Maison Rustique

One of the reasons I have way too much stuff is because I save things like lids--just in case. Ha!

I seldom really cook anymore due to being old, arthritic and recently widowed, but I find all these ingredients fascinating and love browsing ethnic shops. Thanks for sharing these.

Now that I am an elderly single person who has no real desire to cook just for herself, I often find myself wishing my freezer space was the size of my fridge space. If I buy fresh foods, I often end up throwing out at least half because I can't use it fast enough. I do better with prepping or cooking and freezing stuff in small quantities. Maybe when I get moved, I can get a smaller fridge and a small freezer.

@Norm Matthews, what everyone else already said. Except that I'll add that $30 towards a crab boil for 2 people sure isn't much. I hope he plans to bring a nice bottle of wine, too!

I didn't know such a thing existed. When I was having an issue with the acid in coffee, I switched to ground cacao beans (Crio Brew, I think is the name). Doesn't taste like coffee really, but it sufficed.

These turned out delicious.

No--I will toss them into the cooker with the beans and let the meat fall off. And yes, they are pre-cooked.

I'll be playing with my cooker again today. I bought some supermarket (cooked) ribs a few days ago. I have tried them twice and I don't know if it is the rub they used or what, but I am just not loving them. So, last night I soaked some Rancho Gordo Mayocoba and Yellow Indian Woman beans. Today I will make a concoction of some sort with the beans and the ribs, which I will cook off the bones in the beans. Am sure there will be onion, garlic, peppers and whatever else I can find to toss in with them. I'll post pix when finished.

Many condolences for all his family and friends. He will be missed here for sure.

No photo, but I had a baked potato with chili (from my food-gifting friend) and sharp cheddar. It was delicious!

We used to just go out for a nice dinner. But most places on V-Day have special menus with a special price for two. And probably would not be happy to have a single take up a table when they could easily sell it to a couple.

It would be wonderful if restaurants had a separate Valentine's Day event or menu for those recently widowed. Not like Galentine's events which seem to be cocktails for single females, but something else where they can sit and remember celebrations past with their loved one who is no longer there. Maybe a luncheon or tea. Valentine dinners are always for parties of two. Just saying. It is hard when special days/holidays come around and it is the first one alone. Why not try to make it easier for us?

My food-sharing friend brought me a bag of Brussels sprouts, beets and blue cheese dressing that all expire in a day or so. So, I rustled up a couple of other things and put together a roasted Brussels sprouts salad of sorts. In retrospect, I wish I'd toasted a few pine nuts to sprinkle over, but I will do that with my leftovers. Can I freeze blue cheese dressing? It is a large jar and expires today!!

Now I'm craving some. I probably haven't had it in about 60 years!

I agree! It is the oakiness mostly, but some of them also leave a weird coating in my mouth.

I got this broccoli bake kit the other day. I expected it to be much saucier. I should have looked closer at it. I couldn't really taste the Caesar dressing at all. It was just very plain tasting. I can't recommend it. I should have just bought some broccoli and a nice cheese to melt over it.

Pollo asado-marinated thigh and roasted broccoli. The chicken with my roasted grape tomatoes was nicely spicy, juicy and tender despite having been in the freezer for way too long. The broccoli was a kit that I mis-read at Trader Joe's and it was very mediocre. But it was real food that I cooked!

Thanks, @Shel_B! I will pay particular attention to the cheese and stock. And rye bread, as some seem to be more flavorful than others.

I have tons of aprons (gave away a bunch a few years ago) and if I'm actually cooking, I always wear one. If I'm just tossing together something instant or making a sandwich, I do not.

@AlaMoi, I use the mushrooms (and the liquor), but generally roast them so they lose that rubbery texture and get sort of crispy edges.

I finally got to Trader Joe's yesterday--I think it has been about 6 months since my last trip. I passed on those cake bites. My sis is disappointed--she'd asked me to get her petit fours and there were none. I picked up this curry to try--will let you know. My mind has gone blank (need coffee!) with what else I bought, but I spent a bloody fortune.

That is just stunning!!

@Shel_B, that soup looks wonderful! I can't see the recipe but I might try to wing it.

Unless I am struck dead overnight, I am finally going to TJ's tomorrow after probably 6 months. Maybe longer. It has been a year. And a half.

I literally had a shiver down my spine when I read snake. Can't even.