adaptations

Sorry, folks, no piccies today, but I recently made Ivy's (from Kopiaste, a fun Greek blog) coq au vin with a hunk of pork instead, and in my slow cooker. I also added a (nice-tasting) packet of MSG-infested dried onion soup mix that I had hanging around, along with Ivy's beautiful blend of garlic, red wine, salt and pepper, olive oil, thyme, oregano, and bay leaves. I threw in a bountiful harvest of potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion that all fused their flavors together for one perfect whole (and the meat was so tender!). I'm making this AGAIN and again and again...

And the other day I upgraded my normal homemade mac and cheese to incorporate some of La Fuji Mama's ideas for a pumpkinized version. Matthew hasn't stopped chowing on it (OK, and neither have I!). If you've got a fussy toddler, this is how you get protein and dairy and veggies into them. In addition to LFM's pumpkin and yummy spices (nutmeg, Worcester sauce, ground mustard, and crushed red pepper), I really finely diced some chicken and onion and sauteed it with some minced garlic first (so the Maffa Bean wouldn't know it was in there). Talk about YUMMERS. I'm never making mac and cheese the old way again.

Our family has gotten into the habit recently of having a big meal in the middle of the day with sandwiches or something light for our evening meal. It's just worked out that way because my Beansprout still naps in the morning and it's the easiest time for me to make dinner (and I can get Maffa Bean in the kitchen helping). Matthew (toddler) and I eat that for lunch, then hubby takes the leftovers the next day to work. Last night when Stephen got home I asked him if he'd like some eggy bread (French toast in Americanese). He mentioned he'd like some with Worcester sauce and cheese, so I just stirred some Worcester sauce into the egg and milk mixture, then while the eggy bread was on its second side in the frying pan, I sprinkled some grated cheese over the top, put the lid on, and let it melt down. The little beans and I had already eaten by that point, but Daddy-Bean said it was delicious!