Good grief. Can you believe it is June 1st? I have almost stopped counting the weeks but I think we are heading into Week 12 or 13. I would go back and look at the calendar, but why? Suffice it to say, it has been a long time. I am starting to go into the office more and more for a couple of hours at a time. I read an article in the NY Times this morning that said going back into the office for introverts could be hard. This introvert completely agrees.
Cate received her cap and gown yesterday and although she is officially finished with high school, they will not make a decision on what to do about graduation until July 24th. Everyone is experiencing good days and bad days - which is normal. I think it is a bit hard on Cate right now as she has nothing to do. So, she enrolled in an online Sports Psychology class through the University of North Dakota. She has been interested in the subject and what better time to explore it and possibly receive college credit.
When the killings at the Tree of Life Synagogue occurred, it was very difficult for Cate. It was very personal as her cousin's husband was the second police office on the site. She was mad that her own friends in our dear little suburb knew virtually nothing about it. We drove into the city and she paid her respects at the memorial site and attended an outside service.
With this recent outbreak of violence in Minnesota, which has increased to all over the country, once again, Cate takes it very personally. Pittsburgh was having a protest yesterday and she mentioned something about it on Friday. I told her Saturday morning that while I in sync with the cause, I felt that the violence was overshadowing the issue and I did not think it would be a good idea for her to go. She agreed - or so she said. When she and her boyfriend entered the house last night, I just had this inkling. Later in the evening, I asked her if she had gone and she admitted she had. So, I head straight for the parent thing...I told you not to go...what if something happened to you...that only sparked her loud, heated response. It only got her back up against the wall. Jamie took the military approach...Where or who was your lifeline? If something had happened to you or your friends, how would we have known? His tactic clearly worked better than mine. This morning, over breakfast, she talked about the event and showed us her photographs - which are amazing. As soon as it became violent, they left. They wanted to be there to support the cause - not to participate in violence.
Strange post this is today - but I needed to get it out. Our trip to Europe has been officially cancelled for July as the airline pulled out. We all were a bit bummed by this but understand and also realize that if that is the worst thing that happens to us through this pandemic, then we are very fortunate.
I actually cannot remember what we did on Memorial Day as the days run together. I do know, from my food diary, that I found some early sweet corn at the grocery store and immediately this dish came to mind. It is one of our favorites during the summer. Even though the intro says you can use frozen corn kernels...NEVER do this. Wait for the summer corn. It is worth it.
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018893-shrimp-with-creamed-corn-and-feta
Exploring places near to and far from Pittsburgh, PA, cooking with locally sourced products and experiencing fabulous restaurants. Come and join the adventure!
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Ham and Cheese Baguette
They say it is the Memorial Day weekend to remember or forget. I have not decided yet, which it will be. Once upon a time, this was a travel weekend for us. Once Cate became a lifeguard, this was her first big weekend and the travelling over Memorial Day ended. Now she isn't a lifeguard...and we cannot travel. We tried to make it to Lake Chautauqua but every other New Yorker had the same idea. So, much to Jamie's chagrin, at home we stay.
It rained nearly all day yesterday. It was miserably foggy when we woke up today. I quickly ducked my head back under the covers and did not reappear until 9am. The fog had lifted. I had my coronovirus breakfast of 1 piece of bread, topped with Duke's Mayo, Isalys's chipped ham, American Cheese and the abundant lettuce. Fold it over to make 1/2 sandwich and I am in heaven...which accounts for no weight loss during "coronovacation".
One of Cate's friends called her to say that she needed to get away from her parents. So I offered the invitation to join us on our second field food trip...pick up croissants and baguettes in the city, pick up a pizza from Mineo's and then head to Schenley Park for a picnic. Surprisingly, she took us up on it. I told her straight out, that she was trading one set of parents for another. But she didn't seem to mind. Cate loved seeing her. Jamie and I loved seeing her...so much so that we told her she could come to GA with us for two weeks. And that wasn't the wine speaking...
