Atlantic Salmon, Roasted Potato Medley, Crisp Green Salad and Tiramisu

 Quarantine supper tonite...  Live from NYC...  

Ccccold...  windy...  rainy...  the second half of the storm arrived with its arctic air turning fall into winter.  Temps in the mid 30’s as of midnight...  expected to fall to ffffreezing.  The clouds lifted following this mornings nor’easter bringing bright skies and frigid cold.  Squirrels, however, were undaunted by the big chill...  pumpkins out for Halloween gnawed into shards as the bands of marauders scurried from yard to yard gobbling anything in their paths.  

It was food foray day...  armed with two lists (mine and Mom’s) headed to the local market...  mask on...  sanitizer in the right back pocket...   cell phone in the left back pocket...  warm sweater and gloves...  ready to shop.

How many of us know our local market like the back of our hand?  Well...  our market is under renovation...  every week it’s “find the groceries” cause they’re replacing the floors and shelving...  it will be lovely once completed...  but for now...  CAN’T FIND ANYTHING!  Even the store employees are confused.   Shopping which once took an hour... now takes two...  but on the plus side...  got my 10,000 steps in 😅😂🤣 right in the store! 

Found terrific buys...  lots of produce marked down to $2 per 5 lb bag...  eggplant...  beets...  turnips...  kamboucha squash...  potatoes...  Asian yams...  romaine lettuce hearts...  plantains...  so glad to be able to share this bounty with Mom’s aides...  they love to cook too.  

Tonite’s supper...  fresh salmon filet roasted with salt, pepper, lemon and olive oil...  roasted potato medley...  Asian yams... sweet potatoes...  red bliss potatoes...  crisp green salad and Pinot Noir...  our dessert the last of the tiramisu...  the hubs enjoying his with coffee.  

Over 9 million folks have contracted covid in the past 8 months...  we have lost 235,000...  a patient in California has contracted covid & the flu... hospitals throughout the US are overwhelmed...  please...   wear a mask...   limit personal interactions...   get a flu shot...   and wash those germy hands! 

Four more days till Election Day...  make your voice heard...  VOTE!

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Meatloaf, Green Salad, Caprese Salad & Acorn Squash with Honey

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC... 

Zeta made her voice known in the Big Soggy Apple today...  coming in softly...  gently...  a timid gal announcing her arrival with a few drops of rain...  but it was merely a disguise...  standing up to her full height...   taking flight on her broom...  whipping up gale force winds...  driving rain...  bending trees to her whim...  ripping leaves from their branches to flail wildly as they danced to the ground...  Zeta blew through town leaving a morass of naked trees and drenched civilians.  All is quiet...   rain for now...  waiting...  watching...  anticipating...  another storm combining with Zeta...  just northwest...  offering searing cold and the possibly of snow.  

Meatloaf...  a simple meal...  satisfying...  comforting...  paired with a crisp green salad dotted with cubed jicama, cucumber, tomato and red onion...  acorn squash baked with honey and cinnamon inside... sweet...  warm spice lingering on the tongue...  an appetizer of caprese salad...  greenhouse tomatoes and basil...  a grind of fresh pepper and balsamic...  using up the second half of the fresh mozzarella...  a glass of Pinot Noir capping off our dinner on this Thursday night...  followed by an excellent movie... A Few Good Men...  Nicholson, Cruise, Moore, Sorkin, Sutherland, Bacon and Pollak...  a needed distraction for the deluge of news and politics.  

Covid is spreading across the US rapidly...  NY hit a sad milestone yesterday...  500,000 cases...  just over 33,000 deaths...  the next wave has arrived...  please take precautions...  wear a mask...  limit personal interactions...  and wash those germy hands! 

Five days until Election Day...  make sure your voice in heard...  VOTE!

How was your day?   What on your plate?   Thoughts?

Lime Chicken, Avocado Tomato Salad, Bitter Greens Salad with Oranges, Roasted Zucchini and Yukon Good Potatoes

 Quarantine supper tonite...  Live from NYC...

