Thursday, June 2, 2016

Shopping, Bowling, Wed. Supper,

You know, the point system at the grocery store is really worthwhile. This morning, Wednesday, Matt dragged me out to the store with him (he goes for their opening at 7 a.m.) and every time
he regrets it because I spend a lot of money. However, although I did the same today, I got $40 knocked off our bill because of the points already saved and, as there were lots of specials today, we ended up with $30 points again. Can't be bad. The trouble is, when Matt shops, he mostly just sticks to the list or stuff we get every week, when I go I look at things and think about what I could cook with it. Not only that, we needed things like paper towel today. Matt would have bought a small pack with two rolls in it, I got a 6 roll pack off the shelf which turns out to be about $17 - the same with toilet rolls. I don't believe in messing about with a couple of this or that. Then we don't have to keep buying them. Plus you do save by buying in bulk. Coincidence, after I had written the above, I checked out my points on my tablet only to find a message from President's Choice (who run the point system) that I have saved $1,000 since joining.

I was hoping I would bowl better on Wednesday, I didn't. Matt and I both had a pretty disastrous game. The other two didn't do that well either. Oh well. We thought we had won some points too but it turned out through technicalities with handicaps, we hadn't won a single point. Boo hoo.

Didn't feel much like cooking and I had read a friend's blog which gave me an idea for supper so I
spread some whole wheat bread with asparagus pesto, put Smoked Salmon on top. Added a few slices of onion and some capers plus a few asparagus on the plate and some bell pepper and supper is served. We both enjoyed it. Then I gave Matt a very small serving of rhubarb. He said it was OK but didn't really do much for him. All the more for me. I have put four servings in the freezer to eat later.

Mushrooms Canada always come up with some good recipes, this is no exception. I find it rather odd that they say 'serves 4 to 8' but I guess it depends if you use it for a starter or a main course.

Mushroom, Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tart
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Serves 4-8

Ingredients
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1 lb (500 g) fresh mixed mushrooms
(crimini, shiitake, oyster)
1 450 g package frozen puff pastry,
thawed overnight in refrigerator
2 large eggs
½ tbsp (7 mL) Italian herbs
Salt and pepper, to taste
2-3 oz (50-80 g) softened goat cheese
2 tbsp (30 mL) milk
15 asparagus spears, ends trimmed
1 oz (30 mL) goat cheese, crumbled (for topping)

Method
1. In a large pan add olive oil. Cook mushrooms over medium-high heat for 5-8 minutes, or until moisture has been released.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out both pastry sheets. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet. Fold over edges all around pastry sheet to make a raised crust.
4. In a small bowl whisk together eggs, Italian herbs, salt, pepper, softened goat cheese and milk. Divide mixture between both pastry crusts.
5. Place asparagus spears across the top of egg mixture. Spoon cooked mushrooms over asparagus.
Crumble remaining goat cheese evenly over entire tart. If desired, brush the crust with egg wash*.
6. Bake tart for 20-25 minutes or until eggs are set, asparagus is tender, and crust is golden.
7. Serve warm or cooled.

*Tip: Brushing the crust with an egg wash will produce a nicely browned crust with a slightly glossy finish. To make egg wash simply whisk together 1 (one) large egg and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water until frothy. Use a pastry brush to apply egg wash to crust.
Have a great day
 

30 comments:

  1. My husband always complains when I go grocery shopping with him for the same reason. I don't go often so when I do I have quite a list to stock up on things we don't buy every week or that I prefer to choose myself.

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    1. Same here Helen. I enjoy grocery shopping and don't go normally because I object to going before the birds wake up. But if I did go regularly, I guess it would get more expensive.

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  2. I would like it if hubby did the grocery shopping. He enjoys looking at things, I just want to get through it. We have learned over the years never to go when hungry.

    Betty

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    1. I like grocery shopping, but not that early Betty. No, never go when hungry.

