Food and Recipes while under Coronavirus quarantine #4

[agilbe]

That looks phenomenal @iamshadow21 ! Lamb is such a treat, I love mint jelly on the side.

Chorizo omelette for lunch today ps do you like my new plates

Oh wow. That looks very tasty. I haven't seen that type of chorizo since I was a little girl. The only kind I can get now resembles ground beef. Luckily there is a meat market in my neighborhood that makes wonderful chorizo. Just have to remember to get the mild. The hot one will bring tears to your eyes.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

What's the best Christmas cookie? Google shares popular holiday searches by state

Italian Christmas Cookies, gingerbread: Google Trends shared a map with USA TODAY of uniquely searched Christmas cookies by state in 2022.

www.usatoday.com

Christmas is around the corner, and families across the country will gather to celebrate the holidays and prepare their favorite festive treats.

Christmas cookies are one holiday staple in kitchens from coast to coast, and everyone has a different favorite, from peanut butter to chocolate and gingerbread.

This year, Google Trends shared a map with USA TODAY of uniquely searched Christmas cookies by state in 2022. The map shows cookies that were overrepresented in a state compared to the country as a whole...

 

[agilbe]

What's the best Christmas cookie? Google shares popular holiday searches by state

Italian Christmas Cookies, gingerbread: Google Trends shared a map with USA TODAY of uniquely searched Christmas cookies by state in 2022.

www.usatoday.com

Christmas is around the corner, and families across the country will gather to celebrate the holidays and prepare their favorite festive treats.

Christmas cookies are one holiday staple in kitchens from coast to coast, and everyone has a different favorite, from peanut butter to chocolate and gingerbread.

This year, Google Trends shared a map with USA TODAY of uniquely searched Christmas cookies by state in 2022. The map shows cookies that were overrepresented in a state compared to the country as a whole...

Not at my house!!! Everyone is getting sourdough baked goods( breads, bagels and English muffins). You can make sourdough chocolate chip cookies. I've just never tried making them. The sourdough pie crusts I made at Thanksgiving did have a nice taste to them. I was kind of surprised.

 

[agilbe]

DBM double post

 

[killarney rose]

I will begin holiday baking next week. We celebrate a few days after Christmas with family. The list includes, red velvet cake, 13 layer chocolate cake, real cooked fudge, divinity, savory party mix, pecan cranberry clusters and peanut butter cookies.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I will begin holiday baking next week. We celebrate a few days after Christmas with family. The list includes, red velvet cake, 13 layer chocolate cake, real cooked fudge, divinity, savory party mix, pecan cranberry clusters and peanut butter cookies.

Your holiday baked goods all sound delicious, but I wonder if you'd share the recipe for Pecan Cranberry Clusters? Sounds like something I'd really like. Pretty please, with pralines on top

 

[killarney rose]

Sure. These are so delicious. And easy to make. It’s important to toast the pecans and to use Ghirardelli chocolate. The quality takes them up several notches from the cheaper stuff.

Cranberry Pecan Clusters

1 1/2 cups toasted, lightly salted pecans
(roast at 350* 7-10 min.)

1 1/2 cups dried cranberries or Craisins

12 oz white chocolate . Can be chips or squares.

Melt chocolate. Stir everything together. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper. Cool completely

i don’t make these often as DH and I can’t leave them alone. But I thought they would be pretty to make for Christmas. I know my DIL will love them too.

 

[iamshadow21]

Sure. These are so delicious. And easy to make. It’s important to toast the pecans and to use Ghirardelli chocolate. The quality takes them up several notches from the cheaper stuff.

Cranberry Pecan Clusters

1 1/2 cups toasted, lightly salted pecans
(roast at 350* 7-10 min.)

1 1/2 cups dried cranberries or Craisins

12 oz white chocolate . Can be chips or squares.

Melt chocolate. Stir everything together. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper. Cool completely

i don’t make these often as DH and I can’t leave them alone. But I thought they would be pretty to make for Christmas. I know my DIL will love them too.

Sounds very similar to White Christmas. Haven't had that since I was a kid.

