Journal

2024 - Week 42 Cooking Results

This past week I spent quite a bit of time just being there, as my brother recovers from a surgery. We had a good time wandering around the metro area, stopping at places he likes or that he thinks I like and a restaurant that he goes to from time to time. I ordered out (some excellent pizza, some very good hand pies) a bit and used what we bought grocery shopping to make breakfast lunch and dinner.

Beef Stew

Using what he had, and what I bought, I made a nice beef stew. I may have been a little intoxicated to taste well enough, so I had to salt it enough, after he tasted it, and added a bit to much apple cider vinegar (my bad, but not too too much just a bit much). I used some leftover (!!) American Wagyu beef that he had, potatoes, onions, carrots to make for a nice dinner and Lunch the next day.

Goulash

I adapted this a bit, because i used pork, instead of beef, as he eats / cooks a lot of beef. And I used more paprika then anything I saw called for (half smoked, half hot). I bought some cultured sour cream for this purpose and then forgot to add it, until I was eating it, so I gave him and myself a bit of a dollop, then added the rest of the sour cream and left him with quite a bit of leftovers.

I think he’s got a pretty good start on recovery, and I hope it goes very well. Shortly after I left my parents had flew in to took over, at a bit more of a distance (I stayed in his apartment, they will not be). I had quite the layover in Denver, so I caught up on work for that day, and after eating, worked in a coffee shop, in the airport, for a few hours. Got to a good stopping point a good hour 15 minutes before my flight. I was able to charge up my laptop from the morning’s use and also get my new backup battery charged up for the most part. I got home a bit after 10:PM and once I got off the flight I called Shannon to come get me.

I’ll miss just hanging out, shooting the breeze, making jokes and just being there with my brother, but I also slept well in my bed last night, with Máni between us, and this morning I woke up to Loki sitting on top of my side while I finished sleeping.

2024 - Week 41 Cooking Results

Squash Lasagna

Not the one I have made previously, but certainly a good recipe. I made have added a bit of extra cream cheese, as paying attention can be hard. Worked out well. I did have to microwave the pumpkin a bit, as it wasn’t quite done in the oven. I may have burned myself a little but in the rush to get the pumpkin off. I also added some La Quercia prosciutto, and some coppa I think. quite good.

Sausage

All pork hot dogs, quite nice.

Grilled Cheese

Mortadella, and some lightly smoked cheddar. I’m getting pretty good (knocks wood) at getting a nice buttery golden brown on the bread.

Green Onion Sausage Pasta

Used some leftover pasta and some other pasta. and made a nice fridge emptier. Good things.

2024 - Week 41 Cooking

This week will be mostly normal, next week, however, will be a bit of a change up. Saturday I head to Seattle to help my brother out during and after his first week of surgery. I’ve heard quite the range of things about the surgery and just being through the adaptations that I needed to go through with my own issues. Hopefully I can be a bit of a help, and get him in a good pattern so he can move forward. He’ll be helped by our parents and sister going forward as he is not supposed to drive for that first month.

2024 - Week 40 Cooking Results

Sausage

Good as always.

Pasta Al Tonno

We still had a bit of leftover pasta left, so I didn’t want to add more to it, so Delayed! I ended up making eggs and hash browns.

Squash Lasagna

We went to see My Old Ass with Dave and Jo, so I’ll be making this today.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

I started this a bit later, but I took a short nap after work, but it came together well and made for a nice dinner and unlike other times where I roasted everything together I roasted the chicken first then the veggies then together, and remembered to reserve some sauce for the veggies. It was a good combination and a nice meal.

Crab and Corn Pasta

There was crab at Costco, so I bought crab and used the crab. This seemed to be a bit under seasoned, or the crab was a bit washed out? Either way, I could’ve used more old bay, I guess. Who knows. I’ve been using some hot sauce as I eat my way through the leftovers.

Skillet Shepherds Pie

This was relatively easy, to do, a bit busy at times, but over all a nice result. Certainly not the same as making the full blown pie, but still pretty good.

2024 - Week 39 Cooking Results

Sausage

Good as always.

Chicken Alfredo

This was asked for by Shannon and so I made it happen. While I used spaghetti, cause I had it, and this came together quite easily and was quite nice.

Turkey and Bean Chili

Can It be fall already? I can’t see myself making this when it is 80F+ outside. I put the turkey in the freezer, I’ll use the peppers and onions for something else.

Thai Chicken Soup

Same thing here. just didn’t want to make it when it was that warm out.

Skillet Gnocchi with Broccoli and Pancetta

I started taking pictures where I thought I’d follow along, but then didn’t follow up. So I have a picture of diced pancetta, and not much else. This came together nicely and was a nice Saturday night dinner. Creamy and delicious and a great use of some of the last pancetta that I had in the freezer from a now dead company (sigh).

Pancetta about to start frying in a pan.

2024 - Week 38 Cooking Results

I had a bit of work to do on Saturday night and Sunday morning. While I am almost never up this early, the raining and drop in temperature put a smile on my face (as much as I could while being tired) and I turned off the air and have a nice rain scented chilled air come in the windows for a pleasant reminder that it is actually fall.

Lamb Burger

I chatted with Jeremy at the farmer’s market and he described the lamb burger at the Iowa State Fair, and became convinced that it was time to have a lamb burger again. So good. I love lamb.

Blackend Chicken Sandwich

I used some of the cajun seasoning that I still have leftover and sauteed the chicken and broke it up for sandwiches. Good meal for a hot week in mid to late September

Grilled Cheese and Mortadella

Melty cheese, mortadella, good dinner.

Spaghetti Squash

I picked this up at the Iowa Food Coop, after ordering it the previous week. I warmed up the oven and started the baking of the squash, then started the red sauce. Hot Italian sausage, onions, then some sauce and diced tomatoes, herbs and spices. Eventually it came out pretty well. I scraped the squash and we combined it together for a good meal.

Creamy Sesame Noodles

Skipped, will visit it again later.

Frittata With Bacon, Corn, and Gruyère

Used a bit more Gruyere then called for, but even so it came out pretty good. Not to hard to do, even though I started it a bit late after a nap.

2024 - Week 37 Cooking Results

Sausage

Skinless brats, for the win.

Taco Salad

Good as expected. Took me a bit to find it in there, but it worked out.

Sweet Spicy Salmon

Done on Sunday, served over noodles, was fine. I don’t think I’d make this again. It wasn’t bad, but not the best use of salmon to be sure. Maybe the sauce if the salmon was smoked? I don’t know.

Cheeseburger mac & cheese

I used the whole package of the secondary cheese. and I thought, there is no way I’m not adding mustard to this. So I added a good amount. With that, it came out to my liking. Leftovers disappeared quickly.

15-Minute Sweet & Savory BBQ Noodles

This was quick, tasty and a good use of both pork and the BBQ sauce. Mixed with that and the broken noodles, it was good.

Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry

I’ve made this before, I’ll clearly make it again. It’s relatively simple to do, and a good healthy meal. I add a good spoon or two of sambal oelek. Good use of chicken and sweet potato.