Since Wednesday, I have been fighting off illness. I have a cough, head congestion and pain. I feel miserable, too miserable to much but sit. Of course, I cannot sit too much.
Friday, I wanted the blueberry goat cheese that is seasonal. It was there on the shelf, but the crackers I wanted were not! I eat Wheat Thins Lightly Salted. They were on sale at Publix, so it was the perfect time to buy. But, they were out. I asked the woman stocking there. She said all of Nabisco was "raggedy," a perfect description. It is true at other grocery stores, too.
One of us will eventually sit down with blueberry goat cheese and crackers for a snack and end up making a meal of it. It is a little splurge we both enjoy. Of course, I have cut back on little splurges to afford these.
The bowl of sweet potatoes are still in the refrigerator. Everyday, I say "today is the day" and still have not frozen them. We are eating from the frozen turkey breast I baked last week. I am too tired to do more. I may make turkey a la king. Tommy would be against it if I tell him.
The cranberries are in the pan to cook. The package calls for one cup of sugar, but I asked Tommy if he minded my putting only 1/2 cup of sugar. I like them very tart. These will be frozen to keep me out of them until Thanksgiving Day.
Tommy loves the colcannon I cooked. I froze two meals of it and thawed one yesterday. It was way too watery for me. He loved it. Is this how it normally turns out when it is frozen and thawed? I know I could put dried potato flakes in it to firm it up, but I don't want to.
The most beautiful head of celery came home with me. I will have to make potato salad and tuna salad while I have crispy celery. There is frozen in the freezer, but it has no crunch when thawed. Even though it is gross to eat celery sticks, having it buried in tuna or potatoes is a special treat.
I was in Publix about 2 pm on Friday and people were coming out with carts overloaded. Same at Big Box. at 3 pm. I cannot imagine the crowd later that night or on Saturday.
For the first time, I bought Sister Schubert's Yeast Rolls. They are delicious, but not as tall and light as I expected. Have you ever had these frozen rolls?
Do you ever have blueberry vanilla goat cheese?
Does frozen colcannon thaw watery?
Have you found Nabisco products are abundant? Or, out of stock? Anything scarce or not available? What product shelves are raggedy?
I am sorry you are not feeling well. Sometimes the holidays come up that we feel the pressure to do so much and that just makes us sick. Make sure you try to rest when needed. We all want to have good food but you should not make your self sick to to do it.
ReplyDeleteI have had Sister Schuberts rolls and I find then tasty but I would suggest if avaiable in your area Rhodes Frozen yeast rolls. Here they are available in bags of 36 rolls and cost 3.50 per bag. The great thing is you can take out only as many as you want per meal. Mind you have to take them out to defrost and rise before dinner. They do heheat nicely if you have extras. I have found them the best if I do not make my own.
I know you shop thrift stores, garage and estate sales. If you see a stand mixer (does not need to be a kitchen aid). I have a Hamilton Beach, I got on Amazon a few years ago. I make bread, pizza dough,rolls, cookie dough, sausage balls and other things that I can freeze. It is great but if I am in a pinch those Rhodes rolls or bread are very good.
I do not or have not tried blueberry goat cheese. I have not idea what colcannon is. I do not eat celery sticks but buy it for other things, tuna salad, chicken salad, potato salad,casseroles,soups and stews.
Did you make your stock and how did that go? I think I messed mine up by not roasting the bones.
Texas,
DeleteNo, I explained it before. I spent two hours in terrific wind at the park eating with a friend. The wind, fall, leaves falling--why I have stuffiness in ears and head and chest. I have major allergies.
I did not let them rise. Maybe I should...lol.
I love these places but cannot go anymore. Well, I can last a few minutes. Yes, I want a stand mixer.
Colcannon is potatoes and cabbage together. Those are the same things I use celery to make.
I have not had time to collect enough for stock. Roast the bones? I can do that.
Yes I understand why you are sick, I just wish it were not so. My Mom also got sick if she was out in the wind in fall and winter.
DeleteSister Schuberts rolls will not rise anymore. They are the kind you just heat and eat. They are tasty but if you want yeast rolls that will get large and fluffy you need to find a brand that you must let thaw and rise before you bake. Rhodes is the way to go. Trust me bread is my favorite like chicken it yours. I could live on bread and butter!
