems to offset any watery-ness or mushiness. Just an idea!
Thank you Arden in Utah. I have an all electric home including the range. Maybe the electric range is not getting the wok hot enough. Also, the stove top is glass instead of coils. I’ll give it a try with bacon grease next time. I’ve been using olive oil.
That made me hungry! I had leftover salad…..want me to share? I call it chopped apple, turkey salad….I just slice celery, green onion, dice apple, cube up some deli turkey, I have the clerk cut me a slice a half inch thick and cut that up. I put in a handful of dried cranberries and some mayo. It stays crisp in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
I am going to try your grill meal tomorrow, thanks!
Gee, thanks, LeeJ. The ingredients for your “chopped apple turkey salad” are things I usually stock in warm weather. I’m going to try it!
I hope you like the stir fry grill meal. 🙂
I’m going to bold the names of recipes so we can find them easily.
Your salad sounds great…like the one I make with cold chicken. Sometimes I add some pecans.
“Grilled Sliced Steak in Demi-Glace”
One suggestion is to take a steak (this is a great way to get two dinners out of one steak!) — I use a wonderful grass fed and finished steak, but pretty much any steak will work, even a “London Broil” cut.
Slice it crossways into strips and season to your taste. (Plain salt and pepper work fine, I really enjoy the “Spice Islands Garlic and Herb” seasoning you can get in a nice-sized container from Costco, or whatever you like with meat.)
Slice up some onion (any kind) and mushrooms (can do without either of those if you don’t like, but both are really good and help stretch the meat). Grill it all up on your griddle until meat is done to your liking. (If you like your steak rare, you probably want to grill up the onions and mushrooms a few minutes first so you don’t end up overcooking your steak.)
Then add a good dollop of “More Than Gourmet Classic French Demi-Glace” (easily available from Amazon in everything from one 1.5 oz size to a full 16 ounces) and stir it all about. Serve on top of rice — I especially enjoy the depth of flavors (and healthy mix of grains) in the Seeds of Change rice mixes in those pouches that you just nuke for 90 seconds.
You could also dump any “pre-cooked” rice (like those pouches, or your own that you’ve cooked and stashed in the fridge) onto the griddle also to heat, mixing it in with the meat. This would easily make 2 servings, conceivably even 3 (out of one steak!) and is very good. A handful of mixed salad greens (just buying those bags or boxes at the store) with a nice salad dressing would go well alongside for very little work. Enjoy!
Great addition to our recipe collection. Recipes that stretch the most expensive ingredient are nice to know.
What would you call this recipe so I can put a title on it?
Hmmm… maybe “Grilled Sliced Steak in Demi-Glace”? Or “Grilled Sliced Steak and Rice”? Haha, since I pretty much “make-up” all of my recipes, they tend not to have actual names. I’d say either of those would surely work fine and be descriptive enough to give someone a hint of what it was. 😉
Thanks, Arden. I put it up there. I like how you gave suggestions how to adapt the recipe to personal tastes and how you commented on the ingredients/side dishes.
By the way… great website! “Real Food, Real Life” — You’re an accomplished cook! (I’m blushing.)
Readers… Arden’s name is a link to her website. Go take a look and get recipes!
Hi, Sue — Thanks for the shout-out. The website is “behind” but I’m gearing up to really get it going again, so appreciate your kind words. The thing that I hope helps other “regular cooks” is that I’m no chef — just a gal that loves food and likes to cook with “real” ingredients, but also as easy as possible. If anyone checks it out and comments, be sure to let me know you’re a blogorino!
It sounds delicious Sue!
Just thought I would pop out here and see what you were up to! I hope you have an absolutely wonderful day! 🙂
Thank you. I wish you the same. Nice to see you here, Rachel. I’m going to pop over to your place and see what you’ve been up to. 🙂
Lovely post, Rachel. You always write honestly, from the heart, and with gratitude and grace. Congratulations on the new kitty! Dear Macha has to share you!
