Vacation Planning

A different kind of blog post. Here is a list of things that we need, use, and don’t use in our week long vacations.

New updated list published on Google Sheets

Toiletries:

• Medications
• vitamins
• toothbrushes (chargers)
• toothpaste
• Listerine
• floss
• razors
• shaving cream
• aftershave
• shower mirror
• beard trimmer
• shampoo/conditioner
• bar soap
• face soap
• lotion
• face lotion
• deodorant
• nail clippers
• nail file
• band aids
• itch cream
• hair ties
• hair clips
• female supplies (+/-)
• sunscreen
• bug spray

Paper goods:

• paper plates
• paper towels
• tissues

Household things:

• Noise machines
• pillows
• shark vacuum and batteries (to clean up beach sand/dirt)
• french press
• cooler
• tupperware
• ziploc bags
• coffee grinder
• water bottles
• bluetooth speaker
• clothes washing supplies (detergent pacs/dryer sheets)
• watch chargers
• phone chargers

Dogs:

• bowls (water/food)
• food
• poop bags
• beds
• leashes
• toys

Beach supplies:

• beach towels
• beach toys
• beach bag
• beach blanket

Other:

• books
• toys
• puzzles

Clothes/shoes

• water shoes (not crocs)
• swim suits
• flip flops/sandals/crocs
• hiking shoes
• sneakers
• hats
• rain jackets
• umbrella

Groceries:

• coffee
• snack foods
• granola bars
• sparkling water
• regular water

Portuguese Dry Rub

• White wine/garlic rub (before dry rub)
• 1 tablespoon salt (adjust as necessary)
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Oak wood is best for smoker.

Charring is important for final flavor.

Basic Roux

For thickening stuff

1 TBSP Butter

2 TBSP Flour

1 cup Broth

Food Conversions

Some helpful conversions:

For figuring out how much 2 cups of cheese weighs and other mysteries of cooking.

Ingredient conversion guide – Thanks King Arthur Flour!!

Liquid capacity

One other not in this grid: 1/3 cup = 2.6 oz

tsp	TBSP	Cup	oz	mL	pint	quart	gallon
1 Tsp	1/3 TBSP
3 Tsp	1 TBSP		1/2 oz	15 mL
9 Tsp	3 TBSP	1/8 cup	1.5 oz	45 mL
12 Tsp	4 TBSP	1/4 cup	2 oz	60 mL	1/8 pint
	8 TBSP	1/2 cup	4 oz	120 mL	1/4 pint
	16 TBSP	1 cup	8 oz	236 mL	1/2 pint
		2 cup	16 oz	475 mL	1 pint
		4 cup	32 oz	946 mL	2 pints	1 quart	0.25 gallon
		8 cup	64 oz	1892 mL	4 pints	2 quart	0.5 gallon
		16 cups	128 oz	3785 mL	8 pints	4 quart	1 gallon

Weights

g	oz	lb
1 g	0.035 oz
14 g	0.5 oz	0.0325 lb
28 g	1 oz	0.625 lb
57 g	2 oz	0.125 lb
85 g	3 oz	0.1875 lb
113 g	4 oz	0.25 lb
142 g	5 oz	0.3125 lb
170 g	6 oz	0.375 lb
199 g	7 oz	0.4375 lb
226 g	8 oz	0.5 lb
454 g	16 oz	1 lb
907 g	32 oz	2 lb

Rib Rub

We stumbled across this rub recipe to compliment a rib recipe a friend of ours sent us.  That recipe said simply, “rub the ribs down in your favorite rub.” Well, as it turned out, we didn’t have a favorite rib rub, and we didn’t even know where to start looking for one!  The ones in the store are no fun, it’s too easy to just go to the store, pluck something off the shelf and use that… plus, they are never as good as homemade! So, our search was on.  We tried a few different recipes, with somewhat mixed results, then eventually stumbled upon this one and FINALLY perfection. Not too sweet, and with a little bit of a kick… this one is right up our alley!

Rib Rub

2 TBSP granulated sugar
1 TBSP packed brown sugar
1 1/2  Tsp Garlic powder
1 1/2 Tsp Chili powder
1 1/2 Tsp Cumin
1 1/2 Tsp Paprika
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Onion powder
1 Tsp White pepper
1 Tsp Ground black pepper

Combine everything together and apply to ribs. Can be stored in an airtight container if needed.

 

The Real Original Chex mix

So I don’t know who else noticed this, but some years back the people who make Chex cereal tried to pull a fast one and actually changed the recipe for their “Original Chex Mix”  They still call it “original chex mix” but it’s not – there is another recipe that doesn’t have all those stupid bagel chips, and weird squigly crackers in it, and is the recipe that I remember as a kid making with one of my Aunts around christmas time.  Why only at christmas time? Im not really sure. But, like so many things related to cooking, I have some very fond memories of helping my aunt make – and of course- devour Chex mix.  So, I’ve been on a mission to find the missing recipe for the REAL Original Chex mix and this is what I’ve come up with… perfection for us.

10 TBSP (1/2  cup + 2 TBSP) butter
5 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
2 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder

180 g (3 cups) Wheat Chex square cereal
100 g (3 cups) Rice Chex square cereal
110 g (3 cups) Corn Chex square cereal
190 g (1 1/2) cups peanuts
100 g (2 cups) small pretzel rods

Optional
A few shakes of Sriracha or Tabasco

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 275 F
• Mix butter, Worcestershire, seasoned salt and garlic salt in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave until the butter was melted.
• In a large bowl mixed the Chex, pretzels and peanuts.
• Slowly add in the butter mixture.
• Spread everything over two cookie sheets and bake  for 50-60 mins again stirring every 10-15 mins or so.

Delicious and just like when I was a kid!

There are two alternative things that I have tried, I know, I know… I just preached about how much a Chex Mix traditionalist I was… but the basic flavor is the key, these just enhance it!

The first is adding a squirt or sriracha sauce, or a few shakes of Tabasco.  Everyone likes a little spice, right??? 🙂

The second alternative would be to use fancy mixed nuts instead of peanuts.  Again, it just kind of spices things up a bit.

Enjoy!