Journal

2023 - Week 8 Cooking

While the temperature just waggles about all over the place, with no design or pattern, we’ve had a few issues show up around the house. First, I stepped through the 3rd from the bottom step. It was not built to modern standards, and while the board is thicker then normal, it’s just barely supported on the sides and one side just came off. We are trying to get a general idea of costs, and had a few people think about it, but no bids yet (at least one no show, cause yay!).

Also, about half of the TVs backlight went out…or got dimmer. We debated and chatted and did some research and ended up going with an OLED model, which is quite an upgrade and much crisper then the old one, even though they are both 4k. It was a few hundred dollars off due to a sale, which was convenient.

2023 - Week 6 Cooking Results

It has been a bit of a strange week. After being convinced that the previous week was when the new dishwasher it turned out it was this week. After getting it installed on Tuesday, we noticed that that about half (right side) of the TV was darker, so we started plannong on getting a new TV. However, I then stepped through, yes through, the 3rd to the last step. It appears as if the support, on the right side, had lost its grip. Instead of being built like normal steps, it only had supports on the side, not through the wood or in the center like it should. So the TV replacement is on hold, because it’s annoying but not desperate. I’ve made some calls out, used some apps and etc, but here I am waiting on a quote, had one guy stand me up, and have another person coming in a few days.

Meatloaf and Smoked Gouda and Scallion Mashed potatoes

I really love this meatloaf. While I swapped out the meat with ground beef, ground pork and a bit of bacon ends blitzed together to make a nice meatloaf. If I’m honest, I was looking forward more to the sandwiches I’d have for lunch than the meatloaf itself.

The Scallion Mashed potatoes, a bit under seasoned. Maybe I’m used to more of mine. Anyways, I added more cheese, more butter, and it was eventually pretty good.

Sausage

Hot Dogs, cause that’s what the top of the pile was. I am making good progress on cleaning out that freezer, not so much on the big one. Anyways, All Pork, Crooked Gap, deliciousness.

Buttermilk Pancakes

I didn’t get to give it the full ten minutes to rest as I was delayed a bit by work and needed to get dinner on the table so we could participate in Action Movie Saturday (not actually on Saturday). The pancakes were a bit less fluffy than they should have been, but still quite good.

Chicken Karahi

So I made this as a way to use the Kashmiri chile powder that I bought for the other dish. This came together pretty well. It used quite a bit of spice. I added a bit of extra time as I used diced tomatoes, , so it need a bit more time reducing. The spice added at the end added a bit of a kick of cinnamon. Quite good. I went to get flat bread earlier in the day, when the food coop didn’t receive the delivery from the bakery. Still happy to have it.

Penne alla Vodka

Quick to make, a bit of vodka, a nice meal. I’m pretty sure I’ve made this before, but it’s been a bit.

Burger (veggie)

I think it was an impossible burger. It was fine.

2023 - Week 5 Cooking Results

Coconut Curry Chicken Noodle Soup

I added the 3 packs of noddles (recommends 2 or 3) so this was more noodles with a lot of liquid than actual soup. Even so, quite enjoyable. As the noodles absorbed more liquid the next day or two, it got even better. I used some of the lamb bone broth, that was leftover from making the lamb stew, since I was almost out of chicken stock.

Meatloaf and Smoked Gouda and Scallion Mashed potatoes

We ended up going out with Dave and Jo and went to Tulipa, Everything went well, until about the end when they had trouble finding money Dave’s change. Food was enjoyable and had a lot of nice flavors. I had a Pisco Sour, which I heard on some travel show, probably, and it was enjoyable. I could have a few of them.

We went to see Everything, Everywhere, All at once, for the second time, at the Varsity. I think I caught more this time around, still funny, serious and heart wrenching.

Delayed!

Turkey Sheet pan fajitas vaguely based on this

I ignored the avocado creama, I added my own spices to the turkey, bell peppers and onion. It turned out pretty well, enjoyable over all.