Charles is an excellent photographer. Wow.
I thank God your cancer scare turned out to be no more than a scare. Every day is precious, isn’t it. Your words about nature and the beauty you see at your camping spot resonate with me. Well done. I hope you find another good camp where you can be happy and healthy.
Hi Sue!
Thank you for taking the time to peek at my little world. You always say the nicest things! As you know I cannot be out here online very often. That’s becoming more and more challenging to accomplish, but I keep trying!
Unfortunately, the kitty cat had to go back. Because we are on the move again. Macha, of course, is thrilled, that she no longer has competition! LOL I actually think she is happier too, because she’s getting to go for more W A L K’s. She really liked her little fence at first, but we both missed getting to go for ‘those things that I’m not going to say out loud right now’ together! 😉
I was hoping and praying that one of these days I would have a place to stay still, the way you are now! 🙂 Funny how the grass always seems Greener doesn’t it? But I have come to realize that a traveling life is the best way for me to actually have a life! It is a good life in so many ways. I just need to readjust my thinking! That’s part of what that post was all about. Letting go of that beautiful place, we had for a little while, was very difficult.
However! We have new adventures to go on. Possibly California. Possibly even more elsewhere! My son is traveling with me right now, so that makes it easier, and harder. I don’t like the fact that he has to be out here to help me, but then again, I enjoy his company so much! This time we’re looking at going places where, Charles and I, can get photographs of amazing things.
Like the ocean! 🙂
Warm wishes to you, your son, and Macha. I know you’re trusting God to show you the right path with the right timing.
Oooh, the ocean! Maybe sea breezes will be good for you!
Damn Missy, you make an old fella hungry. That looks mighty good. I am struggling to feed myself (Detta was a wonderful cook), and I am terrible but I am eating. Hugs to ya and the boys…
Hugs to you, too, Jim. You’ll never be able to duplicate Detta’s cooking, but I am glad to know you are eating. Maybe with time you’ll improve.
A widower in the neighborhood is in a similar position. He misses Marilyn’s cooking. He tells me that now he lets Marie do the cooking. Marie is Marie Callender… the frozen dinner company.
I would perish without my freezer. Most things I eat now have a frozen component.
Hi Jim, Glad to here you are getting along. Stouffer’s also
has good frozen meals. Do be careful of the sodium in those meals however. Some of them are really loaded with it.
DH would be like you, though, if something happened to me. Take care of yourself.
Hi, Jim!
Sending you a **hug** 🙂
Did i miss the dinner bell?
Looks scrumptious!
Yup. Even the leftovers are gone. 🙁
I’m a microwaved/frozen eater right now. Other stuff, too, but I’m not a cook. I relate to your statement about two settings (high and off). You have almost convinced me that I need to try some simple cooking.
It’s nice to see Reggie and Roger having fun. My ex is looking for another miniature poodle to rescue. We have a history with two of them, and I’m around enough to enjoy the next one, too.
If I look at your header picture very long, I’ll be homesick for someplace I’ve never been. Thanks just the same.
You’re welcome, Calvin.
. . . “homesick for someplace I’ve never been.” Oh, the ache in those words!
I encourage you to try some simple cooking. Start with something easy that you’re sure to like. Life is better with delicious food in it.
Hope the perfect dog finds you and your ex.
Seriously one of our fave on-the-road meals. Works with chicken, pork or beef. Leftover meat, fresh, or pre-cooked strips. I always add pineapple chunks. And crunchy noodles or nuts, like peanuts or cashews. Yum.
Sue — I tried to post this comment earlier, but it wouldn’t let me. Maybe I’d surpassed my quota for the day? 😉 So, I’m trying it again. If it doesn’t make it, no tragedy, but thought you might enjoy this one too, if it shows up.