Upon arrival at home, I left to go grocery shopping. Cate left for her boyfriend's house. I asked if she would be home for dinner and I got a sketchy reply. My tactic now is..."we eat at 7pm. If you are here, that is great...if not, we are eating without you." I tried not to say it in a mean way - I mean it. She is 18 - almost 19. There is this pandemic. If she gets a chance to go out and see friends....go out and see friends. We have seen you a lot in 10 weeks (albeit...your foot sneaking out of the covers from your bed...but that counts, doesn't it?)
While returning home from shopping, I received a text from her apologizing for being snippy at lunch. She was but I didn't think it warranted an apology. Then she said that she heard we were making risotto for dinner and she was sorry that she had made plans...as she thought we were getting take-out (which we have done only 3 times during the pandemic). I was just surprised by the text so I called her and reassured her that all was ok.
And I was jumping up and down in my heart....Yes duck confit risotto would be great...but we can have it ANYTIME. I have all of the ingredients. Just pop those little duck legs back in the freezer.
But what I had not had in a very long time was a ham and cheese baguette sandwich. I get that you do not understand it. But you have to listen to me....the French take this very seriously. In France, at the grocery stores, they sell ham and cheese cut exactly to match the inside of a baguette! I am not joking. The cheese is actually called Baguette Cheese. All you have to do is cut your baguette, slather on butter or mayo, and then lay your pieces of ham and cheese...they fit perfectly. The first couple of years, we made elaborate charcuterie platters for our lunches at the beach....once I figured out baguette sandwiches, we never went back. Well actually...maybe a little. Cate will eat smoked salmon, prosciutto, foie gras...but not a deli meat sandwich...so she always had a modified charcuterie platter.
So when she tells me that she will not be at home for dinner, I do a happy dance inside. I have ham. I have cheese. Albeit, not baguette ham and cheese but I can modify. Most importantly, I have French mayo. On every trip to Europe, I bring it back. But I have now learned that I can get it from Amazon (is there anything that you cannot get from Amazon?). So the special mayo.... it is relegated to special meals. You can't just go in the fridge and pull out the French mayo and put in on your sandwich, serve it with your potatoes. There has to be special sandwiches...special potatoes.
And that is exactly what we are having tonight...special sandwiches. Half a baguette, sliced, topped with French mayo, sliced ham, and sliced Comte Cheese. I will still serve wine. No need to try a Rose as the weather is for crap. But I will put a few crisps out (potato chips) just to "round out" the meal.
Tomorrow, I may get back to cooking...or maybe, we will just grill Chilean Sea Bass and serve it with grilled asparagus and sauteed spinach. That is sounding pretty good...but not as good as that sandwich, right now.
Happy Memorial Day weekend.
Friday, May 22, 2020
Truffle Butter Pasta
I haven't stopped cooking but the meals have been a bit easier and easier. Lunches are now much easier as the Spring has dropped loads of fresh salad greens in my lap. Ok, I will admit that I have purchased way to much from various farms and my CSA...not to mention I have lettuces growing on the deck. Right now, I have three bags of lettuces, one bag of arugula and one bag of spinach in the fridge. And more is coming on Wednesday. So, much to the family's chagrin, I have lots of more salads on the way. What they do like is that we have also been eating a lot of fresh, local asparagus.
Cate has finished school. She took her last AP test yesterday (in French), promptly got into her car, drove away and came back 10 minutes later. I asked her where she went and why she was back so soon. "I went to the Y parking lot, sat in my car, and screamed." Guess that means she was not happy with the test. And given, she plans to major or minor in French, I can understand.
On a bit of good news, it was announced that she made the Dickinson College Swim Team. As ambivalent as she can be about swimming, she whooped and hollered, when she received the email. She has been in regular contact with the coach, and while he is leaving after 26 years at the end of the month, you would never know it. Having difficulty with your Dickinson email...the coach will take care of it. The athletic department even sent her a kettle ball to work with over the summer. Who knows what will happen with college in the Fall and with swimming...but live in the moment and enjoy.
