Hospital, PSWs, Zoom Meeting, Shopping, Supper,TIA,

I hadn't thought about it before I read Denise's comment yesterday, but yes, it was a bit irresponsible of the hospital to expect a senior to drive in the middle of the night. I know they didn't know me, but they must have realised that Matt's wife would be no youngster. Maybe I should complain!!

I was delighted to see his PSW this morning. Ladydog had suggested that the PSWs should take Matt's blood pressure. I mentioned it to the young man this morning and he said I would have to talk to Paramed about it. So I called Paramed who said I had to talk to the LHIN. Amy, who is our care coordinator said she would investigate and call me back. She did so, turns out that PSWs cannot take blood pressure readings!! Dunno why. Although I am perfectly capable of doing it myself, I cannot remember to take my own, let alone Matt's.

This morning was our meeting of Alzheimer spouses through Zoom when one of our discussions included how very difficult it is to ask for help. Ladydog has always accused me of using my British stiff upper lip, but one of the spouses said she was using the German hubris. Whichever, it is very difficult to ask for help. When I came away from the meeting, slightly early to make lunch, I found Matt all upset because he said he hadn't seen me all morning, I had been in the meeting for an hour and 15 mins but he figured he hadn't seen me at all. He was in tears and all upset about it. We eventually got over it and had lunch.

After lunch we went out and the first thing we did was go to the car wash. The car was covered in dust through sitting in the underground parking lot. Matt was amazed at the car wash - he has used this car wash many times but appears to have completely forgotten it. I then checked the liquor store and nipped in to get some more bubbly. Then went to get the shopping. Not sure why, but it took for ever for them to bring it out. I even had to phone them and ask where they had got to. Matt was getting antsy. Came home and managed to most of our shopping in our walker baskets although there are still a few things left in the trunk, nothing which will hurt of course.

Once we got home I worked on preparing supper and did a few other things. We then had our 5 o'clock drink and I got another display of tears - can't quite remember what that one was about. However, once I put his supper down in front of him he managed to eat it and forget it.

I forgot to mention, Matt also had some of the early symptoms of a TIA again today, twice, neither occasion developed into anything serious, but it is a bit worrying, Not much anyone can do at this stage, should perhaps talk to the doc about it.

Another recipe I had forgotten, I love meringue although have never been very successful at making it, mind always went brown rather than staying a pure white.

Ambrosia Pavlova

Pineapple Curd
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp kosher salt
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup fresh pineapple juice
2 Tbs unsalted butter, melted

Meringue
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 Tbs distilled white vinegar
1 Tbs vanilla extract
1 tsp kosher salt
2 cups sugar
8 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 cup very finely ground pistachios, toasted and cooled

Topping
1/4 cup sugar
Grated zest of 2 oranges
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup cold heavy cream
1 orange, peeled of its pith and cut into segments
1 grapefruit, peeled of its pith and cut into segments
1/2 cup candied cherries in syrup, such as Amarena Fabbri
Large dried coconut shavings, julienned lime zest and chopped pistachios, for serving

1. MAKE THE PINEAPPLE CURD In a small saucepan, whisk together the sugar, salt, lemon zest, and egg yolk until smooth. Add the pineapple juice and butter and stir until smooth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once it begins to simmer, continue to cook and stir the curd until it is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.

2. MAKE THE MERINGUE Heat the oven to 350°. In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch, vinegar, vanilla, and salt until a thick paste forms. Put the sugar and egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and mix on low speed until smooth. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until soft peaks form. Add the cornstarch paste to the beating egg whites and continue to beat until very stiff and glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes. Add the pistachios and, using a rubber spatula, very gently fold until evenly incorporated.

3. Trace a 9-inch circle onto a sheet of parchment paper. Flip the sheet over and transfer it to a baking sheet; spray lightly with baking spray. Pile the meringue in the center of the circle and, using an offset spatula or small rubber spatula, form it into a 9-inch disk, smoothing the top and sides. Transfer to the oven and immediately lower the oven temperature to 215°. Bake until the meringue is dried on the outside and looks set, about 1 1/2 hours. Without opening the door, turn the oven off and let the meringue sit inside until completely cooled, at least 4 hours. (The cooling process allows the meringue to dry and cool slowly enough so that it doesn’t collapse on itself.) Once cooled, gently tip the meringue onto its side and peel away the parchment paper. Carefully place the meringue on a flat cake stand or serving platter.

4. WHEN READY TO SERVE, MAKE THE WHIPPED CREAM In a food processor, combine the sugar, orange zest, salt, and coconut milk in a food processor and process until the sugar is dissolved and the zest heavily perfumes the coconut milk. Pour into a large bowl, add the cream, and whisk until stiff peaks form. Pile the whipped cream onto the center of the meringue and gently nudge it to the edge of the meringue, leaving about a 1 1/2-inch border.

5. Arrange the orange and grapefruit segments on the cream and then drizzle with some of the pineapple curd. Dot the top with cherries, coconut, lime zest, and more chopped pistachios and serve immediately.

