Friday, November 8, 2019

ALZ Group, Starbucks Prices, Visitor, Victoria St. Market,

Much to my delight this morning, we ended up with three of the five of us at our coffee morning. I was so pleased the other two could make it. Will try and shoot for all of us next time. We had coffee from the new Starbucks at my grocery, not actually a restaurant per se, but a coffee bar with the tables some distance away. Wouldn't recognise the store these days. I normally drink decaf. Big mistake at Starbucks, ended up with some fancy made decaf, can't remember what they said now, but it cost me $2.78. I won't do that again. Not sure what my friends had but think one guy had a plain black coffee so that is what I will go for next time. That was highway robbery. We had a good chat about our spouses and how things were proceeding plus a few laughs about other things. The man is a photographer so I asked him a couple of questions the upshot of which is I guess I will be throwing my Kodak away, it is obsolete so cannot get it repaired. Also, he explained to me why my tablet wouldn't take a proper picture of a sunset the other evening. Whilst in the store, I remembered to get myself some snow peas for the shrimp dish from the other day. Only trouble is, I then remembered the scallops, now I don't know what to cook. Decisions, decisions.

I was planning to do a couple of things on the way home but had a bit of an upset stomach so had to dash home. Must have been the price of the coffee. We had lunch and then ladydog arrived with Zoey. Matt was particularly pleased to see Zoey. It was so nice to see her (ladydog not Zoey although it was nice to see her) again, talked some about her cruise which sounded as though they had a super time except for  the rioting in Chile. Also told me something I was unaware of, when going through the Panama, they put a pilot and crew on board the ship and the Captain has to be hands off. As she said, there was not much more than a foot on either side of their ship, and right at the end, they scraped the ship in one of the locks. The Captain was not best pleased. There was a big scrape on the ship where it happened.

I was going to go to Victoria St. Market with ladydog when she left but at the last minute decided it was safer not to. ladydog was hoping to get lamb chops but apparently they didn't have any, but she still spent a goodly amount. Told you, they have the most expensive bananas in town. I will be going there tomorrow for bananas and 'ostrich' thighs, wonder if I can escape with just those two items.

Been getting lots of recipes for mashed potatoes lately, is that what lots of people serve with their turkey? We always did roast potatoes in England. Well and here of course. I have never been a big fan of mashed potatoes although I love puréed potatoes as done by Bobby Flay. I loved this when it was creamy and almost liquid as a purée should be, but Matt preferred it to be more firm. He usually won. However,  he doesn't cook these days so....... I have posted this recipe before, but it is a good one.

Goat Cheese Potato Purée

1 1/4 cup heavy cream
6 oz soft goat cheese
6 potatoes, cooked, peeled and diced
4 Tbs unsalted butter, softened
Salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Place goat cheese in a small food processor with 1/4 cup of the heavy cream and process until smooth. Mash potatoes in a large bowl. Mix in the butter and 1 cup of the heavy cream. Fold in the goat cheese mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste

Servings: 8

Source: Bobbie Flay



Have a great day

8 comments:

  1. I'm not a fan of Starbucks, but if I do go there I order an Americano. Not sure what it costs, but most coffee shops have ridiculous prices IMHO.
    As for mashed potatoes, I always make packaged ones. Idahoan are delicious and my kids can't tell the difference. Plus, you can dress them up anyway you want. We'll be having them with our Thanksgiving dinner.

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    1. Well this one is only a "counter" really, the seats are quite a distance away with store displays in between.

      I remember you mentioned packaged potatoes before Denise, I had forgotten til now, like I said, not a big fan of mash.

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  2. Hi Jo.... Starbucks is EXTREMELY expensive and the coffee is super bitter! I only go there for a latte every now and then just for the atmosphere. There's quite a lovely one in Disney Springs, less than two miles from my house. Glad to see you getting out and about especially with the cold snap in the north. Be careful of the ice. It snowed several times in the upper midwest already.

    Enjoy your puree' potatoes.

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    1. So I found out yesterday Michael. This is only a counter in the store rather than an actual restaurant in itself. Bit disappointing. If we go there again I sure won't be getting a decaf. We had snow but it wasn't very much and the roads hardly even looked wet. I am in no rush to get more. You sound like my hubby with the warnings LOL. I think he just didn't want me to go out on my own.

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  3. It sounds like you had a great day!! I'm so happy so many showed up today.

    I'm with you about the Starbucks coffee. I don't even think it's all that good. It's too bitter. I am more of a Dunkin Donuts kind of coffee girl.

    I make a lot of mashed potatoes. Or at least I used to. I'd peel 10 pounds at a time to make sure there just a bit left over. It must be a hillbilly thing. My grandma used to joke that she would decide what to make for dinner while peeling the potatoes.

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    1. Yes, hopefully we will get the other two out next time.

      Don't have Dunkin Donuts up here Liz, but we do have Tim Horton's which is a good coffe place.

      The thought of peeling 10 lbs of potatoes horrifies me, but with your large family..... Sounds a good way to make a decision.

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  4. Starbucks is so expensive. I do serve mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving but it's the only time of year I make them. My children all love them and they are probably the one food I cannot get past my lips.

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  5. It sure is Sue. Try this recipe, it's delicious.

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