BeeZee

Or maybe something as simple as undersalted pasta cooking water...linguini might need more salt vs capellini because of the thicker strands?

This week I told my husband that we are going to pick recipes and make a shopping list focused towards those, rather than purchasing random items (or the same items over and over again). I've gotten pretty good at figuring out the expected life of certain produce, so I know what can stay for an entire week (or more) without degrading too much. Only casualty so far has been a bag of chopped salad mix that he kept saying he would eat...until I finally opened it and confirmed it had gone slimy. Saved the dressing packet and bag of crunchy garnishes, though. Once it warms up a bit and we can bring out the grill, I plan to make good use of that for cooking large quantities of chicken and vegetables for freezer stock.

As a matter of fact, leftover Thai red curry was present in our dinner of leftovers last night. Curry is very forgiving of the odds and ends we may have of veg/meat, you are spot on!

Agreed, I'm making sure I don't buy things I know I wouldn't normally use. I have always been a light user of flour and had kept it in my fridge, so that continues (and I only buy the 5 lbs bags). Although there are some tempting recipes now that time/boredom is abundant, I'm generally resisting any that require specialized ingredients. It has been satisfying to work my pantry reserves down over time, as well. The other possibility is that offices (when they re-open) will be flooded with baked goods...

Toast it and make panzenella (if you can tolerate bad tomatoes)?

Peeled the ginger that hubs had bought at the supermarket yesterday, one finger was too woody so I sliced it up. Ate a clementine and scraped the pith off the skin. Threw ginger and clementine skin in a small saucepan with some water and one tsp of sugar and let it simmer away for a while. The straight liquid (more dilute than simple syrup) is spicy, but it's nice added to a glass of water or seltzer. The citrus adds a nice note

Canned dolmas, homemade hoummus, tasteless tomato.

Considering pre-crisis I could buy that can of tomatoes at my local supermarket for 99 cents...

Having received my bag of almond flour via Amazon (brief backorder) I was able to make my usual vegan banana muffins. I use 1/2 c almond flour and 3/4 c whole wheat flour. Added some carob chips to the mixture.

You know how there is an expression “eternity is two people and a ham”? I have the new version, two people and a 5 lb crate of clementines.

I only added them at the very end just to warm them so they didn’t get too chewy. The pieces were quite small, I would not call them chopped, much of it was more of a minced size, in the future I might use them for a seafood soup or they might be OK in a fritter/pancake type of application. No comparison to fresh, and texture wise, probably marginally better than frozen. Keep in mind that brands may differ, these were Snows.

Pantry and freezer meal. Had some shrimp in the freezer, not quite enough. Can of chopped clams, can of diced tomatoes. Sauteed finely diced carrots, onion, and garlic. Added tomatoes and simmered with dried herbs, shot of fish sauce, bit of sherry vinegar. Added the mostly defrosted shrimp, when they were done I added the clams with their juice and simmered a couple of minutes. Served with small shell pasta, cause thats what was in the pantry.

Fage plain yogurt, chopped tomato, black pepper, fresh dill (well, actually from the freezer)

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts coated with a mixture of whole grain mustard, sriracha, and brown sugar, oven baked. Salad of thinly sliced english cuke (marinated quick pickle style) and clementine, sprinkled with furikake.

Coffee (even though I only drink one cup a day, it's an important one) and dairy in some solid/semi solid form (cheese or yogurt).

Watched about half of episode 1 of season 2, it is about David's transition to being an expectant Father...pretty touching.

That would be my preference, but my one of my husband's unique skills is knowing when there are new food items on the premises. Last time that I did the shopping, I did in fact put some boxes in a cabinet that he doesn't go in to for a decontamination period. At least now he won't have me yelling at him for eating the grape tomatoes straight out of the container without washing. They are clean and in a bowl on the counter for his enjoyment and my peace of mind. I tried going to a different supermarket this afternoon (needed to put gas in my car) and their paper goods aisle was stripped clean, bare. I got some store brand cleaning spray which says it is antibacterial/antiviral...and cookies which are in a plastic clamshell. The store had cart wipes, I grabbed 2 on my way in and carried them in my hand (took no cart), cleaned my purchases with the wipes in the store before bagging, and I cleaned them with the spray upon returning home. Torn between feeling slightly ridiculous...and self-satisfied.

I did the post grocery shopping clean up as best I could given my limited cleaning solutions (found a partial bottle of Lysol kitchen cleaner which kind of leaves a soapy residue, but its something). Washed all fruit in soapy water. Even with a relatively small amount of groceries it was an hour, start to finish.

Would be helpful if we could actually purchase Lysol spray or wipes. All I have left is Windex. No bleach, either. I have been washing my apples with soap and water, though. And I did follow that protocol when we got takeout (hot) food the other day.

Thai red curry chicken with the veg I had on hand...3 scallions starting to get slimy, couple of carrots sliced up, can of water chestnuts, some frozen peas. Served with rice. I feel like I’m living in the show “Chopped” at times...with a worse pantry.

One of the area "artisanal" pizza shops, which has gone to limited take out only, is now also offering "pizza kits" which include two pieces of dough, cheese, sauce, and some fresh basil...add your own toppings.

Ditto here, also. I have found that minor/low level stress will make me want to eat, but major stress completely shuts down my appetite.

I have thought about the fresh fruit/veg situation since my dopey husband under normal circumstances eats grapes off the stem or cherry tomatoes out of the container without washing...I shrieked at him for that the other day when I saw him doing it again. You aren’t supposed to wash them until just before eating but I may need to intervene for his own good. I actually washed an apple with soap the other day. He said when he went shopping the produce guys were not wearing gloves. I have been thinking of going to all frozen veg except for bagged salad or things I can peel, like carrots and cukes. Regarding beets, they sell a brand here called Love Beets that are vac packed, they keep them in the produce area under refrigeration, they are cooked and come in plain or some flavored variety, they are pretty good.

Avert your eyes, all haters of GBP...in the interest of waste not, had to do something with these which DH purchased in error last week. Vegetarian stuffing with kasha, shallot, garlic, and tomato. A little grated parm. We ate all 4 of them.

Trader Joes gingerbread cake. Mix had been sitting in my pantry for 3 months, so the Covid-19 declutter continues. The mix includes crystallized ginger, which does of course sink towards the bottom of the cake. It isn’t as dense or spicy as real gingerbread, I would characterize it as double ginger cake.