lagilman | Entries tagged with food

PNW summer joys: saffron salmon rice salad, made with smoked salmon I picked up from a local farmstand.

This shit's good enough, and pretty enough, to make it onto the list for my next dinner party, but also easy enough to be on the workday rotation....

Nom.

No-bake chocolate oreo tart.

(sadly, I suspect this would kill me. But I look forward to hearing reports if anyone braves its chocolatey overkill goodness...)

InnovAsian Cuisine General Tso's Chicken.

So yeah, I saw it in the supermarket and figured "hey, for when I have a craving, having something in the freezer won't be too bad, right?"

Last night was the trial. There are two packets - the chicken, and the sauce. You are supposed to defrost the sauce ina bowl of war mwater, whcih I did. The chicken bits were of various sizes, some barely a bite, others like smallish chicken fingers. I threw away the directions that suggested baking it, and microwaved the chicken for 2 minutes to defrost, then cooked it in a skillet, adding shredded carrots and yellow pepper. I only used half the sauce they supplied, adding just enough to coat the chicken in the final minutes of cooking.

It was spicy, which surprised me, in a good way, and the breading was actually lightly done, for frozen packaged chicken. I'll give them kudos for that. And it reheated well for lunch, too - not heavy or stucky. Without the added vegetables, though, it would have been a lot more, eh - sauced protein.

Overall, I'll rate it Acceptable, but not to be preferred over a halfway competent take-out joint. (sadly, currently, I have no halfway decent takeout joint. This should change soon, huzzah)

Mixed Winter Veggie Soup

Make apple-butternut soup.

(basically, a butternut squash and a few apples, cubed and simmered in herbed broth until soft, then pureed to the preferred consistency. It really is that easy.)

Have some of it for dinner, store the rest in the fridge.

The next night, make a curried veggie stir-up.

(cube yellow squash, celery, and carrots, and season them with sweet curry powder, salt, and pepper, pan-fry them in oil with garlic and onions).

Eat the stir-up for dinner (or as a side with meat), store the rest in the fridge.

On the third night, put the remaining soup in the blender, add the leftover fry-up and a cup more broth, and blend until smooth. Optional: adding more curry powder to taste.

Easiest Ever Red Lentil Soup

In a medium (2- to 3-quart) saucepan or Dutch oven, heat about a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add a couple ribs of celery, a carrot or two, and a quarter of an onion, chopped coarse, sprinkle with a bit of salt, then cover and let the vegetables sweat until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add a cup of (washed & strained) red lentils, four cups of broth, a sprinkling of sweet curry powder, a dash of ground cumin, and a bay leaf. Bring up to a boil, then turn the heat down to low and let simmer, covered, until the lentils begin to fall apart, about 20-25 minutes. Add a dollop of ground grana padano (or parmesan) to the top. Serve.

They're easy, they're healthy, they're tasty as fuck, they reheat well in a microwave, and because most of the ingredients aren’t expensive, it’s budget-friendly. Unfortunately, the winter veggie soup doesn’t freeze all that well. No meal’s perfect.....

For reasons family and book-related, I've been pretty stressed recently. So today I decided to fall back on that tried and true remedy - cooking.

But I didn't want to do anything too complicated, because I had Stuff that needed my attention. So...something easy to prep, one-pot, tasty satisfaction at the end...

Arroz con pollo!

I used brown rice and chicken thighs, setting the dutch oven to a slow steady cook, for about 40 minutes. Kept most of the skins on, so the rice would absorb some of that tasty rendered fat...

Why do I not make this more often?

(oh, right. Because the cats get sulky when I don't give them any)

Drinking the last Rhone rose of the season, waiting for the moon to rise so we can maybe see some of the eclipse.

Because of Reasons, after sending in the corrected page proofs for SILVER this morning, I took the afternoon away from the computer and wandered down the street a bit to check out Bite of Seattle, three days of food carts and demos and food trucks and booths and demos-from-sponsors, etc. And cordoned-off-for-21-and-older areas for adult beverage sampling, too.

