Thursday, February 22, 2018

Bowling, Parking, Therapy, Lunch.

Basically a very quiet day. If somewhat frustrating to me. My dearly beloved and crippled husband, had the nerve to beat me 2 out of 3 games today. Bowling of course. He has been installed back on the team now he appears able  to cope with three games in a row. However, although I had one good game, with the two lousy ones, I bowled an average of 10 below which will not help me regain the lead. I may have to wash that desire from my mind. Oh well, it was fun whilst it lasted.

Got a few laughs about my parking garage story. Like so many things, not funny at the time, but very funny after. At least now I know how it all works and can park there again.  Biggest problem for me is the walk from there to the hospital doors. Denise of My Life in Retirement, mentioned valet parking at her hospital. What a good idea for people who have mobility problems. Dunno why they don't do that here. Although I always complain about the cost of parking, which can be quite horrendous in places like Toronto, I shouldn't really do so, we pay nothing for  the treatment we receive (well in taxes I guess) so we never have to count pennies about being treated for major operations etc.

Tomorrow we will be bowling again after seeing Matt's physiotherapist in the morning. I wonder if she will change his exercises again or just add new ones. Funnily enough he has been very good at doing them this time, with my assistance.

Friday, guess where we are going to have lunch, yup, Mandarin. Friend's birthday this weekend so we are joining her. She is 6 months older than I am so I always tease her about being so much older. She has already done her seniors driving test - not that you have to drive, merely prove you are mentally OK. I still think you should have to prove your ability to handle a vehicle.

I love wontons, any dumplings as you may have gathered. Here is a recipe I found today.

Spinach-and-Pork Wontons

Try this book: Asian Dumplings In her pan-Asian cookbook, food writer Andrea Nguyen recommends homemade wonton wrappers but says store-bought are fine: "Just look for ones labeled
'thin' or 'Hong Kong–style.' "   Fast Asian Recipes

2 cups baby spinach, rinsed
1 Tbs plus
1 1/2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp Asian sesame oil
1 tsp dry sherry
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
pinch of freshly ground white pepper
1/4 lb ground pork
1 small scallion, minced
3/4 tsp minced fresh ginger
Cornstarch, for sprinkling
30 thin wonton wrappers
2 Tbs chile oil
2 Tbs peanut oil
1 small garlic clove, minced
2 Tbs chopped cilantro

1. In a skillet, cook the spinach, stirring, until wilted; transfer to a colander and squeeze dry. Finely chop the spinach.

2. In a bowl, combine 1 1/2 teaspoons of the soy sauce, the sesame oil, sherry, salt, sugar and white pepper. Mix in the pork, scallion, ginger and spinach. Chill for 10 minutes.

3. Dust a large baking sheet with cornstarch. Arrange 4 wonton wrappers on a work surface, keeping the other wrappers covered with plastic wrap. Brush the edges of the wrappers with water and spoon 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each. Fold the wrappers diagonally over the filling to form triangles; seal. Bring the two opposite corners of the triangle together; press to seal. Transfer to the baking sheet and cover. Repeat.

4. In a large saucepan of boiling water, simmer the wontons over moderate heat, stirring occasionally. When they float, cook for 3 minutes longer. Drain the wontons well.

5. In a large bowl, combine the remaining soy sauce with the chile oil, peanut oil and garlic. Add the wontons and toss. Sprinkle with the cilantro and serve.

Servings: 6

Author: Andrea Nguyen
Source: Food and Wine



Have a great day

10 comments:

  1. I heartily agree that seniors actually get in a vehicle and prove they can still drive. Many of them around here are pretty damn scary. I figure you couldn't pay a state employee enough money to get in the car with one and test them. I sure wouldn't do it.
    Nice to hear that Matt is doing better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Must admit I had never thought of the person having to test them Denise.

      Thanks.

      Delete
  2. Sorry about the bowling.
    Yeah, I know a few drivers who really need to be tested on skills instead. My grandmother drove into her nineties, and she really shouldn't have been driving at the time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Matt was delighted Alex.

      Pretty good she drove into her nineties though.

      Delete
  3. I have fake pork I could use as a substitution in that recipe. I love spinach so I bet it would be good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I don't know what fake pork is, I couldn't comment, but there are only small amounts anyway Diane so probably would be OK.

      Delete
  4. I used the valet parking almost every time I went to see Russell at the hospital cause there were never any spaces except on the weekends and early mornings. It was just easier. I was already upset enough w/o driving around looking for a space.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know exactly what you mean JoJo. I would use it too if it was offered here.

      Delete
  5. Sorry to hear about the bowling but I’m glad you are both able to get out and have some fun. I have had clients who have to go every day for months and have to pay that stupid parking which doesn’t even go to the hospitals. I watched Marketplace and found tha it is an independent business that makes the money. Now, whether the hospi5al ge5s a piece of that pie, I don’t know but I think it’s atrocious when people have to be there for the loved ones day in and day out and usually it is their child in the hospital. They should give people who have to deal with a child or any loved one that might be in the hospital for weeks, to give them a break. Now, I think we have amazing health care and cherish that we have this every day. Have fun at the Mandarin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it is nice to be able to get out bowling Birgit. I totally agree about the parking. I understand they lease the rights out getting their money that way. I was also told by a friend that she complained she couldn't afford it (hubby dying) they gave her a special card for $10 and when she handed back the card they refunded the $10.

      I did enjoy Mandarin.

      Delete