Food and Recipes while under Coronavirus quarantine #8

[iamshadow21]

Again learning something on this thread. I had to look up what is choko and guayaba.

Just my own thoughts--
The one reason it may be a good idea to peel some fruits and vegetables is to reduce the pesticides they've been sprayed with, when washing isn't enough. Which brings us to the one reason you may want to garden and grow your own without using lots of pesticides. Another way is to pay extra for organic produce, or shop Farmers Markets.

Mentioning Celery specifically because it doesn't seem to be included in some of the lists and it's high in pesticides.
View attachment 650931Why Celery Is High on the List
Celery is a moisture-loving crop that attracts pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. Farmers often apply a variety of insecticides and herbicides to protect it, leading to significant pesticide accumulation on stalks. Government testing shows that 95% of celery samples contain pesticides, with many containing multiple chemicals.

Lists the best, middle, and worst. I am often shocked at the ones listed as the worst.​

EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™

Check out EWG's list to help decide when you should splurge for organic produce – part of our annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™

www.ewg.org

I do grow some of my own, without chemicals, and I buy organic when I can. I used to go to farmer's markets a lot, but I'm not leaving the house much right now. I hope to again in the future.

We don't eat a lot of celery these days because it's a FODMAP, so partner can't have much without issues.

 

[PayrollNerd]

My shriveled up ugly teeny weeny garbanzo beans are in a jar in the cupboard. I bet Kiddo will think they're as funny as I do. Mom's garden failure no display. LOL!

We have had rain twice this week!!!! Lots of things are sprouting so I haven't had to go out and stealth water my plants.

 

[snooptroop88]

My shriveled up ugly teeny weeny garbanzo beans are in a jar in the cupboard. I bet Kiddo will think they're as funny as I do. Mom's garden failure no display. LOL!

We have had rain twice this week!!!! Lots of things are sprouting so I haven't had to go out and stealth water my plants.

It's still admirable you tried to grow them yourself.

I always go for Bush's or Great Value for hummus/canned. Would like to try Goya. Bewawre because some of the super cheapie generic type of canned still have the jackets!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Re banana peels, I would say just because you can doesnt mean you should.

We cook plantains with peel on but sliced open, aðd a bit of guayaba or cheese maybe but discard the peel.

Have only used banana skin for adding to orchid compost. Not very good results. I dont like orchids in the home (love to see them wild) and I think they dont like me either.

Sounds like me and lilies. Can't stand to be around them Mentioned it in a post upthread.

 

[IceIce9]

I made pickled beets and eggs for a friends and family dinner.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I had half a bag of baby potatoes and half a bunch of kale, along with an open package of bacon, so I made Colcannon. I always make it around St. Patrick's Day but had the ingredients on hand, that's what we had for dinner. I'm planning to cook corned beef and am thinking about Reuben sandwiches on the 17th. Will make corned beef hash the next day.

We ran some errands yesterday that got us close to Mexican Village, so went for early dinner yesterday. Went to bed at 10:00 and would ordinarily have to get up to pee @2:00AM when the clock would have jumped forward an hour. I guess the large Margarita that I had with dinner made me sleepy, and I didn't get up for my usual trip to the bathroom until after 4:00AM. Other than that, the time change doesn't affect me.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

I had half a bag of baby potatoes and half a bunch of kale, along with an open package of bacon, so I made Colcannon. I always make it around St. Patrick's Day but had the ingredients on hand, that's what we had for dinner. I'm planning to cook corned beef and am thinking about Reuben sandwiches on the 17th. Will make corned beef hash the next day.

We ran some errands yesterday that got us close to Mexican Village, so went for early dinner yesterday. Went to bed at 10:00 and would ordinarily have to get up to pee @2:00AM when the clock would have jumped forward an hour. I guess the large Margarita that I had with dinner made me sleepy, and I didn't get up for my usual trip to the bathroom until after 4:00AM. Other than that, the time change doesn't affect me.

