Grilled Porterhouse, Dad’s Home Fries & Garden Salad

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

Today was the last of our stunning weather...  the humidity crept up a nudge but not enough to make us uncomfortable.  Blue skies sported high fluffy clouds and the wind sighed at a slow leisurely pace as if to say “I’m resting up for Autumn”.

As Labor Day weekend passes and folks return to work...  the unofficial end of summer...  teachers returned to their classrooms today here in the Big Nervous Apple...  students not for another almost 2 weeks...  it’s life slowly grinding out some odd sense of normalcy as we all wear our masks and hope the virus doesn’t come roaring back.  

The hubs returned from work today looking tired and grim...  “the traffic”, he grumbled, as we sat on the deck to relax in the late afternoon sun.   With an additional 75,000 folks on the road today, traffic snarled and delays abounded leading to frustration and long lines.  

Supper was a welcome treat (the hubs is a meat and potatoes kind of guy) as we shared a porterhouse (filet side for me...  NY strip for him) potatoes (grilled yam for him...  Dad’s home fries for me) and a crisp green salad with basil, tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden.  A glass of Chardonnay rounded out the meal for me...  coffee for the hubs.  

Amidst all the fire chaos in California and Colorado...  we wish all our dear friends safety and prudence in evacuation should it become necessary...  property can be replaced...  lives cannot...  stay safe & healthy 💞😷

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

Spatchcocked Chicken & Herbed Bread

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

Another gorgeous day here in the Big Apple...  low 80’s...  comfortable humidity...  clouds like strands of cotton candy laced across the sky... 

Celebrating the Labor Day weekend (thank you Union workers) we grilled a spatchcocked chicken along with some corn and yellow squash...  a loaf of fresh herbed bread...  a summer fruit salad and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc made for a delightful end to the day.  

Tomorrow we trot off to Mom’s for our weekend visit.  Spoke to her today...  she sat out on her balcony with her best friend and chatted in the breeze for a couple of hours enjoying the lovely day and basking in friendship.  So pleased that she is slowly and carefully resuming some semblance of life...  this has been incredibly difficult for her these six months.  

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

Smoked Salmon, Herbed Cream Cheese, Pickled Onion & Tomatoes and Brie

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

Today was stunning...    80°F...  low humidity...  bright blue skies...  picture perfect late summer weather.  The hubs spent the day in the backyard with the smoker and a delightful beverage...  I sat with him for a bit... having an iced latte and discussing dinner options for the coming week.  Then it was off to the market for our weekly food foray.  

It has become much less stressful over the last two months...NYC residents are mask compliant inside all stores and markets...  disinfectant is readily available in spray bottles with paper towels nearby at various points in the market for convenient use...  and the place is spotless.   We have all become accustomed to the protocols...  manners have substantially improved...  most folks are patient and courteous with one another and especially with employees.   People’s eye crinkle up as they smile at one another behind their masks...  life has begun anew...  

Following the unpacking and cleaning up after shopping (now down to 30 minutes from 2 hours) the hubs and I sat on the deck and enjoyed a late afternoon Bombay & tonic while waiting for the salmon to cool down.  Mr Sam stretched out eyeing the cooling fish with anticipation.  As sunset approached we lit a small fire in the fire pit to keep the mosquitos at bay.  

Dinner is served, I announced from the back door leaning out to hand the hubs his plate...  big smiles from us both as we dug into the flesh of the salmon...  the crust giving way to the moist tender fish beneath.  The salty bite of the capers...   the acid of the pickled onions and tomatoes balanced out the creamy smoky salmon perfectly...  a bite of toasted rye bagel with herbed cream cheese and a snippet of Brie...made our mouths sing. 

Of course Mr Sam enjoyed his share...  salmon and herbed cream cheese along with a sprig of fresh dill...  Mr Sam attacked the bag with the dill inside when I arrived from the market...  does your cat go berserk for fresh dill?

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

Crispy Skin Grilled Chicken Thighs, Elote with Tajin, Corn Bread and Vegetable Skewers

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

Today was the beginning of the Labor Day weekend...  weather picture perfect for the next three to four days...  temps hovering near 80°F with humidity in the aaaaahhh range... a gentle breeze out of the north bringing delightfully cool air to grace us...  

