| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| JennyWren |
Posted - Apr 05 2006 : 2:45:21 PM
Last summer I got this idea to start cooking outside during hot days. What started out as just a simple gazebo with a table and chairs, evolved into a summer kitchen that was so incredibly fun that my family has been looking forward to this all winter.
I went to Home Depot and bought indoor outdoor carpeting, and put in in the middle of an old garden patch. I took my gardening bench (that was actually my Father's old work bench, it's HUGE) and repainted it. We bought a big propane grill with side burners and also another work bench. I made it into a "U" shape. I had tons of work space and with a water source (the garden hose) I was able to wash my garden veggies and prepare them righ there. Between bacon frying on a saturday morning, to pizza on the grill. My neighbors were always intrigued by what was going on "behind Carla's fence". I planted Marigolds around the perimeter of my kitchen. And it made me feel like it went along with my Urban Homesteading ideas... It looked very nice. I am going to make some improvements this year too..
I thought I would share this idea with you, because our family truly enjoyed this, and it sure saved our house from the added heat of cooking.
Enjoy!
Carla...
If you treat an individual as what he is, he will stay that way, but if you
treat him as if he were what he could be, he will become what he could be.
-- Goethe
www.jennywrensurbanhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Terri |
Posted - Apr 21 2006 : 7:07:56 PM
Pamela--I live sssooooo close to you- in Reardan, WA!(Just west of Spokane, off Hwy.2) I saw the Plum Pit last summer, after reading about it in one of her magazines, and it is ADORABLE!!!! So cozy and cool- literally, as it was in the upper 80's when we were there for the Farm Fair '05!! (My oldest boy, 15, was such a trooper...he ended up developing a fever while we were there, and felt crummy, but didn't complain and just rested on a blanket in the field near the big tent! But he didn't mind the heat, as the fever made him feel so chilled!! Poor baby!) I have an area in our horse pasture that has many Cottonwood trees in the draw, and a clump of them form a perfect canopy, although it's open on one side. I want to set up a tent and table and chairs, and other stuff, like in MJ's Plum Pit. It'll feel like we're homesteading, waiting for our cabin to be built... When I was a kid, I LOVED olden-days things, like "Little House on the Prairie", camping, using a kerosene lamp to do homework by...I still love old things, and reading pioneer stories and the like. I guess that's why I feel akin to MaryJane and what she "is about". I've been really blessed in that I married a farmer and get to live on a working wheat & barley farm, and do all of those things I used to read and wonder about, and have the animals and gardens that I dreamed of as a kid. It's rough sometimes, especially now with the high fuel prices--it raises the prices of other farm inputs, too, and many farmers are very worried, and many are getting out, unable to make a go of it any longer. Anyways...Sorry, I digressed...
For years, I have done my canning outside on the patio, as I can't use my stovetop with a canner. (It's a flat-top, Ceran top, JennAir). I use a two burner propane camping type stove on four legs, set it out of the wind, and it's great because if it boils over, it's only getting the concrete patio wet! No added heat or humidity in the house!! A much nicer way to can!!
...there's NEVER too many flowers! |
| JennyWren |
Posted - Apr 11 2006 : 4:53:48 PM
I am going to have to find pictures of the Plum Pit... Sounds nice! I found the citronella oil at Home Depot. Also.. I like the idea of a using a toaster oven outside. I used my crock pot outside last fall.. So that we could all eat together after raking up the leaves and putting my gardens to "bed".. The smells coming from the crock pot was a great motivator!
If you treat an individual as what he is, he will stay that way, but if you
treat him as if he were what he could be, he will become what he could be.
-- Goethe
www.jennywrensurbanhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
| Destiny~ |
Posted - Apr 11 2006 : 05:43:23 AM
Julia, I've gotten citronella oil at Home Depot and I also saw it at my local grocery store on the seasonal aisle.
