I can't believe how many meals I've frozen in the last 10 days. Some serious baking and canning were happening also. I have to be in the mood, unfortunately. That old routine and discipline gene completely skipped my sorry self. But I try. And glory in these accomplishments when they happen.
I put down 8 single serve pots of my super woodstove soup today. Pots of beef stew has been put aside along with this fabulous dish I do of spinach and chickpeas and sundried tomatoes. And my leek and mushroom soup. Then I put up a batch of blueberry jam (I make mine with lemon zest) and baked a few varieties of my Irish bread. I love adapting recipes. I do it all the time. One for instance is the traditional white Irish soda bread (I do make the whole wheat also) I add an egg to it and whatever dried fruit I have on hand. Tonight it was chopped prunes and apricots. With Irish cheese (and yes, I can get that in Newfoundland!) it is amazing. I sometimes accompany it with hot pepper jam. Grown men have wept over this. No other food is necessary.
I'm on a roll. I need to scavenge more cupboards and the bottom of the freezer. Ah rhubarb? Where have you been? next up:
A compote of rhubarb, strawberries, pineapple and fresh chopped ginger? Whoo-ee baby!
What do they say?---Great minds think alike? I've had such a hankering for soda bread I had it in mind to bake some tonight, but here I am on the computer, reading about yours instead! I like to mess with the recipes too! My family can take it or leave it, though my oldest son is more like me and could live on the stuff! And, just today, someone thoughtfully gave me a jar of jalapeno jelly---but could it ever be as good as marmalade and lots of butter??
ReplyDeleteMolly I agree, the marm and the country butter just slathered on. Something about the tang of those seville oranges.
ReplyDeleteThe hot pepper jelly is excellent too, and I am lucky enough to get Dubliner and Blarney cheeses here. but I'd kill for some West Cork Gubeen!!
XO
WWW
I like the sound of your version of Railway Cake - soda bread with fruit in. Now I am off to investigate hot pepper jam, it sounds like my kinda thing. Since I cannot eat butter, I like finding new tastes to line a sandwich - stewed fruit, chutney, or port & cranberry jelly are all favourites at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI never prepare food to save. I find it easier to completely indulge in everything I fix and eat it for the same and the next day or so. I don't mind eating the same thing for a couple of meals. Of course, I don't have a very big freezer compartment either and not much space to store things. I do have to say that the Irish soda bread sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteWow, you've been a cooking fiend! I get hit with spells like that, but never during the holidays. It's my busiest time at work.
ReplyDeleteYou make me smile.
ReplyDeleteI made a Pear Cake in the last week and ate the whole thing. In the night planning my small Spring garden.
I want more in the freezer...
My, you are on a roll and I admire your industry. Can you post the soda bread recipe sometime. I first had it on the western-most point of the ring of Kerry in the early 70s.....unforgettable.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to read how perky you are.
GM:
ReplyDeleteI think you would like this, the brand I get is "Something Special" gourmet Red Chile - authentic artisan dip spread AND marinade, lol. Made in Alberta, Canada. But there is another fine one a friend brings me from South Carolina and darn I can't remember the maker.
Lovely kick to it.
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Irene:
ReplyDeleteHaving a chest freezer is a real boon for this and I find it frees up my days not to have to cook.
I think you'd like my artisan irish bread, lol.
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SAW:
ReplyDeleteOh I think the mind has to be really clear and hands hanging idly before this happens and rare for me too.
I love to do it once a month and used to at one point.
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Lady:
ReplyDeleteLOL, perky and me - I like the sound of those twins!!
I will post the recipe and some of its variants.
XO
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OWJ:
ReplyDeleteI find making a huge batch is just as easy as making a small.
I use my cast iron and my wood stove and the smell is so luscious seeping through the house.
When people come in they raise their heads and go aaaaahhhh!! So gratifying.
XO
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Maybe you were at the back of the queue for the routine and discipline gene, WWW, but there must have been plenty of the baking and cooking gene leeft because you must have received my share as well! ;-)
ReplyDelete....she said, dribbling at the thought of that soda bread with good farm butter!
T:
ReplyDeleteI'd love to give you a sample of this good stuff!!
When I'm in the mood there's no stopping me and it helps that I'm out at the edge of the Atlantic with no decent restaurants open during the winter within, oh, 50 km!!
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Oh boy. Can I visit and share some of that good food with you? (:
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe!
Hattie:
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have you visit all the way from Hawaii!!
I will post the recipe.
XO
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Man, I wish I was eating at your house!
ReplyDeleteA freezer full of treasure for cold winter nights ! Sounds perfect .
ReplyDeleteI'm just going off now to investigate your soup .....