Journal

2023 - Week 28 Cooking Results

Sausage

I used the second set of the Smoking Goose’s Kitchen Sink Sausage. Still quite good.

(Western) Iowa Loose Meat Sandwiches

Last time, I thought that it would be 2.5 teaspoons, and I think I was about right. Another half a teaspoon probably wouldn’t hurt, but again, this is pre-ground Costco pepper, so there is probably some loss here. I went back to the spongy plain white buns, but used a pre-sliced “sharp cheddar” (known mass market brand) and that added a bit, but not exactly what they wanted. Topped with ketchup and mustard, as it should be. I think that’s about what it should be and I’m pretty happy here.

Brown Butter Scallion Noodles

Super fast. I added some pre-cooked chicken and toasted them with the noodles. Good dinner.

Spicy Potato, Bok Choy and Shallot Hash

I suppose the potatoes that I go where not “Medium” as one of them were larger then the half pound that, after dealing wit h that this came together with a bit of the Bok Choy from Blue Gate to make a nice meal. I used the Lola’s Original hot sauce and it was a nice meal.

Beef Stir-Fry with Bok Choy and Green Beans

As my wife is not a huge fan of (non-ground) beef, I had to be very careful in the slicing and cooking of this as to make it relatively tender. I made this on a Saturday since there was a lot of prep and waiting. I meant to start earlier but I had done some kitchen cleaning, when up stairs and meant to just catch my breath a bit, but ended up falling asleep for a bit. I eventually got up and took a shower and started cooking. I made some Moroccan mint tea at the same time as well. I did make one minor error where I combined the sauce into the beef, but was able to adapt a bit but pulling the meat out and then cooking the sauce a bit longer when it would’ve normally gone in. I also added a bit more oyster sauce at the end to cover for that adaptation. Overall, pretty good.

Egg and Sausage Muffins

Crooked Gap breakfast sausage patties, Eggs, a bit of Challerhocker. Good times.

2023 - Week 27 Cooking Results

Sausage

I saw Smoking Goose’s Kitchen Sink Sausage at the cheese sho, so we bought that. Quite good.

Mac & Cheese

ehhh…I mean I had to add more spices, cause I had to. I Alton’s remains my favorite.

Hamburgers

With the 4th of the July on hand, we stayed in cause I pushed myself way to much over the past weekend. So some burgers, some chips and dip and an early night.

Broiled Salmon With Chile-Lime Mayonnaise

I didn’t find the harissa at the store I was in, the one I had in my fridge was a wee bit moldy, so that got tossed. So I used a bit of the Momofuku chili crunch (standard) the mayo and the brushed the salmon with that and broiled then baked. Not a bad audible call.

Hot Honey Peanut Noodles

Very fast, quite good, simple.

I had planned on going to the Mountain Goats show on this past Wednesday, but after over exerting myself, and having to have a end of day and close to end of day naps, I figured it would be very hard to stand for 2-4 hours in a warm humid concert (possible), as the combination of heat and humidity makes me tired real fast. My doctor took my suggestion and I’ll be able to get a mid appointment blood test to check on my levels.

2023 - Week 26 Cooking Results

Sausage

Pepper brats, from Crooked Gap, Good things.

Hamburger Helper

I don’t recall the last time, or if I have had actual hamburger helper. So I have no actual idea how this compares. Using a bit of American cheese to create the sauce is nice, but even so. It was fine. I used some Lola’s hot sauce, and the flavor was fine, but over all. Not something I would make again.

Bangers and Potatoes

The potatoes I got were quite varied in size and because of this it took a bit longer to cook than I expected. I’m thinking I should have cut the small potatoes in half and some in a quarter. Even so, still a good thing.

Chicken and Salad

Blue Gate salad mix, some chicken, some other things and a good very quick meal, after I took a nap.

Mac & Cheese

I was tired on Friday, so delayed until Sunday.

Bourbon Chicken

So the last time I went liquor shopping my wife discouraged me from buying to much as I am still low on blood and not looking forward to how it will impact me. So Irish whiskey it was! Even so, I enjoyed this. Served over Jasmine rice, it made for a good weeknight discussion.

2023 - Week 25 Cooking Results

Sausage

Pepper brats, from Crooked Gap, Good things.

(Western) Iowa Loose Meat Sandwiches

I doubled the amount of pepper. Now admittedly this is pre-ground (Costco) pepper, so ones experience may differ. But this was getting close. I think maybe half a teaspoon more (to a total of 2.5 teaspoons). I saw some brioche buns and thought maybe that would add to it, it did not. It really does need that squishy plain white bun.

Chili Crunch Tofu Noodle Bowls

I started with extra-firm tofu, since I know Shannon isn’t a general fan of the texture of tofu. And perhaps that was a bit too much. It did lead to a pretty tasty dish. I would be tempted to make smaller tofu pieces, but even so, I found it enjoyable.

Tangy Chili Pork Noodles

Still a quite good dish to have. Crispy pork crust, savory and delicious.

Hamburger Helper

Since this wants to cook the onions for so long, I’m gonna punt this until today.

2023 - Week 24 Cooking Results

Sausage

Pepper skinless brats from Crooked Gap, good as always.

Pancakes

My two bigger burners vary in heat a bit, which is kind of annoying when trying to get that right temp for pancakes, so I usually end up with one or two pancakes that are a bit overdone, and this happened this time too. Remember one is medium low, the other is the notch below that.

Pasta with Garlic Scapes

I diced up the bundle of scapes and added them to the pan before the Italian sausage. This softened them up a bit and allowed them to combine with the spices in the sausage and the added herbs and spices, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and a bit of leftover pasta sauce that I had used previously used. This simmered for a bit while the water for the pasta came to a boil and cooked. I used a bit of leftover macaroni (4oz) and a box of penne and shredded some Parmigiano Reggiano and called Shannon up for dinner. Good things, mild garlic shown through.

Sausage and Egg on an English muffin

Crooked gap breakfast sausage, eggs and an english muffin. Good things.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

This is a bit different than other items. It cooked the chicken first in whole parts, then the veggies, and then everything again. I think one could cut some time out of the veggie cook time to keep them with a bit firmer, but overall quite good. I liked the marinade for the chicken and the veggies.

Gochujang Glazed Pork Chops

I took some pork chops I had recently purchased from Crooked Gap from the freezer, and prepped them. Generally easy to do and a nice way to get it mostly done right. The chops were a bit thicker then what they called for, and because of that it took a bit longer in the oven to reach the temperature that was desired before broiling.

It turned out pretty well, and regardless of what my post hospital diet is supposed to be right now, I served it with peas.