Food and Recipes while under Coronavirus quarantine #3

[Shamrock1]

I was just reading about a company/app called TooGoodToGo. I’ve never tried it! But it sounds like something a budget-minded or waste-conscious shopper would be interested in. At least in my area, $2-6 gets you a “surprise” bag of items that would otherwise be tossed. The vendors in my area are mostly independent bakeries and cafes with a few chains/franchises like Subway and Starbucks.

Too Good to Go’s win-win-win: Fighting food waste, helping restaurants, feeding customers

 

[PayrollNerd]

Today we made the spaghetti squash dish my uncle taught me to make a few weeks ago. My oldest is here and I told her to bring a pepper and she picked a red bell pepper. She says they're sweeter. Anyway, they blended in with the tomatoes and I could barely taste them. The green ones my uncle used were so strong and I basically picked them out at the time.

The Italian turkey sausage had a little kick to it but it was what the food bank gave me, so we used it. I could probably used a plain can of diced tomatoes instead of the ones with green chilies in them. We don't care for spicy or hot foods. I think we'd both prefer it to be more mild next time. We used shaved Parmesan which is what I had on hand. But anyway, my kiddo liked it and it gave her a new recipe to try. She's taking home 2 small spaghetti squashes since I have 4!!

 

[mickey2942]

Well, I talked to my husband and we decided not to do "Blue Apron". But he is going to be more proactive about cooking dinner for himself.

So glad Summer is coming. Fresh veggies, light at night. "SPRING FORWARD" tonight!!!

 

[PayrollNerd]

Lots of food prep today. The bird in the rotisserie was only 3 lbs. Normally a bird is 5 lbs. I deboned it for me & my oldest.

I made acorn squash and kiddo decided she liked it. She’s never tasted it but assumed it was like butternut squash. I was trying to describe it and said it’s kinda like a spaghetti squash, in that it has texture. She took 2 home so she can fill them with chicken and cheese. I didn’t make them sweet. I used dried spices after I put a light coat of olive oil on them. I put about a 1/2 teaspoon of real butter in each one. When I took them out of the oven I spooned the melted butter over them. Delicious!

A pan of Rosemary Potatoes which I like to put in the skillet the next day. Then scramble eggs and it’s a filling breakfast. Made a pot of green beans with veggie broth, chopped bacon, garlic, onion and pepper.

My produce pickup was good last week. Maybe this week I’ll get some zucchini. I still have 3 more bags of potatoes and 2 small cabbages to cook. I sent the kiddo home with 2 big butternut squashes, 3 small spaghetti squash, a bag of potatoes, a few onions, etc. There was a small bag of asparagus and a small bag of Brussels sprouts too. She will fix those for herself. Her coworkers love it when she brings in stuff for the “free table.” I can’t eat all they give me and they ask you to hand it out. I surely did!!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Well, I talked to my husband and we decided not to do "Blue Apron". But he is going to be more proactive about cooking dinner for himself.

So glad Summer is coming. Fresh veggies, light at night. "SPRING FORWARD" tonight!!!

As much as I looked forward to your critiques of Blue Apron meals, I'm glad that you have compromised with your DH for a more equitable cooking situation. After you mentioned that you might subscribe to the food delivery service, I spent several hours reading reviews of these services. The biggest complaint overall seems to be the freshness of produce to be used in preparation. Many folks end up tossing the produce that comes with the meal kits and substitute with their own. This defeats the point of a meal delivery service and certainly isn't cost effective. I prefer to select my own fresh veggies, herbs, fruits, etc. so I know exactly what I'm getting. Won't be long before you can reap the harvest of your home-grown produce.

 

[IceIce9]

As much as I looked forward to your critiques of Blue Apron meals, I'm glad that you have compromised with your DH for a more equitable cooking situation. After you mentioned that you might subscribe to the food delivery service, I spent several hours reading reviews of these services. The biggest complaint overall seems to be the freshness of produce to be used in preparation. Many folks end up tossing the produce that comes with the meal kits and substitute with their own. This defeats the point of a meal delivery service and certainly isn't cost effective. I prefer to select my own fresh veggies, herbs, fruits, etc. so I know exactly what I'm getting. Won't be long before you can reap the harvest of your home-grown produce.

