Food and Recipes while under Coronavirus quarantine #8

[slowpoke]

Nothing special going on for me today, but I wish you all a beautiful day. Happy Easter!

 

[IceIce9]

I wanted to share a picture of a raspberry champagne cake that my daughter made. It tasted even better than it looked.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

^ Your daughter's cake is a work of art! It's almost too pretty to eat. She's obviously a very talented baker.

 

[Seni]

I wanted to share a picture of a raspberry champagne cake that my daughter made. It tasted even better than it looked.

View attachment 657550

Would so much love to taste, but above all, its absolutely stunning, agree with Bette, its a work of art.

Is it classic sponge cake with tweaks? Butter cream icing with champagne?

Not to give all away, but some hints...

 

[Seni]

Am sharing this photo of my parents getting married in Tehran in 65. They both worked there before meeting and marrying.

 

[IceIce9]

^ Your daughter's cake is a work of art! It's almost too pretty to eat. She's obviously a very talented bak

Would so much love to taste, but above all, its absolutely stunning, agree with Bette, its a work of art.

Is it classic sponge cake with tweaks? Butter cream icing with champagne?

Not to give all away, but some hints...

The frosting is a Swiss meringue buttercream with real champagne. The cake is a vanilla cake recipe with a champagne simple syrup soak.

She loves to bake special cakes, but I don’t possess either the skill or the patience to even attempt to make them

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Yesterday, I peeled off the remaining slices from our Easter ham and simmered the bone for a few hours until the remaining meat fell off the bone. I strained the broth and chopped the ham for Great Northern bean soup later this week. DH mad a Costco run yesterday to stock up on paper products and some food items.

It is still quite cold here, and I'm anxious for warmer daytime temperatures. I have labs today for my annual physical next week. I hope everyone had a lovely Easter.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Last Thursday when we went to Nino's for our Easter groceries, I put a note in the Suggestion Box about carrying Dubai chocolate. Voila! Stopped at Nino's after my blood draw and saw a "new product" display with Alreet Dubai chocolate bars. How cool is that?! The bar was $6.49 so it is similar in price to Ghirardelli and Lindt chocolate bars. I will enjoy a piece with a glass of wine for dessert this evening.

 

[IceIce9]

I tried a new bar cookie recipe today that I found highly recommended on a cooking site.

The malted milk powder gives them a great flavor but they came out a little too “gooey” as they were practically raw in the middle.

The cookies around the edges of the pan were good though.

Gooey Malted Cookie Dough Chocolate Chunk Bars​

If you like your cookies underbaked, this is the recipe for you.

https://www.foodandwine.com/malted-cookie-dough-bars-11908227#:~:text=Jump%20to%20recipe,remain%20ever%20so%20slightly%20molten.

 

[slowpoke]

Moo shu pork!

First time we tried making it at home. Very easy and tasted great.

I ate it in lettuce wraps instead of the traditional crepe-like wrappers. This is how traditional wrappers look (from online, not my moo shu). Some recipes online use tortillas! I think they’d work, but tortillas seem thicker, to me. Anyway, lettuce worked really well.

 

[acutename]

Not being a cook, I am going to fess up that I had Easter lunch at an IKEA. Free coffee refills... veg "meat balls," peas & beans, mashed potatoes, veg gravy and lingonberry dressing. I give their chocolate cake a thumbs up. Their salads and cod entree looked good too. It is cafeteria style, but spacious and lots of windows.

 

[IceIce9]

Not being a cook, I am going to fess up that I had Easter lunch at an IKEA. Free coffee refills... veg "meat balls," peas & beans, mashed potatoes, veg gravy and lingonberry dressing. I give their chocolate cake a thumbs up. Their salads and cod entree looked good too. It is cafeteria style, but spacious and lots of windows.

I love the IKEA cafeteria! Those veggie balls are delicious with the lingonberry sauce.

The last time I was shopping at IKEA, a few weeks ago, I was walking past the cafeteria just as it was opening for the day.

An employee walked up to me and asked if I had my lunch yet. I said no, not yet, and she invited me to sit down at a table. Then she quickly returned and brought a lunch tray for me, with veggie meatballs, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, and peas.

She said they were training in the kitchen and had some lunch trays ready to serve, so they were happy to give me a free lunch! And I was happy to accept!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I have to say that I don't understand the viral fuss being made over Dubai chocolate as I do not find it to be anything special. Had a couple of squares last night and thought the pistachio chocolate bar tasted like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. When I need a chocolate fix, I like Lindt dark chocolate bars. One or two squares is all I need.

