Let's face it, coming up with an interesting dinner night after night can certainly be a challenge, particularly when time is short and hunger looms large. Therefore, I think it's time to unlimber an old tried-and-true favorite of mine. This falls under the broad definition, I suppose, of macaroni and cheese. I'm still laughing over my friend Carroll's pronouncement that macaroni and cheese is perfect for "when I lose my teeth." This, however, is great for right now--teeth intact--as it appeals to grown-up taste buds and definitely demands the ability to chew.
Read moreBanana Nut Bread
A few days ago I decided I needed a little break. I felt a tightening in my chest and the first inkling that a cold might be brewing. I made careful preparations for what I expected would be my little “confinement” of several days. I made a trip to the grocery store to lay-in provisions and prepared a big pot of chili to get us through a few Mom-not-cooking days. Feeling safe and secure that I’d dealt with all possible contingencies, I took to my cozy bed, resplendent in its fab new microfleece sheets. A happy hibernation ensued. I spent a luxurious afternoon of napping interspersed with healthy doses of the Duchess of Devonshire’s delightful new memoirs. “This is the life,” I thought as I snuggled down, that is, until the next morning when my beloved husband woke me with these terrifying words, “I fear I’ve let you down.”
Read moreEggnog Bread Pudding
I had a wonderful bit of clean-out-the-fridge kismet yesterday. I dragged myself away from sitting by the fire because I knew that lurking in the back was some delectable eggnog left over from Christmas. I knew it was still good because it was bursting with bourbon, andI know it's intended to "age" anyway, so what th'....? Plus I had some remnants of the Christmas pudding sauce--Umma's plum pudding sauce (the recipe for which is on TimesDispatch.com)still biding its time. Ditto with the high alcohol content I figured. I'd also secured a panettone when they'd gone on jaw-dropping sale after Christmas, so I realized I was ready to go with a stupendously easy dessert. To the probably four cups of eggnog, I added four eggs and beat well. I removed the crust from the panettone and chopped it into about 1 " cubes and put them in a buttered oval baker. I poured the by now double-eggy-eggnog on top and let it sit in the fridge for about an hour after squashing the panettone down into the liquid with a fork. Just before popping it into a 375 degree oven, I poured the remaining Umma's sauce over it, covered it with foil and put it in a roasting pan. I then poured boiling water into the roasting pan about half-way up the sides of the dish. Voila bain marie!
Read moreLentil Soup with Kielbasa
Let me just say that the New Year is off to a raucous and challenging start. Felix is back to school as a “second semester senior” which, for some reason seems to mean to him that he’s completely autonomous and in charge. Don’t think so. Also Jeff is back at the General Assembly which means long days for him and meal uncertainty for me. Will anybody be home for dinner? If so, when will they be here? And if they show up, will they even be hungry? And to top all of that off, Felix has just informed me that I’m no longer an Aries! Where will it all end?
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