My Saturday Six

[dawnnys]

After watching The Chew episodes of the week, I've decided that I'm stuck in the 70's. Most of the foods I cook (and like) are from the 60's and 70's - deviled eggs, chicken Kiev, Salisbury steak, shrimp scampi, pineapple cole slaw, beef Stroganoff. Boring, but good. Made beef Stroganoff Friday night - the addition of garlic gave it a very nice flavor.

Had a cold ending to a mild week so plans to walk at the 4-mile park tomorrow will be postponed. We've been doing that every Saturday afternoon. We had a week of 40's and 50's, so windy 20's seemed too cold. Stayed home and we're watching SU kick UConn at the moment, while cinnamon muffins (mix) bake in the oven.

DH braving the elements and is barbecuing tequila-lime chicken on the backyard grill for dinner tonight. Mmmm, smells wonderful.

May try making a red velvet cake using pureed beets tomorrow. I saw it somewhere and it seemed "interesting" and a little healthier than the conventional recipe. That is after reading the ingredients (wisely placed underneath the container) of the recently purchased dip, that I will post here if I can get Photobucket to work for me. Haven't had much luck with that on this site lately ;o(

Thinking about going to a "Victorian Tea Party" later this month, sponsored by a natural foods store here. There will be speakers about the benefits of various teas, a take-home basket of a selection of teas, finger foods, and a spring fashion show. Seems like a fun winter activity with a couple of friends.

What are you all planning to do/make for Valentine's Day? The strawberries at the farmer's market looked good, so I bought a quart and may dip them in some melted white and dark chocolate.

 

[erininny]

Nearly all those '70s foods rank way up there on my "Best Comfort Food of All Time" list! smileys/smile.gif

 

[erininny]

Saturday Six

1. Still trying to recover (psychologically) from a disastrous pre-Valentine's dinner at Delmonico's, this week. The steak was very good; everything else bombed. (Not entirely the restaurant's fault, I guess I should add.) So far, I'm 1 for 2, this Winter Restaurant Week. At least La Promenade des Anglais was a hit! smileys/smile.gif

2. Tell me if this sounds weird, or weirdly intrusive... My brother and his girlfriend are down in Florida this weekend after his girlfriend's grandfather fell seriously ill, last week. The grandfather is doing better now, but I'm sure it's been a draining week for everyone. I was thinking I could make some Valentine's Day picnic-style basket and deliver it to my brother and his girlfriend, since I doubt they've had much time to prepare (and since we've already done our Valentine's Day thing). (But maybe that's a faulty premise and they're just way more prepared.) Still, I feel weird asking about other people's Valentine's Day plans...so maybe I should just make a bunch of breakfast stuff and not go nuts on a dinner that might be shelved for a couple days...? What to do?

3. Made a quick chicken sausage, tomato sauce, mixed vegetables, and chickpeas pasta dish tonight.

4. Stocked up on my favorite breakfast food: walnut bread, toasted and spread with soft cheese.

5. I saw red currants for sale today in a local grocery store! I've never seen these in the U.S. before. (And frankly, given how expensive berries are this time of year here, that was as far as my curiosity went. I didn't even bother trying to find out what the damage would be.)

6. Seriously thinking of titling my friend's Estonia travel memoir, "Five Thousand Potatoes: Six Months of Homestays in Estonia and Eastern Europe." (I'm publishing it, so all I've been doing this week is editing it.) Every. Single. Meal. At least in the Czech Republic, they throw in rice, every once in a while! smileys/wink.gif

 

[dawnnys]

I don't think it's weird at all. It's very thoughful of you. When are they

expected home? I like your idea of a Valentine's Day brunch... whenever they get home, chances are the next morning they won't have a fully-stocked refrigerator and would enjoy a nice breakfast, even if it's just a frilly basket of muffins, jams, and some teas and/or little individual bottles of juice - all things that would keep a day or two if need be (or, your #4 sounds like a very nice choice too!).

 

[erininny]

Thanks, Dawn...

I thought about it, and, if I know my brother, I'm sure he has something planned for Valentine's Day, so I think the best bet is a breakfast/brunch basket. Now the only question is whether I really feel like hauling it up to 125th St. smileys/wink.gif)) Apparently my generosity has its limits. smileys/wink.gif Just kidding. But thanks for the suggestions--good idea about things that can keep for a couple days!