The Bug

I believe I got a mild version of the flu that is sweeping the nation. It only put me down and out for 24 hours. All I know is that I took to bed at 3:00 Sunday afternoon and was ready for a light supper 28 hours later.

I steamed a bunch of green beans, then gave them a pat of butter and some salt and pepper. Normally, I enjoy a pasta such as pappardelle or tagliatelle with this dish but I’m trying to clean out the frig so we had two small baked russet potatoes, seasoned and served with a dollop of sour cream.

To my embarrassment, when we were first married nearly ten years ago (two weeks hence) I fussed and spent a couple of hours on dinner every night. Until I made chicken piccata, my version of it.

Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, pounded out to an even thickness. Salt and pepper. Dredge in flour, place in hot pan with hot olive oil. They won’t take more than four minutes per side. Add the juice of a lemon and a few capers. That first dinner was an epiphany for me as the chicken was done in less than eight minutes and dear one, a steak man from birth, said it was the best chicken he’d ever had.

I added that chicken to my culinary pantheon with thanks to my brother for bringing the inspiration for the veal version home. Herbs are optional, a tomato fillip may be desired. But face it, dear reader, I’m cleaning out the frig!

Shhhh, don’t tell my husband I’m cleaning out the frig. I have a 5# bag of small russet potatoes and he loves them so we’re looking towards some stew, rosti, scalloped potatoes until they’re gone. He likes to think everything is brand new and frowns on “leftovers” unless it’s a meat loaf sandwich. An hours-old refrigerated burger can be sliced into a meat loaf sandwich and he won’t even ask the last time we had meat loaf.

Can I tell you what I got us for our tenth anniversary? Of course we’re not doing anything or going anywhere. It’s something I found when looking for dresses for this thing we have to go to this week. Probably not, because he may even read this once in a while. Tell you later, Dee