Thanks for explaining Colcannon, I do like cabbage and potatoes but I would fry them both with bacon or ham in bacon grease. Not good for you but a tasty treat every once in awhile.
Yes I think that is where I messed up on the stock, I used plenty of aromatics, carrots, celery, onions, garlic and herbs.It just had no depth of flavor. My first try I used beef bones from prime rib. After it went wrong, I researched and found that I should have roasted the bones and maybe even the vegetables. You might ask for advice from other bloggers you know.
I hope you get a stand mixer, it is one of the best purchases I have ever made for the kitchen. Hope you and Tommy have a great holiday.
I probably won't search for rolls, just because. I don't need rolls, as it would like like dessert for me every day. I am quite sure frying both with bacon grease would be delicious. Someday, I will have a stand mixer, don't know when. We will have a lovely holiday. I hope you do, too.
DeleteI never heard of blueberry vanilla goat cheese. What kind of cheese is it? Like cream cheese or slices? I always make the cranberry sauce recipe with 1/2 cup sugar. that is what we are used to and it doesn't seem too tart to us. Hope you feel better.
ReplyDeleteAnn,
DeleteIt is log of goat cheese covered in blueberry. It is in the little specialty cheese case at Publix. I have seen it at Aldi's, too, in the past. It is a holiday item. One cup of sugar is just too much. The cranberries are tart, but we don't eat is a spoonful at a time. We eat it shoved up against some dressing. Mine is done and in the refrigerator until I freeze it. I am feeling just a bit better. The antibiotic that makes me feel so ill is just about done. Plus, I only slept four hours last night and did not nap. It is so late I won't nap now at 7:30. Thanks.
We used to do something similar to the blueberry goat cheese log. We used to be able to buy a blueberry or raspberry sauce (not syrup) and we would pour it over an 8 oz block of cream cheese and ate with crackers. I do not remember the name brand of the sauce but I would think one could cook down frozen berries with a little water and sugar, maybe a squirt of lemon juice and obtain the same thing. It was very good and very addictive, as I would guess your blueberry goat cheese log also is. Hope you get feeling better soon. The wind with all of the stirred up tree pollen used to make me sick too. Usually stuffed up and a headache. It would take a couple of days to feel normal again. Ranee (MN)
ReplyDeleteRae,
DeleteAnd, I bet it was cheaper than the log. That is a good idea and probably just as good and maybe better than the log. I used to pour pepper jelly over creamed cheese and eat it with crackers, so I am a fan of this kind of treat. Thanks for the idea.
Then, you know the misery that pollen, trees, and falling leaves can cause. I think I will be better by tomorrow.
Sorry you're dealing with respiratory issues, Linda. The mold from the dead leaves is a real problem. This is an especially annoying time for it, given your Thanksgiving timetable.
ReplyDeleteI love hot pepper jelly on cream cheese! So good! I could live off cheese and crackers. Goat cheese & crackers are indeed a nice treat, but I prefer cranberry to blueberry. I will eat blueberries plain if they are sweet, but I surely am not a fan of cooked. Naturally I married a man who thinks blueberries should be in everything.
Still haven't made my cranberry chutney. It's a bit fussy, what with finely chopped pear/apple and candied ginger, which is really hard to mince finely. Maybe I'll get up the gumption to do it tomorrow, as the pears are going to pass ripe soon.
I have heard the angels sing of Sister Schubert's rolls, but never had the pleasure. I do concur that Rhodes frozen bread and roll dough are a really excellent products. That reminds me I'd better buy a 3-loaf pack of bread dough for the cheesy garlic rolls my husband churns out for Turkey and Xmas day.
Sue,
DeleteMy respiratory problems have been a lifelong issue. They have spoiled many an occasion.
They did have cranberry-orange goat cheese. I love that. Blueberries are very delicious. I usually eat them plain. The chutney does sound fussy and not my cup of tea right now.
These rolls I have are nothing special although I do love rolls. I will try to find Rhodes. Your husband cooks? That must be nice.
