Homemade Ravioli and Coconut Macaroons

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Clouds overhead… no hide and seek today… sun shielding her face from the Big Apple 🍎 Chilly temps barely making it into the 50’s… by evening storms arriving bringing downpours… wind gusts and microbursts… lightening and roadway flooding…  farther up north snow accumulating nearing 10”… spring on hold for a bit ⛈💨☔️

Breakfast for three… Mr Sam enjoying his kibble with a side of whey… hubs yogurt and a banana alongside his hot java ☕️  Iced coffee🧋as usual… a relaxing day indoors… a few calls… paperwork… Mr Sam snoozing on the carpet nearby… no sun to enjoy on his window perch 😽

Playtime in the kitchen today 🙃 early afternoon making coconut macaroons (special thanks to Dori Levy for the recipe… again)  Had to try one warm from the oven… incredibly delicious 😋  Having a couple of yolks left from the macaroons… what to make? 

Fresh three cheese ravoili… rolling out the dough…  making the filling (ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, grated Romano an egg and a couple of tbsp parsley) cutting out the dough circles… brushing on the egg wash… a tiny dollop of filling on each ravioli… folded and pressed to seal then left to dry on a floured sheet pan for 30 minutes… the repetitive activity so soothing on this dreary day…  waiting for the water to come to a vigorous boil… sliding in the ravioli for a quick 4 minute bath… just 12 at a time… and onto the plate… a light dressing of good olive oil… black pepper… parsley and Parmesan… first time making them… and not a one opened in the water… so pleased… they were delicious  

Dessert… macaroons… and decaf ☕️ for the hubs… who is feeling much improved (YAY) on day 8… 

The bombardment in Ukraine 🇺🇦 escalating as Russia tries to subdue the spirit of its western neighbor…  our hearts ache for the Ukrainian people… and the Mom’s in Russia who’s sons have unnecessarily died in this war 😢

#peaceforukraine

BA-2 variants have increased once again in the US #GetYourJabOn  and help put an end to this pandemic… mask up and wash those germy hands 😷💕

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

Matzo Ball Soup, Stuffed Cabbage with Sautéed Corn & Zucchini, Cheesy Grits with Sausage and Asparagus & Flowers

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

A happy Passover… 

A joyous Easter…   

Remembering reasons to be grateful 😊

Spring… the celebration of life returning to the Earth once again… the bountiful blessings of the Great Earth Mother…  given to us in exchange for our careful tending of our home 🌎 

Sunshine and warmth gracing the skies… temps in the high 60’s… a bit blustery through the afternoon… mockingbirds calling… sparrows chirping… blue jays squawking… robins hopping about in the grass nibbling bugs and worms… starlings in the trees gorging on ripening buds 🪷 Across the avenue our neighbors magnolia tree almost ready to bloom it’s magnificence… dogwoods and cherry blossoms gracing the avenues 🌳 

Breakfast for three… hubs opting for eggs on an english muffin… Mr Sam eating kibble and lapping from his fountain… iced coffee🧋and a few moscato grapes 🍇 incredibly sweet 😋 A delightful walk with Mariya breaking up the afternoon… admiring the blooms in the neighborhood… spotted a local puss out for a stroll 😽

Hubs is improving… PCR test reported negative with caveat that mild covid may not show on test… be guided by exposure and symptoms… so… 🤷🏼‍♀️

Supper last night and tonite… matzo ball soup… stuffed cabbage… sautéed fresh corn with red pepper flake… sautéed zucchini with salt & black pepper…  cheesy grits with parsley and cheese sausage and roasted asparagus…  a glass of Prosecco alongside to celebrate the holidays 🥂🍾

BA-2 and variant infection rates rising here in the US… great time to #GetYourJabOn  be part of the solution and practice self care

Russia amping up attacks in Ukraine 🇺🇦 our hearts ache for their people enduring this unnecessary war #peaceforukraine 

Ever grateful for our democracy here at home in America 😷💕

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

Shrimp, Chicken, Rice & Broccoli… Matzo Crack & Stuffed Cabbage

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

The cooking continues… todays extra warm temps nudging 80°F 🌡 back door to kitchen open… delightful breeze keeping the cook cool 💨 By afternoon clouds arriving bringing heavy rains and wind… temps dropping into the 60’s within hours… Mr Sam snoozing in his box under the microwave on his warming pad… suddenly awakened by the pitter patter of rain on the awning… coming out for a sniff at the back door then returning to bed 📦 