Since it looks like I'm going to start doing more cooking, we usually eat out, I think I'm going to fix up my OD kitchen. It's currently just a small grill on the covered patio, but I do have ideas. I'm looking at getting a toaster oven so I can 'bake' outside and I have a two burner from our camper (which we sold last year) and I could set that up.
Bring back out the wrought iron glass top table and chairs. Once we replace all the stickers with grass it might actually be pleasant out there. |
| Julia |
Posted - Apr 10 2006 : 8:43:08 PM
I wish I had the space to have a "plum pit" and a wall tent. Maybe someday. Till then, I will make a summer kitchen nice and cozy for lots of evenings enjoying fresh produce from the garden. Can't wait!
Carla, where do you find citronella oil for oil lamps?
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
| Photobugs |
Posted - Apr 10 2006 : 6:45:42 PM
Oh you girls would love MaryJanes Plum Pit-it is the outdoor kitchen to have! Seeing it in person is such a treat. Anyone would want to hang out in it.
There are a couple of photos either in her book or one of the magazines...can't remember for sure.
What a wonderful way to have friend and family gatherings...you can be a part of the outdoors activity and still be in the kitchen! You go girls! Don't forget to wear your aprons!
Pamela
"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" |
| celebrate2727 |
Posted - Apr 09 2006 : 09:17:39 AM
carla- one state to the west is where i am and indeed we do have mosquitoes but i am still going to do this. i love the idea. we don't have any air conditioning in the house so this makes sense to me. i am currently looking for a large grill with side burners. thanks for sharing this wonderful idea!
blessings
beth
Dreaming of Friday Night Lights
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| JennyWren |
Posted - Apr 08 2006 : 11:11:49 PM
I would love love love.. To post photos of everyones summer kitchens! I think that would really be fun to do a blog or something with everyone's kitchen featured.. I think it would be neat if they all reflected our personalities!
Here we cook in the O.D.kitchen and go eat in the screened in gazebo. I have antique oil lamps that I put all over the back yard to illuminate it, I use citronella oil, it seems to do a pretty good job. We also use an oil lamp in the gazebo. It looks really charming and keeps the bug a boo's at bay. At least for the most part. Although we aren't down south, so I am not sure if it would work for you or not.. Maybe save the idea for fall?
If you treat an individual as what he is, he will stay that way, but if you
treat him as if he were what he could be, he will become what he could be.
-- Goethe
www.jennywrensurbanhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
| Julia |
Posted - Apr 08 2006 : 9:38:12 PM
Love the idea! We are really concentrating on our backyard this year. My hubby said I could have as much of the backyard as I want as he doesn't want to mow. So you have given me a great idea form our own summer kitchen. Ooo! the wheels are turning!!
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
| Mollie |
Posted - Apr 08 2006 : 09:24:40 AM
Lunch/Breakfast would be okay but not supper in the garden. Here in the South, soon the skeeters will be thick, when the sun starts going down we head for the screened porch which we just love. I have a big table out there and comfy chairs. |
| JennyWren |
Posted - Apr 08 2006 : 01:01:55 AM
I like the idea of an outdoor shower too.. but around here.. noooooooooooo waaaaaaay! Although there might be one or two neighbors I wouldn't mind mooning.. ;)
Someday though!
If you treat an individual as what he is, he will stay that way, but if you
treat him as if he were what he could be, he will become what he could be.
-- Goethe
www.jennywrensurbanhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
| sqrl |
Posted - Apr 07 2006 : 09:50:03 AM
I love it!!! I would so want to do this if I had the space, I also want an out door shower..I would love an outdoor kitchen..
Blessed Be
www.sqrlbee.com
www.smallsqrl.blogspot.com
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| JennyWren |
Posted - Apr 06 2006 : 2:23:38 PM
Aaaaah.. That makes me happy that everyone likes the idea! I am so happy that I thought of sharing it! It was just so much fun, and it was also practical too. I am so sad that the CD that I burned my photos on of the kitchen got ruined (of course I deleted it off of my laptop to save room :( ) If you would like more detail I would be happy to share with you. I love digital photography, but there is something to be said for "hard copy" photos! I will for sure take a lot of photos this year!
