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Thursday, March 4, 2021

More Good Eats at Home

In late August and late May, I posted about some of our at home meals. Back then, we were going to restaurants here in Nashua, NH, on a weekly basis after many re-opened for outdoor dining. While indoor dining returned in July, we preferred outdoor dining when the weather wasn't too hot or rainy. It was better watching people than walls. Today, most local restaurants remain open for indoor dining with a couple of exceptions offering take-out only. 

Luckily, Grenville and I enjoy cooking and haven't ordered take-out much aside from the occasional pizza, Chinese or Mexican cuisine. 

Even when we did dine out (literally) we still cooked at home most of the time and more often now. Of course, we dine out when on a day trip or longer getaway, now that we're able to travel somewhat although recent and upcoming travel has been limited to New England locations (for now). But after our 2nd vaccine and a two waiting period, we're hoping to see the RI grands this Easter.

Breakfast has always been a favorite dining out meal for us. Here, a favorite breakfast spot is the Midfield Cafe, located at the Nashua Airport, known as Boire Field. We may go this weekend and might see flights going out or landing while dining. This local airport has a lot of activity: flight training, and charter, corporate, military and recreational flights. 

Here's some of what's been cooking at our home with both of us sharing the kitchen. We usually take turns in our smallish galley kitchen and agree that we work better alone.
Home made soups: butternut squash, turkey noodle, zucchini
Soups have been on our dinner menu at least once a week, turkey or chicken noodle soup to various vegetable soups, including butternut squash and a more recent one, zucchini soup. As many of you know, it's possible to make soup out of a wide range of veggies. We've made batches of cauliflower soup and carrot soup and separately and together. 
Home made breads: artisan and peasant
There's nothing like homemade bread to go with a bowl of homemade soup. The problem is that we enjoy the bread too much. That's why it isn't on the dinner menu weekly.
English muffin and veggie egg bake
Many nights, breakfast has been dinner, like this English muffin bake which included cubed muffins, eggs and assorted vegetables including peppers, onions and zucchini. You can find so many different variations for this online. It comes together quickly and is delicious and we had leftovers too.
Baked French Toast by Grenville
This is a decadent baked French toast that Grenville has made several times. For this version he used Panettone, an Italian type of sweet bread with candied fruit and raisins that's popular during the holiday season. We bought a couple to enjoy in the New Year.
Cottage pie with mashed cauliflower topping
Cottage pie has many variations, but the basic ingredients are ground meat cooked in a gravy or sauce with onions and other vegetables such as peas, carrots and/or corn, then topped and baked. The usual topping is mashed potato, but I substitute mashed cauliflower. This large one provided us with leftovers for several meals, and leftovers are always tastier.
Apple crisp, chocolate chip cookies, apple turnover, apple bread
Desserts have not been made regularly this year, but when they have, apples are a main ingredient for apple crisp, apple turnovers (also called hand pies) and apple bread. Chocolate chip cookies were part of our holiday treats, which we have since refrained from baking. It's not that we're being especially good, but they disappear too fast in our home.

We have several shelves of various cookbooks, so there are a lot of meal choices. This year, I'm trying to reduce my online recipe searches. The problem is that many times, I have ingredients, but can't find a cookbook recipe that doesn't call for adding items I don't have. Yet, going online and entering what's on hand usually yields (too) many recipe variations.

As stated in earlier posts, simplicity and easy cleanup are goals in meal goals. One-pot dinners are favorites as are leftovers. There's no recipes or links here as everyone has favorite(s).

What's been cooking in your home? 

On another food note since peanut butter is a food group, as we all know, did you know that March 1 was National Peanut Butter Day? (neither did we) If you are a peanut butter fan like us, then here's some very good news.

Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers Cup

That because on March 1, Reese's announced a new peanut butter cup, the Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers Cup with a double dose of peanut butter and no chocolate. This is the first time in over 90 years that Hershey has released a variation of the favorite cups without chocolate.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are marketed by The Hershey Company. They were created in November 1928, by H. B. Reese, a former dairy farmer and shipping foreman for Milton S. Hershey. 

The new light golden cups are made entirely of peanut butter, inside and in the peanut butter candy-flavored outer shell. According to a company press release, the new option is every peanut butter lover's dream; we’re giving the truest peanut butter fans something to go wild about.

The new cups will be available in standard, king size and miniatures at retailers nationwide starting early April 2021, just in time for filling those Easter baskets with sweet treats.

I don't know about everyone else, but Grenville and I will definitely be sampling these.

25 comments:

Marcia said...

I've been trying some new recipes a lot since we moved here. The other day we had lamb stew in the crock pot. That was a first for me. I'd purchased the lamb from the farm up the road. Dan is not a fan of lamb but he enjoyed the stew because the lamb had a mild taste. Chicken enchiladas is another recent dish though not a new recipe for me, I hadn't made it for years since moving here. A stand by is cheese pie or a quiche. Leftovers great for breakfast. And speaking of breakfast I've finally mastered poached eggs. We had those yesterday on whole wheat biscuits I'd made to accompany the stew. Dan said they were just as good as what we were served on the river cruises. Tonight is a taco night.