______________________
And here’s one more for you, especially appropriate at this time of year when asparagus is so readily available! Let’s call this “Spicy Shrimp, Orzo, and Asparagus”. I usually keep a bag of big shrimp in the freezer — my “Kroger” affiliated local store often has a really good option or two on a pretty decent price. Easiest, of course, is the pre-shelled, but even the “E-Z peel” type that have already been split down the back (and de-veined) are pretty easy to deal with.
Assuming they’re frozen, throw a handful of shrimp (maybe 4 or 5) into a bowl of water for quick thawing. Pull the tails (if “peeled” since they still usually have the tail) or peel once they’ve thawed enough to handle.
In a bowl or zip-top type bag, pour a glug of oil (olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, whatever you normally have on hand), a bit of salt and pepper (another place I use that Spice Islands Garlic and Herb seasoning) and ideally something “spicy.” The spice can come from many possible sources, and you can clearly make it searingly hot or just have the tiniest “bite” to it.
Some suggestions would be a dash of sriracha sauce (something well worth keeping in the fridge if you enjoy spicy things!), or a good sprinkle of cajun seasoning, or maybe some “sweet ginger” seasoning or “mango habañero” from walmart, or cayenne, or… well, you get the point.
A splash of white wine if you have it on hand would not be out of place, although certainly not necessary. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or a drizzle out of a bottle of lemon juice… another unnecessary but tasty addition if you have it on hand. No need to worry over an exact “marinade” recipe — really just looking for a bit of oil and some seasoning.
You’ll need to cook up a bit of orzo pasta on the stove top while the shrimp is hanging out in its marinade — orzo is super easy to fix since it’s “small” (kinda like rice) so you don’t need a gargantuan pot to cook it, and it cooks quickly. Water in a saucepan (or even skillet), salt it, bring to a boil, throw in a hand-full of orzo, cook to the time the directions say and drain it.
While the orzo was cooking, take several fresh asparagus stalks. (Stalks? Is that what they call individual stems of asparagus?) Break off the bottom end wherever it “snaps” easily from the top part. Lay your several stalks on the cutting board and cut all together, across, into pieces about an inch or two long.
Okay — yes, you spent a few minutes in the kitchen prepping, but not really very much given the yumminess of the end result. Head out to your Blackstone with your bowl or bag of marinating shrimp, your cooked orzo, and your asparagus, and ideally a carton of cream.
Dump your shrimp out on the griddle and add your asparagus. Let it all SIT without moving it around for 2 or 3 minutes to let it get a little “crusty” (both the shrimp and the asparagus). Then start moving it around with your spatula (or turn the shrimp over individually with tongs if you’re so inclined) — you can either leave the big shrimp whole, or use your spatula to “cut” down through each one into half or even thirds. The shrimp and asparagus will be fully cooked in a few minutes. (You can always simply take a little taste and see.)
Dump your cooked orzo onto the shrimp and asparagus and drizzle it all with a little heavy cream if you have it on hand. (It’s not “necessary” for the dish, but will definitely add a nice touch.) Swizzle it all around together with your spatula then serve and ENJOY.
And just be aware that it basically took far more time and effort to read this recipe than it takes to actually make. It *sounds* like a lot of steps and work, but really is super easy and again stretches a more expensive ingredient (nice big fat shrimp) into a lovely full dinner. Leftovers reheat well too.
Okay, that’s enough out of me. Hope you’ll try these recipes!
You’ve added so much value to my blog, Arden! And you’ve inspired me and probably others to try new dishes. I’ve been wondering what to do with the fresh asparagus I see at the grocery and hadn’t thought about putting it on the griddle.
I’ve never cooked orzo. I’ll try it. Haven’t cooked shrimp in several years and don’t ever think about it here in the desert. Hmm . . . .
🙂
I’ve also got to say that grilled asparagus is the bomb!