My issue with Hello Fresh was the quality and freshness of the produce. With the price of the meals it didn’t make sense to have to go out and purchase fresh produce.

Also, after the introductory offer ends the price goes up substantially.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

As much as I looked forward to your critiques of Blue Apron meals, I'm glad that you have compromised with your DH for a more equitable cooking situation. After you mentioned that you might subscribe to the food delivery service, I spent several hours reading reviews of these services. The biggest complaint overall seems to be the freshness of produce to be used in preparation. Many folks end up tossing the produce that comes with the meal kits and substitute with their own. This defeats the point of a meal delivery service and certainly isn't cost effective. I prefer to select my own fresh veggies, herbs, fruits, etc. so I know exactly what I'm getting. Won't be long before you can reap the harvest of your home-grown produce.

My issue with Hello Fresh was the quality and freshness of the produce. With the price of the meals it didn’t make sense to have to go out and purchase fresh produce.

Also, after the introductory offer ends the price goes up substantially.

Good to know, thanks.

 

[IceIce9]

Good to know, thanks.

To their credit, Hello Fresh did refund my account something like $20 when I finally called and complained about the freshness of the produce over several weeks of deliveries. But that doesn’t compensate for the inconvenience of driving to the store to purchase produce you need for a recipe.

 

[mickey2942]

As much as I looked forward to your critiques of Blue Apron meals, I'm glad that you have compromised with your DH for a more equitable cooking situation. After you mentioned that you might subscribe to the food delivery service, I spent several hours reading reviews of these services. The biggest complaint overall seems to be the freshness of produce to be used in preparation. Many folks end up tossing the produce that comes with the meal kits and substitute with their own. This defeats the point of a meal delivery service and certainly isn't cost effective. I prefer to select my own fresh veggies, herbs, fruits, etc. so I know exactly what I'm getting. Won't be long before you can reap the harvest of your home-grown produce.

Yes. I think, like all of us, home cooking burnout. And maybe my husband is a bit spoiled. He has sure changed though. He now happily eats his food, and doesn't complain any longer.

Good. I was done with that.

Wow, the price of food has literally jumped overnight here. Items at Costco are $2 or $3 higher.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Yay! I found wide mouth jar lids at Walmart today! I bought 4 boxes and a new case of jars that come with lids. Tomorrow my seeds go in the garden! I will be ready to can some marinara! I only made 24 jars last year and I ran out in 9-10 months. I'll need to review my marinara recipe to refresh my memory. Then be sure I have everything on hand in advance.

 

[IceIce9]

Yes. I think, like all of us, home cooking burnout. And maybe my husband is a bit spoiled. He has sure changed though. He now happily eats his food, and doesn't complain any longer.

Good. I was done with that.

Wow, the price of food has literally jumped overnight here. Items at Costco are $2 or $3 higher.

I buy cardinal food at Costco. For several years it has been $14.99 and it jumped to $21.99.

 

[mickey2942]

Yay! I found wide mouth jar lids at Walmart today! I bought 4 boxes and a new case of jars that come with lids. Tomorrow my seeds go in the garden! I will be ready to can some marinara! I only made 24 jars last year and I ran out in 9-10 months. I'll need to review my marinara recipe to refresh my memory. Then be sure I have everything on hand in advance.

Does that need pressure canner? Or regular one? Please post.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Does that need pressure canner? Or regular one? Please post.