 

[RusselSprout]

This was my brothers Christmas baking, he did this way back at the end of November! I did think it was a bit early, but I was mighty impressed with how he wrapped them up, he hands them round his neighbours. Not sure what it is as he didn't give me a bundle! Maybe I'll get some at Christmas

Although I'm down with covid (again!), not sure I'll taste much. Off to make a big pot of soup.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

This was my brothers Christmas baking, he did this way back at the end of November! I did think it was a bit early, but I was mighty impressed with how he wrapped them up, he hands them round his neighbours. Not sure what it is as he didn't give me a bundle! Maybe I'll get some at Christmas

Although I'm down with covid (again!), not sure I'll taste much. Off to make a big pot of soup.

Feel better soon

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

DH made latkes (potato pancakes) for the first night of Hanukkah as he does every year. They were so good! We both ate 4-5 last night and finished the rest for breakfast this morning. Traditionally, latkes are eaten with applesauce or sour cream, but I just eat mine plain. We are going to Picano's on Christmas Eve and will have ham on Christmas Day - and for a few days afterwards, until I make split pea soup with the bone. Not sure if either of my brothers will come on Sunday, but they will probably come for food and football on NYE. University of Michigan is playing in a bowl game, so we will stay home on New Year's Eve.

It has turned very cold, and a major storm is predicted for Friday. It might not snow on Christmas Day, but the impending storm might yield enough snow for a White Christmas.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Last night we ate about half of a gorgeous piece of sockeye salmon with asparagus. The leftover salmon will be good in a frittata with wilting fresh spinach and shredded Parm. We might open the ham tomorrow to make sure that it's alright.

I hope your holiday food prep and baking are going well and that you're not finding the holidays overwhelming. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, take some "me" time for yourselves. Enjoy a nice cup of tea or a glass of wine, light a scented candle, watch a holiday movie, meditate and/or or do some stretching or yoga. You are all special people and deserve a lovely holiday season that is a stress-free and relaxing as possible.

 

[iamshadow21]

Last night we ate about half of a gorgeous piece of sockeye salmon with asparagus. The leftover salmon will be good in a frittata with wilting fresh spinach and shredded Parm. We might open the ham tomorrow to make sure that it's alright.

I hope your holiday food prep and baking are going well and that you're not finding the holidays overwhelming. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, take some "me" time for yourselves. Enjoy a nice cup of tea or a glass of wine, light a scented candle, watch a holiday movie, meditate and/or or do some stretching or yoga. You are all special people and deserve a lovely holiday season that is a stress-free and relaxing as possible.

Thank you, @BetteDavisEyes . I've been struggling with my mental health, and this comment was like a big hug.

I will be making the Honey Tea Bread I talked about a little ways back, in the next couple of days. I'm hoping it turns out okay. Whatever the outcome, I'll take a picture.

No big Christmas dinner cook for me and my partner this year - we're going to a friend's place for a couple of days, and our friend has a whole menu planned! Gluten free AND FODMAP friendly! We're going to be very spoilt.

It's just the agoraphobia that's kicking my butt, thinking about leaving the house that's no fun. I always struggled with it, on and off as an adult, but COVID made it so much worse. I've left home maybe half a dozen times in the last six months. So, yeah. I have Valium if I need it, but it's still really hard. And these are my friends, who I can be myself around without fear of censure. I should be excited. I think the fact that the anxiety is more present than excitement is upsetting me more than the anxiety itself, if that makes sense.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Yesterday at the food pickup, they gave me 8 plastic containers, 12 oz each, of blackberries. Some berries were spoiled so we washed and drained them. My oldest and I are figuring out what we're going to use them for. The youngest likes them plain so she went to work today with dish of them to snack on. I will eat them in something like a cobbler or quick bread.

We got a frozen solid package of bone in chicken breasts. There must be 8 of them in the bag. I will have to thaw the entire bag, then do something with them. Probably de-bone and freeze them after they're cooked.

They gave me 2 big bottles of Cold Brew Dark Chocolate flavored coffee. The girls are in heaven. Ha!

Yesterday I made coleslaw with the cabbage from last week. I picked a yellow squash from my garden and shredded it in there too. I was just eating a little scoop and realized I forgot the carrots! So now I shall go shred some into it.