Let me tell you Sue…you won’t find better in any restaurant!!! NOT HERE anyway!! As to frozen veggies…actually? More nutrition they say than fresh as they are frozen quickly after arriving at the food factory…and how do I know that? Cause when hubby was young, maybe 18ish, he worked at Bird’s Eye there in Idaho. Said he was sure that onions were frozen within the hour after arrival…now you know for a fact, NOTHING in the fresh section beats that!! So buy up dearie…as much as you can use in a few weeks anyway. That frozen mix, by the way, is one of favorites too. I do still sometimes chop up my own stuff…but usually just if I cannot get to the store, or if some fresh veggies are needing to be used up…otherwise? Frozen for me, most every time!! You are a very good cook…just look at those bellies on the fellas there!!
Thank you, Elizabeth, and good morning! You are an encourager!
Good point about the quick freezing of fresh vegetables. I like that my residential size freezer allows me to purchase a variety to have on hand, especially after 7+ years of living with a tiny freezer.
oh dear Sue…one of these needs to be erased…no idea HOW this happened.
Good morning Sue and Crew,
I have always thought that we had a good deal in common. And now I can add being “cooking clutzes” to the list. I can cook. My mom taught me well. I even enjoy cooking and looking for different recipes. But, I don’t want to eat the same thing for days on end…..even when I half recipes. Add to that the fact that I am basically glamping. Prep space and clean-up is an issue. I often decide on dinner by thinking of how difficult it will be to clean up afterward. And I hear you about the fresh veggies. Sometimes they get in the back of the tiny fridge and I totally forget about them. At least when I have to get on my hands and knees to look way in the back, I’m in a good position to say “Thank you for having food in the fridge.” LOL. I waste less when I go with the bagged salads ect.
As for wiping off the sauce….I do that for Bella too. And I pick off the breading and blot the extra oil off when we get chicken at fast food places (Sometimes, we take a ride and get a little chicken. Then we sit and watch the traffic and pretend we’re on the road. Fake it till you make it, right?). My uncle just shakes his head and asks why I do things like that with the chicken or won’t let him give her certain things. “Because it’s not good for her.”. “Well Bobby (his Pom) eats it”. “Yes….but Bella doesn’t have to take “stomach pills'” If I would be as choosy about what goes in MY mouth as I am about hers, I’d be in business! LOL! But the pay off was a great check up at the vets yesterday.
After the vet visit, we walked across the lot to the Nissan dealership and drooled over vans….Nissans and one used Chevy (I thought of the PTV). One day…………
Have a wonderful day out there in beautiful AZ!
MB & B
Good morning, MB & B, and thank you — You have a wonderful day in beautiful Virginia.
Your first paragraph describes me, too! Often I’ve settled for a sandwich for supper because I didn’t want the clean-up from cooking.
I also identify with the ways you deal with your yearning for the vagabond life. I used to do similar things in those years leading up to launching. Remember when I got rid of all my furniture except for what was in the bedroom? And then I pretended (and practiced, I guess you could say) for the years I’d be living in a tiny space.
Funny about being on your hands and knees in front of the fridge, praying in thanks for the food therein. 🙂
I enjoyed the details in your comment about Bella, Bobby, and your uncle. 🙂
Actually, I’ve gone all the way back to the beginning of your blog and am reading along slowly. In one of your first posts, you described my feeling about this place and the decisions I need to make very well. You loved your place and had put a lot of work into it. But did you want to keep seeing the same view out your window into retirement? I used to have to worry about taking 3 dogs and a cat with me. I had even taught my sweet cat to walk on a leash. But now it is only B and me. So no worries there.
I know that if I stay here…..nothing in my life will change. I have a good life. But I want more. It would be totally worth it to live as I am now if there was a different view out my window whenever I wanted. And maybe someday, like you, I would find the perfect spot to land. Ah well…..one day (and I don’t mean that as “never” as many people do when they say it. I mean it literally.). 🙂 The one perk about this small space is that I truly am learning the ins and outs of living tiny and with limited water. It will come in handy “one day”.
