I think I enjoy the cooking more than eating, there is nothing better than to watch the smile grow after someone’s first bite. Note from Steve: I am a flow of thought writer and apologize up front if I lose you. My family is used to it.
Today the wind chill was 24% and we only made it half way to the lake before the breeze was cutting through our clothes. We looked at each other and turned around and the snow started. It was not supposed to snow today and it really didn’t amount to anything but it got us in the mood for some beef stew. I had almost everything needed so what the heck grab the instant pot and cook away. I really like this recipe because I like a thick beef stew. It’s a little more work than throwing everything in the pot and pressing start but worth it.
It happened and during this pandemic. After what 3 months we broke down and needed something to eat that someone else prepared. Now visions of steak dinner, big Italian meal, Thai are roaming around our heads but our final decision ended with Kugel’s Deli A small always packed New York Style Deli. I got corned beef (lean, I had a physical coming up next week) and Lyn got the roasted turkey both on marble rye We order pickup and enjoyed the meal at home. Lyn loves the roast turkey you can watch them carve right form the turkey if you stand in the right spot.
I had to borrow a picture from their web since we gobble both our sandwiches down.
I’m back, healthy and cooking. It has been awhile, but I really did not stop just hid in the house like most others these days. Being a senior, I decided to take a break from the outside world work on the house, garden and have been volunteering for some Presidential and Senate campaigns. So, if you are getting those text asking who you might be voting for or are you registered before you hit delete or ignore it could be me asking the question be nice. Anyway, the other day we had Mike and Gail over for the first time since they became engaged. I cooked up a meal that was pretty good if I do not say so myself.
BBQ Vegetable kebabs of, yellow (summer) squash, zucchini, mushrooms, Onions yellow and, red bell pepper.
Teriyaki Steak tips from Dom’s the Patriots version is better in our opinion although these melted in your mouth. These I simply put on skewers and BBQed until done.
Herb rubbed Flank Steak see here this is one of our favorite recipes. I will add I have learned to rub off the marinade with paper towel and overnight marinating to 24 hours works best.
BBQ Corn- I soaked the corn in husk all day but I am sure 1 hour would work. Then BBQ on the grill for about 15 minutes. We were fighting a threat of a horrendous thunderstorm, SO Lyn took the husk off and wrapped in tin foil. Oh, the storm did happen we soon had a river in the road in front of the house, and it lasted for hours the storm and the river. It ahs been years since we saw storm to that extent.
Anyway, after a little discussion and the fact that we all had been symptom free and Gail who is back to work was tested negative a few days before, that masks were not needed. Thank goodness it is hard to drink wine with a mask. Wine and cooking are just a natural thing to me. Was a great evening.
Well look at that I’m babbling something my family expects from me.
Enjoy your summer and remember to check to make sure you are registered to vote it’s easy it takes seconds click below. Encourage your friends and family to double check.
Up front this would work better with bone in, and fresh rosemary but you have to do with what you have because running out to the grocery store to pick up one or two things thing is a tough decision these days, especially for seniors.
This week has been a pork week from sausage patties with our breakfast for supper last night to tonight’s 30 Minute Pork Piccata. See ther is the What’s for syndrom and its only 9:30 AM.
I had two boneless pork chops in the freezer from Butcher Box and since our last anniversary in Maine where I had Brined pork chop and have been playing with this to duplicate. Came close but not there yet. Anyway
I tried this with what I had, I should have cut the chops in half to make thinner but it still came out Ok. This is definitely a work in progress for me and can’t wait for my herb garden to start to flourish.
INGREDIENTS
4 Bone-In Pork Chops, About 1/2 Inch Thick
1/2 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive OIl
2 Tablespoons Juniper Berries
1 Tablespoon Black Peppercorns
2 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Rosemary Note: I had to use dried so I heated in oil first, fresh would be so much better
Sea Salt
How
Use the back of a knife to crush the juniper berries and peppercorns.
In a heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat along with the juniper berries, rosemary, and peppercorns until lightly smoking, then fry the chops for turning every minute, until no longer pink. 5-6 minutes estimated time.
Sprinkle with sea salt, and serve immediately.
BTW left over made great pork rollup for Lunch the next day.
We took advantage of a special that Butcher Box was offering bacon and breakfast sausage. My son had recommended the bacon so I figured what the heck. Now with the pandemic you have to make do with what you have. The first thing we had to do is figure out if it had maple syrup in it. Mike never got the sausage so he did not know but suggested smell it. Not a bad idea so I opened the package and smelt away and it did not. Good thing is I still had my sense of smell and taste, if you know what I mean. I cooked a tiny pattie just to make sure and the nose did not fail me. Anyway Lyn made her sauce and I cooked the sausage etc. It was a mild breakfast sausage and I added some Italian seasoning while browning. When browning I like to flatten it and let brown flip then start to crumble, rather than start to crumble as soon as you put in pan. In my opinion it produces a moister browned meat.
