Showing posts with label Laundry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laundry. Show all posts

Monday, April 27, 2020

Laundry Day, Laundry Locks, Cleaning Help, Spanish,

Worked my little (I wish) butt off this Saturday morning. As I have mentioned I do the laundry then, this time I decided part way through to do the sheets at the same time. That meant 4 trips to the laundry room, there and back, for me that ends up being somewhat painful. Oh for back to normal. Then if I could get Matt taken care of, maybe I could get some of my problems taken care of. I had thought of doing a pork tenderloin recipe in the Instant Pot but decided I had done enough work for the day and as I had some Italian sausages already prepared, that's what we ended up with for supper.

One thing I haven't figured out in close on 20 years, is the lock on the laundry doors. If you go to the laundry room at 7:56 or somewhere round about, you can't get in. Dead on 8 you can. And yet it doesn't look like there is an electronic lock which unlocks all 9 floors at once. But I have never seen anyone running from floor to floor to do it. Must ask the super.

In the afternoon, Sarah came to do some housework for me. She also put the bed sheets back on for me. It occurred to me, having noticed my hair earlier, that wearing a hijab was a great way to hide bad hair. I mentioned it to Sarah and she agreed. She said it also is useful if you don't want to colour your hair. Maybe I should wear a hijab, especially at the moment. Doesn't help you men though. Turns out Sarah is originally from Pakistan. It is wonderful how she and Kathy help me.

Doing my Spanish later, I discovered some delightful, and fairly humorous little playlets which you can listen to and take part in by answering questions as you go along. Mind you they are somewhat overacted but that is to make sure you really understand the mood of the character, I suppose.

This looks delicious. Seems like one could use chicken thighs though. They are so flavoursome.

Asian Orange Chicken

A delicious citrus chicken recipe with flavors reminiscent of the orange chicken from a popular
restaurant in the mall.

Sauce:
1½ cups water
2 Tbs orange juice
¼ cup lemon juice
1/2 cup rice vinegar
2 ½ Tbs soy sauce
1 Tbs grated orange zest
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ tsp minced fresh ginger root
½ tsp minced garlic
2 Tbs chopped green onion
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
3 Tbs cornstarch
2 Tbs water

Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
3 Tbs olive oil

1. Pour 1 1/2 cups water, orange juice, lemon juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce into a saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Stir in the orange zest, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, chopped onion, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and cool 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Place the chicken pieces into a resealable plastic bag. When contents of saucepan have cooled, pour 1 cup of sauce into bag. Reserve the remaining sauce. Seal the bag, and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

3. In another resealable plastic bag, mix the flour, salt, and pepper. Add the marinated chicken pieces, seal the bag, and shake to coat.

4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken into the skillet, and brown on both sides. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels, and cover with aluminum foil.

5. Wipe out the skillet, and add the sauce. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Mix together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water; stir into the sauce. Reduce heat to medium low, add the chicken pieces, and simmer, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Servings: 4

Source: allrecipes

Have a great day
 

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Toe, Technology, Laundry,

I decided to wear shoes and socks today and it seemed to support my sore toe. I managed to do a bit of walking without suffering too much. Had to go to the library as they had a book on hold for me and also had to go to the liquor store - I didn't have any bubbly for Sunday!!!!

Also, did I mention, my computer guy said I shouldn't have my laptop mouse on the arm of my chair but on the table. He was right, the mouse is behaving itself now although I always have used the mouse on the chair arm, used to work fine. He fixed the desktop by removing an attachment in one of the USB ports. I could have done that had I known!! He was kind, didn't charge me a penny. I wished him a belated Happy Christmas!!! We discussed me buying a laptop to replace my stuff which is all fairly old, however, I will put it off for the while because everything is working fine at the moment.

Tomorrow, being Saturday, we do laundry which means a bit of a walk to me, it's not actually that far, we have a laundry room on every floor, but with my legs..... However, I do some of it and then Matt goes and gets the dry stuff once it's finished. There is a woman lives next door who does laundry but not sure what she charges. I really should ask her. Oh to get some vascular surgery done.

