Doctor, Steamer, Hot Cross Buns,

I was supposed to go to the family doc on Friday but wasn't able to. Both of us are having trouble with walking at the moment even though we both have walkers. So I was re-booked for Sunday afternoon. From what everyone says, I will probably be told to take iron pills. Mind you, my blood pressure is pretty low too at the moment. In the end, I had to cancel the Sunday afternoon appointment too. Matt could hardly walk at all and I wasn't much better. Not sure what is the matter with his legs. Need to get to the doctor to find out, easier said than done. Will have to phone firs thing in the morning. Supposed to go to the cardiologist on Tuesday, need to go to the doc first. Everything is a bit of a mess at the moment.

Big disappointment, I ordered a steamer basket for my Instant Pot. When it arrived on Friday, it had  prickly wires at the edges. Matt even stabbed himself on one. Not only that, the eyelets on the handles were not properly attached either. Guess it has to go back. I had all kinds of plans and I have recently watched a SixSisters "how to" as well. I am also planning to make Hot Cross Buns this year. Haven't done so in years, but I have some yeast and all I need is Candied Peel. The ones from the local bakers are pretty good but the crosses are made of icing so when you warm the buns, the icing runs all over. Real Hot Cross Buns are actually crossed or scored deeply with a knife before baking.

Two Sleevers have a whole load of Mexican Instant Pot recipes and I thought this one sounded interesting.

Carne Guisada

1 lb beef stew meat, chopped into large pieces
1/2 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 Tbs ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1-2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp ancho chile powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
3/4 cup water
1 Tbs corn flour

1. Blend together everything but the beef, water, and corn flour.

2. Place beef cubes into your Instant Pot and cover with the blended veggies.

3. Use the 3/4 cup water to wash out the blender and pour that into your pot.

4. Cook at High Pressure for 20 minutes, and release pressure quickly

5. Turn your pot on to Sauté and get the stew on a full boil. If you have a lot of liquid, boil for 5-10 minutes to reduce the liquid.

6. Make a cornstarch slurry (mix the corn flour with some water), and pour it into the boiling stew and stir until it thickens

Servings: 6

Author: TwoSleevers


Have a great day

Steamer

Tired tonight. But wanted to let you know that the steam cleaner worked very well this morning and much to my surprise, the chair I did dried very quickly as did the silk flowers. It comes with lots of different nozzles and I found a video explaining some of it`s operation which was useful

Sorry guys, nothing else for now.

Have a great day
 

Bug Saga. Supper Out,

Well I ended up with something of a ding dong with the super's wife this afternoon (Tuesday) with the result I have said screw it and ordered myself a hand held steam cleaner. What really teed me off was her telling me I could not have been told something by the exterminators because they didn't tell anyone else the same. Nothing infuriates me more than being told something couldn't have happened when it did. I don't know what they will do about our existing bugs, but once I get my steamer I don't give a damn. It is recommended for bed bugs and costs about $50 all told. Turning out to be an expensive proposition all told.

Did you pick up on the comments yesterday when JoJo Earle said she had been told to buy cheap clothes to go to Disney which she could abandon there and buy more to come home again. All because of bed bugs. I can't believe that. I do of course, because JoJo said so. What about the bites whilst you are there? I think, to me, the biting is the worst because it is an invasion of my bed, my comfort zone, etc.

Anyway, I was so teed off tonight that we went out for supper. Chose the Souvlaki Flame which I

mentioned a couple of weeks ago. We started with a serving of Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) between us which were served in avgolemono sauce (egg and lemon) delicious. We both had souvlaki, me pork and Matt chicken. It came with a salad, rice and roast potatoes. Matt could teach them a thing or two about roasting potatoes, but they tasted good. It was very enjoyable, especially as I didn't have to cook. Decided to have some baklava after. Mistake, it was tasty but very dry. I told the waitress and she said she would pass my comment on. I hadn't realised before but they do take out and the waitress, Jamie, gave me their take out menu. They are just along the road from us, so useful. Not that we eat out or do take out that much but....

So, now, we are having a drink. I need one. We also watched On the Waterfront. Haven't seen that in many a long year. It really was a good movie. Didn't realise Frank Sinatra was originally slated to play the Marlon Brando part.

Lasagna was never a biggie in the UK for us, or for anyone I knew. Not like it is in North America. I have only ever made one once I think. However, I did like the sound of this.


Bacon 'n' Egg Lasagna

INGREDIENTS 

SERVINGS 12-15 

1 lb diced bacon
1 large onion, chopped
1⁄3 cup flour
1⁄2-1 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
4 cups milk
12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
12 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
2 (8 ounce) cups shredded swiss cheese
1⁄3 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS
In skillet, cook bacon until crisp.
Remove with slotted spoon to paper towels.
Drain, reserving 1/3 cup drippings.
In the drippings, sauté onion until tender.
Stir in flour, salt and pepper until blended.
Gradually stir in milk.
Bring to boil and cook and stir for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Spread 1/2 cup sauce in greased 13x9x2" baking dish.
Layer with four noodles, a third of the egg and bacon, cheese and sauce.
Repeat layers twice.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake uncovered at 350°F for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly.
Sprinkle with parsley.
Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
*Can be made the night before and refrigerated.
To serve, remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
Bake as above.
Have a great day