I have started going back into the office periodically for four hours at a time. The night before Day 1, I have to admit, my anxiety was off the charts. I am not sure why. There are times when this house is like a prison so I should be happy to leave. I think to some extent, I am happy with my schedule, happy not to wear a bra, not to wear makeup, dress in leisure wear, get up at 7:15am to start at 7:30, take a nice break for lunch with Jamie, go back to work and be outside walking at 3:45pm. I actually may be more productive as I am checking emails way past closing time. I have put fuel in my diesel SUV once in 10 weeks. So on Day 1, I did ok, maybe better than ok - but I still loved leaving there at noon, and coming home to work, etc.
So, the cooking...now that Cate is out of school officially, she really helps out with dinners. She makes it a point to be home to help or not to leave until dinner is over. This dish, from Ina Garten, is a favorite of mine. It is so incredibly easy...so incredibly decadent that it seems you are going over the top for a weeknight meal. If you truly want to ramp it up, saute some fresh mushrooms and use as a garnish.
https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/tagliarelle-with-truffle-butter
P.S. I have found the truffle butter at Giant Eagle Marketplace but I typically buy a bunch once a year from D'Artagnan and just freeze it.
In my neck of the woods, of course it was beautiful yesterday (a Thursday), is raining all day today (Friday) and the outlook for the weekend isn't much better. I am hoping that tomorrow we can all take a field trip to Five Points Artisan BakeShop to pick up croissants and baguettes, head over to Mineo's in Squirrel Hill for a take-out pizza and then to Schenley Park for a picnic and a walk. That would do us all some good. Cross your fingers...clouds and rain...stay away...come back on...Tuesday.
Cate has finished school. She took her last AP test yesterday (in French), promptly got into her car, drove away and came back 10 minutes later. I asked her where she went and why she was back so soon. "I went to the Y parking lot, sat in my car, and screamed." Guess that means she was not happy with the test. And given, she plans to major or minor in French, I can understand.
On a bit of good news, it was announced that she made the Dickinson College Swim Team. As ambivalent as she can be about swimming, she whooped and hollered, when she received the email. She has been in regular contact with the coach, and while he is leaving after 26 years at the end of the month, you would never know it. Having difficulty with your Dickinson email...the coach will take care of it. The athletic department even sent her a kettle ball to work with over the summer. Who knows what will happen with college in the Fall and with swimming...but live in the moment and enjoy.
I have started going back into the office periodically for four hours at a time. The night before Day 1, I have to admit, my anxiety was off the charts. I am not sure why. There are times when this house is like a prison so I should be happy to leave. I think to some extent, I am happy with my schedule, happy not to wear a bra, not to wear makeup, dress in leisure wear, get up at 7:15am to start at 7:30, take a nice break for lunch with Jamie, go back to work and be outside walking at 3:45pm. I actually may be more productive as I am checking emails way past closing time. I have put fuel in my diesel SUV once in 10 weeks. So on Day 1, I did ok, maybe better than ok - but I still loved leaving there at noon, and coming home to work, etc.
So, the cooking...now that Cate is out of school officially, she really helps out with dinners. She makes it a point to be home to help or not to leave until dinner is over. This dish, from Ina Garten, is a favorite of mine. It is so incredibly easy...so incredibly decadent that it seems you are going over the top for a weeknight meal. If you truly want to ramp it up, saute some fresh mushrooms and use as a garnish.
https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/tagliarelle-with-truffle-butter
P.S. I have found the truffle butter at Giant Eagle Marketplace but I typically buy a bunch once a year from D'Artagnan and just freeze it.
In my neck of the woods, of course it was beautiful yesterday (a Thursday), is raining all day today (Friday) and the outlook for the weekend isn't much better. I am hoping that tomorrow we can all take a field trip to Five Points Artisan BakeShop to pick up croissants and baguettes, head over to Mineo's in Squirrel Hill for a take-out pizza and then to Schenley Park for a picnic and a walk. That would do us all some good. Cross your fingers...clouds and rain...stay away...come back on...Tuesday.
Friday, May 8, 2020
Ramp Pesto Pizza
This week has been one of those up and down weeks. I felt really tired but I really had not done anything to feel that way. It could have been a lack of sleep. When I do not sleep, I tend to get physically ill. The weather, as usual, did not help.