Servings: 8

Author: Ben Mims
Source: Food and Wine

Have a great day, stay well, stay safe
.

TV, NY Eve, Hospital,

I'm an idiot. I never knew I could "rent" movies on the pay TV channel so tonight we watched the movie, Downton Abbey which I have wanted to see for a while. I thoroughly enjoyed it, through the coughing, I have realised I need a cough mixture for Matt which will act as an expectorant. Nothing else seems to help at the moment. Anyway, I thought it was an excellent movie. and believe I can watch it some more before they remove it from me. Not sure if I will. I thought the King, in the movie, looked very like the pix I have seen of George V. We also have a freebie, at the moment, of certain channels with movies etc. but not really looked at those much yet.

Tomorrow, New Year's Eve, my cleaner is very kindly coming as obviously she won't be working on Jan 1 which would be her day normally. Means I also have to go to the store to pick up my shopping so she can help me bring it upstairs.

Our neighbours, across the hall, moved today - didn't say goodbye which I thought was odd, but... We will see who moves in. This will be the fourth set of neighbours since we have been here.

Matt decided he needed a hospital visit this morning so I called for an ambulance. They came and having taken all his vital signs decided he did need to go. So, off we went, it all happened so quickly I didn't even turn off the radio or put in my earrings. Feel undressed without them LOL. Although I had told him and both the paramedics told him, when we got to the hospital and he realised he would have to wait several hours to be seen, he agitated to go home, so we did, by taxi. An unnecessary expenditure which I was a bit teed off about. Oh well. Of course we missed bowling. I don't know if he could have bowled anyway.

Once again, no recipes, I'm sure you all have plans on what to cook over the New Year's holidays. I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year. Let's hope it's a good one.

Have a great year

Trader Joe's, Charcoal, Lunch, Hospital,

Friday I was wondering about Trader Joe's products and whether we could buy them in Canada. The answer is - yes, through Amazon.ca, but not many items. I remember eating at a Trader Joe's many years ago, I know I was attending a conference, but can't remember which town I was in at the time. I also remember I enjoyed whatever I ate. As it was some 40 years ago, roughly, I can be pardoned for not remembering  the details.

Talking of restaurants, there is one here we haven't been to for a while, the Charcoal Steakhouse, and I was thinking the other day (pass it on the way to get asparagus) that we should do so. They do very good pigtails there I recall. Long time since we were there so they might not have them on the menu any more. They used to have the place split into 3 or 4 different restaurants with different atmospheres and some different food choices. I know friends of ours used to go there all the time.

Friday ladydog picked up some subs and came to lunch. Brought some lovely lilac with her, the lilacs have been absolutely beautiful this year. I have noticed the most gorgeous bushes this year, full of flowers. Always loved lilac. Had a really enjoyable lunch but she didn't stay all that long. Afterwards, I finished pickling/canning two more jars of asparagus and 4 small jars of the ends which I had to cut off. These have just gone in the fridge as cold pickles and will get consumed very quickly.

We are spending most of Monday in the hospital whilst Matt gets his kidney stone zapped. As I understand it, we won't be leaving til around 3. Matt has removed his jewellery, amusing it says to remove his piercings too. Hasn't got any thank goodness.

I have never tried these but re-reading I think I might do so. I only have one serving of asparagus and I jokingly told Matt I would go while he was in the hospital. Not sure when I will get there. Could open my canned ones I suppose, I don't think so.

Asparagus and Jalapenos Cornbread Muffins

3 Tbs coconut oil
1/3 cup apple sauce or reduced/cooked peaches
1 large egg
1/4 cup of pure maple syrup
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup gf flour (Bobs Red Mill)
1/2 tsp baking soda
Sea salt and pepper
1 red chili/ jalapenos, diced
1 bunch of asparagus, chopped BUT save tops for garnish.

Preheat oven to 350°F and coat muffin tin with coconut oil. Mix all wet ingredients together with peppers and asparagus. Mix dry ingredients together thoroughly and slowly incorporate into wet batter. Pour into muffin tins approx. 1/4 full. Finish with aspara-tops. Bake for 15/20 minutes until golden.

Author Notes
Good for up to 4 days fresh OR freeze for a couple weeks. Great with a fried egg, with preserves or what we did at home is use for sloppy Joe’s using Walter All Natural, Craft Caesar Mix.

Have a great day
 

Monday

Matt  is, unfortunately, no better so will be going to the Emergency Monday morning. As it is almost impossible for me to get to the Tim Horton's (cafeteria) I have decided to make some sandwiches to take with us. So, going to bed early. See you when.

Monday Morning: checking the hospital wait times in Emergency, it is 4 hours. This is a non urgent case so might even put it off til Tuesday on the assumption the hospital will be less busy.