I have observed that after eating out, especially salty food such as chips (and salsa), I will not have to get up to pee at all that night, which normally never happens!

 

[ilovewings]

A few days ago, I was thinking about the long, cold, snowy winter we've had here in southeastern lower Michigan and recalling all the "comfort" foods that I cooked. I made almost all of my usual winter dishes - some more than once - but realized that I hadn't made beef stew, meatloaf, pot roast, or beef Stroganoff. The common factor here, of course, is beef because we've both cut down on red meat consumption. I told DH that I would be happy to make two of the four winter dishes and asked which he preferred. He chose beef stew over pot roast, so I'm cooking that today. I plan to roast whole beef tenderloin for Easter and can use leftover meat for upscale Beef Stroganoff.

The beef stew is simmering on the stove. I'm sure everyone has their own beef stew recipe, but mine generally includes lean beef stew meat, carrots, garlic, mushrooms, onion, potatoes, red wine, and beef stock. I top the stew with Bisquick dumplings with fresh chopped parsley added to the batter. I sometimes add a cup of frozen peas for a bit of color. There will be enough beef stew and dumplings for three or four meals. Besides making beef stew, I did a load of laundry, so it's been a productive domestic day.

Your description of beef stew inspired me to find a recipe and i found one that looks delicious- using a slow cooker!! I dont cook that much from scratch---havent had beef stew in ages.

 

[PayrollNerd]

I ran out of sour cream so my taco bar is closed. I like a little taco with my sour cream. The taco salad was particularly delicious this time.

I thawed my meat sauce, cut up a bunch of my little grape tomatoes, poured in a bit of water to make the sauce more flavorful. Spaghetti for dinner and enough for tomorrow’s lunch.

At my infusion Saturday, one of the meds was 40 mg of steroids. I got home at 4pm and was up until 6am this morning. I finally slept 3 hours. Then an hour and a half nap this afternoon. That combined with DSL and I’ll be outta whack for week!!

 

[slowpoke]

Dinner this evening was salmon shioyaki (salted and grilled), steamed broccoli and carrot, brown rice, and some spring mix salad greens with tomato slices. Squeezed lemon over all.

A simple meal, but it really tasted good.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I have observed that after eating out, especially salty food such as chips (and salsa), I will not have to get up to pee at all that night, which normally never happens!

Thank you for sharing your astute observation. On Sunday, my weight was up a little, and my feet were a bit puffy. I don't limit sodium because I've been diagnosed with hyponatremia (low sodium). Healthy sodium levels are 135-145, and mine, at its lowest point when I was diagnosed was 126! I struggle to maintain low 130s, and the nephrologist does a happy dance when my level is 135 or a little higher . I drink 8 ounces of Pedialyte to keep my sodium level as high as possible. We generally go to bed at 10M, and I tend to get up to pee at least twice before I get up between 7-8:00AM.

Dinner tonight will be quite simple: Grilled butterfly pork chops and Brussels sprouts w/balsamic vinegar.

 

[slowpoke]

Tri-tip beef was cooked in the Instant Pot, and we ate it as a French Dip sandwich with au jus for dipping the sandwich in. So good!

 

[Auntie Cipation]

Thank you for sharing your astute observation. On Sunday, my weight was up a little, and my feet were a bit puffy. I don't limit sodium because I've been diagnosed with hyponatremia (low sodium). Healthy sodium levels are 135-145, and mine, at its lowest point when I was diagnosed was 126! I struggle to maintain low 130s, and the nephrologist does a happy dance when my level is 135 or a little higher . I drink 8 ounces of Pedialyte to keep my sodium level as high as possible. We generally go to bed at 10M, and I tend to get up to pee at least twice before I get up between 7-8:00AM.

Dinner tonight will be quite simple: Grilled butterfly pork chops and Brussels sprouts w/balsamic vinegar.

