Food and Recipes while under Coronavirus quarantine #4

[anneg]

Your beef stew sounds like Beef Bourguignon - an elegant French version of beef stew. Christmas dinner at a Turkish restaurant sounds lovely. I hope your family members have a safe trip and that you enjoy each other's company during the holidays.

Thank you!

By the way, we are watching the UNC vs Michigan basketball game. Whoever wins, DH will be happy!

 

[iamshadow21]

Thanks! ... I didn't know you could buy their ice cream in the UK. Enjoy!

You can get it in Australia, too. I don't think anywhere near the range of flavours you can get other places, but just in the last ten years, they have popped up here in supermarkets. I was eating the Tiramisu flavour yesterday. I wish we could get the Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz or the Cheesecake flavour in supermarkets, but I've only seen them at the scoop store next to our movie theatre, where they have maybe fifteen or twenty flavours, and when I'm at the Plaza I tend to buy from Gelato Messina rather than Ben & Jerry's.

 

[MimosaMornings]

This thread is like a warm hug

We had a washout Christmas last year because Mr HKP was exposed to Covid just before and had symptoms that came and went, so we had to keep a lonely profile and he had no appetite. So this year I wanted to make up for it.

My plans are taking the long Covid into account as I learn to live with it, so I have a combo of labour saving elements and home made. We’ll start with smoked salmon parcels (bought) and then have turkey with most of the traditional trimmings - roast potatoes, brussel sprouts, chestnut and cranberry stuffing (bought), pigs in blankets and parsnips. For dessert we have a raspberry and vanilla pannacotta (bought). I’ve bought a nice bottle of Riesling to have with the lunch. I will need to “pace” with the cooking and prep a little so as not to burn out. Mr HKP does all the washing up.

Then on Boxing Day (26th) we have my parents and my son and his girlfriend coming for one of our family traditions - my Boxing Day buffet. This will be smoked salmon terrine (bought) and Inverawe smoked salmon slices, prawns, cheeses and a few treats I’ve ordered from Fortnum and Mason - salmon en croute, a small ham and their triple cheese. Plus I’m going to have fun with a butter board, and I’ve bought some part baked rolls. My mum is bringing Prosecco, schnaps and cassis - so Bellinis and Kir Royales are on the drinks menu.

To finish off I’ve ordered a sachertorte from Betty’s tea room. If it doesn’t arrive, I bought some of their chocolate frogs (?) which already arrived, so we’ll just have them for a sweet taste with a coffee.

We have postal strikes so the couriers are now maxed and we have lots of delivery delays. I’m hoping things will arrive, but if they don’t it’s not the end of the world. I think there will still be plenty one way or another. I’m more worried that Covid may throw us a curve ball again so I’ve emptied the freezer just in case we need to reschedule!

It has cost a small fortune but I have a feeling this may be my last Christmas of working full time so I wanted to spoil them while I can.

That all sounds delicious and you have done a great job planning the food. Pace yourself and enjoy.

When I saw “chocolate frogs” I thought you meant these (see below) but think yours are more like decadent chocolate shaped frogs.

Chocolate Frogs Recipe | CDKitchen.com

A 5-star recipe for Chocolate Frogs made with milk, butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, coconut, quick-cooking

www.cdkitchen.com

 

[HongKongPhooey]

That all sounds delicious and you have done a great job planning the food. Pace yourself and enjoy.

When I saw “chocolate frogs” I thought you meant these (see below) but think yours are more like decadent chocolate shaped frogs.

Chocolate Frogs Recipe | CDKitchen.com

A 5-star recipe for Chocolate Frogs made with milk, butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, coconut, quick-cooking

www.cdkitchen.com

Here they are - quirky little guys

 

[anneg]

Here they are - quirky little guys

Cute!

 

[iamshadow21]

Because I've been wanting it since I talked about it back on the thread, and because we're going to stay with our friends tomorrow, I baked one of my favourites, Honey Tea-Bread.

I never get much rise on it, and it always has that dip in the middle, that's the norm, don't worry, it is definitely cooked and not raw in the middle. If you can do gluten, which this was written for originally, it gets that tiny little bit of a rise and dome you'd expect from a liquid sugar cake, but I haven't made this with wheat since 2004.