Have a great day
 

Snow., Hospital, Busy Busy,

Saturday night, Matt was off to bed and called me to look out of the window - everywhere was white. A couple of hours later I looked out again and it was snowing like mad and there was a thick white cover everywhere, including the trees. I couldn't believe it. I thought we were heading to spring. The previous snow had just about disappeared everywhere except for the odd melting pile where snow clearance had mounded it up. Now we have it all to do again.

Friday I got papers from one of our local hospitals about going in next Friday for a cardiac catheterization at noon. Depending on what they find it could turn into an angioplasty which would mean I stayed in over night. They keep talking about responsible adults to drive me home and possibly to stay with me overnight once I am home. Easier said than done. I have arranged for drivers, but staying overnight? Matt will probably manage,  but his health is not too good. They talk about giving my companion a pager and updating maybe 3 times. Matt wouldn't have a clue how to use one. Not sure I would either mind you.

So now it is Monday. Sorry you haven't heard from me since last week. I have been in a bit of a tizz but today managed to make a number of phone calls which permitted me to calm down. Had to go see the family doctor this morning and she gave us a couple of prescriptions - long way to go, but... came home and had lunch then went to fill up, $1.22/litre approximately. and finally used my car wash ticket I have had for a while. Nice to have a clean car for a change. I have still got to take it back for the emergency brake cable but not sure when I will do that as we are having a busy time right now. Foot nurse tomorrow, endocrinologist on Wednesday if I can find her, was driven there last time. Nothing on Thursday at the moment.

Not been able to get hold of the physiotherapist, think he is due this Friday, but obviously we won't be here.

This afternoon I found myself a recipe for Marinara Sauce in the Instant Pot so that is what I did. We then used some over spaghetti for supper. I didn't stick to the recipe so much as I was looking for the times to use. I didn't use the red pepper flakes as it is an all purpose sauce and not everything I use it for is spicy. Tasted OK and was quite easy to make in the Instapot.

Basic Marinara for the Instant Pot

This marinara sauce tastes like it's been simmering all day, but you'll have a savory, rich dish on the

table in under an hour

2 Tbs olive oil
1 cup diced onion
1 Tbs minced garlic
1/4 cup dry red wine
1 28 oz  can diced tomatoes
1 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes
1 Tbs dried basil
1 Tbs dried oregano
1 Tbs dried parsley
3/4 tsp sea salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 bay leaf

1. Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot(R)) and select Saute function to heat the pot. Add olive oil and onion; cook until onion is translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in red wine and simmer until reduced by half.

2. Pour diced tomatoes and whole tomatoes into the pot. Bring to a simmer. Stir in basil, oregano, parsley, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Press Keep Warm. Close and lock the lid. Seal the vent. Select Manual function and set timer for 10 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the pressure to build.

3. Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Discard bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce.

Source: allrecipes.com

Have a great day
 

Whale of a Tale, Our Weekend,

Maybe the story of Jonah and the Whale was true. In the news, Sunday morning, a tour operator in South Africa was caught in a whale's mouth

He was out filming a feeding frenzy and watching out for the sharks when he was suddenly in the whale's mouth. No doubt the whale was as surprised as he was. The video is worth a watch. He said his first thought was "he can't swallow me I'm too big".

What a weekend. Friday Matt's back was really hurting him and he was having trouble walking. Saturday morning he was worse and insisted he needed to go to the hospital. Called the ambulance and they carted him off. They couldn't take me because of my walker. They took him to the hospital where I spent 3 weeks last year!!! Finally, after lunch I called a cab to get there $20. I just couldn't walk to where our car is parked underground, fold up my walker and put it in the trunk, drive to the hospital, maybe find a fairly close parking spot and then drag out the walker and have another long walk to get into the Emergency Department. Matt left home around 10, I arrived at the hospital by about 3:30 and he still hadn't seen the doctor. Guess they were super busy. Prior to this, bearing in mind where his pain was, we thought maybe it was the kidney stone. However, when he did see the doctor she figured it was all to do with degenerative arthritic disks. (Otherwise known as old age) and she has said a) he should  use a walker, not a cane, and b) gave him some flexion exercises to do. She has also ordered a physiotherapist for him. I might say, when I arrived in the hospital, Matt had no idea where he was, at one point he seemed to think he was in jail. Very confused. He didn't know he was in Emergency at the hospital. He had taken Tylenol 3 for the pain but the doc said Codeine (which is in the pills) could cause confusion. She recommended he took just Tylenol. Eventually we called a cab and came home. Matt fell by the door leading into our corridor and as the floor is tiled, he couldn't get up plus he had hurt his hand. I couldn't get to our apartment because he was in the way. I was yelling help down the corridor. Finally he managed to slide away and I knocked on a neighbour's door, nobody home of course, so I phoned the super. The Assistant Super came up and helped. Apparently he has a bad back so probably shouldn't have helped at all. Matt was OK once he was upright. I bandaged his hand for him. I had planned to cook some beef, but it was fairly late so I used the remaining Shrimp Creole sauce threw more shrimp into it, cooked the rice and, hey presto, supper.

