Health Card, Coffee Meeting, Exercise Class, Cards, VCR and Earrings, Zoey,

One of the first things I did on Wednesday morning was to phone the government office, Service Ontario, about Matt's health card. They don't open til 9 a.m. Silly me. When if phoned them at 9:15 I was told that it take 8 weeks to get the card ??? He already got his id card wonder why the health card takes so long.

Then went to the Starbucks in my local grocery store and for a few moments I thought I was going to be all alone, however, in the end, the two friends who haven't  made it before turned up but the other two didn't (one his wife was sick, don't know about the other). We had an enjoyable hour chatting about our spouses and mentioning how we managed. It was so nice to see them, but I was sorry that the other two couldn't make it because it would have been the first time we had all been together at the coffee bar.

Went home and almost threw my lunch down my throat and then dashed down to the exercise class. Unusually there were several of us there today which was nice for a Wednesday. I seem to be improving again, glad I have been able to go and partake again. Checked the mail and was delighted to find 4 Christmas cards. Makes me a feel a mite guilty but I just can't manage the dozens of cards I used to send which is why I send electronic cards these day.

I can't remember whether I mentioned that having bought a new TV some months ago, we were

unable to connect the VCR. I finally found the cable I needed at Amazon (of course) and it will be here tomorrow (today now I guess). One of  the bowling alley owners has agreed to come help me plug it in as I can't manage all the bending and twisting necessitated to do the connection. I got cracking with the cable so I can play Miracle on 34th St. which is a VHS tape. I also bought myself some snowflake earrings. I have wanted some ever since I saw someone in the bowling alley with a pair several years ago. I hope they are as pretty as they look. Will tell Matt that is what he bought me for Christmas. They had some in blue too but decided silver was best.

Thursday, Zoey is coming to see Matt bringing ladydog who is picking up some Thai food for lunch - nice change from Subways.

I know many of you don't like tofu although I do. I always make sure to get plenty of it when I have my Hot and Sour soup at Mandarin. When I saw this recipe I thought it sounded good. I guess you could leave it out if you wanted. I thought it was vegetarian at first but then saw the pork belly in the ingredients.

Spicy Kimchi Tofu Stew

Stop at a Korean market on the way home from work, and you can have this soothing, vibrant dish on

the table in 30 minutes.

1/2 lb pork belly, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 1 lb jar kimchi, drained, 1/4 cup liquid reserved
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
4 oz shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 Tbs gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
1 Tbs gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
Kosher salt
1 14 oz container silken tofu, cut into large pieces
Steamed short-grain rice, for serving

1. In a medium-size nonreactive pot, cook the pork belly pieces over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the fat is sizzling and the pork is light golden, about 8 minutes. Add the kimchi and the onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the reserved kimchi liquid, mushrooms, gochujang, gochugaru, and 4 cups of water, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and cook over moderately low heat for 10 minutes.

3. Season the stew with salt. Stir in the tofu, breaking it up slightly with the spoon, and bring to a boil; remove from the heat. Serve the stew hot with steamed rice.

Servings: 4

Author: LAURA REGE
Source: Food and Wine

Have a great day