🎶 Here comes the sun... FINALLY...  the sun peeked out today to grace us NYers with her presence...   always amazing how animals react to the sun just as we do...  squirrels running up and down trunks of trees...   leaping across branches...   birds chirping...   gathering in flocks...  preparing for migration...  local cats prowling the neighborhood between backyards...  on the hunt...   all beings expressing joy at the arrival of the sun.

The greenhouse continues producing...  greens getting larger each day...  tomatoes ripening...  carrots...  beets...  turnips...  nasturtiums...  all growing lovelier.  Although the external temperature was quite chilly (mid 50’s) the interior of the greenhouse maintains its humidity and some small warmth collected through the daylight hours...  the big difference is the stillness...  without a breeze the air, although cool, remains pleasant. 

Feeling energetic following sessions...  time to dive into the kitchen... with enthusiasm.  The NYTimes Lemon Chicken was to be the main...  until  seeing insufficient lemons in the pantry....  but, there are many limes to be had...  changed the flavor profile to south of the border...   chicken was moist, tender...  roasted in its marinade (adding ground chili, oregano and cumin) topped with lime slices... the clear juices poured off into a pan...  additional wine, butter and parsley added to create a delicious sauce...  served alongside roasted potatoes and zucchini. A fresh acidic tomato, avocado and red onion salad...  as well as bitter greens, cucumbers, red onion and tomatoes tossed with lime juice and olive oil were a pleasant counter to the roasted goodness of the potatoes and the sauciness of the chicken.  

The snow in Estes Park has temporarily stopped the spread of the fire giving Firefighters a chance to attempt to create a cold boundary along the eastern perimeter...  allowing some residents to return for brief moments for winterizing purposes.  We are hopeful...  but wary.

One week from tonite the barrage of political ads and robo calls will finally cease...  and the campaign will end.  The virus 🦠, however, will remain...  currently spreading more rapidly in America than ever before.  Please take precautions...  wear a mask...   limit personal interactions...  visit via video chat or phone call...  wash those germy hands thoroughly and often...  use hand sanitizer when needed.

This is a difficult time for all of us...  loneliness and isolation are difficult task masters...  practice gratefulness if you can...  journaling helps...  reach out to family and friends...  keep communication going...  try to laugh when possible.  Watch Borat 2 on Amazon Prime if you can...  very funny.  

We eat supper with Mom every night via phone...  she chats with us while we enjoy our supper and shares her day and ours...  it’s not what we’d like...  but it keep us all healthy and alive.  We can catch up and keep her safe.   

How was your day?   What on your plate?   Thoughts?

Caprese Salad & Broccoli, Pepper, Eggplant & Sharp Cheddar Frittata

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...

The game has ended...  finally caved today...  put the heat on in the house... last nights chill was more than enough...  outside temperatures fell into the low 40’s...  inside temps were in the low 60’s...  white flag was raised...  the hubs laughed...  couldn’t make my goal of November 1st...  just a few days away... ah well... there’s always next year 😂

A grey day in the Big Soggy Apple...  rain, drizzle and chilly temps made the sweater jacket and gloves feel snuggly and warm...  dashing out the door...  hair still damp from showering...  accompanying the hubs on a mission of mercy.  A client’s heat failed over the weekend...  the hubs retrieved the necessary part to get the system up and running again today.  No more cold showers or chilled rooms...  so glad to be able to help in a time of great need and crisis...  especially for an unemployed gal and her kids in the middle of a pandemic divorce 😢

Meatless monday was a grand success tonite...  caprese salad started off the meal...  tomatoes and basil from the greenhouse...  fresh mozzarella...  lightly dressed in balsamic and a bit of black pepper...  broccoli, orange pepper, onion, elephant garlic, eggplant and shredded sharp cheddar made for a savory and satisfying frittata...  on the side a dark rye bagel topped with Munster cheese...  the crunch of the warmed crispy bagel a perfect accompaniment to the soft fluffiness of the frittata...  Mr Sam enjoyed it as well 😸

Snow ❄️ is falling in Estes Park and on the fire...  hoping the cold and moisture give the hard working firefighters the opportunity they need to get containment in hand...  🙏🏼

Sprint to the finish...  Election Day is one week away...  early voting has begun in the Big Apple...  long lines abound...  vote early 🗳 

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Italian Sausage and White Bean Soup and Baklava

 Quarantine supper tonite...  Live from NYC...