The hubs decided to spend time grilling tonite...  crispy skin chicken thighs... elote with tajin...  squash and onion skewers...  I made a corn bread (gotta contribute to the deliciousness) which we slathered with raspberry preserves...  a delightful contrast of tart and sweet...   a cup of black tea and two lotus biscoff cookies (these are made for dunking) rounded out the meal.  

Following supper I made a dry brine for the gorgeous piece of Norwegian Salmon the hubs is going to smoke tomorrow afternoon.  It waits in the fridge ensconced in its wrappings for 12 hours before getting rinsed and dried to create that oh so important pellicle to capture smoke.  I’m already drooling for tomorrow’s supper...  smoked salmon...  herbed cream cheese...  Brie... pickled onions and sliced tomatoes...  capers and a toasted dark rye bagel...  just typing it causes me to salivate...  can’t wait...  

We are planning a very small gathering on Sunday afternoon (just 5 of us) to share a meal on the deck...  enjoy a fire...  and celebrate life in all its oddities...  what plans do you have for this holiday weekend?

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

120 V Electric Chain Saw for Sale

Today the hubs was feeling jolly...  an unusual space for him...  happy, contented, sure...  jolly?  Not usually...  he constructed this tool purely for fun...  it was hysterically funny...  I was so pleased...  the hubs having fun...  YAY 🥳

Summer Celebration Supper: Watermelon Feta Salad, Summer Fruit Salad & Ground Turkey with Turnip Greens

Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...
The heat and humidity were back again today after three days of blissful weather...  it’s not like we were surprised...  this is usual for September in the Big Apple...  a few lovely fall like days followed by the mugwump...  as the month proceeds we have fewer muggy days until summer comes to a close.

Folks are already craving pumpkin spice and hoodies...  that should be interesting this fall...  face masks and hoodies...  the big push is on for folks to make Labor Day weekend not become another super-spreader event...  hope springs eternal.

Tonite’s supper was a celebration of summer...  watermelon feta salad with fresh basil and mint from the garden...  summer fruit salad of Georgia peaches (they are incredibly delicious right now), red plums (sweet as sugar) and black plums (firm and tart) alongside ground turkey breast simmered low and slow with onions and za-tar...  baby turnip leaves from the greenhouse stirred in last minute to wilt...

Yesterday I thinned the turnip greens planning for today’s supper...  as I washed them in a large bowl of cool water I saw a green catapillar trying to keep from drowning on one of the leaves...  she was air lifted to safety and placed gently in the grass to continue her journey...  I wonder if she will become a butterfly in the near future...  and if so, will she remember me?
How was your day?   What on your plate?   Thoughts?

Happy 90th Birthday to My Dearest Mom

Happy 90th birthday to my dearest Mom!!

Today was the perfect weather here in the Big Apple...  temps just below  80°F...   comfortable humidity level...  blue skies...  a light breeze...
the perfect day to have Mom enjoy a barbecue on our deck...  her first time out of her apartment in five months...  first visit with family since COVID...  she was thrilled and excited to see everyone and enjoy her celebration 🤗❤️  and we were delighted to host her...

With the hubs manning the grill we began with sausage bites...  they disappeared fast  (just barely got a photo 🤣)  moved on to chicken wings in a spicy marinade... yummy...  (luckily got a pic of the last few)

Our main dishes were grilled marinated chicken kebabs...  grilled veggie kebabs...  NYTimes black bean & corn salad...  & a crisp garden vegetable salad... the hubs did a fabulous job getting all the food cooked and on the buffet in time (not an easy task)

Mom is a lifetime chocoholic (that’s where I get if from for sure) and so dessert encompassed a refreshing summer fruit salad (mango, peaches & plums) and chocolate chocolate chip brownie cupcakes with chocolate cream cheese frosting...  soooo good...  the tang of the cream cheese helped cut the sweetness of the frosting and a bit of coffee in the batter gave the cupcake a rich dark chocolate taste...  

Mom had a terrific time...  so pleased to see everyone...  spend a day outdoors...  socialize with family...  a blessing all around...  next year she will have the big bash she so deserves 💞😷❤️❤️❤️❤️
How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?