Broaden your education a bit, O.K.?
Now let's talk about food, not china. Ye gods Every time I set foot in the supermarket the prices are higher. It's become expensive to cook even, well, soup, for example. This week I made a Russian peasant soup, Shchi. It basically consists of cabbage, sauerkraut and broth, with a few seasonings. The meat is short ribs, no longer cheap, but oh so flavorful. A half-gallon of broth costs a lot unless you are using overly-salty bouillon cubes or making your own. I got the kraut and the cabbage both on sale. The onion and garlic and the celery rib were cheap. Of course, we are eating this soup for three nights. The sour cream we garnish it with was also on sale.
I have invited some neighbors for a dinner party this weekend. When I invited them, I asked about likes and food allergies. Two people don't like fish and one man is lactose intolerant. Hmmm. There goes the cheese plate. So what are we having? I'm making a well-seasoned mushroom spread that will be served on toasted slices of baguette. The other appetizer is an unMexican salsa served on endive leaves. This will double as a salad, and it looks pretty yummy. The main course is Boeuf Bourgignon, that old dinner party standby, served with noodles and green beans. I'm making a rum cake with no milk or cream (coffee and rum instead) for dessert. So no seafood, no dairy and the menu sounds pretty good.
We've been eating internationally this week, with Chinese and Spanish as well as Russian dishes. I made a delicious Spanish Cod recipe. Unless you like tilapia, fish is an expensive item. The cod was on sale for $8.99. Scallops were on sale for $15.99. Jeeminy Criminy, those don't look like sale prices to moi.
Bought tuna at Walmart this morning. Have you noticed the contents of the cans are less and less? The latest was 5 ounces. You really can't serve 2 people with 5 ounces (more like 4 once the liquid is drained off) of fish. So of course one must buy 2 cans, which would better have served 3 rather than the two of us. I mix the tuna with a little chopped scallion, chopped celery, chopped parsley, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a little chopped pickle, and a big spoon of mayo. With some chips and cherry tomatoes and a few crudities, it hits the spot.
Significant Other found great wine glasses at Building 19 here in the Boston area for $3.00. They fit in the dishwasher quite well and look rather elegant. This is the third time he's gone back and bought more. I sneered that he would NEVER find them again today, but there, they were.
I looked at some great Italian shoes at a fab price, ones that fit my feet, but they felt like walking on a bed of nails, I kid you not. Didn't buy, of course. Rats.
Shopping is a crap shoot, but I have found something that takes pet stains out. The upholstery on our dining room chairs is ancient, and starting to show its age. No idea how to replace this wonderful Danish wool fabric. Don't think it's possible. Ah well. How many cats have raised hell on it? Impossible to count.
Onward. We are cleaning out and pounds and pounds of paper are being conveyed out of the home office to the dump. Recycling rocks.
The Cheeseparer
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