October winds down...  days get shorter...  cooler...  today a brief respite from the coming chill.  Afternoon skies cleared...  sun shone down warming the air enough to be out on the deck in short sleeves...  birds soaring above...  V shaped flocks...   neighbors tree a burst of red and green...  crunching across half eaten acorns (local squirrel trash collectors on strike for equal pay) 

Greenhouse still going strong...  lots of tomatoes left...  turnip green tops harvested today...  radishes peeking up through the soil...  spinach and lettuce seeds popped this week...  beets growing...  carrots maturing...  spicy basil growing...  nasturtiums flowering...  now I understand what “shoulders” means...  the extra harvest time at the end of the season.

After harvesting the turnip leaf tops, some thyme, rosemary and sage from the herb garden...  it was time to make supper.   Tonite the temps are dropping into the 40’s... brrrrr...  so soup is on the menu.   Italian White Bean and Sausage Soup...  so warming and comforting on a chilly night.  

Our dear neighbor (Athina) is a phenomenal cook (she also owns a fabulous Greek restaurant nearby... which we LOVE) gifting us a plate of homemade baklava AND giving me a lesson in making homemade phyllo...  she is so fast!  Made more than 25 leaves in about an hour...  each one 18” across...  truly an artist! 

The election is coming up in less than 10 days...  sprint to the finish...  make a plan...  VOTE...  safely...   get a flu shot...  and wash those germy hands 💞😷

How was your day?   What on your plate?   Thoughts?

Shrimp Cocktail & Haddock Filet with Baked Potato

 Quarantine supper tonite...  Live from NYC...

Friday started out with heavy dense fog...  moisture practically dripping from the atmosphere...  evolved into vanilla skies (seems this weather is on repeat) and then...  wait for it...   just before sunset it happened...  

THE SUN ☀️ finally broke through and shone her light down on us soggy NYers...   it felt like a moment of pure joy...  right before market time...  of course by the time I got finished the sun was setting and the clouds had once again returned   ~sigh~  but it was glorious... even for that short time.

Returned home to find the hubs completed his afternoon project of cleaning the lower deck in preparation for tomorrow mornings waterproofing...  fall  chores coming to a close...   the pantry is stocked in preparation for the possibility of a covid winter...   hoping everyone has had their flu shots.

Our beloved town of Estes Park remains evacuated today with two large fires raging in the mountains.  We pray for the safety of the firefighters who are doing their level best to protect lives and property.  Our hearts are breaking to see our most favorite place in flames 💔 

An appetizer of shrimp with cocktail sauce, followed by breaded and baked haddock filets and baked potatoes...  Sauvignon Blanc’s bright flavors accompanying the meal...  yesterday’s tiramisu ready for tonite’s dessert (with coffee for the hubs) a delicious pick me up after shopping and supper.  

Watched Borat 2 tonite...  funny...  sarcastic... poking fun at everyone...  lots of laughs...  even NY’s Mayor...  Rudy...  made an appearance 😂

How was your day?   What on your plate?   Thoughts?

Red Beans & Turkey Chili and Tiramisu

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...  

Morning fog covered the Big Apple like a heavy wet blanket...  by early afternoon vanilla skies were on the menu...  it was a drab day...  even the gangs of theiving squirrels didn’t make an appearance as the skies dripped humidity and chilly fog.  Teachers hustled home...  shoulders hunched against the moisture...  few kids walking these days...  many opting for remote learning...  traffic passed by quietly...  the usual crowding and honking inaudible...  neighbors out walking their dogs...  hurrying along....  Mr Sam...  undaunted by the misty afternoon sat in a cardboard box on its side out on the deck watching the world pass by.  

