Monday, 8/2/21

 Carter was at the movies, so Jason and I just ate tofu, broccoli and noodles all by ourselves. I also threw in a head of chard that had been languishing in the fridge. The tofu I marinated in soy sauce/maple syrup/sriracha all day. Pretty good, although it didn't hold it's shape

Sunday, 8/1/21

 Simple dinner of  "smoky, cheesy black beans" (from the NYT), plus yellow rice from a box and some roasted sweet potato wedges. Can't resist the word cheesy in a recipe....I only made a half batch cause our fridge was so stuffed; I also added some minced chilis in adobo.

Saturday, 7/31/21

 Jennie and David: Jason made an experimental loaf with corn and dill (odd but not bad), I made a rhubarb crisp from the NYT. A couple of changes: the amount of rhubarb called for needed double the sugar they used (and a larger pan), plus I took the suggestion of a couple of commenters and melted the butter for the crisp topping instead of trying to mix the ingredients in a food processor (ridiculous). Also made half again as much topping as directed, and doubled the oats and omitted the nuts. It was still pretty tart (nothing some whipped cream couldn't tame), but the crisp was excellent. I'll make it again as long as Jason's farm keeps producing rhubarb. It's a nice change from cobbler.

Friday, 7/30/21

 The good news about all that frying last night was that tonight we had leftovers: just as good (maybe even a little better in the case of the zucchini), none of the work. Frying night redeemed.

Thursday, 7/29/21

 Another ill-considered dinner, time-wise. Making popcorn chicken, corn fritters, and onion rings plus fried zucchini all in one night after work was too ambitious. The rationale behind it was that once you have the fryer out, you might as well make good use of it; but in practical terms it is slow going and everything is ready at a different time. I think we could have been happy with just the corn fritters; I use a recipe from Paula Dean that I adapt by adding some baking powder (self-rising cornmeal....sure, Paula), using fresh corn instead of canned and a lot more of it. They really turn out beautifully. The zucchini and onions were fine, but the chicken I found disappointing. I wish I had breaded it in flour rather than using a batter. Wasn't bad, just a little soggy and blah. 

All in all, not worth the giant mess and late dinner.

Wednesday, 7/28/21

 Dinner with Carter in mind. Then he went off to play Ultimate and ended up not getting home until after 10. Luckily, he was perfectly happy to eat warmed up Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, onion gravy and broccoli. The beef and gravy were my favorite parts; the mashed potatoes were a tad lumpy. It was my first time cooking them in the Instant Pot and while I don't think they were undercooked, maybe they were. No one but me complained.

Take that, Swanson

Tuesday, 7/27/21

 Bread (Jason), cheese, deviled eggs, and a salad I made up with shaved fennel, cherries, parmesan, lemon and olive oil. I am always casting around for things to do with fennel, and this was pretty good. The cherries were a weird but delicious addition.