Maison Rustique

Took a huge step. I have had Hemingway, my starter from a dear friend who is longer with us, for a few years and have kept it going even though I haven't baked much the past few years with all the turmoil. I have a bit in the fridge on the off chance that the temp drops below 75 any time soon (ha ha) but I have dried much of it for longer term storage. I just don't see me baking much until I am through with house crap. I call it Hemingway because it was the son of my friend's starter that she grew from scratch. She called hers Kevin. Mine is Hemingway because Kevin's son also rises. Sleep well Hemingway! Sorry for huge photo!

My sister and a couple of friends have been on my case about not eating enough. I took the bull by the horns today. Before I left to visit my husband, I went online and ordered a bacon cheeseburger rare to pick up at 3. And since I had paid for it, I knew I would not change my mind because I wasn't hungry. So I came home and of course I wasn't hungry but made myself go get it. I took it all apart so the bun wouldn't get soggy. (I do not like burgers rare but ordered that way so it could stand up to reheating.) I heated half in the air fry of my toaster oven. The burger was OK, the fries were horrible. But my stomach is not happy.

Another extremely hot day and no appetite. Cottage cheese, tomato and sort of crispy pepperoni.

OMG! I hope this heat wave breaks soon. I need those olive crackers!! I take baggies of crackers in the car with me as my lunch on the days I visit my husband. My favorite is the Tamari Brown Rice Crackers, but I am out of those, too. I need to stock up.

Another one meal day. This was easy and quick. Sesame ginger dressing on the cole slaw and Aldi's Korean BBQ sauce on the egg rolls. Egg rolls heated in the toaster oven.

I was not hungry in the least and just couldn't interest myself in making much. I found a twice baked potato in the freezer and a piece of flatbread I didn't use last night. Baked the spud in the toaster oven and smeared the bread with a little peach butter, sprinkled some crumbled bacon on and stuck in the toaster oven, too. I need to remember the peach butter and bacon combo--it was very good.

I've never heard of them. They look like the little cocktail cukes you can get. I love little veggies but highly suspect I would not find these in my area.

I had been dreaming of a margherita pizza since I had home grown tomatoes and basil. I stopped by Aldi yesterday and picked up some flatbread and fresh mozzarella. Then when I went to make it, I discovered that my basil was too far gone. So I subbed in some jarred pesto. Baked in toaster oven. Worked just fine and was delicious. Nothing like home grown tomatoes.

@Smithy, maybe make a hummus with some of them? Refried beans with some Mexican seasonings? Make a summery soup and add some to it? Mash and mix with some tuna and lots of herbs/mayo and stuff a tomato?

I had a pre-baked potato to use up so heated and topped with leftover taco bits--taco beef, fresh salsa and shredded cheddar. It was delicious and filling. My sister brought me a lot of home-grown tomatoes this weekend, so I'll be eating many tomatoes.

That is my favorite sauerkraut! I love it!!

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.