Following a remote continuing ed class it was finally time to play in the kitchen.  Debate food on the menu...  red beans and turkey chili...  fast and easy...  warming...  satisfying...  accompanied by a Modelo Negro...  made the meal work.  Tiramisu all prepped and waiting in the fridge for tomorrow nights dessert (special thanks to Elsa Lisciandro) 

The debate was somewhat more civil this time...  easier to watch... though with 50 million votes already cast...  and over 95% of voters sure who they’ve chosen...  it’s unlikely to make much difference.  LOVE the MUTE button...  I so wanted to be able to push it myself...  but it was not to be ~sigh~

The Troublesome Fire in Colorado has caused our beloved summer stomping grounds to be evacuated.   Our friends have safely done so...  our hearts break as one of our most favorite places on earth burns 😢

We lift Estes Park up in our prayers...  the residents...  the Rocky Mountain National Park...  we hope our property survives 😞

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Winterizing the Greenhouse, Leftover Paella & Pork Tenderloin and Penzey’s Spices

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...  

Warm air skimming across the arms...  out on the deck... crunching across acorn debris...  temperature high enough to take plants out of the greenhouse...  give it a hosing down...  move it to the top deck... it’s winter home.  Untangling tomato stems heavy with fruit...  a few drop off...  quickly rescued to a bowl for ripening...  removing old unproductive vines...   grow bags lined up at the deck edge...  the hubs finally home from work...  lifts the greenhouse up from the center walking it onto the upper deck (holding my breath) sliding across the newly waterproofed boards (they’re slippery) into place.  Applause!!  It’s done!!

The benches pressure washed...  stripped clean of debris and unwanted guests...  back in place...  tomato plants in first...   they’re tallest...  then the rest...  one by one...  until voilà...  it’s finished...  thrilled to have this last bit of winterizing complete! 

My order arrived from Penzey’s...  the nose knows as the box is unpacked and the heady scent of French thyme, ground rosemary, marjoram and others perfume the air (can’t help myself - have to open and sniff each one... am I the only one who does this???) they have also sent me an ‘I Will Vote’ banner (on my front door) a pin (Embrace Hope) a Hug coin...  and a bunch of free seasonings to try...  I’m psyched! 

Hungry after all that labor, the kitchen beckons...  leftovers on the menu...  seared pork tenderloin from Monday’s supper...  vegetable paella and jicama slaw from Tuesday’s supper and a few roasted peppers and onions found in the fridge...  a glass of Sauvignon Blanc smooths out the day nicely.

Tomorrow night is the last debate...  what’s on the menu?  Debate food?

I think I’ll have Valium with a vodka chaser...   wondering who gets to push that MUTE button...  can it be me???? 

Just a few days remaining to cast your ballot...  VOTE!!

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Vegetable & Andouille Paella and Jicama Slaw

 Quarantine supper tonite...  Live from NYC...

Light rain fell during the morning hours blanketing the street with a veil of fog.   Tiny droplets accumulated on the deck...  just enough wetness to confine Mr Sam to the house.  As the day progressed the sun eventually burning through the cloud cover...  the drops sparkled like tiny lenses reflecting a spectrum of color in the afternoon light.  Mr Sam snoozed on the mat near the back door intermittently looking up to sniff supper as it cooked... then tucking his head into his paw as if to block the light.   

Vegetable paella was an exceptional dinner last week and thus we enjoyed it once again (I remembered to take a photo before we ate 🤣) with andouille, zucchini, broccoli, yellow peppers, peas and onions.   Tried elephant garlic for the first time...  humongous cloves...  thought it might be overwhelming but the taste was mellow and soft...  member of the leek family... who knew.   Roasted the broccoli and peppers first for that sweetness...  made a delightful difference.  Served with lemon wedges for needed acid.

Last weeks trip to the market found three large jicama in a reduced bag for $1.99 and couldn’t resist.  Have had it in salads many times...  loved the crunch...  this time tried a slaw with red onion, salt pepper and fresh lime juice.  Perfect accompaniment to the savory paella with its fresh acidic bite.  Have two jicama left... and two more slaw recipes to try...  will see which one is the winning combination...  so far delicious! 

Covid is kicking butt and taking names...  don’t become a statistic...  wear a mask...  wash those dirty hands...  limit personal interactions...  stay alive!