Whilst I was without my desktop, I saved some recipes to my cookery programme on the laptop. Like an idiot I don't remember what they were now. Last night I did Italian sausage with peppers and onions which I haven't done for a while - it was good. Tonight, being Friday, I did Salmon cooked in Foil. Saves a lot on washing up. I'm not sure what I altered now. But it works very well.

Ginger Sesame Salmon - Jo's Version

4 thin onion slices, separated into rings
2 sheets (12x18-inches each) Reynolds Wrap(R) Non-Stick Foil
1 medium carrot, cut into julienne strips or shredded
2 (4 ounce) salmon fillets, thawed and skinned
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
2 Tbs wine vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tbs Tomato Ketchup
1 tsp Soy Sauce
1/4 tsp Tabasco - or to taste.

1. Preheat oven to 450°F or grill to medium-high.

2. Center one-fourth of onion slices and carrots on each sheet of Reynolds Wrap(R) Non-Stick Foil.

3. Mix sugar, vinegar, ginger, tomato ketchup, sesame oil, soy sauce, Tabasco, salt and pepper in a small basin. Cover the fillets with the mixture.

4. Bring up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to seal packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside. Repeat to make two packets.

5. Bake 16 to 20 minutes on a cookie sheet in oven.

6. OR grill 14 to 16 minutes in covered grill.

7. Serve salmon and carrots. Sprinkle with additional seasoned rice vinegar, if desired.

Source: Reynolds Kitchens

Have a great weekend
 

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Laundry Increase, Exercises, Pest Control, Bowling, Lamb,

One more day!!

In my bed bug saga I have mentioned the vast sums of money we have been spending on laundry. Just to encourage us, the laundry owners have put the price up by 25 cents. Not a lot, but it mounts up. It's not the building management, the laundry machines are contracted out.

Also, I said exercises were starting on Wednesday. Two people, one from the Community Services Group and one from the building management called me early to tell me they were postponed for a week. The realty owner was very apologetic.

This morning, Thursday, we have to get up at the crack of dawn because the Pest Control company is coming to inspect us. (Don't they know retired people don't necessarily prepare for the day that early?) I honestly don't know if we still have bed bugs or not. Haven't seen any and have slept quite peacefully for the best part of a week now although I am still nervous going to bed. Our beds are still surrounded by Diatomaceous Earth which is marvellous stuff in my opinion. Wish I hadn't taken notice of the Pest people and tried it out earlier, look at the misery I would have been saved. Mind you I hadn't found the very helpful videos about using it then either.

Thursday afternoon we bowl. More finger crossing please, but my shoulder hasn't been giving me a problem so hopefully things will be better.

I tried the Lamb Stew and Black Olives recipe for Wednesday night supper. Of course mine was pre-cooked lamb so I just added it in long enough to warm through before I was ready to serve. It turned out very well. I think it would work very well with other meats too and will be experimenting.

I got an email today heading Recipes using Leftover Chocolate. What is that?

Here is a vegetarian recipe which I thought sounded good. I love mushrooms and there are lots in this dish.

Spaghetti with Mushroom Bolognese

SERVINGS: 4

Three kinds of mushroom plus eggplant and carrots come together in this satisfying vegetarian

Bolognese from F&W's Kay Chun. Miso is the secret ingredient that adds extra seasoning and depth of flavor.