And although there could be more freebie samples, IMO (only 3-4 places were actually giving food out), the prices were quite reasonable, and the quality of all the vendors seemed high. Plus, there were opportunities to "win" vouchers for food, as well as the usual giveaways.

So yeah, I say it's a fun way to social-nosh for an afternoon or evening. Recommended for any local foodies.

What I Ate:

- Key lime greek yogurt (ok, not great)
- a "beyond beef" plantburger bite (didn't taste like meat but wasn't bad)
- spiced pork belly tacos (nom nom nom)
- two different kinds of lo-cal sports drinks
- sugar crepe bite (tiny but nom)
- lemonade

- total cost: $7

I was very tempted to try the Alley ($10 for a sampling of fancier food, plus access to the wine tasting area), but figured that could wait until Sunday... (I may have to go back and try a corndog, too. Never having had one - probably for good reason, but hey, you only live once, right?)

I also picked up a lot of freebies, including two insulated lunch bags, a reusable grocery bag (right-sized for greenmarket shopping), and a suction cup phone holder for a car, that seems to be working really well as a raised phone display for my desk, yay. I declined to take home any gimmie caps or commemorative cups, though.

A meerkat's impulse is to make her own. And lo, I did so - where 'making' means someone else simmered the base broth and I took it from there.

Not going to impress anyone for authenticity, since I had to improvise some of the herbs, but it's a) tasty and b) will kill all cold germs nearby. I'm calling that a win.

Next time, I can make sure I have the right garnishes (although sorrel in place of Thai basil worked surprisingly well). I'm still going to let someone else simmer the bones, though.

1. Make arborio rice with ¼ of the water replaced by (boxed) butternut soup.

2. Add sweet curry powder, onion powder, and garlic powder to the rice as it cooks.

Eat half for breakfast (shut up it’s a perfectly good breakfast) and set aside a cup (or more) in the fridge.

3. Within a day or two, season halibut (or another firm white fish) filet with the same spices, then cook in frying pan over low heat. When fish is no longer translucent, add the rice to the pan, add some minced red bell pepper, break up the fillet, and cover until the pepper starts to sweat and soften and the rice is warm.

Serve. Works surprisingly well with a soft red wine (take that, white-with-fish purists!)

Over on Facebook, discussion of Super Bowl chili resulted in people asking for my variation. So - after much selfish dithering - I'm posting it here, for people to bookmark more easily.

the original recipe came, from all places, from the 1991 WFC cookbook, via writer Anne Logston. So I guess this is the Logston-Gilman Chili recipe... (not our first collaboration, since I was her editor at the time). I default to Anne's original measurements where possible, since a lot of mine is measured more by eye and taste.

3 pounds ground beef (20% is fine, but be sure to skim the fat)

1 onion, minced (I use a handful or two of dried chopped onion, since I'm allergic to raw, and it works perfectly well)

3-5 cloves garlic, depending on preferences, minced

3 cups beer (after much trial and error, I use Negra Modelo. Don't skimp on the beer: cheap shit will result in cheap shit chili)

1.5 pounds tomatoes, peeled, chopped, and drained. Tinned is acceptable if the thought of peeling tomatoes makes you crazy. Chunk them as per your preference.

5 minced hot peppers (this is where it gets tricky. I use a mix of different peppers to get that one-two punch of heat, but preferences will vary. You need to figure this out on your own)

1/4 teasooon fresh-ground black pepper

8 oz tomato sauce

1/2 cup chili powder (another place where it gets tricky, since your choice of powder influences everything. No, I'm not telling you mine. A girl needs SOME secrets...)

1 Tablespoon kosher salt

1 Tablespoon cumin (Anne called for seed, I used crushed simply because I always have that on- hand, and i like the way it blends rather than remining an individual bite of flavor)

1.5 teaspoon hot paprika

1 Tablesoon cocoa powder (I use Dutch process, just because that's what I like. The better quality you use, the better the chili will taste; don't go overboard ([ooking at you, Sharffen Berger], but shelling out a little more for Droste just makes everything better, IMO. And it makes awesome hot cocoa, too.).