Worldwide 40 million cases 1.1 million deaths...  3% mortality rate (flu is below .1%) Get a flu shot...  be smart ❤️

Fourteen days until the election...  early voting has begun...  make your voice heard...   VOTE! 

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Seared Pork Tenderloin with Oven Roasted Potatoes and Crisp Greenhouse Salad with one lone Nasturtium

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...

The temperature climbed a bit today giving the Big Apple a rosy glow of warmth amidst the chill breeze.  The leaves are beginning to show signs of color...  bright yellow and fiery reds tipping the trees at the tops of hills where the colder winds blow through their branches.  The deck littered with acorn shells left by bands of marauding squirrels fattening up for their long winter naps.  

Standing inside the greenhouse...  enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun...  picking ripening tomatoes...  turnip greens...  nasturtium leaves...  giving a drink for dry souls...  the peace annoyingly shattered by a barrage of acorns bouncing off the roof...  the little thieves are on the march once again.  My bounty safe inside the kitchen...  greenhouse door locked... time to cook!

Tonites repast... a seared pork tenderloin rubbed with Cajun spice mix, garlic & onion powders, salt & pepper all in a bath of olive oil.  The cast iron sizzling as the loins crust.  In the oven a combination of red and Yukon gold potatoes roasting slathered with olive oil salt & pepper.  Fresh garden salad of romaine, nasturtium leaves, baby turnip greens, radicchio, the last of the greenhouse cukes, our tomatoes and sliced red onion... one lone nasturtium flower adorning (it was delicious...  sweet and spicy... what a treat) 

As covid winds it’s way back into our lives...  past the exhaustion of extended isolation and mask wearing...  we have a long cold season ahead...  please get your flu shot...  take precautions...  don’t become a statistic among the 220,368 who have already been lost to the virus 🦠 

And make certain that you VOTE!  

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Spinach & Cheese Tortellini with Olive Oil, Fresh Black Pepper and Parmesan

 Quarantine supper tonite...  Live from NYC...

Last night was cccccold here in the Big Chilly Apple...  temps dipped down into the low 40’s...  being the stubborn NYer... (oh yea, definitely that person) heat doesn’t get flipped on before November 1st unless it’s frigid and we are risking freezing water pipes.  That said, we do have a ductless AC system that provides some heat down to 40°F outside...  at that point just blowing cold air.  Last night was close...  but we squeaked by...  this morning the bedroom thermometer read 63°F...   brrrr...  thank goodness for extra blankets! 

The day began with vanilla skies...  crisp cold breezes...  frosty breath...  golden leaves flittering across the deck like lost bird feathers...  by 3pm the sun popped through giving much needed warmth to us earthlings shivering in light jackets.  At sunset there was a short blaze of color across the western sky...  a gift from the Great Earth Mother for tolerating last nights big chill.  

After our Sunday visit with Mom...  she is doing well, having short one hour visits with a friend here and there in her apartment...  we moseyed back home to create a quick supper.   It was already late and so a fast meal of spinach and cheese tortellini with olive oil, fresh black pepper and Parmesan... with a side of ricotta was perfect.  

Watched a special presentation of Pete Souza’s documentary, The Way I See It...  a collage of photographs and commentary compiled over two administrations (Reagan and Obama) as the White House Photographer...  incredibly beautiful pictures humanizing the two presidencies...  available on YouTube.  

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Baked Monkfish, Roasted Peppers & Onions, Roasted Beets & Eggplant, Glazed Plantains

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC... 

Today was sunny...  bright...  temperatures stayed quite cool requiring a light jacket in the shade...  the birds chirped noisily grouping together and flying in unison...  getting ready for their winter migrations...  Mr Sam lazed in a patch of sun warming his fur...  squirrels chased one another up and down the tree trunks...  chattering and flicking their tails.

Planted the last crop of buttercrisp lettuce in the greenhouse...  curious to see if we get a crop. The hubs worked on a low plant stand for the thyme...  baby radish sprouts are already 2” tall...  tomatoes still going strong...  tonite the chill is fierce...  45°F...  the real test.

