it is 3:30 p.m. in the holy city of safed. we have another 4 hours left to this fast. I am feeling better than I thought I would but I still haven't made it out of the house. I've been in bed for most of the day. I did manage to wet mop the kitchen and dining room areas plus the two back bedrooms. I have been watching holocaust survivor documentaries all day. I just turned off a documentary about how the nurses and doctors of the third reich murdered so many innocent people with physical and mental defects. I had had enough. at least, the survivor stories are hopeful in spite of the immense brutality.
I can't wait for this fast to end. I am thirsty and a bit hungry. it is too hot for me to travel to town to go to the yeshiva. I don't feel like taking a taxi, either. I left food and hopefully it is enough. the manager can put out cakes if any are left from Shabbat. let him improvise. I am staying put. I think last year the other manager called for pizza.
I didn't catch a Shabbat nap yesterday. I was afraid of being up all night, fasting. I usually can't sleep on Saturday night. I finished my novel about a knitting club and the main character succumbed to ovarian cancer. definitely a bummer! but good to be in sad mode before the fast of Tisha B'av began. I couldn't fall asleep and looked for a good holocaust film. I settled on Spielberg's, 'Munich'; the one about the Mossad's revenge murders of the masterminds who killed the Israeli athletes at the '72 Olympics. I finally hit the bed before 3:00 a.m. I stayed in bed for a good while this morning.
I have my blueberry cornbread and a salmon steak ready for me to break the fast. last night I had a tuna sandwich on a whole wheat roll with humus for my pre fast meal. I could have had chicken but I didn't feel like eating any. I didn't have any for lunch, either. I stuck with the salon steaks. I gave most of the chicken to my dog. I finished off the package of kale. I really love it. I hope they still have some left at the supermarket. I am tempted to run down to the store now but I don't feel like getting dressed. perhaps it would be good to take a small walk. every inch of me hurts.
tomorrow night is the first night of the three day klezmer music festival. I think that the daughter-in-law might come with the grandkids. I wish I was already on vacation. I can't wait to return to the outdoor pool. it's been 9 days already. I want to jump in the water right now. these last three hours are going to be a killer.
8:00 p.m. fast is over. yahoo! don't know which was harder; not eating and drinking or not watching videos and regular broadcasting all day.
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Friday, August 9, 2019
Living In The Fast Lane Part2
it is 6:05 p.m. in the holy city of safed. it is an hour before Shabbat candle lighting. I have already washed the floors for the coming of the messiah. there is a custom to clean the house in the afternoon of the big fast on sunday. I will never have the strength to do such a task then so I took the liberty of doing it now. I will probably be in bed for most of the fast, watching holocaust movies. I believe it is an 24 hour fast. this one hurts. I'm sure most women washed their floors for Shabbat but I figure that it can't get so dirty by sunday.
I stayed late at the yeshiva yesterday preparing food for the 20-25 guys to break the fast. I made vegetarian patties with chick peas, cracked wheat and split peas. I had a lot left over from the stuffed peppers that I made for their supper. I also made rice, carrot kugel and vegan corn bread. perhaps, I should have made more but I had been cooking all day long preparing: couscous and veggies, tabouli salad, quinoa salad, pasta salad, egg salad, and tuna salad for their Friday breakfast and lunch and a pre fast meal on Saturday afternoon. the fast starts before 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night.
we have not eaten meat or chicken for the past week but can indulge on Shabbat. it has been a lot of frying patties and chips and falafel for me. and of course, cooking a lot of pasta. I even made a shepherd's pie with tuna fish. it actually, was very yummy. I covered it in mushroom sauce before I added the mashed potatoes. I also made breaded fried eggplant several times and the guys loved it. it will be great to start cooking chopped turkey and beef dishes on Monday.
I made grilled chicken for myself for Shabbat. I only made two chicken quarters. one is for each meal. I also broiled salmon steaks. I have been eating quite well while I do my intermittent fasting. I had a kale and blue cheese platter for breakfast with green grapes. I just had a salmon steak for lunch and a hunk of freshly baked blueberry corn bread. I remembered the corn meal this time but didn't have any flour. I was thinking non gluten anyway, and found a packet of ground almonds in the pantry. it worked but I didn't have any baking powder or soda. luckily, a neighbor was watering her garden so I got some. I only added a couple of teaspoons of real maple syrup. it isn't sweet at all.