Sunday morning I had my fizz. I also got a neighbour (who does a bit of cleaning, etc.) to do our laundry as neither of us were up to walking to the laundry room, not far, but.... I also got a Delivery company to collect some groceries I had ordered for today, not cheap but needs must. I must talk to the neighbour about doing that for me or at least, pulling the shopping trolley upstairs for me. Actually she ended up not charging me, really nice of her. Turned out to be a pretty expensive weekend. Monday afternoon (although 12:20 is still morning to me) we have appointments at our family doc - in the next town. Missed the last one due to snow.

Roll on when I have my vascular surgery, hopefully in May or June. Right in the middle of Asparagus season!!!

The beef I was planning to cook was an Instant Pot recipe so I cooked it for Sunday. It was delicious, but I think I maybe gave it a tad too long. Also, the trivet tipped so a corner of the roast was in the liquid. Didn't seem to hurt though. The recipe calls for marinading the beef and then chucking the marinade. I added some of it to the stock underneath the trivet and then when I took the beef out, I added Bisto and it was great. I was delighted with the dish and will certainly make it again. I will post the recipe tomorrow with my alterations. This was definitely one of those dishes you could just walk away from and forget about. It will be a favourite of mine I think.

Don't remember if I shared this recipe with you before. I made  it just before I went into hospital last year and it apparently kept Matt going for a while. I tasted it, but never ate it. I cheated and used canned beans. Now I think I actually did post this last year but as I plan to make it again in the very near future and had trouble finding the recipe, now I've got it, you get it too.

Stewed White Beans with Tomatoes and Rosemary

1 lb dried white beans, such as Great Northern or cannellini, picked over, rinsed, and drained
1 onion, 1 half finely chopped (1/2 cup)
1 carrot, cut crosswise into thirds
1 celery stalk, cut crosswise into thirds
1 dried bay leaf
1 can (28 ounces) whole plum tomatoes, with juice
2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 tsp red-pepper flakes
1 sprig rosemary
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Soak beans in water overnight. Drain, and transfer to a large pot. Cover beans with 4 inches water. Add the intact half of the onion, the carrot, celery, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until beans are tender but not bursting, about 1 hour. Drain, and remove onion, carrot, celery, and bay leaf; discard.

2. Pulse tomatoes, with juice, in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Heat oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, the garlic, and red-pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion and garlic are tender but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and rosemary. Bring to a boil.

3. Add beans, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomato sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm, and drizzle with oil just before serving.

Servings: 8

Source: Martha Stewart



Have a great day

Pressure Pain, Blogging, Meals on Wheels, Christmas,

I have some advice for you all. If you ever end up with a long stay in hospital, or any kind of bed, if someone tells you to move or get up because of bed sores, do it. They know what they are talking about. I googled bed sores when I came home and hadn't realise they are really pressure sores caused, obviously, by continued pressure on your flesh. It has taken me over 4 weeks to be able to sit without pain any more. Not funny I can assure you. Hospital is no place for sick people!

Been writing this blog over a week or so. I still don't have the energy to write as often as I did. No doubt it will come back. Unfortunately, although Matt is very good at helping where he can, he is not able to do a terrific amount and I find I am having to cook quite a bit. All my energy is going into that instead. He is still having Meals on Wheels three times a week which takes the onus off me occasionally. Nope, I don't think I could eat them. Some of them look pretty good, they provide a soup, a main meal including veg and a dessert. Not a bad deal at all. Means I can give him soup or something for supper without feeling guilty. I am managing to eat more as the time goes by but still cannot handle anything remotely spicy (hot) seems that the inside of my lips, in particular, just can't handle it. I am so hoping this will wear off as I used to love really spicy (hot) things. Kimchi noodles in particular. I have two packets in the cupboard. Maybe I have to build up my tolerance again, but when Dijon mustard burns, I have a long way to go. At least I am drinking coffee again, I found it very uninteresting for a week or two.

Ended up in hospital for a few hours the other night. Well, I have not seen a cardiologist yet, and I have no idea what a heart attack feels like, I was already unconscious last time. I was having pains in my chest so in I went. Seems to have been nothing, they didn't tell me it was anything of any importance any way. Didn't get home til 3:30 a.m. so were a bit tired the next day.

We were hoping to go to the bowling Christmas lunch on the 17th, but there are some wicked stairs to climb which I don't think I can cope with. Decided to go  to the Red Lobster instead and take our friend who gave us such marvellous support during and after my illness. We owe her a lot more than lunch at the Red Lobster, but a lot of it is kind of unpayable. Actually, I could practice stairs in this apartment building. We have a plethora of  them which I normally avoid like the plague. God forbid there should be a fire, although I would have less trouble getting down 5 floors than I would climbing up. We have another friend who also supported us during this time but as she lives quite a distance away and is still a working girl, more difficult to entertain her.

