Notre Dame, Cardiology, Wind,

Dunno about the French, I cried when I saw the Notre Dame Cathedral burning so violently. What a hideous thing to happen. The reporters were all using the word iconic, so very true nevertheless. Notre Dame is Paris. Such a wonderful cathedral. They seem to have save the main part and the two towers, it will cost a fortune, but I do hope  they restore it as they said they would. The city would just not be the same without it.

It reminds me of the time Balmoral Windsor Castle caught fire, that too was pretty devastating but not as much as this fire. Apparently they managed to save a lot of the treasures here, I seem to recall in Balmoral they didn't save much.

The cardiologist didn't have a whole heap to say on Monday afternoon, I was given an ecg and he used his stethoscope then said he would see me in a month by which time I imagine the bunch today will have sorted out something about my anaemia - we hope. I may be imagining it, but my legs feel slightly better. I don't know if that means the new blood in my system has kind of punched through in places. I would like to think so. Was a bit nervous on the way home, not 100% sure where, but part of the road was where the tire got blown a couple of weeks ago.

Couldn't believe the wind today, Matt, who was totally inappropriately dressed (shorts) decided to stay in the car and said several times the car really shook. For me, walking back to the car I was right in the teeth of it and had trouble walking forward. At least once I was forced to take a step back. I felt the car shaking several times driving home when we had to stop for lights etc. Dunno if it is the tail end of the storms in the south or another system entirely.

I am still looking for Instant Pot recipes and I thought this one looked pretty good. It is too much for my 4 quart machine so I will have to halve it.

Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna Soup

Your family will love this fun departure from the Italian classic—and you’ll love its ease and

simplicity.

1 lb 90% lean ground chuck
8 oz cremini mushrooms, quartered
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson)
1 (14.5-oz.) can unsalted crushed tomatoes
1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
8 oz whole-wheat lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
1/4 cup half-and-half
4 oz preshredded mozzarella cheese (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

1. Turn Instant Pot to sauté; heat for 1 minute. Add beef; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Stir in stock, tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cover with lid; turn to manual. Turn lid valve to seal, and set to high pressure for 10 minutes.

2. Release valve with a towel (be careful of the pressurized steam), and release steam until it stops. Carefully uncover; set to sauté. Bring mixture to a boil; add lasagna noodles, and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 9 minutes. Turn off Instant Pot; stir in half-and-half. Divide soup evenly among 8 bowls. Top evenly with mozzarella and basil.

Servings: 8

Source: Cooking Light


Have a great day
 

Cardiologist, Car Problems. The Rest of Tuesday,

What a day. We set off good and early to go to the cardiologist. couldn't find a wheelchair parking area but Matt dropped me at the front door and went and parked the car, as it turned out, not far away. Having checked in I went for my ecg and then my echocardiogram pretty quickly. My appointment with the doctor was for 11:15, however we didn't get in til 12:30 - 1:00 (not quite sure). Matt was having a fit and fuming about it, but the receptionist said he had had two very sick people to deal with. Anyway in we went and had a longish chat. I didn't realise the vascular surgeon had sent him details of my arteries. So, they are kind of co-operating. The upshot is that the cardiologist suggested I have an angiogram to check my heart arteries, etc. so that I will be in better shape for the vascular surgeon. So now I have to wait for dates and paperwork. Won't be that far off I guess as I am supposed to have the vascular surgery some time around May I believe.

So, finally we are heading home (must have cost us a bit in gas I think) and about half way home I hit a pothole which turned out to be a sinkhole, well seemed like that to me, there was a very loud bang and there we are tipped to one side and forward. Blown tire. I phoned for a tow truck and the next thing I knew a guy stopped in a private car and said could he change the tire for us. I thought he was form the towing company. Turned out he was a Good Samaritan, not only that, a second guy stopped to help who was also a Good Samaritan. The tow truck arrived and they said thanks but we've fixed it. The driver seemed happy enough, I would have thought they would be annoyed because they lose business. I was so impressed that these guys would stop and help us. They both carry heavy weight jacks around with them so they are looking for cars in trouble. What wonderful people. I am going to Meineke, our local garage, at 8:30. For me that is before the crack of dawn. We are driving on a donut wheel at the moment so they will fix it all.

Got home and, for me, it was late in the day so I shoved some Nong Shim Noodles in the microwave to feed myself. Did so and then started phoning - had several calls I needed to make, seemed like I was busy for ages. The garage first of course. I had ordered a jar lifter and it arrived whilst we were out. Purolator left a ticket saying it would be at an office which is half way back to the Cardiologist. They have agreed to re-deliver on Thursday, that's a relief.

We wrapped my wrist in a bandage by the way to give it some support. I think it has helped a bit. So, please keep your fingers crossed still.

A friend is spending time in Florida and just wrote me that their asparagus season is under way. I said she could have waited to fell me until ours was ready. She is getting local strawberries too.

I just cooked the Instant Pot Tikka Masala which I posted a couple of weeks ago - it was delicious. Have leftovers of course.

Never been big on tacos, not sure why, the few times we have eaten them we have enjoyed them. I liked the look of this dish though.

Shrimp Tacos with Tomatillo Salsa

Tim Byres’s shrimp tacos are delicious with this tangy salsa, but the surprise here is the crunchy

celery salad on top.