I bought some fruit to break the fast. I couldn't carry a half of watermelon home so I will have to survive without one. I need to step up on my water consumption. I haven't really been drinking enough. I hope it doesn't get hotter on sunday. the evenings have been fine with lovely breezes. I slept with a comforter last night. I think that I have done okay today. wishing everyone a good Shabbat and an easy fast.
I stayed late at the yeshiva yesterday preparing food for the 20-25 guys to break the fast. I made vegetarian patties with chick peas, cracked wheat and split peas. I had a lot left over from the stuffed peppers that I made for their supper. I also made rice, carrot kugel and vegan corn bread. perhaps, I should have made more but I had been cooking all day long preparing: couscous and veggies, tabouli salad, quinoa salad, pasta salad, egg salad, and tuna salad for their Friday breakfast and lunch and a pre fast meal on Saturday afternoon. the fast starts before 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night.
we have not eaten meat or chicken for the past week but can indulge on Shabbat. it has been a lot of frying patties and chips and falafel for me. and of course, cooking a lot of pasta. I even made a shepherd's pie with tuna fish. it actually, was very yummy. I covered it in mushroom sauce before I added the mashed potatoes. I also made breaded fried eggplant several times and the guys loved it. it will be great to start cooking chopped turkey and beef dishes on Monday.
I made grilled chicken for myself for Shabbat. I only made two chicken quarters. one is for each meal. I also broiled salmon steaks. I have been eating quite well while I do my intermittent fasting. I had a kale and blue cheese platter for breakfast with green grapes. I just had a salmon steak for lunch and a hunk of freshly baked blueberry corn bread. I remembered the corn meal this time but didn't have any flour. I was thinking non gluten anyway, and found a packet of ground almonds in the pantry. it worked but I didn't have any baking powder or soda. luckily, a neighbor was watering her garden so I got some. I only added a couple of teaspoons of real maple syrup. it isn't sweet at all.
I bought some fruit to break the fast. I couldn't carry a half of watermelon home so I will have to survive without one. I need to step up on my water consumption. I haven't really been drinking enough. I hope it doesn't get hotter on sunday. the evenings have been fine with lovely breezes. I slept with a comforter last night. I think that I have done okay today. wishing everyone a good Shabbat and an easy fast.
Friday, August 2, 2019
Pretty Lazy
it is 4:30 p.m. in the holy city of safed. I am having a pretty lazy day. I can't do laundry because we are in a traditional 9 day period of mourning for the holy temples. I couldn't go to the pool for the same reason. we are not allowed to swim for pleasure. if I needed to go for therapeutic reasons, it might be allowed. it is hot but not deadly. it cools off at night. I didn't need to wash the floors because I did them during the week. my good friend came to safed for a couple of days. I wanted to take her to the pool for night swimming but she was too beat from travelling. I made us some salmon for dinner and we had some baccardi breezers and chatted until about 1:00 a.m. the following morning we went to the pool. it was a real scorcher that day and the pool was incredibly refreshing. I had to leave for work at 3 :00 p.m. but she stayed until 5:00 p.m. with our mutual friend.
after I made dinner for the yeshiva guys I bought some special rolls and salads. we were having a barbecue that evening. my other friend was manning the barbecue. she's from California and barbecuing is second nature to her. I thought by the time I returned home, the food would be on its way or nearly done. no such luck. they had a late start and we didn't eat until nearly 9:00 p.m. I defrosted everything the night before and marinated the food before we left for the pool. I didn't realize the amount of food I left out for her to cook. there were two types of kabobs, a package of hot dogs, two packages of boneless chicken thighs, a package of chicken livers, 2 packages of steaks, and two packages of chicken wings. I decided not to take out the hamburgers. the steaks didn't get done because we ran out of hot coals. I broiled them on my electric grill but they never got served.
I invited my married friends who live in the neighborhood. I practically go there every Shabbat for lunch. they live across the street from the big Sephardi synagogue. my friend goes to bed quite early. she is not a night owl like the rest of us. she is hell bent on getting thin and doesn't eat anything after 5:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. she is the one who told me about intermittent fasting. she is happy to go 14-16 hours a day without food. I am at 13-14 hours now but on some days I do only the usual 12 hours. it is truly an easy way to diet. and the more I read, the more I am convinced that is a healthy way to live. it was quite an ordeal for her to be up until 10:00 p.m. and to eat so late.