Making Great Northern bean soup today. Carrot, celery, leek, garlic, ham, ham broth and a little chicken stock, fresh thyme. It's chilly now but supposed to warm up later with chance of rain.

 

[IceIce9]

I have to say that I don't understand the viral fuss being made over Dubai chocolate as I do not find it to be anything special. Had a couple of squares last night and thought the pistachio chocolate bar tasted like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. When I need a chocolate fix, I like Lindt dark chocolate bars. One or two squares is all I need.

Making Great Northern bean soup today. Carrot, celery, leek, garlic, ham, ham broth and a little chicken stock, fresh thyme. It's chilly now but supposed to warm up later with chance of rain.

You have inspired me to make Great Northern bean soup this weekend. It sounds wonderful.

 

[Curious Me]

Making Great Northern bean soup today. Carrot, celery, leek, garlic, ham, ham broth and a little chicken stock, fresh thyme. It's chilly now but supposed to warm up later with chance of rain.

That sounds like it'd be delicious. @BetteDavisEyes, can I use canned Great Northern beans? Ham diced in small pieces?

It's okay if you weren't impressed by the Dubai Chocolate bar. I wasn't either because I thought the Pistachio would have more taste; however, my bar had an extra creamy thick chocolate that overpowered the Pistachio flavor. I wouldn't mind trying another brand.​

You have inspired me to make Great Northern bean soup this weekend. It sounds wonderful.

Now I'm considering it too. @IceIce9, you inspired me posting how much you love soups. Made me think I need to try to make and eat more soups. We didn't have much of a soup eating winter in SoCal and now we're headed for a dry summer. Long for a few cool days and a pot of homemade soup, and a hunky loaf of really good bread.​

 

[IceIce9]

MSN

What are 13 foods you should not eat after expiration?

Infant formula, meat, eggs, soft cheeses, deli meat, fiddleheads (I never heard of these?) strawberries, ground spices, restaurant leftovers, raw fish, leafy greens, nuts, and cooking oils.

 

[Curious Me]

I posted this on another thread. I like the photo and it sounds like a good idea to get a richer flavored soup. ​

Chowhound
For The Best Chicken Soup Of Your Life,
Stop Adding Water And Do This Instead

This alternative preparation, coined "no-water magic soup," went viral on social media like Instagram and TikTok at the start of 2026.​

For The Best Chicken Soup Of Your Life, Stop Adding Water And Do This Instead

Your favorite chicken soup ingredients might have all the moisture they need. Here's how to create a flavorful broth without diluting its flavor with water.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Curious Me]

I found this frozen pureed squash at Grocery Outlet for only 99 cents. Wow, it has a nice flavor, healthy, and it's easy. Wish I bought more. If you know GO you know I might not find it there again. I'd like to have a few in my freezer for nights I just need a quick veggie side.​

 

[Curious Me]

One more that was globally shared on FB.
Thought someone on here might want to make it.
It looks so yummy.

...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

MSN

What are 13 foods you should not eat after expiration?

Infant formula, meat, eggs, soft cheeses, deli meat, fiddleheads (I never heard of these?) strawberries, ground spices, restaurant leftovers, raw fish, leafy greens, nuts, and cooking oils.

I read that report earlier this morning and the one posted below, as well. When I was diagnosed with hyponatremia (low sodium) several years ago, I cut out caffeine completely as it is dehydrating. Anyone who consumes energy drinks with huge amounts of caffeine also needs to consume plenty of water or electrolyte beverages to stay hydrated. I don't drink coffee at al any more, and only drink decaffeinated or herbal teas.

Family says popular energy drink played role in cheerleader's fatal heart condition

The family’s attorney said that Larissa Nicole Rodriguez had no pre-existing heart problems and that “the only thing she had in her system was caffeine.”

www.nbcnews.com

RE: fiddleheads (I never heard of these?) Sometimes called fiddlehead ferns, they are a green vegetable with a mild onion flavor. I've had them a couple of times in upscale restaurants as they are pricey. Similar in flavor to spring (green) onions.

Fiddlehead Ferns: Identifying, Harvesting and Cooking

Fiddlehead ferns are one of the greatest wild foods out there, but there's a ton of misinformation online about them. Learn how to identify the species you can eat, how to harvest sustainably, and the best practices for cooking, enjoying, and serving to others.

foragerchef.com