OUR MEMORABLE MEMORIAL DAY MEAL
That man of mine can really cook! A few days ago, sitting out in the sunshine next to Scoopy, he brought up one of his favorite cooking implements, our folding solar oven… and one of his favorite meals, slow-cooked pork ribs. As he waxed poetic, I smiled and said “why don’t you take charge of that for our Memorial Day dinner?”
And so he did. I took care of the “sides”: Quinoa and Black Bean Salad with Smokey Lime Dressing (which I always pronounce to be my very favorite food after my first bite) and Pan-Asian Slaw (newly added to the recipe archive). The slaw is a particularly good summer recipe, quick (10 minutes) and simple, an excellent potluck dish. Here is our day, in pictures:
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The solar cooker on the TV tray in the driveway. |  The seasoned ribs after 3 1/2 hours of cooking. |
 All cut up and ready to eat. |  A good-looking plate! |
The happy chef diner.
 |  Where Laurie went after dinner to relax. |
Posts
Happy Memorial Day, looks like a good time was had by all. Those ribs looked quite yummy!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Sharon & Ron
Those ribs looked absolutely terrific!! I've never seen a solar cooker before - curious as to how it works?
ReplyDeleteOdel's big smile leaves no doubt that those ribs are delicious. Perhaps you should post the recipe?
ReplyDeleteWish we were there in the mountains with you guys.
Hugs,
Norma and Larry
Rick, to your question about solar cookers: there are many different kinds (ours being the most simplistic), but all work the same way - by focusing the suns rays on a pot of food (or water), with some method of holding the sun's heat around the food..
ReplyDeleteMost solar ovens used in the US are larger and not-collapsible - insulated boxs with a glass lid, silvered inside walls, and a platform for the pan (or a turkey, etc.) The kind we have was designed to be inexpensive and easily carried, to be used in 3rd world countries with limited fuel. Since women and girls usually walk miles to find fuel, a solar oven saves them a great deal of time and calories - in some cases, allowing the girls to go to school rather than hunt fuel. Amazing, huh?
Our cooker focuses the suns rays on a black pan in a plastic bag (like an oven bag) that holds in the heat. You definitely need sun for them to work, but they work in both hot and cold weather. No fuel required. It took 3 1/2 hours of good, direct sunshine to cook the ribs. No propane, and no heating of the inside of the motorhome.
Safe travels,
Laurie
OK, so the next questions is "where did you buy your collapsible solar oven"?
ReplyDeleteSure would be great at Quartzsite next year. Bobbie
Hi, Bobbie. Yes, the cooker would be great for Q - but for those sunny days in Colorado, too!
ReplyDeleteClick on the link to "our folding solar oven" in the second line of the post. It goes to a page that describes the oven, and has a link to "order a pre-built Cookit from Solar Cookers International". Click there and you will find ordering information.
If you don't already have a thin walled, black (or very dark) pot, by sure to order a kit that includes the pot. The "Solar Chef's Kit" looks like a good one.
Or, build your own, using the instructions on the Cookit site! You build the reflector, buy the pot (a typical, thin-walled, enameled pot) and the Oven Bags, and you are ready to go.
BTW, we bought ours about 20 years ago in Sacramento, where we lived and where the Cookits are made. It's a great company, and the money you spend to buy the cooker goes for a very good cause. We have lots of tips for using this particular solar cooker so, if you get one, email me and I'll send 'em along.
Sure miss your daily updates!