A Moveable Feast.
Cakes and Breads / May 12, 2017I forgot how awful moving is. Awful. — Aaargh! — Bllllggggrrhhh. —- OOOommmmmllllfffffkkkk. (And other grunting sounds.)
Yes, awful. And after 8 years it’s even ickier because I’m getting older. That shrieking sound of a tape gun will echo in my head for months to come. So, only soft sounds for me until I stop quivering.
But now I am happy to report, it’s done! We’re out. We’re closed!!! And all of our stuff is PACKED into 3 storage units until we finish our small cottage. Now… what to do during the transition? —- COOK!!!
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Don’t let me do this again…ever.
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Where our home WILL be.
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Where our home is NOW.
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There are a lot of things that have to happen to fulfill a lifelong dream of building a home for ourselves. Permits, grading, septic fields, garages, and more. We’re content to take it a day at a time, and relish just being alive and healthy. I think the key to enjoying the simple life is simply not having too many expectations. It’s about noticing, as the movie says, “the collateral beauty” that exists in the midst of trouble. And I believe that. Everywhere are blessings and miracles. Even when you’re stooped over a furniture dolly.
And in the meantime I know that what endures is nourishment. Especially nourishing others…my favorite thing. Because we are staying with friends, who have been gracious enough to open their home and tolerate having roommates until we transition into our trailer and construction begins, cooking lots of food will be easy.
So what did I cook in the midst of cardboard, inventory lists, and limited kitchen items?
- Pizza, for starters, at our new digs, when we brought over the first load of personal items.
- Pasta made quickly with pesto I had previously frozen because my food processor was packed.
- A lovely sauteed chicken with mushrooms and port wine sauce because I love showing off.
- The easiest and quickest chocolate pecan cake because it was 10:00 pm and I was STILL hungry.
- And finally, a delicious Thai soup with potatoes, peppers, a little bit of curry and ginger and gorgeous basil.
READY? Let’s eat!:
Cheese, Artichoke, Tomato & Olive PizzaYes, you want lots of salty cheese. No, you don’t need pepperoni to make it amazing. My favorite pizza features San Marzano tomatoes, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, onions and basil. I use parmesan, pecorino, and mozzarella cheese…with abandon. I put the crust on an oiled sheet pan which makes it so crispy and good! And then you decide on the ingredients that make you happy!
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Sausage, Pepper, Peas and Pesto — And PASTA!
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Chicken with Baby Bellas, Port Wine
and Cream Sauce over Rice.
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Potato Pepper Thai SoupA bag of potatoes and some coconut milk was the inspiration for this hearty soup. And it doesn’t need any meat to feel and taste so satisfying. Russets, red pepper, gorgeous purple asparagus and sweet onion swim happily in a sauce of olive oil, butter and the coconut milk. Flavored with fresh ginger, curry powder, a little thyme, and a sprinkling of cilantro, try this no-meat dinner as soon as you can! |
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