Supper was a delightful filet of monkfish...  baked at 350°F for 30 minutes in olive oil, lemon, salt, pepper and Turkish oregano...  poor mans lobster was sweet, firm fleshed and delicious.  Alongside we enjoyed roasted beets, eggplant, peppers & onions and glazed plantains...  a Pinot Noir capped off our supper. 

Trying to relax and forget the fires in Colorado and in our politics we enjoyed a movie...  Charlotte’s Web...  following our dinner...  sweet... a happy ending making us feel a bit of hope.  

How was your day?   What on your plate?   Thoughts?

Nasturtium flower in the middle of October on full display in the greenhouse...  stunning in scarlett...

Stuffed Artichokes and Crispy Sour Cream & Onion Chicken

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...

And the sun emerged from behind the clouds...   and the rains stopped...   and the people were glad...   and they danced and sang with joy.   

That’s exactly how it felt today waking to the sun...  droplets sparkling on the deck...  folks smiling behind their masks...  waving...  walking by with their dogs...  stepping between puddles making it out to the greenhouse to find the first gorgeous nasturtium flower...  bright scarlett... caught my breath at its beauty...  teeny tiny baby radish greens peeking out from the soil...  the suns warmth magnified within its walls...  peaceful and calm...  a safe space.

Last nights artichokes made a delicious appetizer for supper (NYTimes Cooking...   Baked Stuffed Artichokes by Moira Hodgson) followed by Crispy Sour Cream and Onion Chicken by Ali Slagle...  so delicious...  the flavors of the onion dip coming right through on the thinly sliced chicken cutlets...  opting for greek yogurt as a foil as opposed to the sour cream (recipe gave  the choice) which added that lovely acidic bite to the dish (chives from the garden) alongside a tomato, cucumber and red onion salad fresh from the greenhouse...  paired beautifully with a Sauvignon Blanc...  coffee for the hubs with his slice of French Apple Cake for dessert.  

We voted today!  After giving the absentee ballots to the USPO clerk, the folks in line at the post office cheered!  It is now less than three weeks until  the election.  If you haven’t voted yet...  make a plan to do so...  it’s a privilege not afforded many who live outside the US.  

 

Picked up three huuuge jícama at the market...  thinking about jicama slaw for tomorrow night...  anyone have a recipe they love? 

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Stuffed Arichokes Never Made It to Supper

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...

And it rained...  and it rained...  and it rained...  the city is quieter when it rains...  less folks outside calling to one another...  less traffic on the street as errands get postponed for another day...  dog walkers hustle along not stopping to chat...  the pitter patter of steady droplets playing a tune on the metal awnings outside the window...   the sun napping as the rains fall.

Dashing between the rain drops...  splashing across the deck... slipping into the greenhouse...  it’s dry and cozy...  a few green souls needing a drink...  collecting ripening tomatoes...  checking new radish seedling peeking their heads above the soil...  the nasturtiums birthing a first flower...  collards and turnip greens progressing beautifully...  squash blossoming...  hurrying back into the kitchen Mr Sam sniffs the new arrivals...  he’s not interested in tomatoes but curious regardless.  

Spent the afternoon prepping the two artichokes for cooking...  caramelized the onions...  added the garlic...  parsley, olive oil and crumbs.... beautiful stuffing.  Gave them a good long soak in acidulated water...  spooned the stuffing inside the center and between the leaves...  popped them into the oven in a water bath covered with foil to steam.   Finished prepping the chicken thighs...  added them to the oven... heated up the leftover pea soup...  the hubs and I sat down to enjoy our artichokes...  they’re raw...  

after an hour in the oven (plenty of water & wine still in the cooking dish)  added them to a pot (with their liquid) and steamed them...  by the time they were finished (30 minutes later)  supper was over and we were both too full...  so disappointed 😞 we will have to enjoy them tomorrow...  hoping the stuffing isn’t soggy by then  ~sigh~

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

French Apple Cake & Afternoon Latte

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...

Rain... rain... rain... today the remnants of Delta graced the Big Drippy Apple with her sloshy presence.  Fortunately the winds did not accompany her on her visit to our city.  It was gray...  dreary...  downright chilly and gloomy...  the drip drip drip off the eaves splattering onto the deck...  the passing cars hissing through puddles as the cool rainwater hit the heat from their mufflers.