I don't care for goat cheese. 30 years ago I was working at a vet clinic when we had an old male goat come in with a broken leg. We wrestled with that stinky goat for hours. Since then I can taste the smell of that goat in all goat cheese. No thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have a recipe for make ahead turkey gravy that I used for several years. It was pretty darn tasty. You will have to cut and paste this link but you can see the recipe by following this link
https://clemsonrecipes.tumblr.com/post/7033049536
This recipe calls for using the turkey neck. Because I was cooking for a CROWD I would buy a couple turkey wings too.
Janet,
DeleteYou are turning me off goat cheese...lol. The turkey neck has some of the most delicious meat! Thanks for the recipe.
Janet, I feel the same way about pork! Ever since my first pregnancy, I swear I can smell the pen the pig was raised in!
DeleteSue,
DeleteOh no!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThe man does know his way around a kitchen and yes, it is nice that he cooks. But the stuff he makes is never healthy! It's loaded with sugar or starch; mostly both. I am the one who strives to make lower-carb, vegetable-based meals with a side of protein.
ReplyDeleteNow I don't mind doing the everyday cooking, because I love my veggies. But when he offers to make dinner, I know it's going to be something like pizza with ranch and sides of frozen french fries and onion rings. And iced blueberry pound cake with a scoop of ice cream for dessert. ;^) ;^) Lord, help me...
Sue,
DeleteWell, you will be well-fed when he finishes you off with his cooking! I love pizza, but with fries or onion rings? No thanks. Maybe you could give him a recipe. Tommy cannot cook one thing except burgers in a skillet. Everything else goes in the microwave for at least five minutes for reheating. He ruins everything by microwaving too long.
PS: The cranberry-orange goat cheese sounds scrumptious! Never seen anything like that up here, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteHow are you feeling today? Let's challenge each other: you get those sweet potatoes portioned and in the freezer, and I will make the cranberry chutney that I have been putting off!
Sue,
DeleteAsk for it. Maybe you are just not finding it or missing it. I found it at one of the events where they have samples all over Publix. Otherwise, I would not know it existed. Plus, Aldi advertised it one day in their ad.
I usually cut the sugar in half in my cranberry recipe too. I like it just as much without the added sugar.
DeleteBelinda,
DeleteI gagged the first time I saw that recipe on the bag. I don't think I have ever used the full amount. It is very tart, very good and we don't eat it by the spoonful. Plus, it is delicious with dressing and gravy and turkey.
The universe has been listening in on this conversation. Check out this recipe:
Deletehttps://www.vermontcreamery.com/recipes/cranberry-rosemary-cheese-ball/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Facebook_Desktop_Feed&utm_campaign=10ThanksgivingRecipes&utm_content=RecipeCarousel&fbclid=IwAR2oYeFlIZKWcHXsJuWzfthIVMszAjBbkGnD8yy7AphdRESmDXJ3Z_X1LRk
Sue,
DeleteWonderful!
Certain brands of TP are sparse, as are most pasta. However there is plenty of very cheap and very fancy TP and pasta.
ReplyDeleteUrspo,
DeleteI have not looked for my pasta, Ronco. It is cheap. And, so far the Northern in purple package is present, if not plentiful. Thanks. May both stay in the stores. Thanks.
So I was at Target today, a rare thing for me. "Raggedy" is one way to describe it, but I think "ransacked" may be more accurate! Holy cats, huge sections of shelves, freezers, and fridges were completely empty. It looked like 24 hours before a hurricane. Maybe it was due to pre-Thanksgiving shopping? Or maybe just supply chain issues? Regardless, it's good that I do not rely on Target for anything!
ReplyDeleteI did manage to make my cranberry chutney. Mercy, what a load of chopping! But I made a double batch. It is delicious as always. I will freeze it in 1-cup portions and we will enjoy it until next fall, I hope. My kids won't eat it, but my husband and I have it on everything except fish! Sandwiches, burgers, chicken in any form--we love it.
Linda, is your bowl of sweet potatoes packed away? :^) :^)
The lack of food is probably a combination of supply chain issues, a little panic, and Thanksgiving shopping. I never rely on one store.
ReplyDeleteNever had chutney.