Food and Recipes while under Coronavirus quarantine #8

[BetteDavisEyes]

I meant to post yesterday that a new season of Eva Longoria: Searching for... started last night on CNN. This season, Longoria is exploring French cuisine with the first episode in Paris. There are eight episodes that air on Sunday night at 9:00 and 10:00PM. We watched the first episode and recorded the second to watch today. Eva Longoria is beautiful and bright and serves as the perfect hostess as she escorts us to dining venues in France and shares food and wine with locals. Stanley Tucci started the series with Searching for Italy that aired for two seasons. Eva Longoria has done Searching for Mexico and Searching for Spain, and this season's Searching for France started last night. I highly recommend the series for anyone who is interested in the culture and food of France. We thoroughly enjoyed last night's show as Ms. Longoria guided us through different dining experiences in Paris and look forward to watching the second episode Paris Pastry sometime today.

https://people.com/eva-longoria-tony-parker-france-cnn-travel-docuseries-exclusive-11947696

 

[IceIce9]

When I first started cooking I used canned soup in casseroles. And I made casseroles often, as they were budget-friendly. And many of the recipes from the cookbook I mentioned upthread contain canned soup.

Eventually I learned to make béchamel to use in casseroles instead of canned soups.

My mom had a pantry full of canned soups when I was growing up. One of my dad’s friends worked at a Campbell’s plant nearby, and employees could purchase soup at cost. So he would bring us soup by the case. The soup had no labels so we had to place it on the shelves in alphabetical order on the shelves that mom had labeled.

 

[Seni]

My BIL is hosting a huge party on 25th in his finca in Boyacá. We will have several family members from Europe staying with us before and afterwards. I have not met all of them before (extended husband's family). Sent a message to a young couple from Czech Republic, who will be our first guests, asking them if there is anything they do not/cannot eat.

Am quite prepared for an allergy, no meat, no shellfish etc but was blown away by the list I received. Lets say, its going to be a challenge.

Some excerpts:

She only eats red meat. No chicken, no fish

He is vegetarian but doesnt eat all veggies and she is not keen...without saying more about which they do eat.

She is "allergic to most fruit" but can eat "some tropical fruit if cooked" !!

Who cooks tropical fruit??

We thought maybe it was a joke, but its not.


After them we get 4 Irish guests, my husband says please don't ask them about their preferences. That we'll give them a glass or two of Jamesons and anything goes!

I dont know how seriously to take it all. Obviously if there are allergies, I will take those into account, but if it comes down to I dont like broccoli or peas very much, it gets a bit ridiculous.

Shame though, as would like to make some nice meals.

 

[IceIce9]

My BIL is hosting a huge party on 25th in his finca in Boyacá. We will have several family members from Europe staying with us before and afterwards. I have not met all of them before (extended husband's family). Sent a message to a young couple from Czech Republic, who will be our first guests, asking them if there is anything they do not/cannot eat.

Am quite prepared for an allergy, no meat, no shellfish etc but was blown away by the list I received. Lets say, its going to be a challenge.

Some excerpts:

She only eats red meat. No chicken, no fish

He is vegetarian but doesnt eat all veggies and she is not keen...without saying more about which they do eat.

She is "allergic to most fruit" but can eat "some tropical fruit if cooked" !!

Who cooks tropical fruit??

We thought maybe it was a joke, but its not.


After them we get 4 Irish guests, my husband says please don't ask them about their preferences. That we'll give them a glass or two of Jamesons and anything goes!

I dont know how seriously to take it all. Obviously if there are allergies, I will take those into account, but if it comes down to I dont like broccoli or peas very much, it gets a bit ridiculous.

Shame though, as would like to make some nice meals.

Maybe grilled pineapple? And ask them what their favorite vegetables are?

A few years ago I was dining with a friend at a very nice Italian restaurant. The couple at a nearby table was telling the server that they were vegetarian. He offered an entrée suggestion and they told him (not very nicely) that they were also gluten free. He made another suggestion and they said they were also dairy free. The server made another suggestion and they said they didn’t like Brussels sprouts.

He was extremely patient with them although they were quite demanding.

 

[lonetraveler]

Maybe grilled pineapple? And ask them what their favorite vegetables are?

A few years ago I was dining with a friend at a very nice Italian restaurant. The couple at a nearby table was telling the server that they were vegetarian. He offered an entrée suggestion and they told him (not very nicely) that they were also gluten free. He made another suggestion and they said they were also dairy free. The server made another suggestion and they said they didn’t like Brussels sprouts.

He was extremely patient with them although they were quite demanding.

He should have suggested that they leave, LOL

 

[Auntie Cipation]

Maybe grilled pineapple? And ask them what their favorite vegetables are?