Had I not been distracted by problems with the Audio Return Channel from the TV to Sonos bar, I would’ve gotten dinner on the table much quicker. The TV speakers on their own sound like trash (also for some reason, the volume kept going up on the tv. I retrained the apple tv remote, rebooted the apple tv, but until I powered off both the Sonos and the TV, the TV wasn’t even recognizing the Sonos (Even if the weird display screen was there). Anyways, power cycling is annoying since all the power is tucked and packed away, so I just unplugged everything on that wall, waited a bit, and plugged it back in. The ARC was a choice again.

Egg and Ham Sandwich

One of the free hams, cut off a thinner ham steak, cut that up then topped with fried eggs and cheese on english muffins.

Ground Lamb Burger

lamb, salt and pepper, seared, a bit of cheese and a good dinner.

Bratwurst

Hot dogs! Pork! Good!

2023 - Week 3 Cooking Results

We had some snow this week, and it was dense and heavy. I am grateful for the work the city does and the speed at which they do it, but they did leave 1.5 to 1.75 feet of snow in front of my driveway and it was quite heavy. Enough so I pulled something in my back. I’m starting to not notice it (days later), but it is still there.

Spicy Mexican Shredded Pork Tostadas

This was the third and final use of the pork butt, made a lot easier by having the pork already cut into pieces, I made some adjustments, due to the herbs and spice on hand (jalapeño and ancho powder instead of chipotle). The cooking made for a longer, but easy cooking night for a Saturday. We ended up having small tacos instead of the tostadas, and it was pretty good. I suppose the tostadas would work well too, but I don’t particularly like frying things.

Slow-Cooker Pork Ragu

The previous week’s vindaloo, left me with quite a bit of pork butt left, so I picked a couple of recipes to do with it. I really liked this. I made my first trip to the Aldi’s that just opened near me, and one of the things I picked up was pancetta, which was about a dollar cheaper then across the street at the Hy-Vee. Could I have done all my shopping there? Only if I shopped first and planned after. There’s not enough ingredients for my taste. It is a smaller store I suppose, but I also picked up a bottle of wine for the ragu.

I prepped everything Tuesday night so I could dump everything in the slow cooker in the morning, and this morning, drive my wife to work (snow), go to my cardiologist. The night before, I didn’t want to drink any of the wine, just in case I had a blood test, so I did the tasting method and spit afterwards. I didn’t end up having any labs, though I did get an EKG (Fine for another year).

I got everything int the slow cooker, and started my day. When I got back from the doctors, the house was already smelling pretty good. As the day wore on, it was rightfully unfair as I had to sit here and smell the pork and tomatoes meld together.

It was quite good. I probably should’ve skipped the added diced prosciutto, which may have added a bit to much fat to the whole thing, even so, still good.

French Toast

I changed the bowl, and soaked the leftover dense challah a bit more, and got into the grove of making the toast. We used the last of the maple syrup in the house, but I just ordered more (Food Coop).

Skillet Cheeseburger Macaroni

I used a full pound of macaroni, a bit more broth, and quite a bit more shredded cheddar. Pretty good.

Pork Burger

Momofuku spicy seasoned salt, pork.

Hot Dogs

All pork, all good.

2022 - Week 49 Cooking Results

After the coordination of doctors, patients, and a delay or two, On the 6th the honor walk was held to celebrate the gift of life being given. It was emotional in a quiet intensity. Friday the 9th, there was a visitation we attended, which was a celebration of his past life, pictures growing up, things that meant a lot to him on the collection of hobbies that he had. There was a dramatically detailed Lego flower display, made by members of the IowaLUG (he was a co-founder).

Saturday we went to the funeral, where so many showed up who his life had an impact on. Many good stories were told, thanks to the CCU nurse that took such good care of not only my friend, but the family around him. I know there were other stories to be told, but I, along with others, probably couldn’t make it through that.

Afterwards, we went to the Greek Orthodox church to have a luncheon and just hang out with those who loved the person and wanted to honor his life and family. Socially and emotionally exhausted, we went home and just vegged out.