 

[RusselSprout]

I'm not sure if I've shared our festive menu yet, we always have the same starter and dessert. It's a lentil and chestnut soup, it's the brown lentils, and has I think a whole bottle of red wine in it, loada of herbs, I think there's chilli in there too, it is so earthy and flavoursome! We only ever get this at Xmas. And 'aunty sylvias' sticky toffee pudding, again we only get this at xmas. The main is usually turkey with all the trimmings, it's been goose in years gone by, but my family seems to be getting smaller by the year. This year we are having ham and pheasant for main, I'm hoping we'll get all the usual Xmas Dinner trimmings! My step dad makes Xmas dinner, all of it! I have never ever had ham for Xmas, but it seems quite popular here. I'm sure there will be some festive twist with it.
Am I in the minority but I really like turkey. No it isn't dry ! Not if it's cooked well. I'll miss the turkey but I know my step dad will make a great meal with the ham and pheasant, can't see a pheasant feeding many though, I'm sure that was my mums afterthought! Sticky toffee pudding is the food of gods, is there anything that tastes better? I'm not sure!
It would be really cool to see everyone's Christmas Dinner, I will try remember to get pics.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Thank you, @BetteDavisEyes . I've been struggling with my mental health, and this comment was like a big hug.

I'm sorry about your anxiety; trust me, you are not alone. I have bouts of anxiety, as well, and it can be debilitating at times. Have you tried deep breathing exercises? My primary care physician suggested this to me as she knows that my anxiety can be difficult at times. I find that 15-20 minutes of deep breathing really helps to quell anxiety or stress. I don't necessarily do this daily but probably a few times a week. A glass of wine can be helpful, as well

Breathing Techniques for Stress Relief

Learn some simple breathing exercises that can help you relieve stress and make you feel less anxious.

www.webmd.com

 

[HongKongPhooey]

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.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Today my oldest and I made some veggies for dinner. I went to the produce store (Detwilers) and picked up a spaghetti squash, acorn squash and 3 big Idaho potatoes. I could only eat a 1/2 of one and my oldest was so hungry, she ate a whole one before I could snap a photo. I used the rutabaga I got from the produce pickup to make rutabaga fries. Everything turned out really tasty.

My oldest put olive oil, thyme, salt, pepper, onion and garlic powders on the acorn squash. On the spaghetti squash she put olive oil, salt pepper, onion and garlic powders.

The rutabaga fries were a new recipe for us. I'm the only one who has ever liked rutabagas. But I also boiled them and even with seasonings, the girls never cared for them. So tonight I cut them into strips, put olive oil, paprika, kosher salt, onion & garlic powders, black pepper. I overdid the black pepper so they have a little kick to them. Not bad tho. My oldest thought they were good. The youngest hasn't tried them yet.

Plenty of leftovers for tomorrow too!

 

[iamshadow21]

I'm sorry about your anxiety; trust me, you are not alone. I have bouts of anxiety, as well, and it can be debilitating at times. Have you tried deep breathing exercises? My primary care physician suggested this to me as she knows that my anxiety can be difficult at times. I find that 15-20 minutes of deep breathing really helps to quell anxiety or stress. I don't necessarily do this daily but probably a few times a week. A glass of wine can be helpful, as well

Breathing Techniques for Stress Relief

Learn some simple breathing exercises that can help you relieve stress and make you feel less anxious.

www.webmd.com

If you name it, I've probably tried it. I've been living with complex PTSD and associated stuff for most of my life. Some things work to some degree some of the time. Nothing works every time, and nothing is 100%. It's about getting up every day and managing the situation I'm facing that day, and adjusting what I try accordingly. Breathwork is something I do sometimes that helps sometimes, but at other times, it can actively make things worse, so I pick my moments.

 

[IceIce9]

We have blizzard conditions forecast for Thursday thru Saturday, wind gusts up to 55 mph, snow, and below zero temperatures.

I went to Costco today and it was busier than I have ever seen it. Holiday shopping, pre-winter storm shopping, and a long, long, line at the pharmacy.