3D Printing Anticipation

3D Printing

I decided that I wanted to get into 3D printing a few weeks ago, and began researching.  There’s quite a range in prices, starting from a couple hundred dollars, and up into the thousands.  I’m a little on the frugal side of things – not cheap necessarily, but interested in value.
Initially I was looking at the Prusa I3 clones, and then into enclosed models like the Creator Pro and Qidi.  I ended up deciding that I wanted a cube style printer – a core XY.  To me, they just seem like they would be the most stable platform.  There are few plans out there, but it seemed like a pretty complex task to source all of the materials necessary to build a printer, so I started looking at kits.  
As luck would have it, I happened across the East 3D Gecko.  This kit is very new – and there have been a couple hiccups dealing with the build instructions, and some minor Q/A issues.  However, the designer/seller of the kit (and his team) have been very proactive in getting issues addressed, and they are updating the kit as things get resolved.  I also found out there’s at least one other person in the city here that has one!  The East 3D Gecko Facebook group provides support – both by members, and the actual designer of the printer, Chay Chen.  Chay has also designed a number of successful Tevo printers as well.
The printer uses a 32-bit Lerdge control board, and has a 310 x 300 x 300mm build volume, and has a fixed build platform – which in my mind, would reduce levelling issues.  There isn’t a lot of info out about the Lerdge board, but hopefully it works out well!  Apparently there’s no parts fan with the kit, but this may have just been the initial test kits that this was missing – but results have been pretty impressive without it.  I did order a couple  inexpensive blower fans, but turns out they might be too big. I’ll know soon! 🙂

While I wait for my printer kit to arrive, I’ve been busy reclaiming my office space  – it became over-run in the past few years, turning it into an unorganized storage room – so my biggest challenge has been getting rid of stuff.  
Looking forward to the challenge in putting this kit together! 

Blueberry Pie

Food, Recipes

 

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Blueberry Pie

The combination of cooked and fresh blueberries makes this pie amazing.  

Quickest and easiest to make using a frozen pie crust, but would probably be even better using your favourite pie dough recipe from scratch!

Course Dessert
Keyword blueberry, pie
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 people

Ingredients

  • 1 ea 9" frozen deep dish pie crust

Filling

  • 4 cups fresh blueberries
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water

Topping

  • 1 cup whipping cream (small carton)
  • 1/2 tsp * 1/2 teaspoon double bourbon vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp * 2 tablespoons of maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Bake pie shell according to directions, and let cool while making the filling.

  2. Add 2 cups blueberries, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1 cup water to saucepan and bring to a boil.

  3. Reduce heat, stirring occasionally until the berries burst.

  4. Remove from heat.

  5. Make a slurry of the 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water, and stir into sauce pan.

  6. Add remaining 2 cups of blueberries, folding into the thickened mixture.

  7. Let cool.

  8. Combine topping ingredients into a frozen mixing bowl, and whip until stiff peaks form.

  9. Fill baked pie shell with the blueberry filling.

  10. Serve and add a couple good dollops of the topping with each slice.

Spice Blends

Food, Recipes

Rather than buying Italian Seasoning, Seasoning Salt, or Taco Seasoning, I like to make my own blends – that way I know what’s in them, and their flavours are more consistent.  I store the blends in various sized mason jars – using larger jars for the blends I go through fastest.

Seasoning Salt
 
Recipe Type: spice blends
Prep time:
Total time:
Ingredients
  • 8 tbsp coarse sea salt
  • ½ tbps onion powder
  • 3 tbsp pepper
  • ½ tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp smoked paprika
Instructions
  1. Add all the ingredients to your mortar, and grind to an even consistency – fairly fine.
 
Italian Seasoning
 
Recipe Type: spice blends
Prep time:
Total time:
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup dried basil
  • 4 tbsp dried thyme
  • 4 tbsp dried rosemary
  • 4 tbsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp dried sage
  • 2 tbsp coriander
  • 4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
  1. put all ingredients into mortar and grind till you reach desired consistency
 
Taco Seasoning
 
Recipe Type: spice blends
Prep time:
Total time:
Ingredients
  • 4tbsp chili powder
  • 3 tbsp cumin
  • 2 tbsp onion powder
  • 5 tsp garlic powder
  • 3 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tsp oregano
Instructions
  1. blend all ingredients together in mortar and pestle. I use 2-3 tbsp. of this blend per pound of ground beef when I’m making tacos.
 
Cajun Seasoning
 
Recipe Type: spice blends
Prep time:
Total time:
Ingredients
  • 3 Tablespoons paprika
  • 3 Tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 Tablespoons black pepper
  • 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 2-3 teaspoons of salt (to taste)
Instructions
  1. Mix all ingredients together well and store in an airtight container
 

 

Tasty Tartar Sauce

Recipes
Tasty Tartar Sauce
 
Recipe Type: condiment
Author: Ray
Prep time:
Total time:
A quick and easy, and most importantly, tasty tartar sauce.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp seedy mustard
  • juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 3 mini gerkin pickles, finely diced
  • 1 green onion – trimmed then finely sliced
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Mix all ingredients together well, and serve. Store in refrigerator.
 

 

Tasty Scotch & Coffee combo!

Coffee, Food, Recipes, ,

I came across an article, Four Smooth, Boozy, Coffee-spiked Cocktails, and made up a Talisman. I didn’t follow the instructions exactly (I added ice to the shaker, and some bitters).  My resulting cocktail looked very appetizing – kind of a cross between a Guinness and a creamy latte with a nice foamy head 🙂
The taste was delicious! Creamy, and a touch of heat, almost like a mexican hot chocolate 🙂

Talisman

  • 1.5 oz scotch
  • .5 oz Drambuie
  • .75 oz agave syrup
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • Freshly brewed shot of espresso
    Couple dashes of Xocolatl bitters

Add all ingredients to a shaker half-filled with ice, and shake well for 20-30 seconds.
Pour into a chilled coupe glass, and enjoy!