Category Archives: Uncategorized

I am trying to cook frugally in this economy, and my mind says that anything that’s in the frig or pantry is essentially free. So for the past week I had 1/2 red cabbage and a few carrots and scallions so I made cole slaw, but we’ve already had that twice and there’s enough for a third side dish for both of us but we can’t eat it every meal.

Today I bought a small sliced grocery store Cure 81 ham, 1.75#. I crusted it with dijon mustard and honey and baked it along with scalloped potatoes (free), and had nearly everything I needed to make this corn salad at the last minute, instead of using cole slaw.

So Jim ran to the store for Dr. Pepper and frozen corn and I really messed with this dish and in order to get it to near room temperature I had to place the entire pan into an ice bath. It was good, but the flavors have to marinate in the frig overnight and we’ll see how it tastes tomorrow before I even try to re-create this adventure for you. The vinegar smell has permeated our place and still does even with a fan taking it out the windows.

The ham plan is to do a quiche for lunch tomorrow, with ham and fontina. Then we have a sirloin steak for tomorrow night and I still have some chimichurri for that with some home fries, corn salad and cole slaw for dinner. Nearly free! Perhaps ham sandwiches for lunch on Sunday with “free” rolls I froze a couple of weeks ago.

I’m even making Zoe’s own homemade chicken stock from our chix bones. At least it’s cheap to make but I can also control the salt as I steal from her stash for our meals.

This past year has been a very challenging one especially with the loss of my mom. Even though it’s a bad economy we hope for a better year in 2009 and thank friends and family for being with us on our shared journeys. Cheers, Dee

There’s been some interest from Chicago. Now an ex-gov Blago isn’t a problem anymore. He blamed it all on his “friends.”

If the Feds bugged my phone they’d have a wonderful time listening to me ordering dog food, saying ten words to my husband or talking to my mother-in-law about new goats.

Perhaps living in Chicago isn’t a bad thing after all. Except I’m sure Jim will require more foul weather gear. Dee

Q: What are you doing with our money (taxpayers)
A: We stuck it in the vault. (banks)

Q: Are you lending to homeowners and car buyers?
A: No way! This is our money.

Q: Aren’t you in the business of taking our money, making investments and lending it to homeowners and such?
A: Yes, but not right now. Now it’s all ours and we’re taking it and using some of it to pay bonuses to top earners, who took even more of your money.

Q: So if I want to buy a house or car, I can’t get money to do so.
A: Right.

Q: My money is in your bank and I can’t get a loan.
A: Right again.

Q: So my money is with you and you won’t lend money. We taxpayers just gave you billions so we’re lending/giving money to you?
A: Right again.

Q: Have you ever given money to a loan applicant?
A: That would be a no, sir.

Q: Do you charge interest on your loans?
A: You bet. As much as we can get, and even more on credit cards, those suckers don’t care if their 42″ plasma TV cost $3,500 and ends up costing $8,000.

Q: Do you consider these billions from us taxpayers a loan or a gift? If it’s a loan, what is our interest rate?
A: Surely it’s a gift. After all, we deserve it. We just gave $18.4 billion of your money out to buy Ferarris and pre-war six-room condos overlooking Central Park. We’re just looking out for the interests of, well not our clients or shareholders, just us. And we think that’s just peachy keen in this economic environment. Sorry, gotta go, my wife’s new Mercedes is about to drive up with a big red bow on it and the kids need to come out to show their appreciation.

That’s all, folks, thanks for listening.

I have it from good authority (your mother, who we saw off on her great trip from LA) that you read this blog from time to time.  I was wondering if you have any recipes or recipe ideas from all the far-flung countries you’ve traveled to or lived in.

Jen speaks many languages and one we shared in our apartamento is called Averna, but that was just to get through the CNN Worldwide videos of the Clinton/Lewinsky hearings.

Seriously, she speaks fluent Russian and by now probably Japanese and other languages.  Is there anything you can recommend for us here in the States?  Is there anything we’ve taken over that we’re doing badly?  Any response from my step-sister would be welcome, at dee@cookingwithdee.net.  That’s private.  If you want public, respond to the blog directly.  xoxo

Best to your Jim.  Look forward to seeing you soon.  Your Mom looks great and is happy to be traveling again.  Cheers!  Dee

Regello Oil

Today I was asked to take a taste of bread with extra virgin olive oil.  Turns out the lady owns the olive grove, it’s in the same town where I went to cooking school, and her husband, a retired Physics professor, taught my husband in college.  I hope to cook for her in Italy as soon as we can get back there.  Only local ingredients, of course.

Her extra virgin olive oil can be found at amiciitalianimports.com.  Sorry, the insert function didn’t work and I don’t know my html.  Her name is Carolyn and she’s a lovely lady.  I promised I wouldn’t cook with it and only use it for salad and other non-heated items.  Dee

ps I just saw it and it’s not a great shot.  Not even a good one, sorry.  It’s Amici and she wrote “To Dee, buon appetito, Carolyn.”

New Kids

Little girl on the left (the stronger of the two), and uncleaned little boy on the right. Contented mama, congratulations! Thanks to Margie for the photo. Dee

Josh Groban, yesterday en route 3/4 mile home from the grocery store. Noel brought me to tears. It’s never taken until the 21st of December to reduce me to a puddle of tears. Once a year, usually right after Thanksgiving. Perhaps I’m becoming more hard-hearted. I certainly hope that’s not the case. Thanks for believing in me, Santa and all good things. Dee