This is one of my favourite desserts. A very English pudding. Never actually made it and this recipe comes from a Canadian.  However, couldn't resist it, and I might even try making it after the holidays. Wonder how it would taste to me at the moment?

Sticky Toffee Pudding

For the date pudding:

8 oz dried dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp baking soda
2 Tbs butter, room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
2 large eggs
1 Tbs molasses
2 Tbs golden syrup (or corn syrup)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (gluten-free for gluten-free)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

For the toffee sauce:

1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 Tbs molasses
2 Tbs golden syrup (or corn syrup)
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

1. For the date pudding:

2. Soak the dates in the just boiled water along with the baking soda for 15 minutes before pureeing in a food processor.

3. Mix the pureed dates, butter, brown sugar, vanilla, eggs, molasses and golden syrup.

4. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking powder and salt before mixing into the wet ingredients.

5. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan and bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven until a toothpick pushed into the center comes out clean, about 15-20 minutes for a muffin pan,to about 30-40 minutes for a cake pan.

6. Enjoy while still warm from the oven topped with the toffee sauce!

7. For the toffee sauce:

8. Heat everything in a saucepan over medium heat and cook until smooth and the sauce thickens a bit, about 5 minutes.

Servings: 12

Author: Kevin Lynch
Source: Closet Cooking

Author Notes
Option: Replace the dates with prunes!

Tip: Make the toffee sauce a day ahead and simply warm it before using.


Have a great day
 

Me

Hi, it's me, yes really. I am still not 100% and not likely to be so for a while. The  hospital don't really know what happened, I had some poisons in my gut but they don't know where they were coming from and I also had a small heart attack apparently. I don't remember any of this except for collapsing in the bathroom which, being small made it difficult for the parameds to get me out. Matt had managed to dial 911. Not a fun 3 weeks, I gather at one point it was touch and go, I know I was sure I was going to die, but I guess I changed my mind 'cos I am still here.

I was delighted with all the good wishes I received from you, my blogging friends. Not sure I will be a regular blogger just yet a while. Probably now and again if anything.

The hospital food was appalling. Omelettes you could pick up by one corner and they stayed straight in your hand!!! Of course some of the time I was on liquids. The broth they send was OK, but the jellos were almost hard, and I was craving milk which they wouldn't give me for the longest while.

The upshot of all this is that I have lost my taste buds. Everything tastes like cardboard except for things like orange juice and milk etc. I made a cauliflower cheese (big effort) and because I used spicy cheese, I could taste that. My biggest disappointment was when I tasted smoked salmon. To me it was just a block of salt. Horrible!! First night I was home, tried a brandy and soda. Lost it in the middle of the night; couple of days ago, tried a sherry, burnt my mouth. Oh well, guess I won't be doing much drinking for a while. Am trying to cook a few things but it is hard work for me. Everything hurts if I stand around for too long.

I now have my own walker, rollator, been using one from a rental company, (government paid the rent). A friend from the bowling alley came over and put it together for me on Saturday. As it turned out it wasn't too difficult and Matt and I might have been able to assemble it ourselves. However, the friend did it much quicker than we would have. I like these rollators, it means I can walk a bit and then rest when necessary. Only trouble is, they are a bit heavy and awkward to put in the trunk of the car.

Ladydog told me she missed a particular recipe whenever I posted it so I thought I would post it again just for her. This recipe was originally a pie filling made by Paul Hollywood of British Bakeshow Fame. However, I am not a big lover of pies or pastry so I make this as a main dish. I added carrots to the original recipe. Often buy a barbecued chicken, eat one meal off it and use the rest for this dish. It's good.

Leftover Chicken and Ham 

1 1/2 ounces butter
1 lge carrot, chopped
2 large leeks, washed and roughly sliced
finely grated zest and juice of 1 orange
3 tbs medium sherry
3 Tbs plain flour
2 cups chicken stock (or 1 cup left over gravy and 1 cupl stock)
1 heaped tsp wholegrain mustard
3/4 cup single cream
1 1/2 lbs left over turkey meat, cut into bite size pieces or chicken
1/2 lb left over ham, cut into bite size pieces (optional)
2 Tbs tarragon, roughly chopped
salt and white pepper

1. Melt the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat and add the leeks and carrots to the pan with the orange juice, zest and sherry. Cover and cook gently for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally until the leeks are just tender. Remove the lid and increase the heat, reduce the liquid until you are left with a few spoons of the buttery liquid. Sprinkle the flour over the leeks and stir to mix evenly. Gradually add the stock, simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly. Add the mustard, turkey and ham and stir. Finally add the tarragon and cream. Season to taste with a little white pepper and salt.