Tomatoes do not need a pressure canner. This photo of the box isn’t good because it’s in the garage. I got it on Amazon and I’ve done marinara and pickles.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Are you cooking anything special for St/ Patrick's Day? We're not Irish, but I do enjoy cooking some Irish favorites at this time of year. I usually make Shepherd's Pie but decided on Corned Beef with cabbage, carrots, and baby red potatoes instead. We'll have that tonight with Irish soda bread from Costco. My brother asked if we would grill swordfish that he will buy tomorrow to accompany Colcannon potatoes with kale, green onions, bacon, and Irish cheddar. It's going to be warm over the next few days, but I might make Shepherd's Pie if we have another chilly spell.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Are you cooking anything special for St/ Patrick's Day? We're not Irish, but I do enjoy cooking some Irish favorites at this time of year. I usually make Shepherd's Pie but decided on Corned Beef with cabbage, carrots, and baby red potatoes instead. We'll have that tonight with Irish soda bread from Costco. My brother asked if we would grill swordfish that he will buy tomorrow to accompany Colcannon potatoes with kale, green onions, bacon, and Irish cheddar. It's going to be warm over the next few days, but I might make Shepherd's Pie if we have another chilly spell.

All sounds very heartwarming. We’re not doing anything special here (unless St Paddy had Moroccan origins - beef with ras al hanout in the slow cooker!)

When my son was a student, I was at his house one Sunday and could smell roast pork Sunday dinner coming from his neighbour’s house. I said, are they Irish? He said how would you know that?! Ahh, took me straight back to my lovely Irish grandad and Sunday at their house, that was how.

 

[Skigh]

All sounds very heartwarming. We’re not doing anything special here (unless St Paddy had Moroccan origins - beef with ras al hanout in the slow cooker!)

When my son was a student, I was at his house one Sunday and could smell roast pork Sunday dinner coming from his neighbour’s house. I said, are they Irish? He said how would you know that?! Ahh, took me straight back to my lovely Irish grandad and Sunday at their house, that was how.

There is still time, the 17th ,St Patrick's day, is tomorrow!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

There is still time, the 17th ,St Patrick's day, is tomorrow!

Maybe leftovers of the Moroccan beef dish can be turned into Shepherd's Pie tomorrow My mom always made Shepherd's Pie with leftover roast beef. I usually make it with ground lamb, ground round, or a combination of the two. I brown the meat, add onion, carrots, mushrooms, flour and stock to make a rich gravy. Frozen peas go in last. I top the meat and veggie mixture with mashed potatoes, dot with butter, and sprinkle with Irish cheddar cheese. Put the casserole in the oven at 350* for 35-40 minutes until potatoes and cheese are nicely browned. It's a lot of prep, but I enjoy making Shepherd's Pie at least once a year.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

There is still time, the 17th ,St Patrick's day, is tomorrow!

Maybe leftovers of the Moroccan beef dish can be turned into Shepherd's Pie tomorrow My mom always made Shepherd's Pie with leftover roast beef. I usually make it with ground lamb, ground round, or a combination of the two. I brown the meat, add onion, carrots, mushrooms, flour and stock to make a rich gravy. Frozen peas go in last. I top the meat and veggie mixture with mashed potatoes, dot with butter, and sprinkle with Irish cheddar cheese. Put the casserole in the oven at 350* for 35-40 minutes until potatoes and cheese are nicely browned. It's a lot of prep, but I enjoy making Shepherd's Pie at least once a year.

Skigh, my plan is leftovers tomorrow

Cottage pie is a big Sunday fave with Mr HKP Bette. I don’t eat lamb now, but when I did, I would extend the Welsh theme and add sautéed leeks and Caerphilly cheese to the potato topping. Rich, but v tasty.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Corned beef is simmering. Cabbage, carrots, and potatoes are prepped, ready to be added after the corned beef has been cooking for about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Usually takes another 45 minutes to an hour for meat to be fork tender and veggies are tender. Looking forward to corned beef and cabbage - haven't made it quite a while.

 

[mickey2942]

I don't eat beef, or even cook it very well. I honestly don't even know what I am buying most of the time. I saw these big pieces of meat half price, so I am like...great deal! I bought 3 or 4 hunks. They are "Tri Tip".

Okay, the first one I completely charred in my Ninja Foodi. It was inedible.

I am cutting this one up for stew in the crockpot. Who can mess up stew?