A few years ago I was dining with a friend at a very nice Italian restaurant. The couple at a nearby table was telling the server that they were vegetarian. He offered an entrée suggestion and they told him (not very nicely) that they were also gluten free. He made another suggestion and they said they were also dairy free. The server made another suggestion and they said they didn’t like Brussels sprouts.

He was extremely patient with them although they were quite demanding.

It reminds me of an old joke I heard -- or was it a cartoon I saw? In any case, the diner at the restaurant gives the waiter a long, long list of what they cannot eat and then asks the waiter what might be on the menu that they COULD have. And the waiter says "only the napkin, sir". Or something along those lines.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

He should have suggested that they leave, LOL

People who have so many issues with foods that they cannot eat for one reason or another shouldn't go to restaurants. Most dining venues try to accommodate all patrons, but they cannot please everyone. Restaurant menus are posted on their websites, so prospective diners should research the dining venue in advance so they have a good idea of what is offered and what they might be able to eat. A litany of what one can't eat for one reason or another is also annoying for other restaurant patrons. JMO

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I had my annual physical today. I had seen my lab results prior to the visit, and Dr. K confirmed that my labs were excellent with no deficiencies. I'm 76 with a clean bill of health Dr. K knopws that I like to read and recommended a book that she listens to when she has a chance. It's called Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. Maybe I can get it on my tablet..

DH is having a dental extraction tomorrow morning and will not be able to eat solid foods for a few days. We have not had red meat since we went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on March 26, and DH wants steak with baked potato tonight. We stopped at Nino's after my doctor's appointment and get a New York strip steak to share with smallish Idaho potatoes. I bought a slew of vegetables to make vegetable stock tomorrow or Friday. I can add canned beans and/or pasta when DH is ready for more solid foods. We still have some ham and bean soup and matzoh ball soup mix that is easy to make.

 

[Curious Me]

Dr. K knows that I like to read and recommended a book that she listens to when she has a chance. It's called Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. Maybe I can get it on my tablet....

Congrats @BetteDavisEyes on the clean bill of health. It's nice your doctor and you talk about books. That book is highly rated and popular on goodreads.​

Theo of Golden

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Congrats @BetteDavisEyes on the clean bill of health. It's nice your doctor and you talk about books. That book is highly rated and popular on goodreads.​

Theo of Golden

I always have a book with me when I see Dr. K - usually twice a year. No matter the time of day, it seems that there's always a wait, so I come prepared with a book and patience

 

[lonetraveler]

People who have so many issues with foods that they cannot eat for one reason or another shouldn't go to restaurants. Most dining venues try to accommodate all patrons, but they cannot please everyone. Restaurant menus are posted on their websites, so prospective diners should research the dining venue in advance so they have a good idea of what is offered and what they might be able to eat. A litany of what one can't eat for one reason or another is also annoying for other restaurant patrons. JMO

Yes, to everything you posted.

 

[Seni]

Glad you got a clean bill of health @Bette!

As regards my picky guests, agree with all comments on here. Of course, I am not a restaurant and can't magic up alternatives. I am not going to ask for further info about their preferences.

Good tip about pineapple @ Ice, could maybe make some fruit kebabs with hard fruits. Papaya and mango would be out, as would granadilla and passion fruit where you eat the seeds.

But am not in such a bad mood as I was yesterday!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I started the vegetable stock in the slow cooker after dinner last night. Carrots, celery, fennel & fronds, kale, leek, potato skins from our baked potatoes, fresh thyme, kosher salt, whole peppercorns, 12 cups of water. The stock was just beginning to develop some flavor when I turned it off for the night after about three hours on high. Will continue cooking after our visit to the oral surgeon. DH might be able to resume normal diet by Sunday, but there will be plenty of soup for the next few days. Soup is good food!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

No one cooking or eating? DH got me Thai takeout yesterday since he's still eating only soft foods following his tooth extraction. He will be able to resume more normal eating tomorrow. He'll still have to be mindful of the gap that will eventually be prepped for an implant and crown.

I'm going to bake pound cake (actually, two loaf cakes) today when DH goes swimming. I plan to freeze both for future use. Meijer was featuring dozen and a half cartons of Egglands Best eggs for the same price as the dozen carton. It was too good an offer to pass up, but it would take a while for us to use 18 eggs. My recipe calls for six eggs, so that's why I'm baking the pound cake loaves. Wrapped tightly in plastic and foil, my pound cake freezes well.

Enjoy your weekend!

Bette's Best Pound Cake
All ingredients at room temperature. Grease and flour tube or Bundt pan. Oven at 325*.

2 sticks butter, softened
2 cups sugar
6 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 pint (1 cup) whipping cream
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract (or lemon, if preferred)

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extract. Slowly add flour, alternating with whipping cream. Mix until batter is smooth.