Source: Adapted from Paul Hollywood's Pie

Have a great day

Mercury Retrograde, Hospital Visit,

The way my life has been going lately, I thought it must definitely be Mercury Retrograde. In fact that doesn't begin until July 26. First it was the car then Thursday morning I had a really debilitating attack of diarrhea and at the same time my lower legs went totally numb. I already had knee problems for no reason I was aware of and could hardly walk I finally called for an ambulance. On the way to the hospital one of them put an IV into my hand in case they needed to pump something into me, turned out he did it wrong!!!!! So later I had to have another one. The one done in the ambulance was damned painful. Anyway, they are all checking me over when I had to go to the bathroom. What I saw in the pan made me call the nurse, lot of blood. They decided to admit me and give me an endoscopy. Had that done and they didn't find anything, next decision, a colonoscopy, just what I wanted!!!! Everyone has always assured me the preparation is the worst part. I was having terrific trouble feeling warm in the hospital, even Matt had to ask for a warm blanket whilst he was sitting there. Luckily I had my heavy sweater with me (I was still in my nightdress) am I glad I grabbed it on the way out. Once we realised I had to stay the night, I called friends who live within walking distance of the hospital and they took Matt home. I called the garage and said I had no clue as to when we would be picking up the car. He assured me it was fine and he would store it away at night.

I was telling my cleaner that I seem to attract sassy nurses. She assured me that was because I am sassy anyway!! She should know, she is another sassy one.

Friday afternoon I had the pleasure of my first colonoscopy. As I was concerned about Matt and wanting to get home, the surgeon suggested I did without sedation, so I did. Am I nuts or what? I told him I had a double length colon (was told that  40 some years ago) I don't think he believed me, he did by the time he finished. I watched every minute on TV. Yes, it did hurt now and again, but really wasn't too bad. Now I know what my colon looks like, LOL. Got home just before supper on Friday having had little or nothing in the way of food for 2 days. Wasn't feeling like jumping the moon so didn't have our usual Friday night drinks before supper. Basically had Chicken Noodle Soup from a packet and some cheese and crackers. Went to bed early and slept like the proverbial log. I still don't know anything more about my legs. They X-rayed my kneee and said nothing about it. I am going to phone Monday morning and see what I can find out.

Saturday morning, as I described it to the garage, got up feeling like a spring chicken and by 10 ish felt like an old boiler.. I notice a lot of typos in this, please excuse them if I miss them. Later, on Saturday, a neighbour in the building asked me for some photo/PC help which I gave and then, having told her about everything, she took me to the garage to get my car. At least we are mobile again now, if we want to be anyway. I must admit I am still not feeling 100%. Monday afternoon I have to go for a Bone Density test too. Had to put if off once before.

I cooked a Pork Tenderloin Diablo for supper, pretty good dish. I've made it once or twice and it is fairly quick and easy to do as well. A friend told me to take it easy and not try and be chef of the week. Easier said than done, I am a pretty particular eater I guess. I have plans later this week, I hope, to make the following recipe. You must admit it does sound easy.  I remember my mother used to make something similar when I was a kid. Never heard of churns in those days.

Easy No-Churn Oreo Ice Cream

2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
20 Oreo cookies coarsely crushed

1. In a stand mixer (or in a large bowl with a hand mixer) beat the cream until stiff peaks form. While continuing to beat, slowly add in the vanilla and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until combined. Gently fold in the cookies with a spatula. Transfer the mixture to a freezer safe container with a lid and freeze for at least 4 hours. Scoop and enjoy!

Source: Southern Bite

Have a great day
 

Hospital

Matt’s procedure went fine, however, I ended up steaming. There were two wives waiting for their husbands. We had been seen by the volunteers, sitting there for round about 3 hours, but when our husbands were released they took them out another way, not through the waiting room, and said they didn’t realise the wives were waiting. I was totally p**ed off. Same volunteer both times. Not only that, I had said I would call our friend and they did it anyway. Matt was in a lot of pain, never had that before, surgeon suggested it was gas, think it must have been because it dissipated later. Then when he took his coat off I notice his shirt sleeve was covered with blood. Turned out the nurse hadn’t ensured that the IV wound had stopped bleeding and the pad she had put on his arm was absolutely soaked in blood. I wrote a complaint to the hospital. Surgeon did his job OK, they didn’t do theirs. My final complaint, they said my husband was with my daughter. Our friend is the same age as me, grrr. In fact it is a joke between us that she is older than I am, by 6 months. I was so grateful she drove us there and picked us up. Of course I was fine all day, naturally. I also had not one but two cups of hot chocolate from Tim Hortons and a donut. What boredom will do. But I have gone nuts on this hot chocolate. I wouldn’t touch it once upon a time, wish I hadn’t changed.

I love Giada de Laurentis. I used to watch her regularly on TV at one time and have cooked many of her recipes. This one sounds a beaut.

Slow Cooker Cioppino

Giada De Laurentiis

The advantage of this savoury brew is that it will welcome virtually any kind of shellfish or fish you find at the market. Squid, scallops, and chunks of firm white fish such as monkfish, halibut, bass, or whatever is fresh and local can be used instead of, or in addition to, the options below.

servings:
Serves 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large fennel bulb, stalks and fronds removed, thinly sliced
• I onion, chopped
• 3 large shallots, chopped
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 4 cups fish stock
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 pound manila clams, scrubbed
• 1/2 pound mussels, scrubbed, debearded
• 1/2 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 pound skinless salmon fillet, cut into 2-inch chunks

directions

• 1 a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the oil, fennel, onion, shallots, salt, garlic, red pepper flakes, tomato paste, diced tomatoes with their juices, wine, fish stock, and bay leaf. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the tomatoes have broken down and the vegetables are tender.
  
