Monday, September 17, 2018

Birthday Dinner, Senior's Day, Cooking.

As you know, we planned to go for dinner at the Red Lobster. They had endless shrimp so I decided
to try that. I didn't even manage a second helping. Unusual for me, I figured I could have lasted a bit longer. I didn't even finish my Chocolate Wave Cake but brought some home. I very much enjoyed the food though. My BF bought me a present of a bottle of Champagne. It wasn't until I got home that I realised she had bought me French Champagne. I am not familiar with this particular champagne, Nicolas Feuillatte but the bottle is covered in gold with white flowers. Very pretty.

Saturday, I decided to make Steak Diane, kind of rounding off the birthday week. Mind you, I have discovered that Mandarin is doing a senior's day where everything is 50% off, might be pretty crowded mind you. Trouble with that is that it takes place on a Monday and as that is a bowling day, probably wouldn't have time for lunch.

Discussing with friends about cooking at home as opposed to eating out, it seems that for most people time is the biggest problem. Apparently, even in France where, once, every housewife could prepare gourmet meals, the younger women are no longer learning to cook at all. Of course you can buy very good frozen meals these days, but it appears that people would rather opt for fast food such as tacos, burgers or pizzas, which is both expensive and not very healthy. Then, of course, if you have a hungry family to feed when you come home from work, this puts extra strain on everything. Of course there is nothing to stop your kids helping you, especially if they are older, they can certainly peel things or chop things. Someone to do prep work is always helpful. Your family has to remember, they are not helping you, they live there so they should do part of the work in maintaining the family and home.

I love tomatoes done this way so obviously I had to select it. We always buy grape tomatoes but I have no doubt they would work the same.

Slow-Cooked Cherry Tomatoes with Coriander and Rosemary

1 ½ lb ripe cherry tomatoes
½ head of garlic
2 sprigs rosemary
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¾ tsp coriander seeds
¾ tsp kosher salt
1 Tbs red wine vinegar

1. Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°. Toss tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, oil, coriander seeds, and salt in a shallow 2-qt. baking dish to combine.

2. Turn garlic cut side down, then roast tomatoes, tossing 2 or 3 times, until golden brown and very tender, 40–50 minutes. Let cool slightly, then add vinegar and toss to coat.

Servings: 6

Source: Bon Appétit

Have a great day

22 comments:

  1. I rarely eat out, mainly because most restaurants are not that great when it comes to making really good food, IMO. Avoid fast food for the most part, though I love pizza and we are blessed with lots of good pizza joints in this area.

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    1. Funny isn't it Denise, pizza is rarely on our menu, right from the very first one I tried (and that was in Paris when I was around 18) it has never been something which 'turned me on'. I do like some of the restaurants we go to very much. Besides which, it gives me a break.

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  2. Dinner might be simple, but we almost always cook. Eating out is twice a month and never fast food.

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    1. Nothing wrong with simple Alex. We are about the same with eating out (unless there is a birthday involved LOL)

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  3. I'm more than a bit worried about the food my older grandson is given. It's all high calorie junk. Fries, mac & cheese, canned raviolis, chicken nuggets, etc.

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    1. So would I be worried JoJo but I don't know what you can do about it.

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    2. Without moving there and helping my DIL on a daily basis, there's nothing. That kid calls the shots and he's not even 3 yet.

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    3. How silly of your DIL to allow that to happen JoJo.

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  4. Yes, eating out is sooo expensive, and fast food is the worst. I hope you get to partake of that champagne, or at least, can trade it in for something you really like!

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    1. Yes Lisa, isn't it expensive? I enjoy eating out but not paying for it.

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  5. Happy birthday!

    We eat out once in a while, but I try to have a home cooked meal ready for Craig when he gets off work.

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    1. Thanks Diane. How are things in you neck of the woods. I can't seem to find out anything from people at the coast. Power outages etc. I assume.

      Lucky Craig.

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  6. Hi Jo - I eat out as a treat ... more so while I'm here - but why not: lots of seafood to enjoy! I hate not cooking ... and eat seasonally; not sure what I'd do if I had a family ... but I think I'd involve them - in fact I'm sure I would. So often the other half enjoys cooking or particular meals too. I really don't like bought outs, or take aways ... I tried frozen meals when I had my hip done - and did manage to eat them all ... but also got friends to buy me other things so I could make some one-pots ... I haven't been back to buy another frozen meal. It's good you're always cooking and obviously are good at it, as well as enjoying your own food - I am a simple cook, who can turn my hand to whatever is needed ... thankfully - cheers Hilary

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    1. Basically, so do we Hilary. I envy you your access to lots of seafood. Mind you it's the same in the UK.

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  7. I should add ... what was the champers like - looks good! Lucky you.

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  8. My youngest will cook. He says I'm his sous chef. But he was my baby and my shadow.

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    1. How things get turned around Liz. If he likes cooking he will make someone a good husband.

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  9. I hope your birthday weekend was good overall. We cook almost al;ways and may order in once a month if that. I know what you mean because my clients all go out for dinners and get Tim Horton's coffee. I have many client who go 3X per day for coffee at $2.20 a shot which works out to $2,409.00 per year just on coffees. As for dinners out, They will say they can go out often and then say only once per week and spend $50/wk. which is $2,600/per yr. They complain they are behind in their mortgage or rent and they are often behind in their utilities. I had one girl spend $800/mth on take out! She is on ODSP but brings in more than I do because she has 3 kids. She just doesn't bother to cook!! I just shake my head and get angry about this because it is just laziness and a stupid habit. oh, by the way, the people who work at Tim's don't blink an eye when people go in 7 X per day!

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    1. I do so know what you mean Birgit. I enjoy eating at a good restaurant now and again, but I enjoy my own cooking too, as does Matt. Some of those figures you have quoted are absolutely horrible. What idiots some people are. As for Tim's employees, I guess they are there to sell you what you want as often as you want it.

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    2. They just sell but they are not surprised at all when one say they heard people coming 7 times a day. They just say, “ oh yeah, of course.”

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    3. Yes, Birgit, they are just there to do a job which is selling, not to help the customer by not serving him.

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