Pour batter into prepared pan and place in 325* oven. Bake for one hour and 10-15 minutes until cake tests done with toothpick. Allow cake to cool completely before removing from pan. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

 

[Seni]

First guests arrive on Monday. KLM long haul has good food and I usually only want some tea when I arrive. But will make tomato soup with small pastries. I buy frozen pastry and make little parcels with various fillings, this time spinach and onion fried in cream, will leave out the roast pine nuts just in case.

Next day, eggs according to preference with toast for breakfast. Greek yoghurt with honey. No nuts.

I only cook one meal per day. They can decide whether they want to eat at lunch or dinner. No problem, we usually have a salad in the evening.

Curried lentils and cauliflower with rice. Salad.

Mango crumble with ice cream.

Next day 7 lucky veg couscous, hummus etc salad.
Roasted pineapple kebabs with yoghurt.

I think they leave the following day, not sure. My nephew is changing plans all the time.

Irish family arrive in the evening. Will prepare one of the Indonesian recipes. I have what I need basically.

Food shopping tomorrow. Monday organising bedrooms.

 

[PayrollNerd]

I made a small breakfast casserole yesterday. I had it for brunch and it kept me full for hours.

Last night my friend JK treated me to a new to us Italian Restaurant. https://frestasitalian.com/

Everything I ordered was amazing. I had the mozzarella balls with marinara. Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside. I had a Cesar salad before the main course, which was Chicken Parmesan with pasta. Very very good!

JK ordered the gnocchi and had a regular salad with it.

We watched other meals as they went by and it all looked delicious.

 

[IceIce9]

I made a mock apple pie with Ritz crackers, an old depression-era recipe that we passed on to me from a great aunt.

If you have never had it before you might be surprised how it tastes like an apple pie, but there are no apples among the ingredients.

I make it every once in a while for my friends. It is easy and contains ingredients that I always have on hand.

While there are several similar recipes I usually use Ritz crackers, lemon juice and zest, brown sugar, cream of tartar, butter, cinnamon, and a pie crust. Ingredients that are always in my pantry and refrigerator.

 

[iamshadow21]

Well, I did absolutely nothing that required any expertise in the kitchen today.

I cooked boneless coated frozen chicken pieces in the oven and put them on rye bread with lettuce, aioli, tomato sauce, salt, black pepper and basil.

And I heated up a large tin of Heinz ham baked beans, added black pepper, and ate them with two slices of toast.

I haven't been baking as much because Easter means lots of different flavoured hot cross buns in the shops, and though Easter is over I still have a couple of packets of them in the freezer.

But, the good news is, our kitchen sink is draining again.

Plumber said both it was an easy job and the worst he's ever seen. Mum is pretty sure she's never had the main house outflow pipe cleaned out since we moved in, which was thirty two years ago, so, thirty plus years of gunk is now gone and I can actually use the kitchen sink for its intended purpose, rather than washing dishes in the laundry, which I did for a couple of days before the plumber came.

 

[Knox]

I made a small breakfast casserole yesterday. I had it for brunch and it kept me full for hours.

Last night my friend JK treated me to a new to us Italian Restaurant. https://frestasitalian.com/

Everything I ordered was amazing. I had the mozzarella balls with marinara. Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside. I had a Cesar salad before the main course, which was Chicken Parmesan with pasta. Very very good!

JK ordered the gnocchi and had a regular salad with it.

We watched other meals as they went by and it all looked delicious.

All looks delicious!

I'm going to try making omelettes in the waffle maker in the morning. Has anyone else made them that way?

 

[acutename]

My BIL is hosting a huge party on 25th in his finca in Boyacá. We will have several family members from Europe staying with us before and afterwards. I have not met all of them before (extended husband's family). Sent a message to a young couple from Czech Republic, who will be our first guests, asking them if there is anything they do not/cannot eat.

Am quite prepared for an allergy, no meat, no shellfish etc but was blown away by the list I received. Lets say, its going to be a challenge.

Some excerpts:

She only eats red meat. No chicken, no fish

He is vegetarian but doesnt eat all veggies and she is not keen...without saying more about which they do eat.

She is "allergic to most fruit" but can eat "some tropical fruit if cooked" !!

Who cooks tropical fruit??

We thought maybe it was a joke, but its not.


After them we get 4 Irish guests, my husband says please don't ask them about their preferences. That we'll give them a glass or two of Jamesons and anything goes!

I dont know how seriously to take it all. Obviously if there are allergies, I will take those into account, but if it comes down to I dont like broccoli or peas very much, it gets a bit ridiculous.

Shame though, as would like to make some nice meals.

she gets a burger and fries; he gets a slice of pizza and a side salad.