On Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 6:42:15 PM UTC-10, Julie Bove wrote:
> I made a lasagna yesterday, using up some things. Only thing I had to buy
> was a zucchini and I could have done without that but I like it in there.
> Alas, I had no mozzarella except for a package of string cheese. I opted
> not to use that. I browned a pound of organic, grass fed ground beef with a
> yellow onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper and the zucchini, all of
> which had been chopped. Sauce was a combination of crushed tomatoes and
> tomato sauce with a little Italian seasoning added. I can't remember the
> brand name of the pasta. They were small, dried sheets of whole wheat. Said
> no boiling required but that never seems to work for me. I dropped them
> briefly in boiling water.
>
> To layer, I started with plain sauce on the bottom of the baking dish then
> pasta, added the meat/veg mixture with more sauce mixed in. Repeat, then
> more pasta then plain sauce on top, making sure that it was well covered.
> Everything was already hot so it didn't need long in the oven. Just heated
> though. I did have some Provolone and Parmesan so I put that on top of my
> husband's portion, then just put it in the microwave briefly to melt the
> cheese.
>
> I had the lasagna again today and it was even better. There is just one
> portion left. Wish I could remember where I bought that pasta. I really
> like that the sheets are small and it is a small box. So I didn't wind up
> with a huge amount of lasagna.
>
> Tonight I used up that apple cake mix that I bought at the closing Safeway.
> I had some apples to use up. It called for 2 cups of those, chopped, and two
> eggs. No added fat or liquid and the pan was not to be greased. Topped it
> with a little bit of vanilla/cinnamon icing.
>
> And now I am prepping for baked beans. I woke up in the middle of the night
> with a severe craving for them and decided that would be better for me to
> make than the bean soup. The house just smells wonderful!

Tonight I had fried pork chops. The chops were seasoned and dredged in cornstarch and fried in a good amount of oil at high heat. The chops were flipped and browned and then fried for several minutes at med-high heat while flipping several times. A quantity of water was added to the pan along with some ketchup, kim chee base, and sake, then simmered for a few minutes. The chops were then removed and a couple of heaping tablespoons of chopped garlic, a small amount of honey, and a small shot of vinegar. The sauce was reduced at high heat and poured on the chops.

I got some beans soaking in the slow cooker. In about eight hours, I'll add some dehydrated onions, ketchup, garlic, vinegar, sugar, chopped bacon ends, and a package of arabiki sausage. Then I will toddle off to work. It shall be done when I get home. Thanks, slow cooker!