Good afternoon or evening one and all! If you’ve been dropping by any of my recent diaries, you’ll know that I’ve had a dental battle going on, and this past week has been continued healing (thanks for all the kind thoughts— they worked!) So only in the past week have I been able to CHEW!
But first, a word from the good people who chew regularly around these parts:
What’s for Dinner? is a Saturday evening get-together where friends share recipes, talk about good food and help others answer culinary questions.
We welcome you to our virtual table every Saturday evening 4:30 PT/7:30 ET. If you would like to write a post for an upcoming date just send a message to ninkasi23!
CHOMP!
Yes, I’m doing the dance of the peoples who crunch and bite and chew— and it’s a happy dance! Here’s a good song to start off!
It’s been a balmy near-40 degrees (easily in the 30’s) all week, and today is rainy and gross, but I’ve been busybusybusy inside- painting up and down and all around the house. It’s an odd-shaped house, so there have been nooks and crannies, high reaches and on-my-back lows most folks don’t have to cope with. An extension ladder is still in residence- along with a couple normal fold-out ladders of a couple different sizes. My house has so far consumed one metric tonne of caulk, and my palette has been cinnamons, mustards, olive green, crream and black. So far, so good!
My kitchen looks and feels clean— finally! (If you’re anewcomer to my kitchen, it’s a 50 year-old Maine camp kitchen and much more like a gally than a regular kitchen. My appliances are tiny, and my space is limited which demands order and upkeep...but it’s SO HARD!) My cupboards are done, the hard-to-reach space between the fridge and wall- which is under my loft staircase- is done. All the way-back and underneath places? Done! All the things on top of cupboards are washed and shiny. Life is good.
That said I’ve been relying mostly on frozen containers of leftovers from the days when I had more time and motivation to cook. But today, my friends, it was a little different. I was ready.
I didn’t turn on my computer until about 4:30— to write this diary. Today began with coffee- but of course. And painting (what’s new?!) but then, around three o’clock, I needed a break, and I was hungry for something warming and nostalgic. The answer?
chicken cacciatore! Chicken thighs were on sale, and you know me…
So I found my Dutch Oven and browned them up in some light olive oil, tossed in some hacked-up onions, garlic (lots of garlic) and celery (cause that’s what my mom always did). Then a can of smashed-up canned tomatoes and a smaller can of tomato puree, a couple Turkish bay leaves, dry oregano, a shot of Worchester sauce, and some chicken stock I needed to use up. And then the ingredient I pretty much never see anyone use in this dish- but again, which my mom used, and I happen to love… a can of pitted black olives.
Here’s a picture of a batch I made at a different time:
Please excuse the filthy oven- which was actually the same age as this cabin! And possibly never cleaned!
Everything stews nice and slow for about an hour tops. Then it rests for as long as I care to wait, with a lid on. I often serve this with noodles— or mushroom risotto.
Mushroom risotto fixins
So yes, I got my Italian on. I tend to believe that when cooking anything Mediterranean, the bst plan is to keep it as simple as possible using the best, freshest things you can get your paws on. And there are strongly-worded ‘suggestions’ concerning what brand of canned tomatoes to use. But this is Maine. And it’s February. I do what I can— and pine, like everyone else, for spring and summer and all the bright, fresh flavors and textures those seasons bring.
Lunch was a salad— and a mighty fine salad, I must say! I missed fresh crunchy things like this! Yes— that’s tuna, but special Italian oil-packed tuna from a jar and not a can. It bears no resemblence to regular canned tuna. Try it some time— as a treat if for no other reason! Olive oil and lemon juice were all that was necessary to make this the perfect late lunch!
My re-planted scallion butts are still going strong- after nearly a year!
I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy, enjoying a day which diserves to be enjoyed (Weekends...who even remembers weekends…?!!) I invite you to come on in, have a beverage (adult or otherwise) and tell us what you’re thinking of for dinner tonight! Sometimes it’s a simple bowl of soup- or plate of cheese and crackers. Sometimes it’s a nice, well-planned and executed meal. Whatever it is, I hope it’s satisfying and delicious- and that it serves to do more than just fill your belly.
Thanks so much for stopping by, and…
Cheers from Maine!