1/2 lb tomatillos—husked, rinsed and quartered
1/2 small onion, quartered
1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
3 garlic cloves
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced crosswise
1 1/4 lbs medium shrimp (about 36), shelled and deveined
12 6-inch bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
12 corn tortillas, warmed
Shredded green cabbage and parsley leaves, for serving

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the tomatillos, onion, jalapeño and garlic with 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat until the vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the vegetables to a blender.

2. Boil the cooking liquid until reduced to 1/4 cup, then add it to the blender and let cool completely. Puree the salsa and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the salsa to a bowl, stir in the chopped cilantro and refrigerate until chilled, about 45 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, toss the celery with the lime juice; season with salt and pepper.

4. Light a grill or preheat a grill pan; oil the grill grate. Thread 3 shrimp onto each skewer. Brush the shrimp with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over high heat, turning once, until lightly charred and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the skewers and transfer to a platter. Serve the shrimp with the salsa, celery salad, warm tortillas, cabbage and parsley leaves so guests can assemble their own tacos.

Source: Food and Wine

Have a great day
 

Doctors, Viruses, Smoking, Furnishings.

The other day we went to the doctors to discuss changing a medication he is on. She said he would have to see the cardiologist. Got a call from the cardiologist booking him in for an electrocardiogram, a stress test and a complicated BP test which costs us $50 (and is not reimbursed) then in April he will see the cardiologist himself. All to change medication!!! Matt wasn’t very happy about it. I guess we shouldn’t complain about the cost, in the US the whole thing would be expensive, but it’s a bit irritating anyway. His first test is today so that’s our day shot.

If you are on my email list, you will know that my laptop has been sending out spam or malware with gay abandon. I keep running virus scans which find some malware, but then it happens again, so have called my tech guy in. He was coming at 8 yesterday morning but I was reluctant to part with my laptop, however, I got up early and got dressed then opened my email to see that he wouldn’t be coming til Friday because I didn’t want to part with my machine. Damn. He’ll have to take it anyway, no point in him sitting here to run scans. They take a long time.

Can’t remember if I have mentioned how I quit smoking some 16 or so years ago. I used a little gadget called Lifesign. Basically you tell it when you smoke for a week and then it tells you when to smoke for the next month and you press a button to confirm that you did have a cigarette. If you do cheat, you tell the gadget and it will make necessary adjustments. These days they call it QuitKey and there is a key ring version. I keep telling people about it but would like to have some of their business cards to hand out so people could have contact info. available. I contacted them and they, in fact, sent me some leaflets, not just for smoking but for dieting and sleep problems too. I must say its quite a different looking gadget to the one I used. But for me this system was wonderful and I haven’t had a cigarette since I used it. They are not cheap but if you think what it costs to smoke in the first place. I just found a sign “If you want to know more about lung cancer,  keep smoking” very pertinent. I must admit I am interested in their Diet Mate, that gadget looks more like the original Lifesign that I used. I have read a lot of reviews and they seem to be generally favourable for the Diet Mate.

I finally found how to alter the date on my camera. Couldn’t find the book, ended up searching on the internet and there it was. Easy when you know how.

A sale was being held in the building, disposing of furniture, etc. from a person who died recently. We popped up and ended up buying a couch and a lounger. Our couch was getting quite worn and the chair I sit in was getting old too. Matt already has a nice lounger. Mind you, I am not sure when this is all going to happen as we are waiting for the superintendent to help.

I’m always on the lookout for different things to do with vegetables. This one, from Cooking.com is a different recipe for potatoes which certainly appealed to me. They describe them as cocktail food, but I am certain they would be equally as good if you made them part of a meal.

Sinful Spuds

Source: Cocktail Food
Makes 24 Filled Potatoes

The combination of feta, olives, and pine nuts nestled in a potato is divine. For a creative presentation, cut a lemon in half and use it as an oasis for a fresh herb bouquet (cut a thin slice off the bottom so it will lie flat). Rosemary and thyme work well because they don't wilt.

INGREDIENTS
For the Potatoes:
12 small new potatoes, uniform in size and shape
6 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
For the Feta:
1/2 cup feta cheese
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
2 tablespoons chopped green olives
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon dried currants
1/2 teaspoon chopped lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
24 parsley leaves for garnishing

DIRECTIONS

FOR THE POTATOES:
Cut a thin slice off the top and bottom of each potato. Cut the potatoes in half crosswise. Place in a large saucepan and cover with the water. Add the kosher salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and let simmer. Cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, 10 to 16 minutes. Be careful not to overcook. Strain and let cool.

FOR THE FETA:
Crumble the feta with a fork in a small bowl. Add the pine nuts, green olives, olive oil, currants, lemon zest, oregano, and pepper. Mix well.

TO ASSEMBLE:
Scoop out the center of each potato with a spoon or melon baller. Fill the centers with a heaping teaspoon of the feta mixture. Garnish with parsley leaf.

DO-AHEAD TIPS:
The feta mixture can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated. (Do not add the pine nuts until ready to assemble, and let the mixture sit at room temperature 1 hour before assembly.) The potatoes can be assembled up to 4 hours in advance.
Have a wonderful day