2 Tablespoons cornstarch made into a slurry (you do that at the very end)

Brown the meat and drain, then add the onion, garlic, and beer, and stir. Simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes, at which point the kitchen should start to smell quite nice. Add all the remaining ingredients except the cornstarch. Cover and simmer for 3 (three) hours. Or longer, but absolutely no less. The chili needs to simmer for at least an hour after you make the last adjustment to the seasoning, so allow for at least 4 (four) hours of cook time. Leave the lid slightly ajar for the last hour of cooking.

When it's done, slowly mix the cornstarch slurry you just made into the chili, and simmer again until it hits your desired consistency. Thin with beer, never water!

This batch should serve six people as a main, depending on how hungry they are. I double the batch when making it for a multiple-main party, and near-always run out.

Note: for those worried: the beer pretty much cooks itself out. This is non-alcholic, however, those with beer allergies are thus warned.

Previously in the West... I'd determined that I would simply Not Eat Bagels while I was here, because oh dear gods what you people think are bagels just makes the New Yorker cry, all right? Those aren't bagels, they're rolls-with-holes, and even toasting 'em doesn't change that.

But then I heard a possibly magical word: Eltana. Eltana's, they said, had real bagels.

Having now had Eltana bagels both at their cafe, and toasted at home, I feel I'm in a position to judge.

Size and shape: About the size of my palm, mostly but not perfectly round, with a hole that is not squeezed-together in any way. Clearly hand-rolled by someone who knew that they were doing. 10/10, well-made, Eltana. Some current NY bagel places should take notes.

Toppings: seeded, unseeded, salted, garlic... nothing that triggered my twitch-factor (blueberry and/or chocolate chips, I'm looking at YOU). Okay, they have cinnamon raisin but I'm willing to give that a pass. They also have za'atar (only on Fridays), which intrigues me. 9/10.

Density: They get this mostly right. A good, boiled bagel should be dense enough that there's proper resistance to the bite, even untoasted, and a single bagel fills you up, without sitting heavily in the gut. 8/10, which still puts them head and shoulders above every "roll with a hole" I've seen masquerading as a proper bagel.

Exterior texture: This is a tough one: the texture of a proper bagel should be hard enough to echo when you tap it, shiny from being boiled, crunchy when toasted, and yet soft enough at the join to allow a serrated knife to cut it easily, and NOT turn into a brick overnight, or get soggy simply from sitting on the counter. I've never had a roll-with-a-hole score better than a 5 here, so Eltana's 8/10 is pretty amazing. I have a strong suspicion that the extremely soft water of Seattle doesn't quite do the job (NYC water is soft, but not like this).

Taste: This one's subjective, I admit, but it's a combination of texture and seeding and density and how it holds a schmeer. Having tested it with both cream cheese, and Jarlsberg I'd say that they possibly OVERseed the bagels, resulting in that being the predominant taste rather than the bagel itself, or the topping. But I'll have to do more testing to be sure. For now, I'll give it an 8.5/10.

So, in an admittedly limited test by an experienced taster, I'd give Eltana bagels an 8.7/10. Which makes it a decent NY-substitute bagel, all options considered.
I'm sure they're quite relieved.

And since I have walkable access to a source, so am I.

I don't often (never) post about weight. I have certain body-acceptance issues that I've worked out (hitting 30 helped, hitting 40 helped more), but they're all tied up in past personal relationships and medical issues, and I tend to keep that shit private.

But two things happened last night.

I was feeling a little down about my body, so I made one of my favorite healthy meals - brown rice with sauteed vegetables. And, because I learned how to make this dish when I was house-sitting in the French countryside (cue tiniest violin, I know), the recipe includes lardon (pork fat).

Wait, you say. I thought you said this was a healthy dish?

And that leads me to the second thing.

Browsing a new friend's facebook page, I found a link to "15 Habits of People Who Have Effectively Lost Over 20 – 30lbs and Kept it Off." And I figured hey, couldn't hurt to check that out.

