That Green Stuff, Costco, Surgery, Bowling.

I said we were going to the doctor’s on Monday (for a change) we then went to Barrie’s Asparagus where Tim called me over to see the beginning process for making asparagus flour. I could have cried, pounds and pounds of fresh asparagus being chopped up with a shovel. I ate a couple of spears before they could go in the mix. In fact the flour, which I mentioned last year, is then used for all kinds of foods including asparagus flavoured pasta and asparagus tortilla chips to name a couple. If you are interested you can got to my blog written in June last year. He said the asparagus he was chopping that day would be flour that night. Pretty fast process I guess. I asked if he had any pix and he said there would be a video on Facebook. If you are a member of Facebook you can see the video on their Facebook page. I was actually hoping for a still.

After Barrie’s we dropped in at Costco, bought the place and left. Well it does seem like it, we haven’t been there for ages and our freezer was empty. We bumped into a friend and whilst I was chatting Matt carried on shopping. He picked up some fillet steaks and a man proceeded to tell him how much cheaper it was to buy a whole fillet at $99 a piece. Fine if you happen to have $99 extra. We spent enough money as it was buying various cuts of beef, chicken breasts with and without, salmon steaks, etc. etc. Adding another $100 to that wasn’t needed thank you. I do like the meat at Costco, it may not be as inexpensive as we can get in our local supermarket, but it is wonderful quality. If I had the money I could spend a lot more, but sadly I don’t. Maybe we shouldn’t have stopped buying lottery tickets !!! We ate a couple of the salmon steaks on Tuesday night, they were delicious. Very good salmon. A friend buys sides of salmon there and the two or three I have shared have been excellent.

Bowling yesterday, me, not Matt of course. I had one very good game, one lousy game and one not bad, so I guess I can’t complain. In the summer league we have team points etc. which makes it a bit more fun, somewhat competitive.

Today, whilst you are reading this, Matt is in the local hospital having his Kyphoplasty so I don’t know where I will be. He has to be there at 11:30 a.m. in case they can do it earlier than scheduled if things go quickly. Great if that happens. The surgeon’s secretary said so far they are not that busy today so here’s hoping. Whether I stay or not will depend on the availability of a parking spot not too far from the main doors.

For a change, a nice creamy dessert.

Cream Cheese Almond Bars

Contributed to Cooking.com By: Cheryl, 24 bars

I originally bought some of these at a bake sale (minus the toasted almonds) and couldn't rest until I found a recipe that emulated the total deliciousness I found that day!
INGREDIENTS

Crust:

1 c. butter

1/2 c. powdered sugar

2 c. flour

Filling:

8 oz. Cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. Almond extract

Frosting:

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 1/2 T. Milk

1/4 c. butter, softened

1 tsp. Almond extract

1/2 c. Toasted, sliced almonds

DIRECTIONS

Crust: Cut butter into dry ingredients and pat into 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 20 - 25 minutes.

Filling: Mix sugar and cream cheese with mixer until well creamed. Beat in Eggs and almond extract until fluffy. Pour over crust while still hot. Bake at 350 for 15 - 20 minutes. Cool completely.

Frosting: Cream sugar and butter, add milk and almond extract, mix well. Spread evenly on baked, cooled filling. Sprinkle toasted almonds on top.

Have a great day

Prey, Free Coupons, Asparagus

On Good Morning America I just saw a segment about a man losing his laptop onto which he had installed Hidden App. This programme tracked his laptop and even sent back pictures of who was using it and where he was. He had a slight problem convincing the cops to go and get it for him, that got resolved in the end. However, my ears pricked up, as now and again I travel with my laptop and sometimes leave it in the car – like going to lunch or something. I investigated, Hidden App is actually for Macs, but there is another app called Prey which is for PCs and not only that, its free for a basic programme. My laptop is now being tracked. http://preyproject.com/

I am always complaining that any coupons, special offers and such like are rarely available in Canada. I got an email yesterday, which I thought was funny, it was basically saying “are you tired of coupons which aren’t right for you?” and then showing pictures offering “90% off snow”, “2 for 1 Iguana grooming” and “free cat dander”. I tried to copy the pix but couldn’t do so. I think coupon sites are pretty dangerous anyway, a good source for a virus or malware, but I was really interested in Iguana grooming LOL

Yesterday we went to get some asparagus and Tim Barrie told me about their asparagus flour. When he first said it I was thinking flower – mature asparagus grows ferns with berries and flowers. Apparently it is made using 5,000 lbs. of whole asparagus which produces 200 lbs. of flour. It is very expensive $15 for a bag which is 100 grams. He told me it is used like a spice and sprinkled on foods. The main reason they make it is for their asparagus tortilla chips as well as now selling it to the public.

As you know, if you are a long time reader, I get a recipe from Mushrooms Canada on a regular basis, this one is their latest and sounds well worth trying to me. Yesterday I bought some quinoa to try the recipe I posted for a Quinoa Salad with chicken. Next I need to get some more mushrooms to try this new recipe.

Balsamic and Chili Glazed Mushrooms with Walnuts

1/4 cup each balsamic vinegar and lime juice
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1/2 - 1 tsp  hot red pepper flakes
1 cup broken walnut pieces
3 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
1 lb. fresh small mushrooms

In a measuring cup or small bowl mix vinegar, lime juice, sugar, garlic and red pepper flakes, set aside. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add walnuts, cook and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes or until lightly toasted; remove and set aside.

In same skillet heat oil over medium –high heat, add mushrooms and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes. Add walnuts to skillet and stir in vinegar mixture while stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes or until sauce is bubbling and mushrooms are well coated. Serve on hot rice, greens or as a side dish to meats

Makes 4 main course servings.

Have a great day