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ERIK'S SUMMER MENU
Erik suggests a summer menu that looks mighty good ... if only the pesto was being made in a food processor I could duplicate it exactly. Alas, my family will have to wait for that halcyon day when we visit Erik and he is in a pesto mood before getting any that is made the right way. Go see what he's having besides pesto.

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE PEANUT BUTTER
Renee at Culture Shock and the Blonde Librarian talks about the problem getting peanut butter in Germany. I have to say that as delicious as Nutella is, it just wouldn't be an adequate substitute. Here's a bit to get you started but there is much more go drop by her place.
You might even find some in the aisle with the jams and jellies in a jar that has an American flag on it and is labeled something like Echte Amerikanische Erdnuss Butter! (translation: real (ha!) American peanut butter) However, as a true American peanut butter connoisseur, I must impress upon you that it is not real American peanut butter no matter what they try and tell you and I highly discourage you from trying it… unless you really liked that government-issued peanut butter that they served you in elementary school.

A WOMAN HAS TO KNOW HOW TO MAKE GOOD BAKED BEANS
... as Jules finds out when she admits she is a failure in the baked bean game. Good story and she puts the recipe in the comments.

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