Your thinking is mature and wise, MB.
Thanks Sue! You caught me on a good day! LOL!
You’re back and in fine form this morning.
I’m glad you think so, Hal! 🙂
(FYI — This is the 2nd post since my disappearance.)
Funny you posting about griddling last night. Last night, I really wanted to use my gas grill, but didn’t have any of the food for it. I settled for tortellenni with a turkey bologenase (frozen from Trader Joe’s) and salad. It was quite tasty. I eat a lot of cereal for dinner. I especially like it if I can put fresh fruit on top. However, last night, I was hungry! You stir fry sounds delicious! My cats aren’t as polite as your boys are. They try to stick their paws in my food, as well as their heads! I find myself spending half of my meal defending my food and removing claws from my leg! I need to teach them manners. LOL 😉
And I think Reggie and Roger are pushy! Your cats really like your cooking, Dawn. Ha!
I like cereal for supper sometimes, too. 🙂
Hi Sue,
All these recipes are making me hungry!! I am wondering what size is your Blackstone grill? I am looking at them and thinking the tabletop size would work for us…but wonder if it would be enough “real estate” to be functional.
My apologies if you have written about the griddle elsewhere and I missed it.
If any Blogorinos know what size griddle works for 2, please chime in 🙂
Hi, Millie,
I have the 17 inch Blackstone portable. My guess is it would be adequate for two people since the chicken stir-fry in this post produced two meals. The 17 inch is a nice size and not too heavy for me. I can put it in its zipper case and carry it like a tote bag.
I know of a couple who have the 22-inch. It’s probably a matter of how you cook, whether you like to cook in large batches, whether you entertain a lot, and such.
Here’s the post I made when I first tried my new Blackstone:
Griddling fun!
The photos in that post might give you a better idea of the size. Also there are links at the bottom of that post for the griddle and some accessories.
BTW, another way to go to the Amazon page that shows the griddle, use the link at the very top of this post, under the first photo.
Thanks Sue, I knew you had a post about your griddle, but I’m not so great at finding them. I’ve been a Blogorino I think almost since you hit the road. RIP Spike and Bridget – I love following the antics of your crew. I have a little Chihuahua and Reggie and Roger get into almost as much trouble as my little Gabe. Funny how such a small package can contain so much mischief 🙂
Hi, Sue, after writing a long comment, I was unable to scroll up to see it’s beginning, weird, Huh? So I refreshed the page to make it disappear, it’s likely just as well that happened, because the recipe I was describing probably wouldn’t appeal to anyone but myself, I have strange tastes 🙂 . I love General tsao chicken, yet find most sauces are a tad too spicy hot to enjoy, and haven’t seen that milder General Tso sauce for sale locally. Perhaps you could make an Amazon link to it. The ASIN is B000V7ZZ84. Your griddled meal looks and sounds delicious!
Hi, weather,
I hate it when a blogorino loses their comment. I’ve had problems with scrolling up, too. Sometimes everything freezes. Thanks for trying!
I looked up the Tzang General Tso sauce and was surprised at how the price had gone up. I didn’t pay that much. Maybe it will come back down again.
I like this particular sauce because it isn’t too hot and has the right amount (to me) sweetness.
Hi Weather…you are not alone in not being able to eat really spicy stuff…we often end up making our own sauces…oh well, tis healthier that way too, eh? There is a Pho place we and our daughter like to eat, but she brings our own hoisin sauce for us cause theirs has gluten which none of us should have. THEN it tastes mighty fine!! We could eat hot stuff readily in our youth…ah well, it is fleeting, youth, eh? Blessings on your day and wishing you better things with the naughty computer or server or whatever…I feel your pain too!!
Reply
House of Tzang General Tso Sauce
Your meal looks delicious. I love stir fry type meals; 1 pan, good mix of protein and veggies and delicious. Make them quite often. DH usually wants some bread with his.
