We had grilled steak (Ohio Steaks from SIL), scalloped potatoes, grilled onion and peppers. My husband did all the prep and cooking. His grills are his pride. I wouldn't know which one to use anyway.

Yesterday, my son had to go to the city, so he was gone for the day. That was my opportunity to make a noshing "lunner" for the DH and I. We love our noshes. We set small dishes out on the table the just pick and choose. I made the eggplant falafels (see post on Mapo Eggplant thread,) some yogurt-tomato sauce, oven fried mackerel and simple crostini. It was all washed down with some red wine. It tasted just like Spain, or Portugal.

The mackerel was purchased at the Chinese super market where the seafood is so fresh. I had to freeze it though, because of the holidays, but it was still amazing. These fish are small and slender and are really tasty. I poured some olive oil in a quarter sheet pant, laid the fish down on the pan and sprinkled the fish with salt, pepper, paprika, kelp and a splash of more olive oil an a squeeze of fresh lime. I put them in a fairly hot 400 degree oven and turned them once so they would be brown and crispy on both sides.

The DH loved it! He had a hard time, at first, removing the bones. (He's never been a fisherman, nor a chef.) Once he got the hang of it, he couldn't stop.

I'm saving all of the bones to make a dashi soup stock.

I miss the 99 Market, we had a super one near us before the move. Here we do have one tiny Asian specialty store so I can get most of my basics, not necessarily the brands I'm most used to and definitely not the selection...

Anyway, for the last several days I've had chili. Not bad from a low carb standpoint but with a can each of beans and corn, more than the hubby wants for his keto.

My husband is going rifle shopping with a hunting buddy today (I bought a new sewing machine, he decided he needs a new rifle). He asked for chicken and dumplings a few days ago, so I'll make that tonight.

Last night I made "bowls" for everyone. The consisted of a bed of fluffy, brown rice, chili-lime marinated chicken, a combination of sauteed chunks of sweet potato, red bell peppers, chopped onions and quartered Brussels Sprouts, plus a splash of hot sauce. My son liked it! When ever he likes something healthy it always reminds me of that old cereal commercial where the brothers all announce "Mikey likes it!" :)

Tonight I'm going to push the limits and make something with tofu. I don't know what exactly. I hope that he eats it.

DH and I had a “soup cook off” today. He made Vegetable Beef and I made Ham and Bean. Both soups are now in our unheated porch for the night because soup really is better after 24 hours. (Our opinion). Some of it will be frozen for another day.

I treated myself to the new Ninja Crispi Pro and made my first real meal of chicken thighs and roasted potatoes and it came out so fab and was very easy. The cooking part goes in the dishwasher. I am not a spokesperson for this product and know there are a lot of folks who hate the idea, don't have the counters space, etc and I appreciate all of that. For me, I love a new gizmo now and then, have a lot of sewing related ones, and I will have lots of fun with this. tonight I think Im going to make salmon patties in it and see how that goes. I'm thinking good.

Leftovers! Roast beef, carrots, potatoes. I'll make biscuits and my easy apple bake.


Easy Fruit Bake

One package roll of Easy Puff Pastry. Open to rectangle shape. Add a can of fruit pie filling down the center. I like Premium Lucky Leaf Apple. Fold sides to cover filling and overlap enough to pinch together. Fold and pinch ends shut. Bake according to puff pastry instructions.

Onebyone- I never heard of Ohio steaks? Can you elaborate? tks

Yes...the 99 Ranch Market is amazing! There is actually a better Asian market on Clement St, in SF, but I'd have to drive into the city to get there and that's a big pain. The 99 Market is right on the way out of Berkeley, so I miss SF altogether. I wonder where there are other 99 Markets?