Water Shut Off, Christmas Syndrome, Busy Busy, Instant Pot

There are notices all over this apartment building announcing that the water will be cut off, once again, on Monday at 8 a.m. and that access to the underground parking will be unavailable all day so, if we want our cars, we need to move them by 9. I decided to move mine on Sunday morning so downstairs I went and there was a piece of "police type" tape over the garage entry so I couldn't get at the car anyway. I actually forgot that there was a second door (only ever used it once in 19 years) and, as it turned out, I could still use it. (Took a phone call to the super to remind me). I ended up parking in the visitor parking lot as it is closer to the door. Only problem was, it is as icy as a skating rink so somewhat dangerous. I had to move the car so Matt could get out on dry ground. However, if we want to bowl on Monday, it's gotta be done. Hope it doesn't snow overnight that will really tee me off. That's the only trouble with living in a building which was built over 40 years ago. Lots of things are wearing out. Pipes being the #1 problem these days. The elevators were replaced some years ago and lots of internal things like the tiles in the hallways, not forgetting the balconies which, if you are a long time reader, you will know all about.

Have you heard of Christmas syndrome? I hadn't until today. Apparently when we bring home Christmas trees were are also bringing in mould which is on all trees in one form or another, not only that, we store our synthetic trees in the attic and so on and they too pick up mould during the year and we then bring into the living area which is why many of us end up sniffling and snuffling at this time of the year. Personally I have just gone off Christmas decorations, I've only got a few but I have been sniffing and snuffling like mad lately but didn't know why. Who knew?

We have one hell of a busy week coming up, Monday Bowling, Tuesday Foot Nurse, Mandarin Lunch, Shopping, Wednesday coffee with my Alzheimer group, later in the day a pharmacist is coming to give us our annual review of medications, Thursday I have a blood work appointment at 8:30 a.m. Of course I forgot exercise classes amongst that lot. Think I will be totally knackered by the end of the week. With any luck Zoey will be bringing lunch one day and getting ladydog to drive her here.

This sounded a nice soup to maybe fill in some times during the holidays. I figure, once again, it is a cinch for my Instant Pot. Talking of which, I finally got round to checking, I can fit two ramekins in my pot so it won't be too difficult to make my lava cakes. Checking over this recipe again I see it uses fish sauce. I bought some a couple of weeks ago and can't remember what for - duuh.

Thai Chicken and Coconut Soup

We've deviated slightly from the classic version of a popular Thai soup by adding rice to make it more substantial. Serve it with lime wedges; a squirt at the table does wonders

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3), cut into 2 1/2-by-1/4-inch strips
3 Tbs Asian fish sauce (nam pla or nuoc mam)
1 1/2 Tbs lime juice
1 quart plus 3/4 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
3 stalks lemongrass, bottom third only, peeled, smashed, and cut into 2-inch pieces, or three 3-inch-by-1/4-inch strips lemon zest
1 1-inch piece peeled fresh ginger, cut into thirds
1/2 cup long-grain rice
1 3/4 cups unsweetened coconut milk (15-ounce can)
2 fresh red chiles or jalapeño peppers, seeds and ribs removed, cut crosswise into thin slices
3 Tbs chopped cilantro

1. In a medium glass dish or stainless-steel pan, combine the chicken strips with the fish sauce and lime juice. Set aside.

2. In a large saucepan, bring the broth, lemongrass, and ginger to a simmer. Add the rice; simmer until the rice is almost done, about 15 minutes.

3. Add the coconut milk and bring back to a simmer. Stir in the chicken and marinade and cook until the chicken is just done, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chiles and cilantro.

Servings: 4

Tips Asian fish sauce is available at Asian markets and many supermarkets.

Source: FOOD and WINE

Have a great day
 

R.I.P. Anne McCaffery, Drilling and Dumpsters, Medical, 97 yrs. old.

I was so very sorry to hear of the death of Anne McCaffery who was one of my favourite authors of all time. She was 85 and had a stroke at her home in Ireland. Her son, Tod, has already started writing Pern books so her legend will go on, although his stories tend to be a bit harsher. My email address uses the name of one of her many dragon queens and I have all her books and so far all the ones her son has written. As someone commented on Facebook “her final journey ‘between’ she will be missed”.