Breakfast… a quick iced coffee🧋and off to the races… the hubs and Mr Sam already watered and fed… time to make the stuffed cabbage 🥬 Defrosted the whole frozen head in a bowl on the counter overnight… easier to peel and roll... making the rice… mixing in the onions… eggs… spices and herbs… stirring the sauce… crushed tomatoes… brown sugar… lemon juice and zest… salt… pepper… adding in a good shake of smoked paprika for a bit of depth of flavor… cooling the rice on a sheet pan… FINALLY ready to assemble…

Cabbage core and small leaves on the bottom of the pot… each package rolled and tucked carefully into its place… pouring a bit of sauce over each layer as the pot fills to the top… 36 rolls completed… topping off with more sauce…simmering for about 2 1/2 hours… Kitchen smelling delightful… the scent wafting through the house…

On to the most fun part… matzo crack… if you know… you know… laying out the matzo… making the toffee… baking it off… adding the chocolate… then chopped walnuts and a tiny sprinkling of Himalayan pink salt atop… into the fridge to stiffen up… cutting it Into bite sized pieces… oh the temptation as it calls me from the fridge in its tub (special thanks to Dori Levy for the recipe… again… we can’t stop eating it!!)

Passover and Easter fast approaching… much of the food ready…  quite possible that our Seder will be cancelled… hubs still congested… lots of nose blowing and sneezing… tired but no temperature 🤒 not well enough for company… will deliver goodies to Mom for her supper… some to the kids as well 🤷🏼‍♀️  Grateful that we are both able to celebrate… even with the hubs sniffles 🤧  Still waiting on PCR results from yesterdays test 🤞

Supper tonite… a bit tired after all the cooking of the day… quick meal of shrimp… leftover rice from the cabbage… a bit of leftover chicken… broccoli… served alongside a crisp glass of Prosecco 🥂 

To all celebrating holidays this weekend… Passover Seders… Easter brunches & dinners… let us all count our blessings that we live in America… let us not forget those who have no where to sleep and little to eat during this season of rebirth… those who endure war and bloodshed must not be forgotten 😷💕

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

Chicken, Broccoli, Cheesy Grits and Strudel

 Vaccinated supper tonite... Live from NYC…

Another spectacular day in the Big Sunny Apple 🍎 Temps in the high 60’s… bright blue skies… light breeze… cherry trees and dogwoods blooming… their stunning pinks and whites lining the avenues in brilliant color… daffodils… crocus… grape hyacinth… a gracing yards and gardens with their magnificent hues 🪷

Breakfast for three… hot java ☕️ for the hubs along with his scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage and english muffin… that man can eat!! Iced coffee🧋and banana 🍌… Mr Sam enjoying his kibble an a snack of cheese 😽

Hubs cold symptoms the same… congestion… runny nose… sneezing… no fever… rapid test at home negative… went for a PCR today to be sure…  took a walk this afternoon followed by a nap 💤 

Packing up Mom’s groceries and goodies… bringing her a pot of mini daffodils… such cheerful flowers… scooting solo over to her place for delivery… mask on just in case… sliding glass door open… only stayed for a brief visit… making sure we don’t share any germs 😕

Feeling energized today… leftover filling from the chremsels… prune… walnut… orange marmalade… a bit of cinnamon and sugar added… a perfect strudel filling… egg wash and a shake of sugar atop… made for a delicious dessert 😋

Supper tonite… chicken breast tenders seasoned with garlic and onion flake… Penzey’s mural of flavor seasoning blend (thanks Marcia Sussman we love it) salt pepper and the remaining egg wash all in a zipper bag to marinate for 20 minutes then shaken with a mix of seasoned panko and regular bread crumbs… baked on the lowest oven rack near the heat (crisped up the bottom) for 20 minutes then 10 minutes on the top rack (to brown the top) came out really crunchy and not over cooked!  Served alongside roasted broccoli and cheesy grits… creamy and delicious 🥰

SThe war in Ukraine is having unintended consequences… Sweden and Finland now seriously considering joining NATO… previously neutral… Russian troops massing for another round of attacks #peaceforukraine 🇺🇦 

BA-2 variant… stealth covid… has been popping up… increasing infections garnering attention #GetYourJabOn  prevent hospitalization and serious complications… mask up… and wash those germy hands 😷💕

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

Ravioli with Roasted Tomatoes and Parmesan

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Super spring day!  71°F on the thermometer 🌡 Bright sunshine ☀️ soft breeze… perfect spring weather… squirrels 🐿 out in force digging in the lawn… little holes everywhere… glad to see them removing possible volunteers so we don’t have to pull them out 🙃  Unfortunately we lost our robin tenants… the beginnings of a nest built under the garage eve atop the exterior lights blew away in the last storm ☔️ thus far no new construction 🚧 