• 2 Stir in the clams, mussels, shrimp, and salmon, then cover and continue cooking until the salmon and shrimp are cooked through and the clams and mussels open, about 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and any clams and mussels that do not open.
  
• 3 Season the broth to taste with more salt and red pepper flakes if desired. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.
  

Have a great day’'

Hospital, Mapmaking for D Day

Monday night I ended up spending in hospital. Chest pains and high blood pressure. They sent Matt home. However, in the end they said I hadn’t had a heart attack. Only trouble is, on the way in, the ambulance paramedic had given me 5 sprays of nitroglycerine and some shots of morphine all of which made me feel much worse and later pushed my BP up even higher. When they came in and said I could go home, I assured them I couldn’t as I was feeling so lousy. The doctor finally decided it was because of the amount of nitro and morphine and having given me the same BP medication as I had at home, they sent me home. I spent the rest of the day in zombie like conditions and slept a lot of it away. I am typing this in between sleeps LOL.

I’m glad it didn’t happen last night, I wouldn’t have been up to bowling today which we are planning to do. I was so doped I didn't even post this properly.

Before this nonsense started, there was a programme on PBS which I didn’t write down the name of, but was all about making suitable maps during WWII for use on D-Day, not something I had ever thought about. It was very interesting. They needed comprehensive information about the Normandy coast so they could decide where to land and also know what defences were present and where. It was incredible the details required, but more incredible was the way these details were acquired. One guy managed to steal some blueprints from a German headquarters in Caen and pass them on to the French Resistance. This was a major triumph as it contained all the information about the wall being built in the area. The resistance themselves were being asked to find out certain information in their areas, they used pigeons for a while which were dropped in cannisters, but the Germans cottoned on and shot all the homing pigeons as well as releasing hawks. They had reconnaissance planes flying the coasts, although there were dummy planes too, a lot of the planes were shot down. The pilots who landed behind enemy lines wore silk scarves on which were printed maps of the area they were flying over. They even sent over divers to check the strength of the beaches for landing craft. It was an incredible operation. Millions of pictures were taken and masses of bits of information were threaded into one giant map in Churchill’s underground bunker. Who knew, I certainly didn’t. It took them two years to prepare the maps for the D-Day invasion. I am annoyed I don’t remember the name of the programme, but I was busy worrying about my health and didn’t think of it at the time. I would love to watch it again, maybe I will contact our local PBS station.

Wish I had come across this recipe during asparagus season, will have to make a note of it for next year. This is another recipe from the LCBO Food and Drink and I even left the wine recommendation in, the first time I came across Fat Bastard wine I had to buy it just because of the name, it is quite a pleasant French white wine.


Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken with White Wine-Shallot Sauce 
 
Spring 2010
By: Nicole Young

Leaving the skin on the chicken helps keep it moist and succulent. Ask the butcher to keep the wing bone attached for an elegant presentation.

Filling
1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
½ cup (125 mL) minced shallots
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut in half crosswise
½ cup (125 mL) crumbled goat cheese
1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tsp (10 mL) grated lemon zest
½ tsp (2 mL) each sea salt and freshly cracked pepper

Chicken
4 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1 tsp (5 mL) each sea salt and freshly cracked
pepper
1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
½ cup (125 mL) minced shallots
1 cup (250 mL) white wine
1 cup (250 mL) chicken broth
2 egg yolks
1 tbsp (15 mL) roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 tsp (5 mL) finely chopped tarragon

1. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté until tender and translucent but not browned, about 6 minutes. Stir in garlic and asparagus and cook 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl and let cool. Mix in goat cheese, parsley, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
2. With knife held horizontally, slice through chicken breasts, starting at the thinner side, about two-thirds of the way through, so chicken breasts can open like a book. Spread one-quarter of the filling over the inside of each breast leaving a ½-inch (1-cm) border uncovered. Close each breast to enclose filling, securing with a toothpick if desired.
3. Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
4. In a large ovenproof nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with half of the salt and pepper. Arrange chicken, skin-side down, and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Gently turn chicken over and cook 3 minutes more.
5. Transfer skillet to oven and bake until chicken is cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer chicken to a platter to keep warm.
6. In same skillet, melt butter over medium/high heat. Add shallots and cook until tender but not browned, about 6 minutes. Stir in wine and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer for 3 minutes. Whisk yolks and remaining salt and pepper in a small bowl. Pour about ¼ cup (50 mL) of the sauce into the yolks and whisk to combine. Whisk yolk mixture back into skillet and continue whisking, without letting it boil, until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes. Stir in parsley and tarragon and serve over chicken.