I added green pepper, mushroom, spring onion after the meat was browned cooked for a minute then added some of Lyn’s sauce
Cooked the pasta and served.
We did have salad on the side
All in all it came out pretty good for a cook from the gut meal. I think the mildness of the sausage made it possible.
My brother kept asking me about my mom’s brisket recipe enough where I started to want one. I had a brisket from Butcher Box in the freezer so I grabbed and defrosted. Instead of making it Mom’s style brown, saute onions, add mixture of ketchup, yellow mustarts, horseradish and simmer for hours. I decided at Lyn’s request to try a sweet and sour recipe. However, I did not have ginger ale or coke and unfortunately being a senior I was not going to run out to the grocery store just for ginger ale. I happen to have root beer and said what the heck i have Root Beer BBQ Sauce it can’t hurt to try.
INGREDIENTS • 1 first-cut brisket, 6 to 7 pounds, rinsed and patted thoroughly dry • 1 medium onion, peeled and quartered • 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled, cut into chunks • 6 large cloves garlic • 1 cup ketchup • ½ cup dry red wine • ¼ cup cider vinegar • 1/4 cup soy sauce • 1/4 cup honey • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard • 1 tablespoon coarsely ground pepper, or to taste • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves • 1/2 cup olive oil • 1 ½ cups Coca-Cola or ginger ale I did not have either so I used Root Beer which I had used for my Root Beer BBQ Sauce
How Let meat stand at room temperature for 45 minutes before cooking. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place everything but the soda, olive oil and brisket into a food processor, and process with steel blade until smooth. Pour the mixture into a large bowl and whisk in soda and olive oil. Place brisket, fat side up, into a heavy baking pan just large enough to hold it, and pour sauce over it. Cover tightly with double layer of tin foil and bake for 3 hours. Turn brisket over, cover pan, and bake 2 to 3 hours more or until fork-tender. Cool, cover brisket and refrigerate overnight in cooking pan. The next day, transfer brisket to a cutting board, cut off fat and slice with a sharp knife against grain, to desired thickness. Set meat aside. Remove any congealed fat from sauce and bring to a boil on top of stove. Optional, since we smelt it all day and could not stand, let cool and trim off the fat then slice against the grain. Although I always find the next day produces a better piece of meat. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Taste sauce to see if it needs reducing. If so, boil it down for a few minutes or as needed. Return meat to sauce and warm in oven for 20 minutes. Serve warm.
As I mentioned Lyn is fasting this week and I get to make what I want. I decided to make American Goulash and discovered that I did not a can of diced tomatoes and did not feel like opening a large can of ground tomatoes. So I ad libbed. I also used smoked paprika.
What I did was mix ketchup with the chicken broth and diced what little I had of cherry tomatoes left from Misfit Market. I had chopped green peppers and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Was a good supper and lunch today. Lyn was mad she kept complaining it smelts so good.
Right now I’m waiting for Charlie Baker to give an pandemic update and all that is on screen is his sign person who is looking very nervous walking back and forth and I think talking to himself.
The other day I made some rice for a side dish, nothing fancy just plain jasmine rice. For the side I added some brown sugar and raisins but did not use all the white rice. I figured I would use it for some soup but never got there.
I made stuff pepper with rice, diced sweet onion, ground sirloin, tomatoes sauce and a little red wine vinegar. I also had some green beans that were starting to look peaked so I dice them and added it. Cook inside a half of green pepper with a little water on the bottom of the pan and topped with cheese and turned on the broiler when the pepper had cooked enough.
HAd some of the filling left so today for lunch I made a burrito of sorts. Added salsa and some some cheddar cheese to top it off.
I love cooking and trying new things and being ordered shelter in place i’ve done a lot more. I’m trying to keep it interesting for Lyn but as I am sure you all we have both gained a little weight. Even with my almost daily 3-4 mile walks through the woods it’s been tough.
Baked potato tops with cheese, avocado and chilli, yes the potato is under there somewhereRed Onion RelishVeggie broth made from scraps good for soup baseBreakfast for supperSalad for lunches with any leftover proteins or notLots of thisSalad and cauliflower crust pizza
Had the skinny part of the pork roast leftover
made fajita and homemade flour tortillas
Chicken cacciatore sort of with lentil pasta , got to use what you havespaghetti and meatballsRavioli Puttanesca but added sundried tomatoes good additionRoasted VeggiesBoredomA very bland recipe for lettuce wraps not to be repeatedair fryer chickenAmerican GoulashA much better lettuce wrap chicken cooked from the gut
Gourmet Dad, Don’t Let The Title Fool You 