The recipe for Grilled Pizza is really the same as any other homemade pizza. It is only the building of it that is different. (except I will say I cooked my sausage ahead of time, just in case everything else cooked faster due to the high heat)
I grilled my peppers, onions and mushrooms. Basically all that is is I tossed them into a ziploc baggie with oil and herbs. Sometimes I used the vegetable grill basket that I bought for use on the grill (if using that make sure you use cooking oil spray, I learned that one the hard way :( ) and sometimes I used Reynolds brand grill release foil (love the stuff) When the veggies were done, I took them off and set them aside.
Then I worked on the dough. While working on the dough make sure the grill is set to med/high.
The preparation of the dough is the same.. Use your favorite dough recipe.. I divided the dough into smaller balls to flatten out so that it would be easier for me to handle. Then pat them into somewhat thick rounds, roll them out on a floured surface, and brush olive oil on them. Put the pizza dough on the grill, oiled side down. Leave the grill top open. Be sure to keep checking the crust every 2-3 minutes. top should still be a little doughy. Take the dough off grill turn crust over and spread olive oil on BOTH sides, but the cooked side should be facing up this time.
When you have done this, you can put the pizza sauce, veggies and rest of your toppings on... YUMMY!
Because Pizza is such a personal preference thing.. seems like for every family there is a favorite type of sauce etc.. That I left it up to you.. This pizza is as good as it is fun to make! Of course if you are like me and have neighbors near by.. MAKE EXTRA.... :)
From my family to yours..
With Farm Girl Love,
Carla...
If you treat an individual as what he is, he will stay that way, but if you
treat him as if he were what he could be, he will become what he could be.
-- Goethe
www.jennywrensurbanhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Apr 06 2006 : 1:27:37 PM
This is one of the BEST ideas I have heard of in a long time...Carla you have really inspired me to try something like this in my own garden! Thanks and welcome by the way!
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Apr 06 2006 : 1:25:01 PM
I LOVE this idea Carla!! WE do alot of barbqueing all year round..husband built a little lean to arean off the back of the mud room in back for his barbque..but I love the idea of a real summer kitchen outside!!
We have snow today too..a nice warm weather idea is sure a welcome change..can't wait to see pics when you set it up!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Alaska farm girl |
Posted - Apr 06 2006 : 12:35:31 PM
Hi, I wanted to say one of my favorite pictures is of Mary Jane cooking on her cookstove outside.Not sure which mag. thats in. Sounds nice tho.! |
| junebug |
Posted - Apr 06 2006 : 04:51:16 AM
Sounds like heaven, can't wait to see pics!!! Great idea, might have to steal it!
www.sageflowerfarm.blogspot.com
www.herbalfarmstead.blogspot.com
www.countrypleasures.motime.com |
| abbasgurl |
Posted - Apr 05 2006 : 6:32:27 PM
LOVE your outdoor kitchen ideas Carla! This is something I think my family (esp. hubby) would enjoy as well! I'd love to see pictures when you get set up! Would you consider sharing your grilled pizza recipe with us? Thanks!
Rhonda
...and I will sing at the top of my lungs, and I will dance, even if I'm the only one! |
| JennyWren |
Posted - Apr 05 2006 : 3:25:26 PM
Sure!
When I set up this year I will post photos on my blog, I can email you to let you know. There is a possiblity of snow this weekend.. :( So it will be a couple of weeks yet. Hopefully not too long.
It was so much fun, and it really helped keep the house cooler last summer. This year I am collecting recipes to try, using the grill. Last year we even made homemade pizzas on the grill!
Take care,
Carla...
If you treat an individual as what he is, he will stay that way, but if you
treat him as if he were what he could be, he will become what he could be.
-- Goethe
www.jennywrensurbanhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Apr 05 2006 : 3:17:39 PM
This sounds wonderful! Can you post pictures sometime? I'd love to see it.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.typepad.com/my_weblog/ |
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