Uf! The "holidays." It seems we spend all our time in the kitchen preparing our specialties. I've actually been cooking up a storm these past few weeks because I wasn't feeling well and needed to focus on eating healthy.
First, using the electric tea kettle our English family kindly left behind for me a few years back, I have been able to make proper
[ish] tea. Cups and cups of it every day for a while. Without a microwave, the recipe is much more complicated. Boiling the water. Adding the teabag. Removing the teabag. Squeezing in some honey. Stirring. It is so worth the trouble. I've pretty much perfected the art
[lessness] of tea.
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| MOST IMPORTANT (FOR ME): THE LABELS ARE COLOR-COORDINATED. |
During the course of my un-wellness, I asked San Geraldo to pick up some honey and a loaf of sliced bread. Tea and toast sounded good. I told him to get whole wheat bread (called "integral"). He did, but of course purchased a very large loaf. Not wanting San Geraldo to consume too much bread himself, I had four slices every day until the loaf was gone. With all the other cooking I had been doing
(remember the tea), I was finally too tired to bother toasting the bread. But I devised a variety of recipes. They all started with peanut butter (crema de cacahuete). From there, my culinary creativity went wild. As you'll see below, a lot of effort went into the presentation.
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| BREAD, CREMA DE CACAHUETE, AND ORANGE/ELDERFLOWER JAM (MERMELADA). |
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| BREAD, CREMA DE CACAHUETE, AND RASPBERRY (FRAMBUESA) JAM. |
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| BREAD, CREMA DE CACAHUETE, AND APRICOT (ALBARICOQUE) JAM. |
San Geraldo has been back in the kitchen himself. Yesterday, he baked shortbread/lemon-raspberry bars. This morning, he baked his famous brownies. Right now, he's preparing traditional Norwegian krumkake.
(There will be pictures). It's hard for him, I know. I set the bar so very high.
Yes, tell San Geraldo he needs to reach a bit further. Touch to keep up with you, the master chef. Merry Christmas to you both and the fur babies!
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteWishing you and your family a very merry Christmas. I suppose I should tell you, San Geraldo's cooking was better than mine. Surprising, I know.
looks dee-lish to me!
ReplyDeleteanne marie:
DeleteThe peanut butter and apricot jam recipe was especially good. I might try to reproduce that one next year.
Hope you are feeling better. The jammy things look delicious. Tea is good, it helps to have a kettle. We like green tea best. Happy Christmas from Rachelx
ReplyDeleteRachel:
DeleteFinally feeling better, thanks. It was an annoying few weeks. If you'd like the recipe for those "jammy things," just let me know. I do it from memory, but I'm sure I could write it down for you. I love good tea, which makes it even more of a sin that I used to use the microwave (it was horrible).
You're the only person I know who turns a PBJ into a work of art. (a work of Mitch?)
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteYeah a work of Mitch. Although my godfather's name was Art.
I feel tired just reading about all the cooking you have done. I had to rise at 5.30 this Christmas morning to put the meat in the oven for roasting. Fortunately the meat was all ready but still, dealing with oven dials at 5.30 in the morning is quite an effort.
ReplyDeleteAndrew:
DeleteI only see 5:30 in the morning when there's a good sunrise to photograph. I don't put meat in oven.
Mitchell, you must be exhausted! Poor fella! One would think that San Geraldo would 'pitch in' every now and then!! But, I am NOT judging. Not a bit!!
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeleteTrust me, San Geraldo would prepare every meal for me if I let him!
I hear you, Mitchell. I cooked tuna melt sandwiches for lunch 2 days in a row! Yours is a hard act for SG to follow, but I am sure he will prevail. Hope you are back at 100% to enjoy the festivities.
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteWow. You are what I call a true gourmet. I have never cooked anything as extravagant or complicated as a tuna melt.
stay put, stay low and order out.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteOr order from San Geraldo!
Mitchell, I really admire you. But also I spent morning in the kitchen. Merry Christmas for your both.
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteDid you make peanut butter and jam sandwiches?!?
I'd give a lot to taste San Geraldo's famous brownies. I do hope both of you enjoy a very Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteJerry has been making these brownies for perhaps 30 years. And they have never failed. Even people who don't like brownies (can you believe there are actually people who don't like brownies) love these.
You have my sympathies, Mitchell! Being sick and then having to COOK (that nasty 4-letter word). But you did it - and so masterfully too. I sit here in awe of you and your amazing accomplishments. Merry Christmas to you and San Geraldo!
ReplyDeleteJo:
DeleteI don't mean to brag about my cooking skills, but it's simply a gift. Merry Christmas to you, too!
I appreciate the artful way you arranged each plate.
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteThanks for noticing. I took great pride in those arrangements.
Just reading about all your cookery has exhausted me, I shall have to go languish for a time...
ReplyDeleteAfter I recuperate it will be leg of lamb, gravy, roast tatties (done by the Great Scot) and green bean casserole as made by Jenn. (Those two insist on it, le sigh.) Oh and rolls... or mini loaves of bread, actually... and raspberry cheesecake. I'll think of you and send lots of love, hugs and healing your way.
Jacqueline:
DeleteI understand you had a little sharp-thing mishap! You should have languished more! That's what happens when one cooks. My recipes never require sharp implements. Hope you're healing and feeling well!
PB and anything on sliced bread = YUM!
ReplyDeleteHigh 5 to your efforts!
My arms would be so tired spreading all that PB!
Ron:
DeleteI take a break between slices to rest my arm.