there were tons of leftovers so every one got a nice size doggie bag. none of us had to cook shabbat meals today. the steaks just needed a bit of tweaking so everyone got a couple. I broiled the little remaining liver and a couple of small steaks and with the salads I bought, I'm all set for Shabbat. I made a salmon fillet for Shabbat lunch and some boiled eggs. we do not eat meat during these nine days except for Shabbat so no one really wanted to cook a whole chicken. it's not worth it. it is a bit strange having little to do on friday. in all honesty, I'm truly beat so I should just enjoy being lazy. I feel a bit lonely. afer having company this week it is hard to readjust to being alone. it is what it is.
after I made dinner for the yeshiva guys I bought some special rolls and salads. we were having a barbecue that evening. my other friend was manning the barbecue. she's from California and barbecuing is second nature to her. I thought by the time I returned home, the food would be on its way or nearly done. no such luck. they had a late start and we didn't eat until nearly 9:00 p.m. I defrosted everything the night before and marinated the food before we left for the pool. I didn't realize the amount of food I left out for her to cook. there were two types of kabobs, a package of hot dogs, two packages of boneless chicken thighs, a package of chicken livers, 2 packages of steaks, and two packages of chicken wings. I decided not to take out the hamburgers. the steaks didn't get done because we ran out of hot coals. I broiled them on my electric grill but they never got served.
I invited my married friends who live in the neighborhood. I practically go there every Shabbat for lunch. they live across the street from the big Sephardi synagogue. my friend goes to bed quite early. she is not a night owl like the rest of us. she is hell bent on getting thin and doesn't eat anything after 5:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. she is the one who told me about intermittent fasting. she is happy to go 14-16 hours a day without food. I am at 13-14 hours now but on some days I do only the usual 12 hours. it is truly an easy way to diet. and the more I read, the more I am convinced that is a healthy way to live. it was quite an ordeal for her to be up until 10:00 p.m. and to eat so late.
there were tons of leftovers so every one got a nice size doggie bag. none of us had to cook shabbat meals today. the steaks just needed a bit of tweaking so everyone got a couple. I broiled the little remaining liver and a couple of small steaks and with the salads I bought, I'm all set for Shabbat. I made a salmon fillet for Shabbat lunch and some boiled eggs. we do not eat meat during these nine days except for Shabbat so no one really wanted to cook a whole chicken. it's not worth it. it is a bit strange having little to do on friday. in all honesty, I'm truly beat so I should just enjoy being lazy. I feel a bit lonely. afer having company this week it is hard to readjust to being alone. it is what it is.
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Living In The Fast Lane
it is 7:00 p.m. in the hoy city of safed. we have another hour left of the fast. tonight starts the beginning of the three weeks, which is traditionally a time of mourning for the destruction of the temples. it is not a lucky time for the Jews. it is a time of danger and we are not supposed to take unnecessary risks. I hit the wrong button on Friday and obliterated my post. it didn't help that I had injured my right pointer finger while washing the dishes. I had made a nice Shabbat dinner for myself and had a few glasses in the sink. apparently, one broke in my hand and sliced open my finger. I heard the breaking glass before I saw my injury. I don't think I felt it at first. I applied cold water and then pressure to stop the bleeding. it was about a half an hour before candle lighting.
I was pretty tired and I couldn't cope with all the blood. I reached for the little bottle of alum talc that I have had in the kitchen drawer since my son's bris, thirty two years ago. I then remembered that aloe vera also stops bleeding and ran outside to get some from the garden. I didn't have any paper towels to wrap around my finger so I used a baby wipe. the wet wipe didn't really keep in the blood. I wrapped some aloe vera plant around the wound and kept it in place with a sterile patch. I ended up adding more alum and more bandages. it started hurting very much. I couldn't really get changed for Shabbat.
I had gone to the pool in the morning and had a lovely few hours with a friend. I made some chicken breasts and a small piece of meat with wheat for dinner. I even managed to make a small eggless corn bread. I actually remembered to add the cornmeal this time. I couldn't wait to eat so I could go to sleep. I was wiped. I hit the bed at 9:00 p.m. and pretty much passed out. I didn't sleep very well. I had a couple of disturbing dreams. I did make it to synagogue and had lunch with my friends. I napped and spent most of the day reading a novel. I kept on eating until 2:00 a.m. because of the fast this morning. it was a huge mistake. it made the fast much harder. I have been intermittently fasting and not eating after 9:00 p.m. for awhile. I did not feel well all day long. I think I strained both arms trying to swim at the pool.
