Journal

2019 - Week 3 Cooking

I was able to spend some time with my brother, and it was very nice. I believe the quote of the time, was when I described what we were doing (playing video games), “We are spending time together where we don’t have to talk about anything, it’s a very Kurth thing to do”.

I am about to start to week three of my transition from one anti-depressant to another (not that it’s not working, but due to possible GI side effects). So far things are…well doing okish. I’m uncertain as if this dose is the right amount, but I think I need to let my body re-adjust. In doing a bit of research, I found the one I was on, is one of the harder ones to ween off of, so there is that. Yesterday was the last half pill.

Friday and Saturday were rough on my foot and bone spur recovery. I think with the walks I’ve had through the week, though still very short compared to what I have done (1.5 miles x 4 days this week vs (3.5 + 1.5) * 5 days a week). Yesterday while doing snow removal and loading and unloading the car for errands, it became very clear that the custom orthotics that I was prescribed to help me walk better, disconnect me from the feeling of the ground, or at least feeling it in a way I am used to. I probably aggravated my Achilles tendon, which my bone spur is hiding behind, and have had quite a setback and have to concentrate to walk normally and it’s quite painful.

This morning, I set down my cold brew wrong, and it fell and shattered in the living room. I had to discourage the cats from investigating while I cleaned up, including the shards of glass, tiny and large. It seems relatively odd to me that we’ve had the same set of glasses over the last…decade or so. But in the last year we’ve had 3 or 4 shatter (1 drop, 2 sinks, one set down wrong).

While driving home / waiting in traffic one day this past week, I tried to write a haiku to describe the feelings, and sight of the traffic that is on 63rd. I didn’t finish it. I may have to try again.

2019 - Week 2 Cooking Results

Sous Vide Pork Chop

I uh, didn’t have a pork chop in my freezer. It was surprising to say the least. Check First, then plan. We, instead, modified a pre-made cheese pizza with bresaola. Earlier in the day I used some donated to blood donors bread to make some melted sandwiches. Good meal for a lazy snowy Saturday.

Broccoli and Egg Fried Rice

Leftover rice from the Etouffee, after a mild distraction from work, I prepped all the ingredients, then executed quite qicklky, making adaptations for use of a normal skillet (more oil). It worked out pretty well, a nice quick dinner. I did add some leftover chicken that was to much for the Etouffee.

Chicken and Andouille Étouffée

Made some rice, had the dish come together pretty easily. It was quite good. I did use way more andouille sausage then the recipe called for. it was quite good.

not so (baked not fried) Crispy Chicken Cutlet Sandwich

I made some adjustments, heated the oven. Doused the cutlets in flower, since I wasn’t frying them, then baked them until they reached the right temp. It turned out really good and with the mayo was quite nice. I am never a big fan of using a whole lot of oil to fry a thing (mostly cause I don’t want to dispose of all that oil).

Bacon-Jalapeño Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe

I always find it fascinating the methods to combine things into a sauce and the variance in the texture that it provides. Clearly there’s a chemistry to this. I did swap out the American cheese for a very young gouda. It turned out very good. I used sweet & hot pickled jalapenos.

2019 - Week 1 Cooking Results

Chile Verde tacos

I think I added too much liquid from the cans of tomatillos. I should have drained them, as fresh ones were not available. That being said not only did it turn out really good, I think we both had it for the next couple of days (Shannon did lunch, me for breakfast). Certainly a good application for a large hunk of meat (of which I have a few). I may use this or something like this to go through some of those cuts. I would like to empty my freezer before I start adding again. I did sneak in some Serrano powder, finishing off the container, but even so it just had a mild heat to it.

Sous Vide Fish (may finish in pan this time?)

I bought some fairly thin catfish filets, but I didn’t think this would actually make a meal so we had ham and egg sandwiches.

Chicken Soup with Jasmine Rice and Ginger

I will admit, this recipe doesn’t make sense to me. It seems an excessive amount of water for a small amount of rice. Not enough ingredients to make anything but a super broothy soup. So I adapted. I used the rice but only with a small amount of water. I let it cook for a bit then set it aside. I combined the ingredients (ginger, etc) and like that and the chicken stock come together. I added diced scallions, let those go a bit. Added in the rice semi-mush and the. The chicken (whole pulled rotisserie chicken) I just warmed up.

It was nice and had a very prominent ginger flavor, but enough stuff to make it a filling soup. The audible worked out well. Not much more then the amount to feed the two of us though.