Makes 4 servings

WHAT TO SERVE
FAT BASTARD CHARDONNAY

Have a great day

Polish Chocolates, Pola Negri, Dirty Dancing, Violets, Hospital.

Remember the box of Polish chocolates we were given? Well we opened them on Sunday night, what beautiful looking chocolates. My only complaint is the guide is on the bottom of the box, very thoughtless, you have to hold the lid tightly in an effort to see what is available. They seem to be all cream filled with a variety of flavours, so far I have eaten a plum and an advokaat. I tried to take a picture of them, I hope you can see how lovely they are. The three in the middle with the ladies head are advokaat, I should have taken a pic before I ate it LOL. If you remember, the outside of the box was lovely too. I love the painting, but don’t think I would bother to keep the box lid – now if I had the painting itself, that would be worth it. The picture is of Pola Negri who was a silent film star and made 63 films, many of them in Hollywood. I think she was quite lovely and was apparently irresistible to Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino. She didn’t die until 1987 at the age of 90. Sadly she appears to have faded into obscurity. I certainly had never heard of her.

Sunday night I watched Dirty Dancing on my laptop. Patrick Swayze was always a favourite of mine. I have seen the movie before of course, but not for a long time. It really is a great movie, in my opinion, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. It made me feel a little sad that he was such a gorgeous young man and now he is no longer with us. Jerry Orbach, who played the father, is no longer with us either. I don’t watch Dancing with the Stars, but didn’t Jennifer Grey (Baby) take part recently?  Just looking it up, 1987, incredible it was so long ago. Funny, I watched Patrick Swayze just the other evening in Point Break. I also loved him in Ghost too. Although Whoopi Goldberg kinda stole the show in that movie. Road House was another of his that I liked.

Whilst picture taking, I took a couple of my African Violets. They are doing great guns at the moment. I nearly threw them out a while ago as nothing seemed to be happening after the original flowers died off, but now its blooming beautifully.


Why are men so stubborn? Matt finally went in to hospital yesterday – he should have gone a week ago. He fell on the base of his spine trying to help some other guy who had fallen and has been in major pain ever since. He has reluctantly taken a few Tylenol 3 here and there, but he doesn’t like to take them because of the side effects. I am worried about him having spinal stenosis the same as 7 years ago which necessitated a major op which took place in Hamilton which is quite a distance away. However, there are no neurosurgeons in our area. Having spent 12 hours in the emergency we finally were told that there was some compression on the spine and a fracture on one vertebrae lower down. He is now being sent to a back surgeon at the fracture clinic. The reason we were there so long was because they had to do a lot of CT scans today and there was only one radiologist. By the end of the day I personally ached all over, Matt wasn’t doing too badly LOL. Free medical is great in many ways, but it can mean a lot of waiting.

I mentioned yesterday that we had tried a new recipe on Saturday night. It was Gordon Ramsay’s version of Bois Boudrin sauce.  I have since discovered there are a number of recipes for this, but below is the one we used and it was delicious. I couldn’t find out where the name came from, Bois means wood so presumably it is Boudrin Wood, the nearest I could find to that was Bois Boudran or Château de Bois Boudran (both with an a) near Paris, where one can hunt. Doesn’t seem to have any connection to the recipe. There were a number of comments and one person said she had heated the sauce and it was just as good. There are others who have served this sauce over salmon and gammon, to name a couple of items. We have some left and think we might use it with pork chops. With the steak, you cook it to your desired doneness and then slice it. Pour the marinade over top and enjoy. Sunday we had it with pork tenderloin, it was equally good but I preferred it with the fillet steak.


Bois Boudrin


This marinade sauce, from Gordon Ramsay, is best spooned over a steak after cooking – especially a fillet steak.

Serves 4

1 large shallot , chopped
150g small cherry tomatoes , halved, or 3 medium tomatoes, deseeded and chopped
3 tbsp tomato ketchup
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp grain mustard , optional
½ lemon , juice only
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
small handful tarragon leaves, finely chopped

Simply mix everything together. This can be done the day before, then kept covered in the fridge until required. Remove the sauce from the fridge at least 30 mins before serving.

Have a great day

Windows, Hospital

I forgot to mention that I did something on my laptop which screwed it up so I had to renew the Windows 7 files on it. Well and good, after a while it asked me for the product code. I had this typed out on my CD for ease of use. I typed in the code it said invalid. Several times. I was in a panic. I ended up phoning Microsoft and, to cut a long story short, it seems when I typed it up I changed a T to a Y. Phew, it worked. Just shows you how careful you have to be.

As I mentioned, this morning I am taking Matt to the local hospital for a minor day surgery op and he should be out about 2:30 I hope. He will phone me when he is ready to come home. I didn’t know if I would be writing a blog or not. I actually typed this on Wednesday night.

Sorry, no recipe, will try and publish a proper blog tomorrow.

Have a great day