BeeZee

Last year I gifted a 3 pack of local artisanal fruit jams/preserves, which was well received. I like getting food items that I don’t need to eat all at once, with the deluge of food around the holidays, it gives me a treat to enjoy later in the winter.

I challenge myself ala “Chopped” and dig into the pantry or freezer to find some odd bits I squirreled away and figure out some way to use them. When grocery shopping, I try to buy something that will enable me to use something I have on hand - for example, saw a nice little spaghetti squash at the market, and remembered I had pesto in the freezer and a little red bell pepper getting old in the crisper drawer, so there’s the veg for the evening’s dinner. Sometimes I just go to an ethnic market and browse the aisles like “window shopping” to imagine what I could use items for, and find inspiration.

What is everyone making, “tried and true” or anything new? I am probably only having 6 people this year, possibly 8 (sister is a last minute call, and BIL doesn’t eat turkey if he comes) so I decided to make the roast turkey breast with fig-olive tapenade that was a big hit last year. Nobody cares if we don’t have a bird to carve. I use a recipe for make-ahead turkey gravy that doesn’t rely on drippings. Starting with curried coconut and carrot soup. Veg will probably be simple roasted green beans with toasted almonds. Mom is bringing stuffing and twice baked potatoes. Stepson bringing dessert, and I will have ice cream on hand.

Grew up on Long Island, NY and bluefish was a local catch. As noted, it has to be fresh or it tastes really strong. Last time I had it was at a local Greek-owned diner that always prepared fish well, “special of the day”.

I am in the same boat, Smithy, I love salads but as the weather turns cooler, they don't hit the spot in the same way. I try to keep some soup on hand to have alongside for the "warming factor".

Watching Ina Garten this morning inspired a riff on Charlie Bird Salad. I had leftover cooked farro and sweet potatoes, added some cooked shrimp, used a bit of goat cheese instead of parmesan. Very simple and will make it again (in some form!).

Straight out of the tin, with a plastic fork. The fish was in small chunks, rather than fillets (the little veg cubes were underneath), but the flavor was really good.

Whole wheat bagel (perfect slightly well done crust) and Fuyu persimmon.

Focaccia sandwich from a local place (https://crumbsandwichjoint.com/haddonfield/menu/) called Fabolousa (crispy breaded eggplant, creamed kale gratinee, shaved parm + some extra cheese at my request). Very tasty.

Homemade banana bread, included some flax and chia seeds in the batter, and used half Allulose/half sugar. The bananas weren't quite over-ripe enough, which affected the flavor, but it is still tasty.

There were more items listed on the email I received from TJ’s, but it is also varying by location, since only certain affected items may have gone to certain regional distribution centers. Someone told me the School District of Philadelphia had received some of the potentially affected meat.

I got an email today from TJ’s listing all of their affected products, there are many. Wraps, salads, etc.

I did not prepare these, but since they were consumed close to lunch time, I'm calling it lunch. Local baker only open Friday and Saturday 10am-2pm (or until sold out), you can check her out on Instagram @piegirlnj. She makes some more unusual combinations of flavors, but not too "out there", sweets and savories. Some photos attached from the shop along with my take out box. I got a slice of pear/frangipane pie; cranberry maple scone; Italian plum torte (the Marion Burros type). The scone had outrageous crust, it was verging on well-done, which I love. The plum torte was delish. The pie crust was slightly tough, if I'm being nit-picky. But for $6 a pop, I'm entitled to say it.

Desk breakfast...Whole Foods protein waffles, mashed up 1/2 a banana and mixed in a bit of almond butter and cinnamon to use as a topping.

Leftover noodle kugel (pineapple)