Artichokes, Shopping, Masks,

Maybe I am becoming, or already am, a crotchety old woman. Hilary said I should remember that a

lot of these youngsters in the stores, haven't had our European background, or, come to that, travelled very far anyway. Turns out they don't have my artichokes after all although the young man yesterday assured me they did and he would save me some!!! Now they are going to try and order them for me for next week on my shopping day. It's gotta be 18 months since I last had one. I was really looking forward to getting some today, boo hoo. Not only that, I just ate my penultimate fresh asparagus. I remember when I visited a French family in my teens and they had artichokes for a meal, don't remember which, probably dinner, and I didn't like them. In hindsight, they were some of the best I had ever seen and would love to go back to that table again. Not sure when I started to like them. In England we were only getting puny chokes as it wasn't long after WWII. The staff in PC Express probably don't know what they are anyway. That department was so good before Covid, then they employed extra staff who don't seem to know their rear ends from their elbows.

This afternoon I went to the grocery store and picked up the items they had forgotten. I also got some individual meringue nests so I will try dessert with them. If they don't work, I can always break them up and make some Eton Mess. They were given to me "on the house". I then decided to go to Victoria St. Market. Only trouble is they have started working on the road and it took forever with one lane closed on either side. Shouldn't have gone, I was only going to check for strawberries. Not only do they sell very expensive bananas, their strawberries are very expensive. too. I bought a Sirloin steak which was quite large as well as a box of Cevapcici (Yugoslavian, to me anyway). I looked at their asparagus out of interest, they were selling a bunch for the same price as I pay for 2.5 lbs. at Barrie's, of course, they aren't selling any more this year.

It is now mandatory in our town to wear masks in public places which, of course, includes inside apartment buildings. So, from Monday on, we have to wear masks in the halls, the laundry rooms, the lobby, the garbage room, etc. etc. I joked with my new cleaner who lives next door that she would need a mask to get from her door to mine. Of course the PSWs all wear masks but I had to ensure that Kathy would wear one when she comes. ladydog always does although Zoey does not. Of course Matt won't wear a mask for love nor money, but I phoned the Community Response and Behaviour Social Worker and she said that that was a good question and she would check what the law was regarding dementia patients. Turns out that the hubbies of two other women also will not wear a mask. Both dementia patients. Not sure if it's stubborn men or the dementia. I see a notice downstairs someone selling masks.

When ladydog was here yesterday she mentioned a potato salad she had made recently and how delicious it was. Needless to say, I asked for the recipe.

Herbed Potato Salad

• Author: Cookie and Kate Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 5 mins Total Time: 25 minutes
  
• Yield: 6 side servings

This healthy potato salad recipe is full of fresh flavor. It’s mayo-free, easy to make, and sure to be a hit at your potluck! This salad is vegan, egg free and gluten free.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds small red potatoes, scrubbed and sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
• 1 tablespoon fine sea salt
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ⅓ cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped, plus about 2 tablespoons more for garnish
• ⅓ cup roughly chopped green onions, plus about 2 tablespoons thinly sliced for garnish
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3 stalks celery, chopped

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven combine sliced potatoes and salt. Cover with water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook until potatoes are easily pierced by a paring knife and pulled out with little resistance, about 5 to 6 minutes.
2. Reserve ¼ cup cooking water, then drain. Transfer the potatoes to a large mixing bowl.
3. In a small food processor or blender, combine the olive oil, ⅓ cup parsley, ⅓ cup green onions, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic and freshly ground black pepper. Process until the herbs and garlic have been chopped into little pieces. Then, while running the food processor, pour in the reserved cooking water and process just until blended. (If you don’t have a food processor or blender, just finely chop the parsley and onions and whisk the dressing together until the oil is fully incorporated.)
4. Drizzle the potatoes with the herbed olive oil mixture and gently mix to combine. (It will look like you’ve poured in too much dressing, but don’t worry, the potatoes will soak it up!) Let the potatoes rest for ten minutes, gently tossing every few minutes.
5. Add the celery to the bowl, along with a couple tablespoons each of additional chopped parsley and green onions. Toss again. Season generously to taste with salt and pepper.
6. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. This salad is best served within a few hours, but will keep in the refrigerator for about three days.

Recipe roughly adapted from America’s Test Kitchen’s The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook and The Sprouted Kitchen Bowl and Spoon.

Have a great day, stay well, stay safe.