In my traveling planning I will be having even more of those kinds of meals. I am going try the other recipes I see here as well.
Hi, Barbara,
Stir fry is fun to make and fun to eat. When I went into town this morning, I stopped at the grocery and picked up four more packages of the frozen vegetables. They were still on sale. 🙂
Love the general tso idea! Thank you Denise for the fabric stash idea perhaps they would fit nicely in my under the bed storage.
As I was reading Sue’s grilling experience, this would work nicely in the instant pot as well.
Speaking of purchases, I love my Coleman 2 burner gas grill. Easy to clean, wonderful to cook on and easily stored when traveling.
Hi, Elaine!
You are welcome, Elaine! 🙂
What and where did you get the griddle?
Hi, Carin,
I got it at Amazon, of course! 🙂
I have the 17 inch portable Blackstone. Scroll to the top of the post and where I first mention the griddle, you’ll see the link to it.
Also see reply to Millie.
Thank you!!
I see that someone ordered a Blackstone griddle. Whoever that is, I’m happy for you! May you enjoy cooking with it and eating delicious meals from it.
And thanks for thinking of me and the crew when Amazon shopping!
Your meal looks yummy except for the General Tso stuff. I can’t tolerate hot spicy foods. Black pepper gets too hot for me. I think I would use just soy sauce. I will have to try this for Jerold and I.
I loved the petunia pictures in your last post. I too remember Gramma’s tubs of flowers. I also remember the garden planted out back, which was really to the side of the house facing the road. It was a square patch…not too big and she planted flowers in rows. Zinnias was the main flower mixed it with nasturtiums and marigolds.
Hugs to you and the crew!! Happy Planting.
Hi, Pauline,
Oh, and grandma had asters, too! I didn’t know what they were until years later. when looking at flowers. I saw them and knew. 🙂
The General Tso sauce (at least what I have) isn’t hot. It’s a spicy-sweet but not too sweet. You would probably like it, if you can tolerate it.
Hugs to you and everyone… Love y’all!
Hello Sue and Adorable Boys,
I ordered some Ziplock bags yesterday and hope the order came through OK. Just now I ordered some things for camping, a tent, a stovetop griddle (coghlan), etc, hit “buy”, was ever so pleased with myself until my jaw dropped as I realized I hadn’t gone through your site. Cancelled the whole thing. Signed out. Looked up your site and now, I hope it will show up on your site as it’s supposed to. Under reasons for cancelling the order, I put “didn’t go through RV Sue’s site” but the spelling was actually “Other”.
So I’ll enjoy my stuff and you can hustle off to the Thrift Shop for some more good stuff of your own. And thanks so much for the recommendation for the Ziplock products.
Many eHugs for the boys and kisses. They are just so adorable.
Hi, Anne,
Thank you for thinking of me and the crew. I hope you are happy with all your purchases. I’m curious what tent you bought and will go take a look. 🙂
I do appreciate your support of my efforts to furnish this house. Today I went to town and browsed the thrift store and came up empty. That doesn’t happen often. The last visit I at least bought 75 cents worth of stuff.
I wish you wonderful camping with your new equipment!
Sue and Boys,
I just came home from post office with all my new treasures. I did have to wait til Noah’s Flood stopped falling.
So many boxes – 😂😂😂😂 so much fun inside.
Denise from Richmond recommended the Ziplock bags above. I bought a couple different sizes. The “Big Bag” large size, 5 per box, arrived today. In the reviews, (read them all) a lady said while she travelled, she used one of these bags to wash her lingerie in hotel room then hung in shower to dry. She gave directions – super. Since it is too wet to work outside, will try doing some laundry in one of my new bags. Have been wanting one of those laundry scrubbing bags for camping for over a year now. Glad I didn’t spend the money. Thank you, Denise.
Before I forget, ordered 2 bags (beach) from Bagallini. They are wonderful, however, I am likely going to return one of them. The color doesn’t work for me. But will order a navy blue one instead.
