Thursday, January 23, 2020

Ultra Sound, X-ray, Words for Wednesday, Cooking.

At the sound of the alarm, I crawled reluctantly out of bed. I use my CPAP machine's alarm, most expensive alarm I have ever had, never use it for it's proper purpose any more. Anyway, 6 a.m. is far too early for me. I went to get the car and met Matt at the front door. I had told him to bring his walker - it is way easier to fold and put in the trunk than mine is. No wonder his type is so much more expensive. I'm glad the government paid for it though.

I hadn't registered before that it would be dark. These days, I hate driving in the dark and certainly don't do it from choice any more. Especially if it's raining. All the cars seemed to have their headlights on high beam and I felt blind half the time. There was one accident which I could hardly see until cars were coming towards me on the lane I was using. Scary to say the least.

They took Matt in for an ultra sound and the young lady who was doing the job was Asiatic, not sure if she was Chinese or Japanese. Anyway, I didn't think Matt would understand her but luckily he seemed to be able to. She told us he was having an X-ray too. Didn't know that. So he had to move down the corridor and remove his pants and shoes. He said the seat in the change room was extremely hard. I was sitting on his wheelie (walker) which wasn't terribly comfortable either. In the end I walked round the corner where I found some chairs. I waited there whilst he was X-rayed. Eventually it was all over and we headed home. By this time it was light, thank goodness. Matt's breakfast was ready, he likes his cereal well soaked in milk, but I had to cook mine.

Shortly after, I went online and did my Words for Wednesday which is a fun thing to do. It is hosted by Sue at Elephant's Child and I was referred there by Mark Koopmans. One gets a list of words and the idea is to write a poem or a story or something  using as many of the words from the list as you can. I think I left out three, or maybe four, this morning.

After lunch, I threw the chicken thighs I had been defrosting, into a marinade and plan to make French Garlic Chicken in the Instant Pot. It can also be made on the stove top. Click on the Two Sleevers link if you want to try the stove top version.  I then promptly went to sleep for a couple of hours.

French Garlic Chicken

At the risk of sounding conceited, had I been served this Low Carb French Garlic Chicken in a
restaurant in Paris, I would not have complained. And of course, since it’s my recipe it’s stupid simple. An easy recipe that can be made in the Instant Pot Gem or stovetop.

For the Marinade
2 tsp Herbes de Provence.
2 Tbs Olive oil
1 Tbs Dijon mustard
1 Tbs cider vinegar
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper
1 Tbs minced Garlic
1 lb chicken thighs boneless skinless

For Cooking
2 Tbs Butter
8 cloves chopped Garlic
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup Cream

Mix all the ingredients for the marinade, using a wire whisk to emulsify the oil and vinegar together.
Add in chicken thighs and allow it to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes. If you need to marinate for longer, put in the refrigerator.
1. For Instant Pot

2. When you are ready to cook, turn your Instant Pot to Sauté and when it is hot, add the butter and allow it to melt.

3. Add chopped garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.

4. Add in the chicken leaving behind as much of the marinade as you can. Do not discard the marinade.

5. Cook the chicken thighs so that they can lightly brown on one side, 3-5 minutes.

6. Add the marinade and 1/4 cup water.

7. Close the instant pot and set it to cook at High Pressure for 5 minutes. Allow it to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, and then release all remaining pressure.

8. Remove the chicken on to a plate and add 1/4 cup cream into the pot, mixing well with the liquid in the pot.

9. As soon as the sauce thickens, pour it onto the chicken thighs and serve.

Servings: 4

Source: TwoSleevers

Author Notes
If you don't have Herbes de Provence, sub Italian blend herbs or even Greek blend herbs for a slightly different taste

Go easy on the salt in this recipe. I have reduced it to 1/2 teaspoon based on reader feedback

Have a great day
 

10 comments:

  1. Hi Jo - glad things worked out for you. Sue's Words for Wednesday can bring us headaches or relief ... depending if the brief tale comes quickly. Mark has some devilish ideas in him ... take care - cheers Hilary

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    1. Except for the driving Hilary. I must admit I find it fun and surprised myself with the things I managed to write.

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  2. I don't like driving when it's dark either.
    When will you know the results from all that?

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    1. And compared to me you are a youngster Alex.

      They said 2 days.

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  3. I have glasses for driving and they have an anti-glare coating for night driving. Really helps.

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    1. Got an appointment at the optometrist in Feb. Will ask about this Denise. That is what I need.

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  4. I hate driving at night too. I realize I can't see the best anymore. My hubby, on the other hand, has no issues so he can do the driving. I'm glad Matt got through all the testing and now you can rest. The recipe sounds good!

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    Replies
    1. Seems like Denise has the answer with anti glare glasses. Matt, of course, can't drive any more. Well, rest until we have to go to the doc to get the results Birgit. It was good. Leftovers tonight.

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  5. I am so glad you are joining W4W. I really enjoyed your story - and there is NO compulsion to use all the words.
    I hope the MRI and x-ray give some useful answers.
    I am an early bird. It is not long after six here now.

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  6. Hi Jo: We really are neighbours! If you take a look at the right side of my blog you will notice that I am doing several presentations in Kitchener over the next little while. If you are interested at all, come on out! Be sure to introduce yourself if you do.

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