Vee said...

And I heard it here first. Yes, I will want to try one because I really do like peanut butter. I know that I had peanut butter on March 1. Didn't know that I should have made a celebration of it.

Bijoux said...

I just made Italian Wedding Soup last weekend. Nothing like soup and a good hunk of bread! I’ve never heard of an egg bake using English muffins. I’ll have to look that up on Pinterest. Tonight, I’m making beef gyros and a Moroccan couscous salad.

MadSnapper said...

just showed bob who is the ultimate fan of reese pb cups and now he wants me to fine some for him to try. for 36 years, all gifts from mys sons and me, PB Reeses were included. Fathers day, Valentine and birthday and Christmas. in fact I bougth a pack of 6 for his birthday in Oct.. all your menu looks Devine to me

Edna B said...

I'm not really into cooking, but I do love the cottage pie (or shepherd's pie as we call it here) and the apple turnovers. The new Peanut Butter cups sound good. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.

Jeanie said...

I may be doing soup or stew tonight. I'm interested in that peanut butter cup with no chocolate. I don't mind chocolate on PB cups usually but I think I'd like it better with peanut butter!

Anonymous said...

You do make very delicious looking foods there. Yum! Very inspiring.

Stevenson Q said...

dearest Beatrice, you just gave me a really really hard time as I scroll through! All of these are something I would LOVE tasting! I love squash soup, and all kinds of bread, and the pastries, but the best of all, you did a great job putting it at the end, that golden Reese Cup! I would sooooo wanna taste that someday, I love Reese's! I have to ask my brother to send me some or at least when he visits home when all of this eases! Sending hugs!

William Kendall said...

And now I am ravenously hungry.

Christina said...

Do you take bookings for a one or two week holiday? I'd be happy to do chores in return. All your dishes look really delicious, my favourite probably the English muffin veggie bake. Yum, I am hungry.

LL Cool Joe said...

Oh wow, now I've read this post I'm really hungry, and I'm on a diet! Thanks! :D

Nil @ The Little House by the Lake said...

I love Panettone. Never thought of making French toast using Panettone though. It looks delicious.

DUTA said...

Winter goes well with soups. Homemade soup goes well with home made bread. It's tasty, warm, and fulfilling, Bread might add a few pounds to weight. But, hey, Spring is here, and we'll shed the surplus in no time.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I do consider peanut butter a food group, but doggonit I like the chocolate too. It will break my heart if they discontinue the originals !(Just in case, guess I better ration that bag I keep in the freezer for emergencies ))). ..... I so admire your food photography ...you two are cooking and eating very much the same as we are, right down to the taking turns in the “gallery” kitchen. Bill is in there cooking up a storm as I write... he’s also the bread maker. (I’m glad he’s cooking right now, because your post has made me hungry )).

jp@A Green Ridge said...

WOW! These delicacies look and sound great, Dorothy! We, like you, indulge in Chinese, Mexican and Pizza occasionally but otherwise it's home cooking...meatloaf, eggplant parm, lasagne, chicken breast, etc. I haven't done too much baking since Christmas because the Pres prefers his favorites (Snickers bars, Cherry Garcia ice cream). We too are planning on Easter for family time...stay healthy...jp

acorn hollow said...

We eat at home all the time. We ate out about 3 times this summer at a place that is beside the lake with picnic tables. We have ordered out since covid maybe 5 times. It is a hassle here we have to go out to get it and if I have to leave the house I don't need it that bad. I do love one dish dinners and those look like keepers. I will have to get those peanut butter cups for my husband he loves the original.
Cathy

Red said...

Well, who'd want to eat out when there'e food like tis at home?

Rita said...

I did not know about the peanut peanut butter cups!
All the meals look delicious. :)

mamasmercantile said...

It all looks amazing particularly the artisan bread, yummy. What times dinner????

David M. Gascoigne, said...

We have always eaten a lot of Asian cuisine (we are a two-wok family!) and these past few months have been doing so with a vengeance, but we have cooked more south Indian dishes than ever before - lots of wonderful curry dishes.

My name is Erika. said...

Reading your post is making me hungry. You have some delicious looking meals. It's been fun to make some more exciting homemade meals, but I must admit, I also miss going out for breakfast. I hope to get my vaccine or first one by the end of the month since I can sign up on the 22. Enjoy your weekend.

L. D. said...

You eat a good variety of foods. They all looked really tasty. My new diabetic diet has destroyed my quality of life but yet I do eat some good things.Your breads and desserts look wonderfult.

Jon said...

You're doing some wonderful things in your "smallish galley kitchen". All of the food looks tempting - especially the homemade soups and breads. And the English muffin and veggie egg bake.

I love Panettone but never knew it could be used for French toast. That's a great idea!

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Like you , I have many cookbooks. I keep the recipes I like in each one marked on a piece of paper and try to make a list of ingredients ,(if I do not have it on hand) for the next time I get to town. All of your foods look so delicious!

Lee said...

It's just as well I've got lunch cooking away...because now you've made me hungry! :)