What Are You Eating Today? Part 5

[stonemonkts]

Adding to the how I'm not big as a house side chat...two absolutes for me are 1) exercise every day, for an average of 600-800 calories (accounting for days off for illness, travel, whatever), and 2) don't eat after dinner.

If I did a better job at the other important factors (portion size, total calories consumed....what else...ahhh can't think of anything else) I would be within my ideal weight range. But instead I consider myself husky/stocky and fit.

Oh yeah, other absolute for me is avoid binge eating. A bad habit started in my adolescence, from when I wrestled. I gained and lost 5-8 pounds on a weekly basis. Crazy.

[jazzbluescat]

I have an acid reflux issue which is sorta a blessing in disguise, has helped my dieting.

re: avoiding binge eating

It's really a strain after doing some good herb.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Last night for dinner I got the wok out and whipped up a nice big bowl of kimchi with scrambled eggs.

[jazzbluescat]

Last night for dinner I got the wok out and whipped up a nice big bowl of kimchi with scrambled eggs.

My wady told me to get the wok out one time.

Sorry, couldn't resist...

[clinthopson]

I tossed my woks. A good flat skillet does much better because the way our cooktops are designed.

Now, if you happen to have 50K Chinese burner, ignore this message.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

I'll give up my wok when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.

[jazzbluescat]

Had a bowl of plain oatmeal for breakfast. Added a drop of vanilla extract, a bit of milk, a couple spoons of sugar and a sliced bananna, of course. Hearty, eh?

[stonemonkts]

I had oatmeal too. I added a few heaping tablespoons of brown sugar, and sprinkled cinnamon. I try and have it twice per week. I'll have to try the drop of vanilla extract next time.

Dinner is penne rigate with white beans and swiss chard. Tomorrow will be chicken cutlets with that pasta on the side.

Lunch was a turkey burger with sauteed onions and mixed peppers, on a bun (potato roll).

I feel like I'm keeping a menu diary in an old folk's home.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Tonight we had our blizzard dinner. Unable to leave the house because we were snowed in I rooted around to find some stuff to fashion a hearty meal. I came up with a pound of perciatelli pasta, a can of plum tomatoes and a can of cherry tomatoes. I always have garlic on hand so that was a lock. I also spied a can of sliced black olives so I recruited those as well. Hey, here's a pound of 31/40 count shrimp! Good find. Okay, we got enough to get started.

All I had to do was slice the garlic paper thin and sweat it out in some evoo. Then I threw the tomatoes into the pan along with the usual suspects, dried herbs and chopped parsley for brightness. Salt and pepper is a given, of course. I let the mix simmer for about 45 minutes or so. Oh, and I also banged in some nutmeg on a last minute whim. Nutmeg lends a semisweet component to any savory dish. We happened to have an opened bottle of Merlot so I dumped about a cup of it into the sauce. Just before the sauce was ready I added the shrimp and sliced olives and left the pan on the heat until the shrimp were money. That was probably less than ten minutos. Don't drop the shrimp until the last minute or you're gonna end up with mealy shrimp.

With a half loaf of roasted garlic ciabatta on the table we plated the pasta and dropped the sauce. At this point we were in business. The meal was simple, easy and good. We're now enjoying our dessert, homemade limoncello made by my son, Evan. It was a Christmas gift. I'm impressed. Unlike commercial limoncello, it's less sweet and has an herbaceous quality that I can't quite pin down. I think I detect thyme in the mix but I'm not sure. I like it when I can't figure out a taste. I always strive for that in my cooking. Good show, Ev-Man!

Good meal, good day.

[jazzbluescat]

It's leftovers, marinaded chicken and collards, with a freshly baked cake of cornbread.

[jazzbluescat]

Hamburger, collards and cornbread. yum...yum!

[clinthopson]

Braised duck legs and thighs, roasted butternut squash and heirloom tomatoes.

[jazzbluescat]

Bar-be-que!!

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Had dinner at an Italian joint last night. There were eleven of us. We had a great time. I had anchovy stuffed hot peppers with thick slices of provolone. I also got an order of fried smelts. My main course was a long standing favorite; saltimbocca which came with a side of orecchiette. Dessert was a double espresso and a snifter of Amaro.

[jazzbluescat]

Speaking of anchovies...I long for a good anchovy pizza. [If I eat that stuff I might just as well bypass the stomach and smear it on my waste and butt. *sigh*]

[clinthopson]

Last night we celebrated our anniversary at one of the rare Froggy restaurants in O.C. I had the best steak in pepper sauce and pomme frits since I was in Paris, followed by a perfect tarte Tatin and preceded by a red and yellow beet salad.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

I worked mucho hours this week including today. When I work on Sunday, which is only five hours, I refer to it as attending the "Church of the Dead Presidents". But I digress. So, since I toiled in the "salt mines" for so many hours this week, I've decided to do take out tonight. Just don't feel like cooking tonight.