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup dried porcini mushrooms
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 baby eggplant (8 ounces), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 pound cremini mushrooms, one-fourth sliced, the rest cut into 1/4-inch dice
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, caps cut into 1/4-inch dice
Kosher salt
Pepper
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon white miso
One 2-inch chunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus grated cheese for serving
One 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
1 thyme sprig
1/2 teaspoon turbinado sugar
12 ounces spaghetti
2 tablespoons chopped parsley


HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
In a small bowl, cover the porcini with 1 cup of boiling water; soak until softened, about 30 minutes. Finely chop the porcini, discarding any tough bits. Pour off and reserve 1/2 cup of the soaking liquid.
In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the onion and carrots and cook over moderate heat until light golden, about 8 minutes. Add the eggplant and 2 tablespoons of the oil and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 8 minutes. Stir in the cremini, shiitake, chopped porcini and the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste and miso and cook for 2 minutes. Add the chunk of cheese, the tomatoes and their juices, the thyme, sugar and reserved mushroom soaking liquid and bring to a simmer.

Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is very thick, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Discard the thyme sprig; season the sauce with salt and pepper. 

In a pot of salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
Add the pasta, pasta water and parsley to the sauce; toss to coat. Serve in bowls, topped with grated cheese.

MAKE AHEAD

The mushroom Bolognese can be refrigerated for 2 days.

Have a great day
 

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Laundry, Bowling, The Homeless Ones.

I don't believe this. I went to the laundry room this morning (Wednesday) to find it shut. I phoned the super and was informed it would be shut all day for them (the machine owners) to check the machines. There are at least 3 of us on my floor who need to use the laundry machines to help with coping with our bug problem. The pest control people will be here on Friday and we can't do any more today. How ridiculous. Luckily most of what I need to do is done although I still have piles of stuff on our balcony which hasn't had anything done to it at all. Actually this morning I was just going to wash our towels, not a buggy thing at all, but that's not the point. Inconceivable!! Mind you I was planning to bring some of the stuff off the balcony to wash. Won't get done before the bug man comes now.

We took a break to go bowling again on Thursday. Matt had two good games and one lousy but he did make 100 every time.  I had one poor game, one lousy and one not so bad. Oh well. Tomorrow we have to amuse ourselves for the full day so will probably go to Victoria Bowl as our usual alley isn't open on Fridays. Did think of taking in a movie but there is really nothing that would appeal to Matt who doesn't much like going to the movies anyway. I am hoping to go to the Red Lobster for supper again. Chocolate Wave maybe? I deserve a treat. Not sure where we will go for lunch though. Getting expensive this bug business. Matt is being pessimistic and saying he doesn't think this visit on Friday from the pest control will fix the problem. I do hope he is wrong.

I doubt I will be a recipe for Saturday as I will not be home all day plus when we do get home we have to make beds etc.


Pork Chops in Sage Butter with Beet Puree and Swiss Chard



SERVINGS: 4



The vibrant magenta beet puree that accompanies these luscious pork chops is made with almost
equal parts beets and creamy Yukon Gold potatoes.



INGREDIENTS
2 large red beets (1 pound), halved
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes (1/2 pound)
1 stick unsalted butter
Kosher salt
Pepper
Four 12-ounce bone-in pork rib chops, cut 1 inch thick
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 sage sprig
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 pounds Swiss chard, stems discarded and leaves chopped


HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
In a large saucepan, combine the beets and potatoes. Add enough water to cover by 2 inches and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the beets and potatoes are tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Drain well. When cool enough to handle, peel the beets and potatoes, and then coarsely chop; transfer to a food processor. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
Heat a large cast-iron skillet. Rub the pork chops all over with 2 tablespoons of the olive 
oil; season with salt and pepper. Cook over moderately high heat until golden brown on the bottom, 7 to 8 minutes.Turn the chops and add the garlic, sage and 2 tablespoons of the butter. Cook until the chops are golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 135°, about 7 minutes longer. Transfer the pork chops to plates and let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk the lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of the butter into the skillet; season with salt. Strain the sage butter through a fine sieve over the pork chops. Reserve the crispy sage leaves and discard the garlic.
Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the chard in large handfuls; let each batch wilt slightly before adding more. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all of the chard is wilted, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. 

Serve the pork chops with the beet puree and Swiss 
chard and garnish with the crispy sage leaves.

MAKE AHEAD

The beet puree can be refrigerated overnight. Reheat gently before serving.
Have a great day