The tent ordered will arrive tuesday and I so hope it isn’t raining so it can be set up right away. While travelling, I usually sleep in the back of my truck. But would be nice to have a choice if a campsite looks safe enough.
Oh, and I mentioned reading reviews. Yes, I read all bazillion of them for each product. For one of the ziplock products, a lady said there was an outbreak of bedbugs in her area. She bought the product and stuffed all her stuff in them. It was the totes which have a mesh near the zipper. Not helpful in this instance. She then mentioned that she did lose all of her “toes”. Yes, that’s exactly what she wrote. I looked at my keyboard to see what she might have meant to type. “Toys”? And since I had a glitch in my iPAD today, I had to google your blog. So many choices came up. As I looked at each to make a choice on what to click, I noted one of them stated “generally family friendly”. “Generally”??
It’s those naked puppy photos, I tell you. I needed that laugh.
But how misleading and totally insulting.
At any rate, Thanks for encouraging b’inos to help each other with recommends and Denise for my new bags.
What’s new on the floral and Thrift Store fronts?
Sorry, I can’t comment on the griddle and its contents. I’ve been
extrememly ill for nearly 2 weeks and am just now able to keep liquids down. Just looking at a photo of food would tip me over the edge. Haven’t been able to walk straight for same time – my internal gyro apparently needs replacing (too bad can’t get that on Amazon, hahaha) sort of. Sinus trouble in left side of face, not able to find and maintain my place in my surroundings. Keep just falling over – much like a Weeble, “we wobble but we don’t fall down”. The up side, I lost quite a few pounds. Sure hope I don’t find them again.
Rain has stopped here. Moving on to annoy someone else’s state.
Anne
Hi, Sue,
Your post made my mouth water! Your creation looks delicious! I am in the same boat regarding fresh fruits and veggies. More often than not, they spoil before I use them up. The birds have benefitted from blueberries and strawberries…not rotten or spoiled but past their shelf life for human use. I was just thinking the other day that I should buy mostly frozen veggies to reduce waste. Fruits and veggies that are purchased for a good price lose all savings value if they are thrown away.
Love the header photo of your camp with your own personal pine/fir tree. That made for an extra cozy reading room. Do you know what kind of bird is in the 1st picture? It’s coloring does not look like a cardinal (at least on my iPad). I wonder if that hummer is the same one you rescued a few weeks ago. As usual, love the photos of Reggie and Roger. Morning stretches, a bit of wrestling, and homemade chicken! What a great day! 🙂
Have a good evening, Sue! Sending you and the boys lots of love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! 🙂 I have a sink full of dishes to wash. My dishwasher started leaking a few months back. I cannot complain because it has given me good service for over 20 years. It will eventually be replaced, until then, I am the dishwasher! 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to put together a post, and sharing the pictures! 🙂
You’re welcome, Denise,
The bird in the mesquite is a male finch (house finch?). Several frequent the bird feeder and nest around here. I notice the males are sporting bright red feathers on their chests, to attract the ladies, I guess.
Of course I don’t know if that’s the same hummer. Hope so. I moved the hummer feeder from the back patio (too much sun in the afternoon) to one of the arches of the front porch. Now there are three hummingbird feeders, one under each arch. I sit only a few feet away and enjoy watching them. That’s where I was when I took that photo.
The most so far have been one hummer at each feeder. Even so, territorial sky battles take place. Entertaining!
You got a good lifespan from your dishwasher. I’m hand washing, too, because my dishwasher isn’t draining.
I hope you and Gracie pup are having a good evening. N’nite! 🙂
N’nite! xo
Looks super yummy!!
Love Roger’s big stretch :-))
Seriously one of our fave on-the-road meals. Works with chicken, pork or beef. Leftover meat, fresh, or pre-cooked strips. I always add pineapple chunks. And crunchy noodles or nuts, like peanuts or cashews. Yum.