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  3. The tart sounds delicious. I buy my paper goods at Costco. Is that bulky enough for you?

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    1. I guess it would be Denise. Our Costco doesn't have the brands I prefer, unfortunately.

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    2. Interesting, because they carry Bounty and Charmin here.

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    3. I will double check Denise. Mind you, if I go to Costco it costs me a lot more than a few paper towels.

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  4. Men shop with a purpose. Matt has the list and that's what he's getting. The 'go out-shoot deer-bring home-feed family' mentality - no distractions.

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    1. Love that description Alex. It is very apt.

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  5. In my house it's the opposite. If Russell comes with me, he plods along looking at EVERYTHING and my bill goes through the roof b/c he absolutely loves food and will pile stuff in the cart that we don't need. For me grocery shopping is one of my most hated chores. I just want to get in and out as fast as possible.

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    1. Funny I enjoy it JoJo. But I guess I do the same as Russell although I try not to add too many extras.

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  6. Hubby does all the shopping unless I can con the boys into it. I hate grocery stores and food shopping. LOL Don't mind cooking and eating but hate the shopping. I don't even enjoy other types of shopping. We visited the mall this year for the first time in about 10 years. OMG the people - it was horrendous. :)

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    1. Like you, I hate shopping except for groceries Yolanda. Food always interests me LOL. I agree, going to the Mall is something I do not like to do.

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  7. Oh wow, I've just saved that recipe to use when entertaining our Veggie friend on Fuerteventura (Home of the best Goats cheese in the world). I think we can only buy frozen asparagus there, but sure it will work out ok.

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    1. You are lucky you can get frozen asparagus there, it's not bad Sue. Bottled is awful. Especially for something like this. I bet the goat's cheese is great there as you say.

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  8. I'm even wondering if you could substitute something else for the asparagus, maybe spring onions or slices of courgette? what do you think?

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    1. I dunno Sue. Of course in my book, nothing takes the place of asparagus, but frozen is good. I have no doubt you could make it with either of those. Let me know if you try it.

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  9. Doesn't that tart look and sound delicious.

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  10. I go by my list but I love the points and have over $140! I save it until Christmas. My hubby is bad because he doesn't stick to the list and usually sees something he loves to eat. The recipe sounds good...without the asparagus of course:)

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    1. I use the list most of the time but like your hubby, Birgit, I see things I love to eat or would like to try. But asparagus is so delicious and so very good for you.

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  11. Fourty smackers knocked off and more added, is brilliant. Congrats. And double wow, on the 1,000 points.

    Asparagus pesto sounds yummy. I've been making my asparagus chopped, cooked in a cast iron skillet with garlic, hot peppers and oregano and placed over steamed sweet potato. For breakfast, one of the best meals and for lunch. Anytime really. Oh yeah, and Kosher salt.

    Back to sewing ....

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    1. I think so too Ivy, nice to know I've saved that much. Pesto is yummy. Sounds a bit complicated for me for breakfast.

      What are you sewing?

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    2. Today I sewed blankets for my friend, Kathy. She loves cats and Halloween and I had fabric for her that I'd been holding onto FOREVER. So I made her a couch blanket with this neat Halloween cat fabric, then I made her two small cat blankets with StarWars, that she loves, too. And I stuffed pillows for her. Got a few more cat blankets to make her, she has five cats.

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    3. You are industrious Ivy. What a lot of blankets. What a lot of cats.

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    4. She really enjoys them. We talk about getting another dog but probably not until/if we move.

      I'm sewing once a week for now. It's a nice break from all the house stuff.

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    5. I miss having a dog Ivy, but we didn't think it was fair in an apartment. Nowadays we couldn't walk one properly either.

      Never been into sewing.

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    6. Would one of those teeny tiny dogs work?

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    7. You mean like a Chihuahua Ivy? My mother had a couple - delightful little dogs. But living in an apartment, they still need walking.

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