What have I been up to in the kitchen? Ham and cheesy scalloped potatoes, swiss steak, and fish pies.
What is in a fish pie? I started by peeling and boiling potatoes to make cheesy mashed potatoes. The fish was halibut filets and frozen shrimp. The halibut was simply baked with a little Old Bay seasoning, 12 minutes at 375 (f). The shrimp was sauteed with butter and herbs. When the potatoes are cooked mash them with lots of shredded cheese. Make a simple bechamel sauce - butter and flour and milk, make it nice and thick. When the fish and shrimp are cooked, mix in the with bechamel. Assemble the pie (I used individual souffle style ramekins) place the fish mixture in the bottom, top with the cheesy mashed potatoes. Bake in a hot over (425F) for about 20-25 minutes, until the potato top "crust" browns nicely. Allow to cool about 10 minutes, and serve. The flavors are wonderful. The browning of the cheese in the potatoes brings an extra dimension of flavor.
Why? Inspired by something I had in the oldest licensed pub in London. Try it, you might like it.
Who have I talked with this week? Sweet Bear, the water aerobics gang, the board at my former office, Emily, Martin, Karen,
Weird thoughts of the week? How have I survived to this ripening old age? There are so many things that could have killed me over the years. And yet, here I am, blogging away.
What made me smile and evil smile this week? The sparse turn out for the military parade, while the counter protests drew tens of thousands.
What else? In the elevator Saturday morning there was a young couple, probably late teens early 20's, he had long hair, a scraggly beard, both were wearing counter cultural black and had visible tattoos. I smiled to myself, and thought there is hope for youth, being wonderfully non-conformist - reminded me of me when I was that age - but they looked happier. In fact that had that smile on their faces like a young couple who had just discovered sex for the first time.
Who seems to hate me this week? Rumba, I snatached him out from under my desk and physically removed him from my room the other day. He seems to be holding a grudge. When we set this one up, it asked if we wanted to connect it to Alexa, and I said NO, that is how it all starts, "Hal open the pod bay doors," "I sorry Dave I am afraid I can't do that."
Who have I been watching on YouTube?
- Angelo is a recent art school graduate in Italy, young, talented, attractive, and a good content creator. https://www.youtube.com/@angelomansour
- Norm is from British Columbia, and has lived and worked in Japan for years, this is a second channel for him. https://www.youtube.com/@TokyoLensExplore
Rhumba...such a little bitch.
ReplyDeleteBut does it do a good job? I can't imagine it does my Joan Crawford method of getting under things and corners and edging. I considered getting one to bring my nightly G&T's.
Rhumba get under the furniture and into every electrical cord in the house. My standards are not nearly as high as my mother's were, he does fine, he just gets annoying under my desk.
DeleteI am sure the fish pie tastes wonderful but I am reminded why I don't cook.
ReplyDeleteDid the couple in the lift 'fit' into your building? I saw a young couple in the lift once and they just didn't seem to fit, in spite of there being quite a few young renters in the building. It turned out they had booked an AirB&B in the building next door but they started fighting in our building on my neighbour's HH floor. She was alarmed, as was another person on her floor. I do look out for people who don't 'fit'.
The average age of the owners has decreased to probably 10 years younger than dead, with a handful of people in their 30's. My guess is they were visiting grandma. We are far enough out that AirB&B has not become a factor, and the Board would not allow it. There is a move in fee for every renter that would make it not economical.
DeleteI’d watch out for Rumba.
ReplyDeleteHe was nibbling on my toes yesterday, either getting a taste, or sizing me up.
DeleteOh yes, definitely keep Rumba and Alexa from being able to conspire with each other!
ReplyDeleteAlexa is in the kitchen, criticizing my cooking.
DeleteRumba is why I won't have appliances that work on their own. I still retain power!!!
ReplyDeleteDon't I???
It is nice to have the floors swept without having to do anything.
DeleteHAL reference was priceless...
ReplyDeleteSometimes I can make good connections.
DeleteI love all the comments about Rumba. I don't have one but I'm sure it makes some chores a lot easier.
ReplyDeleteI have a love hate relationship with it, it can be annoying, but my floors have never been so consistently clean,
DeleteRe: Rhumba:
ReplyDeleteThis is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang, but a whimper.
(With apologies to T S Eliot)
Will Jay
Eaten alive by our machines
DeleteI don't watch YouTube like you do. I use it mainly for music videos or how to fix something...
ReplyDeleteI like your Rumba joke.
*oops - Roomba!
DeleteI play a lot of music on YouTube also.
DeleteYou are an adventurous soul. That's what keeps you ticking.
ReplyDelete