Chinese! For Joanne; roast pork egg roll, wonton/egg drop soup and roast pork with snow peas. Me; chicken wings (gotta have my chicken wings), House Special lo mein (I always go with the house special) and I scored an eel/avocado roll. Yes, this Chinese joint also has a sushi guy. I live in suburbia and if I'm feeling sushi I have to get it where I can get it. The best part of the deal, Joanne went to pick the order up and​ paid for it. What's better than that?

[Ron Thorne]

Made me salivate for two posts in a row, Jimmy. My appetite is returning following my sickly past couple of weeks. Need more protein, fat & carbs to keep my energy level up and support my breathing. Packin' it away now.

Earlier this morning, a breakfast bar, cold, fresh grapefruit, milk & coffee. Then, at Panini Grill, scrambled eggs w/ pepper bacon, mozzarella cheese, potatoes & 9-grain toast.


Happy Belated Anniversary, Clint & Donna!

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Welcome home, Ron. Mangia bene.

Happy Anniversary to Clint and Donna!

[bigtiny]

Had a bowl of plain oatmeal for breakfast. Added a drop of vanilla extract, a bit of milk, a couple spoons of sugar and a sliced bananna, of course. Hearty, eh?

I wish I could eat oatmeal. It's one of the most nutritious things we can eat. Alas, I was forced to eat it as a child and now i can't even stand to be in the same room as a bowl os the stuff. Just the smell makes
me want to wretch.....


bigtiny

[jazzbluescat]

I wish I could eat oatmeal. It's one of the most nutritious things we can eat. Alas, I was forced to eat it as a child and now i can't even stand to be in the same room as a bowl os the stuff. Just the smell makes
me want to wretch.....


bigtiny

Sorry to hear that. Anyhow, they package oatmeal in individual packets now, flavored with peaches, apples, strawberries, etc. It's OK, might take away some of whatever makes you wretch.

[clinthopson]

I liken oatmeal to wallpaper paste. I will eat it in a cookie.

Tonight, seared ahi and roasted fennel.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

I rarely eat oatmeal. Not because I don't like it but because it's so boring. There are too many more interesting things to eat. True, you can add stuff to it to dress it up but it seems no matter what you add to oatmeal it's still...well, oatmeal.

Last night for dinner I had a broccoli and onion frittata with a healthy squirt of sriracha to top it off.

[Ron Thorne]

Thanks, Jimmy. It's good to be home.

Patti is making some chicken enchiladas w/ green chiles & cheese, and a side of spicy black beans for dinner tonight. I'll stick my nose in to make sure there's enough garlic & chiles involved.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Lunch was a salad with romaine, cucumbers, grape tomatoes and canned octopus lightly dressed with a little earl and vinny. Tonight for dinner I'm going with a stir fry of broccoli, bok choy and onions with a touch of soy sauce.

[steve(thelil)]

I liken oatmeal to wallpaper paste. I will eat it in a cookie.

I hear you. There's nothing better than wallpaper paste cookies.

[clinthopson]

Tonight is our actual anniversary. We decided that we'd go for Malaysian. It's kind of a mix of Indian and Chinese.

We'be been getting quite Asian recently. Yesterday we had Korean BBQ with Kolbi beef, baby octopus, pork several ways, six kinds of kim chi and some very good greens.

Sashimi will rear its lovely head soon.

[jazzbluescat]

Well, congratulations! Clint.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Joanne was out and about last night so I was left to amuse myself. I decided to take a ride down to Bridgeport to visit a local Italian joint. Ralph and Rich's is a bustling but comfortable place that serves good food at reasonable prices with little pretense. Plus, they have a piano guy on the weekends.

When I arrived the place was packed but I managed to score a seat at the bar within sight of the piano. I started off with my usual Hendrick's martini, up, no fruit. My server, Valentina, was on point for the entire meal starting with a perfectly crafted pre-dinner cocktail. I enjoyed my drink while listening to a rendition of "Where Or When" from the piano man.

I started with an app of freshly made burrata. It came on a plate that included marinated baby artichokes, roasted garlic, grape tomatoes, radicchio, olives and fresh lemon. For most people it could have been a whole meal in itself. The burrata was beyond ethereal. It was like eating a cloud of savory cream. The additional ingredients on the plate elevated the dish to superstar status. I haven't had such a satisfying appetizer in a long time.

My main course was a wonderful veal bracciole which was stuffed with escarole, fontina cheese, prosciutto and pignoli nuts. The veal was simmered in a light marinara sauce and served over a creamy parmesan polenta. Melted in my mouth. A glass of sangiovese went well with it.

Dessert was a double espresso and a generous glass of Banfi grappa. All in all it was an excellent night of good food and nice music. Valentina did good.

[Ron Thorne]

Sounds sublime, Jimmy.

I really like the way you express yourself in words, pal.