1. Do not eliminate foods or deem certain foods as bad or “off limits”

There are certain foods that I've drastically reduced from my diet. Sodas. Maple syrup. Pastries and other high-fat baked sweets. Chocolate. Most nuts. Bacon. But I haven't eliminated any of them. Because I enjoy eating them, and not being able to eat them would feel like a punishment. I haven't done anything I should be punished for.

Yes, I cook with bacon. Often. In this case, two slices of bacon, minced raw and mixed with the garlic, will flavor an entire pan of sauteed vegetables, and leave you with nicely crunchy bits to savor. Limited guilt, maximum flavor, and no feeling of deprivation because dinner was a plate of vegetables and brown rice (and garlic. Never forget the garlic). I could even have doubled the amount of bacon, and that would have been fine.

I don't say "I can't eat that thing." I say "if I want that thing, I can integrate it into my meal, because there's nothing wrong with something in moderation."*

If you're going to approach...well, anything to be endured rather than enjoyed, then it's going to backfire on you, possibly quite spectacularly. Eat healthy, but also eat what makes you satisfied.

A lot of it really is that simple.

The rest of the article is solid, even if it did make me want to whip out the red pen a little, and if you're feeling even slightly iffy about your relationship with your weight, your body, and your food, I'd recommend at least skimming through it.

*assuming no allergies, actual addictions, or religious objections among your dining partners.

I have things I need to do (upload this month's Westward Bound post to Book View Cafe, answer emails, write many many words, start reading the new massive reference book I picked up yesterday), but first I have to pick up the rental car, then put the cat into the rental car, then take the cat to their new vet and leave them there for a day's worth of glucose curve testing.

During which I will probably be checking out the local-to-the-vet cafe that seems to have Real Proper NY Bagels. Report to come.

Because nobody else would cop to knowing how to carve a turkey tonight, I stepped up and did the honors.

Okay, it wasn't particularly honorable, but the job got done and people got their turkey, no blood was shed and the relative parts were recognizable. I call that a win.

And next Thanksgiving, I'm going to deny any/all knowledge of same.

Since it's been a hit the two latke parties I've brought it to, I figure I might as well post the recipe - such as it is - here for others to adopt.

6 apples (I use granny smith, but adjust for the level of sweet/tart you prefer)
2 pears (Bosc are my preferences but any will work)
1 c. water
juice of 1 lemon
2 t. cinnamon
1/3 c brown sugar

Wash, core, and slice the fruit (don't bother peeling them). Toss them into a stockpot or large pan, cover with the 1 cup of water. Add the brown sugar, the lemon juice, and 1 t. of cinnamon, toss until all the slices are covered, and then simmer over medium heat for 20-25 minutes.

When the fruit's sufficiently softened, run it through a food processor or mill (or use a potato masher) to your desired consistency, then set it aside in a bowl.

In the stockpot there should be liquid remaining. Add the other 1 t. of cinnamon to it, stir, and let simmer until it thickens, then add the applesauce back and stir over a simmer. Serve warm, or store in the fridge.

Makes enough to serve 6 as sides, with seconds. Or to replace the butter in a LOT of baking.

I have no idea how this freezes - it's never lasted long enough to find out!

although the weather is currently warm/humid enough that turning the stove on will happen either early or late, not midday. Ugh.

That said, I think I need to make proper scones tomorrow. I have all the ingredients for scones, including dried currants and whole milk...

I wonder how they'd work with almond flour. Hrmmmmm.

Aged ribeye. Salt. Pepper. Butter. A little green salad on the side to make it slightly healthy.

Yeah, that'll do.

So, maybe walking 6+ miles in raw spring weather wasn't the best idea... or maybe my mother cursed me when I made a joke about everyone ELSE having a cold in email yesterday. Either way, I woke up this morning with my sinuses alternating between blocked and marathoning. And it's been so long since I had a head cold, the only meds in the cabinet expired in 2010.

(Painkillers, I've got. Digestive cures, I've got. Cold/flu meds? Nada.)

Nonetheless, managed to haul back into Manhattan for another brunch that could't be beat, this time at Atlantic Grill. Scrambled egg and applewood bacon quesadilla, followed by an apple crumble with cinnamon ice cream and salted caramel sauce, followed by a stop at the Duane Reade to pick up Mucinex DM Sinus meds. Ahhhhh relief.