I am going to be moaning and groaning about this noise for the next 2-3 weeks. Which noise? The frenetic woodpecker who is drilling, apparently, right above my head. They say the sound gets distorted so the drilling could be elsewhere, but……… Having written this, I had to go out and went down to the garage, it is much worse down there. It sounds as though they are drilling right through the ceiling – I guess a lot of the work is taking place in the garbage area which is why we cannot use the chutes. Trouble is they have the big garbage dumpsters outside for us to use, but, in the first place they are quite high and in the second place the lids are heavy so there are lots of people in this building who will not be strong enough, or fit enough, to lift the lids and heave their garbage inside. This is the only pic I could find of the exact type of dumpster, graffiti and all, LOL

Having written yesterday about mammograms, damned if I don’t have to go and have one today all because of chest pain. I don’t think anyone thinks its cancer, but it’s a ‘cover all bases’ type of test. In fact I understand from all the sources I have ever come across, including my doc yesterday, cancer doesn’t hurt until the last stages, also one loses weight, doctor said you lose your appetite which I guess explains the weight loss. I sure haven’t lost my appetite or lost any weight. In fact reading up on this, females having similar chest pains can be totally unexplained and in some cases last up to two years and then just disappear. Thanks a bunch for that info. Such pains can also be caused by arthritis in the chest??? I didn’t know that could happen. Talking of arthritis, it turns out Matt has it in his toe, that used to be called gout, LOL. I hasten to add that Matt is not even remotely overweight and they once thought gout was due to heavy drinking, no idea it was arthritis. If you are fairly young, reading this, you have no idea what you could be in for, of course you could be one of the lucky ones. One of the frequent phrases heard in this building, “ain’t old age wonderful” or something to that effect.

Talking of age, yesterday, at the bowling alley, they had a birthday celebration and cake for one of our seniors, she was 97 yrs. old. She is incredible, bowls twice a week, line dances and plays ping pong. (Table tennis). She is absolutely tiny too. Lucky woman to be so fit at her age.

The recipe below is from Hershey’s and looks delicious, but Matt will tell you anything with chocolate looks delicious to me. Friends are talking cookie baking so I thought this recipe might be appreciated.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1/3 cup HERSHEY®'S Cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

2 cups (12 oz. pkg.) HERSHEY®'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips or HERSHEY®'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl on medium speed of mixer until creamy. Add eggs; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well. Stir in chocolate chips. Add nuts, if desired. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. About 5 dozen cookies.

Have a great day

RFN, Grrr, Mammograms, Taming Fire

An update on Restore Family Nutrition, we have been asked to provide some schools with a monthly recipe and Michelle, our leader, has asked me to help with this. I will be delighted to, but need to research recipes which are more suitable for schools. For instance I don’t think Duckling à l’Orange would do, LOL. Maybe Toad in the Hole though, a traditional English dish. Thinking back to my own school years, another thing we used to get was Treacle Tart which I loved plus Yorkshire Pudding sprinkled with sugar for a dessert, scrumptious.

We have been told we cannot use the garbage chute for about 3 weeks due to repairs to water systems – not only is that going to be a great pain in the butt, but whatever they are doing has started with a noise which sounds a bit like a frenzied woodpecker and is beginning to drive me nuts. I didn’t go bowling this aft, I wish I had.

I have just spotted an article on screening for breast cancer, it appears the new Canadian guidelines don’t recommend constant mammograms any more for people with an average risk of breast cancer. The feeling being it should be more to do with a discussion between the woman and her doctor rather than a mandatory ‘one size fits all’ approach. This is really quite a shocker because doctors and cancer groups have been advocating mammograms on a regular basis for years now. What a drastic about face.

I am currently reading a Kindle book called Taming Fire, the Dragon Prince Trilogy by Aaron Pogue. However, it appears there is, as yet, no sequel, how very frustrating as I have nearly finished this and am very much enjoying the story. I have been assured by Aaron Pogue that the next book, Dragonswarm, will be out in December. I am very pleased to hear it.

Talking of Toad-in-the-Hole, here is a recipe from Cookery in Colour. I have seen adaptations on this plus serving it with gravy and mashed potatoes. Never, gravy would just make the Yorkshire Pudding go soggy which would defeat the whole object of the dish. Also, don’t forget to prick the sausages with a fork before cooking. As for fat or dripping, these days I would use some canola oil.

Toad-in-the-Hole

1 lb good sausages
knob of fat or dripping if required.

Yorkshire Pudding or Pancake Batter
4 oz. flour
pinch salt
1 egg*
1/2 UK pt. milk  (10 fl. oz.) or milk and water**

* for a richer mixture use 2 eggs
** For a light batter use half water (iced water is excellent) and half milk. A little melted butter or olive oil can be added to the batter if making pancakes.
Sieve the flour and salt together into a basin. Drop in egg or eggs and beat mixture well. Gradually beat in just enough liquid to make stiff, smooth batter. Be sure there are no lumps. Allow to stand for a few minutes, then gradually whisk or beat in the rest of the liquid. this mixture can be allowed to stand some time fore cooking. If possible put into a fridge or really cool place. Give final beat or whisk before using.

Put the sausages into an ovenproof dish. Cook for about 10 minutes in a hot oven (450°F) If necessary add fat (oil) and get this very hot too. Pour in the batter and return to a 450° to 475° F. oven for approximately 30 minutes. If using very hot oven, lower the heat slightly after 10-15 minutes so the batter doesn’t get too brown before being cooked.

Have a great day