The smell of it is amazing. It's got butter, it's got cinnamon, it's got mixed spice, it's got brown sugar, and it's got honey. And the honey in my cupboard was orange blossom, so, that's an amazing bonus. Also, flaked almonds on top. Happy to share the recipe if anyone wants; it's from a 1970s cookbook, so I don't think anyone who published it cares anymore if I post it on the internet.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

After my grueling session of physical therapy, during which time DH got a haircut, we went to Nino's for a few last-minute holiday groceries. We actually found a parking space right away which had not been the case when DH stopped there on Wednesday. The store was quite busy with long lines at the fish, meat, and deli counters. It was challenging to negotiate one's way around the store because there were shopping carts everywhere.

We wanted to get lox for breakfast on Christmas, but the line at the seafood counter was long, and DH didn't want to wait, so he picked up a carton of lox scraps that will have to do. It won't be as nice as having beautiful slices of smoked salmon on our bagels, but I'm sure we'll enjoy them just the same. We didn't have to go to the dairy aisle because the cream cheese was on a special display next to the bagels.

We pretty much stuck to my list and didn't get items that we didn't need, although there were a lot of temptations I'm sure the store will be busy today and early in the day tomorrow. We didn't get anywhere near the amount of snow that was predicted, but it is bitterly cold and very windy. Thankfully, we don't have to venture out at all today. After we had put away the groceries yesterday, DH decided to go for his swim.

I knew that I would be sore today after my PT session yesterday as I had quite the workout. PT did manual traction on my right hip, first pulling my leg towards her, then pulling it to the side. I don't mind the discomfort as long as it helps me progress to comfortable walking. Safe travels if you're going somewhere for the holidays. Be well.

 

[IceIce9]

We only got maybe 3 inches of snow but it is blowing around in wind gusts up to 55 mph.

Temperature was -10 when I got up this morning and -5 now. Wind chills are -40.

Often our weather forecasters predict the worse case scenario and it doesn’t turn out nearly as bad as they talk about endlessly on tv and radio. This time though they nailed it.

I’ve changed my menu today to comfort food. Making potato cheese soup and eating Ben & Jerry’s today.

 

[IceIce9]

The birds are enjoying water from the birdbath that has a submersible heater. I wasn’t sure if it could keep the water warm at -10 but so far it is.

 

[anneg]

Because I've been wanting it since I talked about it back on the thread, and because we're going to stay with our friends tomorrow, I baked one of my favourites, Honey Tea-Bread.

I never get much rise on it, and it always has that dip in the middle, that's the norm, don't worry, it is definitely cooked and not raw in the middle. If you can do gluten, which this was written for originally, it gets that tiny little bit of a rise and dome you'd expect from a liquid sugar cake, but I haven't made this with wheat since 2004.

View attachment 389475View attachment 389476

The smell of it is amazing. It's got butter, it's got cinnamon, it's got mixed spice, it's got brown sugar, and it's got honey. And the honey in my cupboard was orange blossom, so, that's an amazing bonus. Also, flaked almonds on top. Happy to share the recipe if anyone wants; it's from a 1970s cookbook, so I don't think anyone who published it cares anymore if I post it on the internet.

Sounds delicious! I'll have a slice, please.

 

[anneg]

The birds are enjoying water from the birdbath that has a submersible heater. I wasn’t sure if it could keep the water warm at -10 but so far it is.

Thanks for the reminder--I just asked DH to plug in the heater for our backyard birdbath!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

We're getting tired of ham and will have matzoh ball soup for dinner tonight - perfect for this bitterly cold weather. DH went out long enough to clear the driveway, but it's so windy, that it was probably a waste of time. It's not currently snowing, but the wind is whipping snow so it looks like squalls or whiteouts. We still plan to have dinner at Picano's tomorrow unless there's a drastic change in the weather.

 

[IceIce9]

This is an off topic rant, but authorities have been telling everyone to stay off the roads, stay home due to blowing snow, icy roads, and bitter cold temperatures. Wind gusts are creating near blizzard conditions. We are still under a winter storm warning.

