Nordik Xperience

One more time! It's not pouring and I am getting down to the wire with having enough time to cook, so cook we will today! Today's plan is to use the pots IN the fire, rather than use the trivets. The fire was start 7:40 AM. I cheated again and used charcoal. Based on the last experience and conversation with my fellow student Nicola, two hours to get cooking coals is common! It's 57F and 79% humidity. I was able to get pans on by 8:06 AM.   By 8:15 AM, I decided I had rushed and didn't wait long enough to get a decent base of coals!   I moved the pots around to heat the soapstone more. The fire seemed hotter towards the middle. I'd also like to thank Ken. He's making me more coals. He's my hero! \     By 8:52 AM, I decided it actually takes two people to cook. Once person needs to focus on the fire and the other can prep and cook. I had prepped everything in advance, so that was minimal, but removing lids, stirring, and ro...

Well, I was greeted with this, when I made my first trip down to the fire pit... I am not going to be able to cook in the pit today. Time to pivot! I had LOTS of leftover barley. Time for plan B - to make barley cakes! First I got out the slab I was going to use, got off the label and sticky feet! 🤣.  It was a charcuterie board I got at Ollie's, a discount store. Got it on the grill and was looking at it. It has a crack! Since I want to use it in a few weeks as an actual  charcuterie board, I am not going to risk heating it and having it crack in two. On to plan C. I got out the griddle that goes with the grill. Not very period other than testing ingredients. I mashed up the barley with ham and onions and butter.  Made balls about the size of a walnut and flattened the to small cakes. I still have lots left. So the next batch I'll add an egg. Got them on the grill. They aren't sti...

  Last night, Tuesday 15 July 2025, as I had stated, I made some preparations! Ham stock boiled for a bit: Measured out 5 1/3 Tablespoons butter (75g) Chopped onion. Sautéed the onion in the butter.   About to go to bed  and looked at the pot!   Oops, forgot to treat the pots! I covered the soapstone and the ceramic in linseed, aka flax seed oil and left overnight. The metal pot, I washed since it's been kicking around the house for a while.  Wednesday 16 July 2025   Two different weather reports were checked before 7 AM. We are a GO for cooking this morning! We started preparations at 7:30 AM. We had to bring down a table, all the pots, fire equipment (thanks mom!), the food, citronella candle. bug spray, cutting board and knife to chop the ham. Oops, forgot to turn on the water. Oops, forgot the heat gun. Where are my leather gloves? Ken brought me a different pair.              At 8:15 AM we finally were able to start t...