SALAD DAY

To the untrained observer "Salad Day" would seem easy.  Foolish mortals.

Salad day was supposed to be my moms first day back in the kitchen.  She was tired because her PT made her do laps around the house.  "One lap an hour or no wine for you!"

So she sat in the kitchen and directed every part of the Salad preparation.

Direction:

Wash the lettuce in the colander and then dry it in a towel.  I washed the spinach as well but apparently that is a bad thing to do.

Cut the chicken into bite size pieces.  "David those are big bites don't you think?"  (Not really a question)

Mix in the bowl on the second shelf, no not that one. the other second shelf.

Slice avocado, no don't peal it with your hand use the avocado knife. (Avocado knife? Are you serious?)

Mix with other items.

Cut the orange, I would have cut it the other way.  (Hey if Syracuse fans know one thing it is Oranges)

Add orange, almonds (sliced with nut knife, I kid you not) and crumbly blue cheese to salad.

Toss with special homemade dressing (Vinegar and Oil Shhh)

Serve with Sauvignon Blanc

Big Monday

Monday was a big day.  Mom went to the Doctor to adjust her meds.  Very exciting car ride in the freezing rain.

On the food side, breakfast was the usual coffee, but the Total Cereal was cut out and it was just a bowl of prunes and apricots.

Lunch was a bagel with chicken, lettuce, mayo.  (wow kind of simple) Grapes and an oatmeal cookie.

I went to the grocery store today and got a few items at my mothers request.  One was chicken broth.

For dinner she asked for chicken soup. I asked where she kept the soup cans.  She said "I would never eat canned soup.  Here is how you make it"

Slice carrots like sticks and saute. 

When tey are almost done add mushrooms and continue with the saute

Add to chicken stock, chicken and frozen peas

Well doesn't that look nice. 

Don't for get a shot of Sherry for good luck. 

History and the first few days

I find myself in Washington D.C. again taking care of my mother.  For the second time in a year and a half she had a knee replaced.  This requires me to come down and help her out for the first few days of recovery.   The biggest issue for her is food.  Not the quantity, but how it is prepared.  She has grown, over her 80 years to become quite a chef.  She makes excellent meals for herself and her guest.  They range from what is simple but tasteful to dishes that require days to make.

Last September when I came down, I had no idea what I was in for.  My wife had broken both of her knee caps in the past and I was familiar with what would be required on the rehabilitation front.  Feeding my mother was a completely different matter.

Coffee:  two scoops of decaf coffee, one scoop of regular, and six cups of water.  When the coffe gets cold in the mug, you poor the old coffee into the pot and then refill the mug.  "Only half way, I could never drink the whole cup before it gets cold."

Breakfast: Total cereal, "Not too much"  with a prune and two dried apricots cut into thirds.  Skim milk.

This is the easy meal. and is consistent.

Day one Dinner.

"You know I think I would like a Frittata tonight, it will be easy"

Directions:
Dice potato, boil.

Saute asparagus that his been cut into one inch strips in olive oil and sherry.

Add sliced mushrooms to the asparagus after it has softened.  

When they are done add potatoes that have been boiled until they start to turn brown.

Add scrambled eggs to pan

Grate parmesan cheese

 Put grated cheese on mixture

Place in oven on low Broil, for four minutes

You can do that right, it's easy.

Sure Mom

Lunch

Two English muffins toasted with Pear slices and Monterey Jack Cheese melted on top.

Curried Triple Butternut Squash with Cherry and grated Green Apple

(Sorry no Picture)

Cheese Ravioli, with sated Baby Bella mushrooms and black olives topped with dried parsley

Her response to this meal was "I need a real Napkin"

I will keep you informed.  I only have a few days left.  I can make it.