Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini

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

Today’s harvest...  eggplant...  heirloom tomatoes...  a gift of a humongous zucchini from our neighbor with scratches and tiny bite marks from the squirrel who tried to eat this massive prize...  still edible after cutting away the nibbled parts and giving it a thorough washing...  It became the centerpiece of supper...  Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini...  delicious and only used half of the giant!   I see zucchini fritters in our future...

Can’t stop thinking about all the folks in danger from the fires in the west...  Colorado...   California...  Oregon...  so many more...  frightening...  seeing the results of climate change and fearing for those who may lose their lives...  their homes...  everything...

Part of our family in California... many friends there and in Oregon...  more in Colorado...  kids...  grands...  friends...  watching the news is overwhelming...  seeing the burned out towns... the devastation...  amidst all of this Covid lurks behind the scenes...  sneaking its grasp down people’s throats as they choke in orange skies...

Meanwhile here in the Big Wet Apple the skies opened this evening after supper and the rains poured down in earnest drenching the streets until rivulets filled the gutters and splashed into the storm sewers...  the pitter patter on the windows turning into a steady drumbeat as the deluge continued.  

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

Farro, Red Beans, Great Northern Beans, Thyme and Homemade Chicken stock

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

Feeling the humidity today...  the air moist and warm...  a southerly breeze barely moving the mosquitos as they nip my calves... 💥smack💥 a little blood oozes out of the tiny hole that pregnant female just bit in my leg as she drinks her last drop (did you know that only pregnant female mosquitos bite?  They need our blood to reproduce...  ick)

The muggy weather is increasing the mosquito population by 200% in the garden and greenhouse...  but I persevere through the nips... smacking them as I go...  they seem to love my lower legs...  but I love my tomatoes and cucumbers more...  watering, feeding and caring for the plants...  no longer just babies...  admiring their growth...  a bumblebee has discovered the greenhouse and has been busy pollinating...  I am thrilled...  the greenhouse is my happy place 😄 

Tonite’s supper was another attempt at a meatless meal.  Farro, red beans, & great northern beans simmered in homemade chicken stock, thyme and wine.  The hubs had his steak last night and reluctantly agreed that tonite was my turn to have a supper I love...  it turned out delicious...  the hubs eating two bowls of beans and farro and nodding in agreement that the flavors were very good.   Needless to say I was pleased...  

NYC will be reopening restaurants at 25% capacity at the end of the month.  Although I am glad for the local restaurants... they desperately need the business...  I am concerned for our covid stats...  other states that reopened saw surges in their cases just weeks after reopening.   I am hoping that NYC does not duplicate those results...  finger crossed 🤞 

Keeping abreast of the Cameron Peak fire in Colorado and the multitude of fires in the west is saddening.   Our friends in Colorado saw snow these past two days but are unsure if this will help contain the blaze in the longer run...  we are very concerned...  meanwhile California & Oregon are burning...  fire  is terrifying...  hoping for a change in the weather pattern and rain for all concerned 💞😷

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

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 🥳