So- here is my rant: a local tv news station personality just posted on Twitter a picture from inside her car, on the interstate, showing snow being blown across the ice- covered highway. She said she is headed to church…….

 

[tarabull]

4 simple ingredients in (almost) every pantry

Mock Skor Bars Recipe - Food.com

Taste just like skor bars. These are great and very addictive.

www.food.com

 

[IceIce9]

4 simple ingredients in (almost) everyone's pantry

Mock Skor Bars Recipe - Food.com

Taste just like skor bars. These are great and very addictive.

www.food.com

My daughter made those frequently when she was a teenager. It was her “go to” item to take to get together.

 

[PayrollNerd]

So, salad is on the menu! LOL!

In preparation for freezing temps here in Sarasota, my oldest & I harvested the Romaine lettuce, Buttercrunch lettuce and spinach. Then we covered each of the garden beds with garden cloth. It is breathable but I do hope it helps protect my veggies. I have green beans, tomatoes and mini gourmet cucumbers. The bell pepper plants have flowers too. I didn’t cover the hard squashes or broccoli because they are cold weather veggies. I’m not sure if the peas will make it. We’re hoping for the best. Stay safe & warm everyone!!

 

[iamshadow21]

This is an off topic rant, but authorities have been telling everyone to stay off the roads, stay home due to blowing snow, icy roads, and bitter cold temperatures. Wind gusts are creating near blizzard conditions. We are still under a winter storm warning.

So- here is my rant: a local tv news station personality just posted on Twitter a picture from inside her car, on the interstate, showing snow being blown across the ice- covered highway. She said she is headed to church…….

Jesus take the wheel...?

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

This is an off topic rant, but authorities have been telling everyone to stay off the roads, stay home due to blowing snow, icy roads, and bitter cold temperatures. Wind gusts are creating near blizzard conditions. We are still under a winter storm warning.

So- here is my rant: a local tv news station personality just posted on Twitter a picture from inside her car, on the interstate, showing snow being blown across the ice- covered highway. She said she is headed to church…….

Same thing was happening here on WDIV, Detroit NBC affiliate that is our go-to source for local news. Crew riding around in a van on area freeways where there were sloppy road conditions, spinouts, crashes. Street reporters standing outdoors in frigid temperatures as they caution viewers to stay home unless they absolutely have to venture out. Reporters telling viewers how quickly frostbite can happen on exposed skin while they stand out in the bitter cold with no face covering.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Same thing was happening here on WDIV, Detroit NBC affiliate that is our go-to source for local news. Crew riding around in a van on area freeways where there were sloppy road conditions, spinouts, crashes. Street reporters standing outdoors in frigid temperatures as they caution viewers to stay home unless they absolutely have to venture out. Reporters telling viewers how quickly frostbite can happen on exposed skin while they stand out in the bitter cold with no face covering.

Growing up I don’t ever remember weather reporters putting themselves at risk like they do now. Standing outside in extreme weather telling everyone else NOT to stand outside just makes them look like idiots. Imagine what little children are thinking…. Oh the rule is you don’t do this but let’s do it anyway…. Good grief. Stay home and bake a pie & annoy your relatives like everyone is supposed to.

 

[Laughing]

Growing up I don’t ever remember weather reporters putting themselves at risk like they do now. Standing outside in extreme weather telling everyone else NOT to stand outside just makes them look like idiots. Imagine what little children are thinking…. Oh the rule is you don’t do this but let’s do it anyway…. Good grief. Stay home and bake a pie & annoy your relatives like everyone is supposed to.

Yes, I do have a weather-caster story.

We lived in Indiana when I was in junior high, my parents moved back there while I was in college.

I looked into my dorm's TV room one evening. A group of people (who, um, rather deserved to be put in their places, imho, just sayin') were watching the Tonight Show, and the host introduced a comic.

I said "That's no comic, he does the weather in Indianapolis."

This was Dave Letterman's first appearance on the Tonight Show.

Just as those people started scoffing, he made a joke about doing the weather in Indy.

OF course he's better known today as a comedian, but some of us remember!


I agreed completely that some of today's just don't understand risk!