Said medication worked well and fast enough that I could finish the furniture rearrangement I'd started on Friday. The bedroom and lounge are now in their new configurations, and a lot of things I'd been holding onto either from inertia or the hope that I'd find a use for them are now gone either to the trash or better homes (including the newest aloe sproutings, because 3 healthy aloe plants is enough for one apartment). My brain and body both feel better when the clean lines and open space of the apartment are, well, clean and open.

I intend to indulge in a carb-heavy dinner, take more meds, and go to bed early tonight. Tomorrow is soon enough for all the work I didn't get done this weekend... (which is the second yay! because I thought a LOT about what needs to be done on the books, and have Direction now).

What are you looking forward to diving into, this week?

here, have a nice break from the stress of everything, and read about what happens when the Avengers have to do the Talk Show Tour...

For NYCers and folk who might be in NYC: a restaurant review: Today we checked out AG Kitchen for brunch. They have a lovely space on the UWS (Columbus Avenue off W 72nd) and the menu -American and Latin comfort foods - is limited but highly-praised.

I opted for what is touted as "NYC's Best Cubano Sandwich." Really? I asked the waiter. Really, he assured me.

Entirely possibly accurate. Also, enough for two meals.
cubano

Service was friendly and leisurely-in-a-good-way, even as the restaurant started to fill up (David counted 8 strollers parked by the bar - this is definitely a family-friendly restaurant, without ever feeling like it was overrun with small humans).

Recommended, although I advise scouting the menu first if you have anyone who is food-cautious, since the offerings are limited (but very tasty)

I grew up in suburban NJ, home of shopping malls and supermarkets, among many other wonderous things. But as a city-dweller for the past 8 years, and a happily car-less one for most of those, it's rare that I go to an Actual Grocery Store and load up a car. But since I had Sibling Loaner this week, I did so this morning.

Thus reminding me of two things:

1. Suburban-style supermarkets are kind of awesome, but hauling things in from the car is a PitA (even though I managed to find a parking spot right outside my building).

2. I seriously pay for the convenience of being able to order my groceries at any time of day (or, more often, 3am) and have them delivered, without the cost of owning/operating a car. Okay, maybe that last bit more than evens things out. But still: a car full of foodstuff (fruit, veggies, meats, dairy) for under $100. Yahsssssss.

(but also 3. the quality of meats at my on-line grocery is better than even at the high-end supermarket. And a larger selection of local small producers/farmers, which is more expensive but I can afford to indulge my preferences there. So there's that.)

All right, guys, I have a challenge for you. $25 on the table, to support an urban farm, help feed a neighborhood - and make a real, quantifiable change in our future You up for it?

(even $5 can make a difference, if you can)

"We are Our School at Blair Grocery, an urban farm and food justice academy in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana. We operate a fully functioning farm in the heart of our neighborhood and employ youth in our community to help us grow food for our community. Eight years after the levee breach that destroyed our community, we've worked to change the narrative of the Lower Ninth Ward from one of desolation to one of revitalization and justice."

Check out the story of Our School at Blair Grocery' http://igg.me/p/our-school-at-blair-grocery/cstw/2525703

(h/t

marthawells)

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Laura Anne Gilman

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September 2018

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Where Personal and Professional Life Collide...

My life in 8 words: Organized chaos, by preference. Exhausting, but never boring

Entries tagged with food

A brief foodie interlude

in lieu of content, food porn.

I try things so you don't have to (unless you really want to)

Soup Weather

Cooking as an Offset to Stress

Bite of Seattle

when in the land of take-away pho....

Another in a series of meals that probably shouldn’t have worked but were yummy.

The Logston-Gilman Chili

Reports from The West: The Bagel Hunt

So here's a thing...

Tuesday Sitrep

A New Accomplishment!

Applesauce

the baking itch isn't completely scratched...

listen to your body, it's smarter than you are

Sunday (an ugh and two yays)

mid-weekend post

randomly, part 2 (personal)

Boosting the signal, and raising the bar...