Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Our Tuesday,

So, Tuesday morning we are taking life at a fairly leisurely pace. Most of the preparation for the pest control people was done anyway. 8:30 a.m. there is a knock on the door and it's them. I proved that they were supposed to come at 12:30 not 8:30. Not sure who made the screw up (they are blaming the building manager). Anyway, I said we could be ready to leave in an hour so we dashed about and got ourselves ready and off we went. Wanted to exchange something at the grocery store so that is where we went. I then bought a coffee there and sat in their cafeteria area to drink it. Used up a little time. Eventually we went to the Mandarin for lunch. We were there a bit early - the doors are open but they don't start seating til 11:30.  Guess what, they still had chocolate dipped bacon so, of course, I had some. I also got some hot and sour soup to go which I will have for lunch on Wed.

Then we headed for Victoria Lanes bowling alley. To get there we had to follow a detour as they have part of the street pulled up (what's new round here lately) and I was interested to see that all the streets we crossed during the detour had had their names removed. I wondered why. However, we got to the lanes and bowled four games and Matt really teed me off by getting a turkey (3 strikes in a row) I had a couple of good games, but no turkeys.

When we got home, wonder of wonders, Matt's bed hadn't been moved out of position, or it had been put back, so all we had to do was make it. Now of course we have to restore everything to it's proper position but I don't suppose we will do much of that until the weekend now. Hopefully this is the end of it. If I never see another bed bug that will be too soon. I think I am going to lay down some diatomaceous earth by the doorway in case the bugs from down the corridor decided to take a long walk.

I have been using skirt and flank steak a lot lately. So long as they are treated properly, they make delicious meals.


Skirt Steak with Corn and Red Pepper Purée

Red bell pepper gets used two tasty ways: as a vegetable in the corn sauté and as a pureed sauce for the plate. Fresh corn is not just sweet; it has a surprising hit of umami intensity. Because of skirt
steak's oblong shape, it may be difficult to fit the entire steak in your grill pan. If so, simply cut it in half across the grain and cook both halves at the same time. You can always substitute flank steak, if you prefer.

3 Tbs fish sauce
3/4 cup chopped green onions, divided
1 lb skirt steak
2 red bell peppers, divided
1 cup water
2 Tbs olive oil, divided
1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided
2 cups fresh corn kernels (3 to 4 ears)
1/2 tsp black pepper
Fresh thyme leaves (optional)

1. Combine fish sauce and 1/3 cup onions in a shallow dish; add steak, turning to coat. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour, turning after 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, cut 1 bell pepper into 1-inch pieces; place in a saucepan with 1 cup water and 1/4 cup onions. Bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat 10 minutes or until tender. Drain and transfer to a food processor; process until smooth. Stir in 1 tablespoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

3. Slice remaining bell pepper. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil; swirl. Add sliced bell pepper, corn, and remaining 3 tablespoons onions. Cook 10 minutes or until peppers are wilted and corn is lightly charred, stirring occasionally. Stir in black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Remove from pan; cover and keep warm.

4. Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Return skillet to high heat. Add steak to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until glazed outside. Remove from pan; let stand 5 minutes. Cut diagonally into slices. Serve with corn mixture and pepper puree. Sprinkle with thyme, if desired.

Servings: 4

Source: Cooking Light

Have a great day
 

12 comments:

  1. Chocolate covered bacon. Interesting. It doesn't sound like Asian fare. Although I suppose they but bacon in fried rice. My fave Chinese meal was sweet and sour fish but I don't eat it anymore because the MSG makes me sweat and almost pass out. Even frozen spring rolls give me erratic heart beats. Begone bed bugs! You'll have to get an exorcist in if they come back this time :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Supposed to be Canadian Pinky, the Mandarin are still celebrating Canada Day finishes on the 31st. Never tried sweet and sour fish, but they have some maple glazed salmon at the moment which is delicious (only for Canada Day though). First hubby was affected by MSG. Good idea, don't know any though, I guess an RC priest.

      Delete
  2. The diatomaceous earth at the entrance sounds a very good idea given other apartments are apparently still infested.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trouble is it would be a tad messy if we trod in it Helen.

      Delete
  3. Only game where turkeys are good.
    Definitely spread that stuff by the door. You don't want those suckers coming back in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like turkey Alex, don't you? I had some kung pao chicken yesterday and thought of you.

      As I said above, it could become a tad messy though. Maybe just use a spray regularly.

      Delete
  4. Good idea to spread the diatomaceous earth by the door like that. I said it before, but this has been a heck of a long time to get it all cleared up! Let's hope this is the end of your bedbug woes.

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sincerely hope so Betty. A friend in the States took a year to get rid of hers so if we have done it in 7 months I guess we are lucky.

      Delete
  5. I truly hope this is the last time you ever have to utter the words 'pest control'!!! Fingers crossed it's finally done.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ditto on JoJo's words, I too hope this is it for you! I've been watching the conventions, appalled by the RNC and truly hope filled with the DNC, but these talking heads seem to be in Trumps camp. The man can't answer a straight question and they never, ever call him on it. So sad, as this country be if he's elected! Steak sounds good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too Yolanda. It seems all to horrifyingly likely Trump will make it. In that case it won't be God Bless America it will be God Help America.

      Delete