Quick breakfast🧋and 🍌 the hubs and Mr Sam on their own… off to Lidl for a last shop before the holiday cook begins in earnest…  stock finished and frozen for soup… chremsels completed and frozen yesterday… last few ingredients on the list… and Mom’s groceries… todays round up… to be delivered tomorrow 🛒 

Supper tonite… fresh cheese ravioli with roasted tomatoes, black pepper and Parmesan… quick and delicious 😋 served alongside a crisp glass of Vinho Verde 🥂

Covid infections climbing in the northeast… take time to practice self care and #GetYourJabOn  avoid hospitalization… mask up… and wash those germy hands 😷💕

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

Pernil and Red Cabbage Slaw

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Bright blue skies… few clouds strung like fraying cotton across the horizon… light breeze… temps climbing into the high 50’s… a foraging flock of sparrows… robins… starlings and a couple of cardinals gracing the backyard today… munching insects (thank you) and gathering grass seed (glad there is extra) digging in the soft soil of the herb garden… leaving tiny little footprints on the slate walkway 🐾

Breakfast today…  hot coffee ☕️ with yogurt, berries 🫐 and a banana 🍌for the hubs… iced coffee🧋and a banana 🍌 and a drop of yogurt and kibble for Mr Sam 😽

Too lovely a day to stay inside… dropping by the USPO… sending off the taxes… sooo glad that’s over!  Popping into a couple of spots…finishing up errands…  back home in time for a delightful afternoon walk with Mariya… post walk tea 🫖 with the hubs and delicious chocolate chip banana pecan muffins (by Mariya) made the afternoon fly by 🧁

Supper tonite… pernil… pork shoulder cooked low and slow… four hours in the slow cooker on high… fat side up… two hours in the oven at 325°F…  finally 15 minutes under the broiler to crisp up that chicharrón... boned (at home) butterflied… seasoned liberally with salt, pepper, garlic, onion, Cajun spice mix and smoked paprika… served with red cabbage slaw (shredded red cabbage… shredded carrots… diced red onion) in a dijonaise dressing… served alongside a Guinness 🍺🐷

Russia preparing to surge troops into Ukraine once again… committing atrocities and murdering civilians #peaceforukraine 🇺🇦 

As Shanghai locks down it’s residents over another covid 🦠 spike… and builds a quarantine wing to hold thousands… BA2 variant cases are beginning to rise across the US… this is the time to practice self care #GetYourJabOn   mask up and wash those germy hands 😷💕

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

Eggplant Lasagna Naan & Salad & Chili Night

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

And it rained… and it rained… and the trees drank in the life giving water… and the flowers bloomed in joy… the birds bathed in celebration… and the humans wore galoshes and slickers carrying umbrellas ☔️ as they collected their children from school 🏫 

Breakfast on this rainy day… hot java ☕️ yogurt 🍨berries 🫐 and a banana 🍌 for the hubs… iced coffee🧋and a banana 🍌 for yours truly…  Mr Sam enjoying his kibble and our company 😽

It’s tax time y’all… April 15th is next Friday… make sure those forms are filed in plenty of time for refunds or payments… spent the day reviewing  Mom’s tax documents… making sure I’s are dotted and T’s crossed… the IRS not being the friendliest of organizations…  tomorrow onto a review of ours… then off to the USPO sending in those icky payments 😩 Speaking of USPO… get those forever stamps folks… prices going up to $.60 for a first class letter soon 📬

Supper tonite… warming comfort food… eggplant lasagna with toasty naan and hydroponic lettuce salad 🥗 Last night’s chili so comforting on a rainy evening as well… 

Eggplant lasagna… such a delicious vegetarian variation subbing long 1/4” slices of roasted eggplant 🍆 (roasted on parchment with olive oil salt and pepper) for the noodles… sandwiched between layers of ricotta (mixed with egg and parsley) and homemade tomato sauce… shredded mozzarella sprinkled lightly over each layer of ricotta then generously over the top… baked at 350°F for about 35-40 minutes until bubbly… easily serves four when made with two medium eggplants 😋

Heartbreak in Ukraine 🇺🇦 as Russian troops decimate towns and cities murdering civilians and looting homes and businesses…  video from the wreckage showing uninhabitable ruin 💔🖤 #peaceforukraine

Covid BA2 variant spreading rapidly through the US… time for self care… vaccinations keeping folks out of hospitals and lessening severity of symptoms #GetYourJabOn  be part of the solution… mask up as needed and wash those germy hands 😷💕

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