How interesting -- the only time I knew of someone diagnosed with hyponatremia, he had apparently consumed an excess of water, presumably a short term condition. I had never heard of it as an ongoing condition.

I haven't had hyponatremia mentioned to me medically, nor do I know my sodium levels, but I do have diagnosed bradycardia (low heartrate) and was told by a cardiologist "don't skimp on the salt", so, like you, I indulge in salty foods when I crave them.

Dinner sounds delicious!

 

[Knox]

Tri-tip beef was cooked in the Instant Pot, and we ate it as a French Dip sandwich with au jus for dipping the sandwich in. So good!

View attachment 651342

My favorite, it and the salad look delicious!

 

[Catmommy]

I'm a salty. I could give up sugar and desserts forever and never look back. I do like fruits and flavored yogurts, but my jones is, and has always been, salty crunchy. What's yours?

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

How interesting -- the only time I knew of someone diagnosed with hyponatremia, he had apparently consumed an excess of water, presumably a short term condition. I had never heard of it as an ongoing condition.

I haven't had hyponatremia mentioned to me medically, nor do I know my sodium levels, but I do have diagnosed bradycardia (low heartrate) and was told by a cardiologist "don't skimp on the salt", so, like you, I indulge in salty foods when I crave them.

Dinner sounds delicious!

Bradycardia here, too. Another reason to not skimp on salt.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I'm a salty. I could give up sugar and desserts forever and never look back. I do like fruits and flavored yogurts, but my jones is, and has always been, salty crunchy. What's yours?

Same here. Nuts and pretzels are among my favorite "munchies". I've never been big on sweets: DH would say that I'm "sweet enough" Also, ballet teacher reminded us frequently to stay away from the cakes and cookies.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

We're going to a dinner tonight that is being hosted by the attorney who helped us with our Wills and Living Trusts. His law firm is celebrating their fifth anniversary, and he is inviting clients who have used his services for retirement and wealth management. His wife who is also an attorney recently joined the law firm as his sole partner after several years of consumer litigation. We frequently receive invitations to these types of dinners/seminars but have never attended one. The by-invitation-only events are offered with the purpose of encouraging folks to allow the hosting agency to set up client's retirement plans, investment portfolios, living trusts, etc. I've read that they are very high pressure and that attendees are expected to avail themselves of the promoted services in exchange for a lavish dinner.

Most wealth management dinners in our area have been held at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse or Morton's Steakhouse, both of which are among of the priciest restaurants in suburban Detroit. Given that the dinner we will attend is a "thank you" to past clients, we're not anticipating high pressure, but we may be asked to do some recruiting to the law firm which we have already been doing. The dinner is being held at Alfoccino null where we haven't ever been. I will let you know more about the dinner tomorrow. Looking forward to a nice evening out...

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Oysters and clams in 9 states could be contaminated with norovirus, FDA warns

Restaurants and retailers are asked not to sell oysters from Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and Manila clams from Lummi Indian Business Council, both in Washington state.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[Curious Me]

Tonight is Salmon, Rice, and Broccoli.
I've been keeping my cooking for myself simpler lately; however, making a big batch of Chili with mini Cornbread loaves is worth more effort, then I freeze containers of it too. I started adding Cocoa powder to my Chili, and I think it adds more complex flavor and depth. You can add it to other foods according to this article. Not sure I'd want a dessert Hummus though. I used to add peanut butter instead of tahini when my kids were young. So I do think young children would take to dessert Hummus for sure.​

Tue, March 10, 2026 at 3:20 PM PDT / 12 min read
10 Creative Ways To Use Cocoa Powder In The Kitchen

10 Creative Ways To Use Cocoa Powder In The Kitchen

Try out some of these scrumptious ways to incorporate cocoa powder into anything from pasta to granola. You'll use up that tub of cocoa powder in no time.

www.yahoo.com

1. Add depth to a chili

7. Turn hummus into dessert