Mr Sam roamed the kitchen...  a caged lion...  back and forth...  uninterested in human activities...  trapped by the storm.  Sipping latte thumbing through ideas for our meatless Monday repast...  he complained loudly at the lack of activity...  patting his head nodding in agreement.  

The chill finally gave way to my favorite supper...   pea soup...  warm and comforting served alongside olive focaccia and red cabbage slaw...  both left from our Saturday meal.  A bag of four apples sitting sadly on the edge of the kitchen table....  long past crispness they glowered at me...  don’t waste us...  BAKE!  

French Apple Cake by Jennifer Segal (Once Upon A Chef) has been on my list for weeks...  today is the day I cried out...  Mr Sam looked up and cocked his head...  and thus dessert was born...  

Cooks notes: I do admit to a couple of changes...  not a fan of rum so I subbed Sauvignon Blanc...  had more apples than the recipe called for so added 50% more dry ingredients... used jumbo eggs, so only added two as I increased the dry goods...  also tossed the apples with cinnamon and allspice before adding to the batter... delicious!  Serve warm...  Highly recommend ❤️

How was your day?   What on your plate?  Thoughts?

Grilled Burgers, Roasted Pepper & Onions, Tomato Jam, Broccoli Rabe & Mozzarella Sausage, Red Cabbage Slaw, Olive Focaccia & Apple Tart

 Quarantine supper tonite...  Live from NYC...

76°F today...  a perfect opportunity to have our small group together outside for a meal.  Vanilla skies dominating the day... the sun playing hide and seek as the afternoon progressed.  Warmth remained throughout supper as we enjoyed one another’s company and delicious food.  As the evening wore on we donned light jackets and moved closer to the fire as the city cooled under a chilly fall breeze.  

We are all excruciatingly aware of the rise in covid stats in our great city...  apprehensive about the weeks ahead and the possibility of long dark winter months with FaceTime and WhatsApp as companions.  Tonite, however, we put aside our worries and enjoyed socializing and a fire on the deck.  

The slaw (red cabbage, carrots, onions... a dressing of mayo, Dijon mustard and lemon juice) fresh and a touch acidic...  complimented the juicy burgers...  served alongside roasted onions, peppers and tomato jam...  Andrea and Mark gifted us the beef for burgers and a delicious olive focaccia which we enjoyed with our appetizer of broccoli rabe and mozzarella sausage...  Danicha and Eduardo brought a delicious red wine, Lapostolle, smooth and supple... as well as an apple tart (fabulous crust) from one of our favorite local bakeries.  Wood for the fire compliments of our tree removed just three short weeks ago...  

The hubs spent the early part of the day cleaning and waterproofing the upper deck for the coming winter.  The annual ritual keeps the boards in top shape with least possible damage.  The plan is to move the greenhouse closer to the house for the colder months...  with many tomatoes still on the vines moving will have to wait a few more weeks to complete the harvest.  The remaining vegetables (turnips, arugula, carrots, acorn squash, radish, spinach, collards) are easily moved...  their grow bags sit upon benches which will accompany the greenhouse to its new location.  The prospect of using a cold greenhouse in the winter is exciting...  the last batches of spinach and radish seeds were planted yesterday...  an absorbing hobby will be vital this winter.

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Roasted Potatoes & Onions, Tomato Jam, Roasted Peppers and Grilled Spicy Chicken Breasts

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...

It was cool today...  light jacket weather...  the crisp feel of autumn on the wind.  Folks hurrying along...  shoulders hunched against the chill...  scarves flapping as they walked to their cars after work.  The days getting shorter...  dark by 6:30pm here on the east coast...  wasn’t it just a short while ago that it was bright until 9:30pm?  ~sigh~ missing those long days of warmth and relaxation.   The greenhouse was a refuge today...  no chill winds inside...  just the quiet calm and warmth of the sun captured within its walls.  

