T-Day: the essentials

Tomorrow, I will be especially thankful for what I consider The Essential Three foods
on my T-Day plate:
1. Turkey gravy.
2. Steamed white rice.
3. Cranberry sauce.

I am also happy that there is no shopping list of gifts to buy/exchange.
That the day's decor involves minimal, if any - decorations.

That it's mostly about gathering up some nice people to...
Eat.
Rest.
Eat some more.
Relax.

Best to keep this one holiday as basic as possible.
Food. Fun. Family. Friends.

For the next day - all CommercialXmasHell is officially unleashed.

(sigh)

Oooooh - almost forgot.
The Fourth Essential:
4. Homemade pie with real whipped cream over top - or on the side. Or both.

Have a good one.

Be thankful.
For something.
Anything.
There's lots to choose from.

Keep it simple.

Salmon Scales

Let's talk fish.
Salmon.
Store bought.

Why is it that salmon I purchase from the grocery store - not have scales completely removed?
I have a bone (rather, a scale or twenty) to pick with butchers who fail to completely
descale salmon. Whassamada you no scale mo bettah?

Few enjoy a meal of salmon with scales attached.

Attempting to scale a fish when the meat has already been sliced and exposed is no easy task.
Scales flick all over the place, landing in the flesh. The piece of fish has to be rinsed in order to remove the flicked-off scales = water on the fish flesh = watery fish flesh = less flavour when cooked.

Faced with a partially scaled salmon, I often end up slicing the fish skin off completely. Trying to remove the skin without also shaving off a good deal of the meat is quite the challenge. I can wield a sharp knife with the best of 'em and get the job done, but hey - this is NOT my idea of a good time (grumble grumble).

A friend suggested an after-the-fact approach. First, cook the salmon, then remove and discard the dreaded scaly skin. I think this a poor solution for several reasons - one being that scales can harbor bacteria. Bacteria abounds on our foodstuff without deliberately cooking it directly in.

Still, there are those who don't mind a bit of fish scale with their fresh salmon.
Sushi-on-the-fin?

how much off?

Just about every Monday, I head out to lunch and a bit of errand-running-shopping with the DollinkGalPals. A convivial time is anticipated - almost promised - and yes - every Monday afternoon - is delivered - to all in the group.

Before deciding on which eatery for our lunch, the following ritual is oft observed: each of us pulls from our purses - % coupons. Clipped and filed away for an occasion such as this. 15% off the entire bill, 20% off one lunch, 2 meals-for-the price of 1, purchase 2 meals and the lesser priced one is free, etc.

I chuckle to myself as we rifle through our coupons, seeking the best deal for a meal. There's something downright endearing about the seriousness each of us takes in the commitment to save a dollar here or there. Precious bucks they are too, state of the economy and all.

Shopping follows lunch. Wandering through the local shops, we again pull out any %%% coupons that might be applicable to our purchases. 'Discount' certainly speaks volumes. Sharing in the saving of a buck or two or more is half (50%!) of the fun.

'Robbing Peter to pay Paul' is an appropriate idiom for %%% shopping. Whatever money is saved by robbing a store from bigger profit is earmarked for use towards payment of a bill or two waitin' there at home, isn't it?

Once upon a time, the practice of %%% coupon clippin' n' shoppin' was the domain of us decidedly middle-aged-domestic-diva types. However, it seems to be a new world out there as I've been witnessing an increase in %%% coupon shopping by shoppers-in-general.

What about you?
How often, if ever, do you shop using %%% coupons? If you're in the
%%% groove, then this is for you.

take time for cute

It's mid- November.
Actually, we're coming to the END of November.
Unbelievable.

So much on every burner. Lots to think about.
It's good, then - to take time for cute.

Glass...

... Half
FULL
!!!!!!!!

for dinner tonight...

... comfort food.

Chinese bacon is savory, yummy, fatty.
Planning to cook some of it up in fried rice, with a generous sprinkling of green onions. I'll toss in chopped up scrambled eggs (it's more likely that I'll be scrambling the eggs in the pan with the meat). A handful of peas for color.
Fresh ground pepper, soy and oyster sauce for additional flavouring.

Cooking tip: Many Chinese restaurants in this country toss in a pinch or two of granulated sugar into the almost completed dish, then stir the rice mix a few times to fully incorporate the flavours. The sweetness from the added sugar is barely detectable, but adds appeal for the 'Western palate'.

To offset all the fat and salt, I'll be serving the rice with a heaping helping of plain steamed zucchini.

Then - maybe a ice cream sundae for dessert.
A big sundae. With chocolate sauce, whipped cream, toasted almonds, and a maraschino cherry to top it off.

Comfort foods.
For today is absolutely, as has been stated - an historical one.

A day fraught with excitement and anxiety.

On occasion, a shorty post is best...

... introducing: Simple Pleasures
(aka Cheap Thrills).

Simple Pleasure = using a wooden spoon to stir with whilst cooking.

P.S. Also, for me ~ long wood chopsticks are a 'must have' kitchen tool!