Turkey Tortilla Soup

I chopped up the last of the turkey breast, and just used tortilla chips. this came together well and was quite tasty.

Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Comte and Cornichon

I figured the blended cheese would be good on it’s own, and it was, but just not as good as I thought it would be. Grilled up? Quite nice.

Hot Dogs

Good Things. All Pork. All Good

Chili Pork Noodles

Made before, will make again. Swapped the chili crunch with the hot honey chili crunch and skipped the sugar. Passed the heat test with Shannon, and I was able to add a bit more heat on my own.

Fish

I have a layer of bread (some thanksgiving leftovers, normal stash) on top of the pile in chest freezer, and the idea of digging to find fish, didn’t enthrall me, so we had eggs.

A turn for the horrible

This week took a turn for the horrible. After struggling through a work thing which took multiple days. I was able to take my head up and found out that a friend was not doing well. My initial and wrong impressions was that maybe it was a bad accident, but after some more information, found out he had a heart issue, lost consciousness while he was driving.

Someone called the police right away, he was given CPR.

He was taken to a local hospital and stabilized on Monday. Many things happened, before I noticed Wednesday night, and after a couple of meetings on Thursday, I headed down to the CCU at the hospital, to see how things were going.

After seeing the faces of his family, especially his mom, partner, boys, and co-parent, I texted my boss saying I wouldn’t be back at work. I saw how his older son reacted to the situation, and I recognized that as something that happens to myself, which is trying to hide a large emotional reaction.

I had some time to sit with him, I made jokes, as many do in a stressful situation. I kept a few people in the loop, for as much as I understood. When Shannon got off work, I brought her down and we were there when the publicly announced that he would be the 101st organ donor in Iowa, this year.

With the terrible loss to his boys, partner, co-parent, family, friends, he will bring a bunch of life to those in dire need.

Stepping aside from the situation, the fact that organ donation is so specific under the conditions on which donation can be obtained, it seems to make more sense that so few happen. Note, tissue donation, is much easier.

At this time, if you live in Iowa, I think it’s important to register to donate your organs:

https://www.iowadonornetwork.org/

2022 - Week 44 Cooking Results

Spaghetti Squash with Red Sauce

Baked the Squash, made a simple red sauce with Italian sausage over low heat to allow the flavors to all come together. Turned out pretty good.

Hot honey Beer Braised Chicken with Butternut Squash (experimental)

I had forgotten this was on the list, and was kind of set on pizza, so delayed. And between the time that I put this on my “things to do” they formalized and published the recipe.

Chicken And Corn Chowder with Sweet Potatoes

I didn’t buy the corn muffin mix (swaps documents, adds to grocery list), so Delayed!

Smokin Mac N Cheese (With Pumpkin)

This took a bit of time to get done, I admit I wasn’t actually working at a quick pace. I made some adjustments. Added Jalapeño powder, instead of cayenne, because I didn’t have any. I also added a can of pumpkin puree, which made it a bit more liquid than the recipe would normally be, but even so, it came together well. I adjusted a couple of other things up a bit as well. Turned out pretty good, a little heat and complexity.

Brats

Good as always.

I bought a few pie pumpkins. I prepped the pumpkins on the Sunday. One of them didn’t look quite right, and after a bit of googling, found out that it probably wasn’t good, so I tossed it. I ended up with about 2.6 pounds. Not enough to make 3 loaves or 6 smaller loaves, so I ended up just making 4 mini loaves. Since our team lead, who has been out for a bit, was coming down to possibly receive and award, I figured I’d make some mini loaves to pass out at the event. We, under her guidance and development, won the award, which was pretty cool. I wasn’t aware that there were other people at our company, that were up for awards too. Anyways, it was nice to do some baking, pass them out and see my team lead again. I baked the chocolate chunk pumpkin bread on Wednesday night so it would be under 24 hours between baking and delivery. I am happy that our team is allowed to be innovative, and are trusted with things that can be so important. As a side note, while baking, I finished off the existing Vanilla, Flour, and Sugar, but I was aware they were low, so I was able to just swap to the next one I had.