Market day!  Our local market has been renovating...  new produce area...  new flooring...  new dairy reach in boxes...  looks terrific.   Today the produce manager wrapped up 5 lb bags each of...  potatoes, tomatoes, squash, onions, peppers, parsnips....  and more...  sold them for $1.99 per bag...  a kid in a candy store wouldn’t have had more fun...  came home with two bags of potatoes...  two bags of plum tomatoes... a bag of onions...  two bags of orange peppers... and a mixed bag of zucchini and parsnips...  veggie heaven!!  

Of course... supper had to be roasted tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and onions with our grilled spicy chicken breasts.  Tomorrow will be a busy cooking day to prep much of the vegetation for jarring and storage.  So excited!!  Couldn’t resist such fabulous buys! 

Covid dominates the news in the Big Apple...  protests in hot zones...  incredulous that folks forget the massive losses just six months ago...  

NYC lost 24,000 citizens in under four months...  mass graves...  refrigerated trucks filled with bodies...  ambulance sirens all day and night...  I never want to live through that horror again...   and yet...  some seem to have amnesia 😳😢

Please stay safe and healthy...  get a flu shot 💉...  follow protocols and VOTE!

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?

Leftover Beef Stew Empañadas and Cheese Empañadas

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...

It’s debate night once again in America...  just spent the last 90 minutes chuckling while a fly sat on the Vice President’s head...  how can we be serious when a fly is taking up our attention???  Reminded me so much of the ad for the laundry detergent pen with the talking stain...  all I could hear was bzzzzzz...  

The weather in the Big Apple was reflective of tonites debate...  strong winds followed by mid afternoon dusk and rain...  I did see a fly sitting on the deck rail at one point...  a prelude of things to come...  he eventually was blown away.  

This past weekend (when we were in the no posting zone) beef stew was on the menu...  tender and moist with a fulsome gravy...   crisp tender carrots...  smooth baby Yukon gold potatoes...  buttery crimini mushrooms...  simmered low and slow on the cooktop while chores were done around the house.  The hubs mounted our exterior up/down lights (came out perfect) and seeded the empty spaces where our tree once proudly stood.  

Tonite that leftover beef stew became empañadas...  shredded the meat...  chopped the carrots and mushrooms...  squished the potatoes...  added cumin and marash red pepper flake for a little warmth and a poke of heat...  and wrapped them in their blankets for a bake in a 350°F oven for about 25 minutes...  had a few blankies left, so cheese empañadas accompanied the beef to the supper table...  along with a crisp garden salad dressed lightly in balsamic vinaigrette...  supper was served...  and just in time too...  finished off with a bit of tiramisu and voilà... it was debate time.

How was your day?   What on your plate?   Thoughts?

Roasted Butternut Squash and Beets, Candied Plantains, Turkey Meatballs with Parmesan & Tiramisu

 Quarantine supper tonite...  Live from NYC...

A mild fall day...  the sun dominated the skies with her brilliance allowing the trees a chance to once again bask in her warmth...   squirrels chased one another up and down the trunks chattering...  tails flicking...  Mr Sam, lying on his side enjoying the heat of the warm boards, watched in fascination as they raced across the far end of the deck...  to lazy to get up and give pursuit...  his eyes traced their movements.  

Puttering around the greenhouse...  picking a few ripe tomatoes here and there...  the last of the cucumbers ripening...  a mere six weeks left before the Persephone phase arrives when there will be less than ten hours of sunlight each day and plant growth virtually stops.  The last planting of  radishes and spinach will happen tomorrow to harvest before the darkness of winter arrives.

Covid has once again grasped the Big Apple...  schools across parts of the city closing...  hot spots being ground to a halt in an effort to stem the tide of infections...  trick or treat on hold...  it’s going to be a long dark winter.

If you have not yet taken your flu shot...  please do so...  in NYC flu shots are available free at all pharmacies for everyone including kids ❤️ I got mine...  you? 💉 

In between playing in the greenhouse... took time today to make tiramisu...  one of my most favorite desserts (special thanks to Elsa Lisciandro for the excellent recipe) chopped beets and butternut squash for roasting, baked candied plantains in orange marmalade and turkey meatballs with Parmesan...  supper was an interesting melange of flavors and colors...  

fall on a plate.

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?