Getting out of bed on Thursday after seeing each hour on my watch, I thought I had hit rock bottom. Will this ever end? I looked outside and the sun was actually shining and the sky was blue. The weather indicated that it would get up into the 60's. My heart immediately lifted and some of the weariness went away.
After learning that the sun would be gone by mid-afternoon, I decided to take advantage of the situation. Seeing that I had only one morning meeting, by 10 am I was outside and took an hour walk. I came back feeling so much better. Then I looked at my makeshift office which is located in our dining room. Even with two windows, it is just a dark room with an uncomfortable chair. I had some items to finish that did not require my second monitor so I took my laptop out onto the deck and worked until lunch. After a small steak salad, I was back at it but this time working from the bright kitchen as the weather was slipping back into its normal pattern. But it was a good day. So, now I am thinking that I need to change up my location a bit.
Remember a couple of weeks ago, Jamie and Cate went foraging for ramps (wild leeks) with a college friend. One of the things I made with it was Ramp Pesto. It is AMAZING. I found this recipe from the Old Farmer's Almanac and it couldn't be easier. One jar went to the college buddy and one stayed with us.
https://www.almanac.com/news/cooking-news/wild-ramp-spring-onion-pesto-recipe
Last night, the perfect use for our Ramp Pesto was Ramp Pesto Pizza. I found a round of Trader Joe's pizza dough in the freezer. I looked up some recipes but found nothing that really excited me so Cate and I winged it...a very simple pizza but it made the evening.
After stretching out the dough, we spooned the pesto around as you would do tomato sauce. We topped the pizza with grated mozzarella and chopped prosciutto. It was raining, so we could not grill the pizza but cooked it in the oven. When it was ready, we sprinkled some grated Parm. Easy and delicious.
D'Artagnan is selling leeks for a very short time. So, if you want to try something addictive - make your order now. You will have it by early next week.
The really good news of the week was that Cate found out that she has been selected to swim on her college team! You should have seen the look on her face when she received an email from the coach!
Enjoy your weekend.
Getting out of bed on Thursday after seeing each hour on my watch, I thought I had hit rock bottom. Will this ever end? I looked outside and the sun was actually shining and the sky was blue. The weather indicated that it would get up into the 60's. My heart immediately lifted and some of the weariness went away.
After learning that the sun would be gone by mid-afternoon, I decided to take advantage of the situation. Seeing that I had only one morning meeting, by 10 am I was outside and took an hour walk. I came back feeling so much better. Then I looked at my makeshift office which is located in our dining room. Even with two windows, it is just a dark room with an uncomfortable chair. I had some items to finish that did not require my second monitor so I took my laptop out onto the deck and worked until lunch. After a small steak salad, I was back at it but this time working from the bright kitchen as the weather was slipping back into its normal pattern. But it was a good day. So, now I am thinking that I need to change up my location a bit.
Remember a couple of weeks ago, Jamie and Cate went foraging for ramps (wild leeks) with a college friend. One of the things I made with it was Ramp Pesto. It is AMAZING. I found this recipe from the Old Farmer's Almanac and it couldn't be easier. One jar went to the college buddy and one stayed with us.
https://www.almanac.com/news/cooking-news/wild-ramp-spring-onion-pesto-recipe
Last night, the perfect use for our Ramp Pesto was Ramp Pesto Pizza. I found a round of Trader Joe's pizza dough in the freezer. I looked up some recipes but found nothing that really excited me so Cate and I winged it...a very simple pizza but it made the evening.
After stretching out the dough, we spooned the pesto around as you would do tomato sauce. We topped the pizza with grated mozzarella and chopped prosciutto. It was raining, so we could not grill the pizza but cooked it in the oven. When it was ready, we sprinkled some grated Parm. Easy and delicious.
D'Artagnan is selling leeks for a very short time. So, if you want to try something addictive - make your order now. You will have it by early next week.
The really good news of the week was that Cate found out that she has been selected to swim on her college team! You should have seen the look on her face when she received an email from the coach!
Enjoy your weekend.
Monday, May 4, 2020
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