Sorry to say, but this site has been so depressing for a few days. I thought I'd ask an average, everyday question....to make us all feel a little more normal today.
I made Eggplant Lasagna, and my BIL and SIL are coming for dinner. They leave for Cali tomorrow to see their beautiful grand daughter.
Sorry, sometimes we just need some REGULAR conversation.......or at least THIS caregiver does.
Psue - I love eating plain stewed cherries, but there are plenty of cherry desserts I can make too if I feel like cooking.
R is a decent cook thankfully but I am happy to cook supper most of the time. If I'm tired he will get his own food. He did the turkey on our Thanksgiving and the clean up.
Donna - just because your mom wants this or that, you don't have to fix it for her and get exhausted. Your home is not a restaurant. Give her easy stuff most of the time and the others once in a while for a treat as you feel up to it. She probably doesn't realize it's too much for you. Chicken rice soup soups good.
psue - that sounds like allergies. I like your idea about the flavours and smells but not all the work. I did a turkey meat loaf last year with pumpkin and cranberry in it. Got the flavours without all the work. Brussels sprouts on the side.
burnt - good luck! It would be great if he learned to cook a few dishes
nacy -hope hubby does well and you recover soon from your jab. I'm putting mine off for a little yet. I figure I my flu immunity is up so it will be covid first.
Going out today - R will drive. It's a snow day and very bright on the eyes. Got some errands to do and will food shop. Tonight will be a rotisserie chicken then that will form the base for the next pot of soup. Hopefully I will find a different coloured Christmas cactus too.
As far as your husband not being able to turn on the oven, if that’s your biggest problem, you’re lucky. Mine got his entire breakfast ready before bed last night - including milk on his cereal.
Goldens soup world taste really good right now.
I'm on my 3rd Hallmark movie, so far. 😂
Actually Burnt, are oven only wants to work for my fingers. 😂 If he puts anything in the oven I have to turn it on. Ill hear him grumbling, talking to himself, and I know , I have to go start the oven
We shall see. There's always Doordash if things go south LOL.
Ana, I’m curious about food allergies bc when I eat certain things my throat and Eustachian tubes get itchy and swollen feeling. I’ve never had a reaction that required meds or a doctor visit though. How much warning do you get if you accidentally ingest something intolerable? And if you need to use the Epipen is the result instant?
cwillie, what are you hoping to use the cherries for? Smoothies, or something cooked? If they don’t have to be pretty you might just be able to icepick hunks off. Cherries in the winter sound so nice!
Ana, I’m waiting for the Saturday after Thanksgiving to do an abbreviated version- I think butternut squash stuffed with turkey sausage, cornbread stuffing and….quartered Brussels sprouts maybe? I want the flavors and the smells but not all the work.
cw - no idea unless you partially thaw and separate then refreeze on cookie sheets. That's how I always freeze berries.
Thankfully I made something soft for supper tonight. R went to the dentist (didn't tell me) and related to the accident had 5 teeth prepped for crowns. So tuna chowder, mac cheese fortified with some cauliflower and sausages worked fine. Good snowy weather comfort food.
I hear you about your mother. SMH ((((((hugs)))))
Now, a vent: I was born allergic. My relatives didn’t find out until I spoke up for myself. I just kept eating the food at family reunions and reacting. But my mother could tell you every one of my cousins’ food intolerances and aversions. Yeah, I’m still working through my many issues.
I’ve served fresh strawberries with balsamic vinegar on shortcake with whipped cream. Everyone loved it but me. I’m not a huge vinegar fan although it’s absolutely necessary to brighten up some things, like borscht, which can be too….earthy. I usually use half of what’s called for, even in salad dressings, and make up the rest with citrus.
We never made it again and I've been wanting to. R is more a pie person and I can't handle many carbs. That may have been the last time I had a piece of cake. Once every few years should be OK. I just don't keep food in the house that I don't want to allow myself to eat. If it's there sooner or later I'll eat it.
Those strawberries sound awesome though I don't think you need the sugar with it.
Strawberries and black pepper - yes! Another party memory: hard frozen whole strawberries on skewers, dipped in a hot, black pepper, sugar syrup that hardened to a crackly crust while the berry thawed inside. I have no idea how she pulled it off with everyone watching but it was exquisite.
R and I actually made the orange spice chocolate cake some years ago. He was the one who urged me to put tbsps of spice rather than tsps into the cake and then add cayenne and black pepper. He likes a bit of cayenne in everything - says it enhances the flavours. My contribution was the ground up orange -peel and all. It really was good. Never thought of a glaze!!! We used to put an orange glaze on the old fashioned orange raisin cake.
Have you ever tried black pepper on fresh strawberries. Yum!!!
That combination you’re suggesting brought a memory rushing into my mind of a party where one of the ‘stations’ was little pyramids of very dark chocolate infused with chili and tangerine served with cigars!
psue - I must try a gingerbread. I agree it is better on the second day too. Christmas coming up is a good time for a house to smell of gingerbread. Though I may start with a chocolate cake full of spices, including a decent amount of pepper and some cayenne. I have some very tart little oranges that are not the nicest to eat but would give great flavour ground up and added to a cake.
nacy - never been a casserole person though yours sound delicious. Mother never made them so I am not used to them and now I have to be so careful with ingredients b/c allergies. Bet they are great on cold nights and the day after. I can't take many carbs and no cheese so soups work better. Not sure I have ever seen a casserole recipe without cheese. I do make the odd one for R. He loves creamy cheesy dishes.
ana - does your nut allergy extend to peanuts and other legumes?
Ana, have you had the nut allergy since childhood?
Golden, your like me but I'm more of a cassorol type person, in the winter. And yup I got left overs tonight and they will taste even better. I am also trying to figure out what my next large dish will be??? 🤔
Had some soup and it was good but needs more time to "blend". I usually start my soups earlier in the day to give them time for the flavours to come together. It will be great today. Already thinking about what soup I will make next.
We’re a nut-free home. Me + nuts = death.
Moroccan lentil beef soup worked well. R said he could smell it out on the hallway. I've tasted it so much I don't want to eat any now,
Golden , yes I'm lucky with that.