Maison Rustique

I was supposed to be going to a BBQ at friends' tonight. Instead, I am in semi-isolation due to COVID exposure. (My husband tested positive this morning--it is working it's way through the memory care wing at his facility.) I was very upset to miss it and also upset--made the decision jointly with his facility to place him under hospice care--and was tempted to sit down and just drink a bottle of wine. I did not. I made a meatloaf sandwich to console myself. No pix--sorry.

I'm no expert, but would guess that the flour is not going to give you the desired results. It probably depends on how you intend to use it. but when mixed with liquid, it is going to be muddy rather than give you a more dough-like result that corn meal would give you. Again, I'm no expert.

I bought another of the small but tasty meatloaves from my milkman. That and the tater tots were impulse buys. Pardon my presentation. I mangled the meat loaf getting it to my plate. All is delish. Have my Duvel Dust on the tots. And a glass of my cheap but good cartignan.

I meant to take a photo because it was rather pretty, but forgot. I had a baked potato with spinach and cottage cheese and Duvel's Dust (German paprika salt). I'd been sick all day and that was just what the doctor ordered.

I seem to remember a couple of decades or so ago, there was a place in San Francisco (Financial District, I think) called Asta. I don't remember the food, but they had TVs all over that showed old Nick & Nora movies all the time. And if you don't know who Asta, Nick & Nora are, please keep your trap shut and don't make me feel old.

@gfweb Here you go: @Duvel, I did not have it last night because a friend brought me a Caesar salad, so I had that instead of my potato. But I gave him a jar of it and they used it on their fish and baked potato and said it was delicious!

I think that would go in the category of Desperation Dessert for me. And in reality would never happen because I never have cereal in the house (not a fan) nor do I ever have chocolate chips in the house (also not a fan). I know, I'm odd. But I'm happy that you enjoy something so simple.

@Duvel, I just made a big batch of your German potato dust for sharing with friends. Thank you for the recipe. I'm going to try some on a baked potato for supper tonight.

Thank you! Let's start that topic! I'm leaving to see my husband now. Feel free to get it going or I'll start it later when I have a minute.

@FrogPrincesse, you make me want to buy that book and I do not need another cookbook to pack and move. The poached egg with yogurt looks delicious. I am going to give it a try!

@Smithy you described me perfectly. For a very long time I did not post photos of my food here. First of all, I'm not a good photographer. Secondly, I have a rather chaotic life and often eat whatever I can find to toss on a plate that I think I can choke down. Ultimately, I discovered that you are all a forgiving lot and I appreciate your many kindnesses for my pathetic meals and photos.

Thanks, @blue_dolphin. I appreciate the heads up. Event is still a couple of weeks away so I plan to experiment before then. I'll be on the look-out for plain crackers, or may even go with some tasted baguette slices.

@Norm Matthews That looks delicious! I need to hunt for that recipe!

You all are reminding me that I've got a can of the lightly smoked salmon in the pantry. Might be just the thing on a salad tonight. Too hot for anything but cold foods.

Too hot to cook or eat. Had a salad with nuts, brioche croutons, crispy pepperoni. With toasted, buttered Organic Super Bread from TJs.

I belong to a local group of food-lovers. One of them always hosts elegant, delicious-looking parties. I feel like I've "arrived" because I've been invited to one of her cocktail parties--a martini party. I was thinking of making this anchovy dip with Buttered Saltines. She is a very mid-century modern sort of woman, so thought these might fit. What do you think, since I've never tried the anchovy dip or the baked saltines (which sound a lot easier than frying them). I need easy and portable since it is bloody hot, my hands no longer work well to chop/dice and I plan to Uber so won't be able to juggle anything sloshy or cumbersome.

I want to know about Duvel Dust! @Duvel

Since I don't cook much anymore but still like to have fun and interesting stuff to cook with, if I bought a jar of 'nduja, could I freeze it in spoonfuls so I had some to pull out to use in various things?

I would put that out near the woods for the snakes and raccoons to eat.

@Kim Shook, Yes, I should have said before that the cream cheese is lightly flavored and not terribly sweet. The cookies go great with it! All your other choices look great!!

Yes, it does seem to lose potency. Can you freeze mustard to extend that potency? Or would that lessen it even more?

Not exactly appropriate for hot weather, but I made a mock version of posole verde to use up some stuff on hand.

Are you sure it isn't Soylent Green?

@rotuts, I love those butter waffle cookies! I'd forgotten about them. I should have gotten some to eat with my peaches and cream cream cheese spread!

I need to look for that recipe--I've always got discard to use! EDIT: Found the recipe!