I didn't make it to work. I felt dizzy all day. I haven't removed the bandages yet. I am dreading seeing the injury. I think it's too late for stiches. I think the bleeding has mostly stopped. there seems to be a bit of seepage on the bandages. I thought about going to the nurse but I couldn't get up today. I need to buy a blue elastic finger cover tomorrow. they are quite pricey. oh well.....
I was pretty tired and I couldn't cope with all the blood. I reached for the little bottle of alum talc that I have had in the kitchen drawer since my son's bris, thirty two years ago. I then remembered that aloe vera also stops bleeding and ran outside to get some from the garden. I didn't have any paper towels to wrap around my finger so I used a baby wipe. the wet wipe didn't really keep in the blood. I wrapped some aloe vera plant around the wound and kept it in place with a sterile patch. I ended up adding more alum and more bandages. it started hurting very much. I couldn't really get changed for Shabbat.
I had gone to the pool in the morning and had a lovely few hours with a friend. I made some chicken breasts and a small piece of meat with wheat for dinner. I even managed to make a small eggless corn bread. I actually remembered to add the cornmeal this time. I couldn't wait to eat so I could go to sleep. I was wiped. I hit the bed at 9:00 p.m. and pretty much passed out. I didn't sleep very well. I had a couple of disturbing dreams. I did make it to synagogue and had lunch with my friends. I napped and spent most of the day reading a novel. I kept on eating until 2:00 a.m. because of the fast this morning. it was a huge mistake. it made the fast much harder. I have been intermittently fasting and not eating after 9:00 p.m. for awhile. I did not feel well all day long. I think I strained both arms trying to swim at the pool.
I didn't make it to work. I felt dizzy all day. I haven't removed the bandages yet. I am dreading seeing the injury. I think it's too late for stiches. I think the bleeding has mostly stopped. there seems to be a bit of seepage on the bandages. I thought about going to the nurse but I couldn't get up today. I need to buy a blue elastic finger cover tomorrow. they are quite pricey. oh well.....
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Day Off
it is 4:00 p.m. in the holy city of safed. I just got home from the pool. that's right. I had the day off from the yeshiva and decided to go to the pool with my friends. I have never gone to a pool without taking a kid along. maybe back in the day but not in the last 20 years. I had a good time. I don't know why I have resisted going to the neighborhood pool. we had a small pool downstairs for the kids and I would stay wet all day in lieu of not having air conditioners; but you couldn't really do laps. I cannot swim well but I do love being in the water. I manage well under water. it is very clean and they do not let the kids get too wild. I used to go only on women's' hours but as a senior, I am not that strict, anymore. we had the entire pool to ourselves for most of the time there, when the kids were playing and eating.
it is only about a 7 minute walk there and it feels good to move. my friend's husband came to pick me up to take me there in his golf cart. it was so nice to be with adult friends. I don't know why I feel guilty that I went without the grandkids. I never take a day off from work and I never do anything fun for myself. yesterday, after I was halfway through preparing supper; I was informed that the guys were all going to a local wedding. the manager told me that I could leave it for today's lunch and he would put it out. I was actually given the day off, without pay, of course, but still I was free. I didn't have to make supper for the guys tonight because it was an off Shabbat. I thought about going to Jerusalem to see the grandkids, but I decided that I needed a mini vacation just for myself.
last night I went with my friend to town for a ladino festival. I was exhausted but I wanted to do something for a change. we found a location of music in the artist's colony and sat on concrete steps. it was actually very pleasant. we didn't schlepp around at all because it was pretty crowded and we were both tired. I don't do crowds anymore. there was a large food court set up but I had eaten at home before I left. I did bring along some cherries and nuts to nash. I also brought a Bacardi breezer to share with my friend. we stayed until midnight. we did have to walk a bit back to the main bus station to get a taxi home but it was a good night out.
I just might go back to the pool tomorrow morning. I don't think I will go back to town tonight for the festival. it was nice but not great. it has ben good for me to have a little action. I usually go to work in the early afternoon and return home at night. I eat my supper quickly because I'm on the intermittent diet plan and usually have a little time before I stop eating at 9:00 p.m. this morning I didn't eat until 11:00 a.m. I read that women should fast for 14 hours every day. I have only been doing 12 hours for the past two months and I have been eliminating sugar. my friend lost 13 pounds doing this and I am hopeful that I will be successful, too.
it is only about a 7 minute walk there and it feels good to move. my friend's husband came to pick me up to take me there in his golf cart. it was so nice to be with adult friends. I don't know why I feel guilty that I went without the grandkids. I never take a day off from work and I never do anything fun for myself. yesterday, after I was halfway through preparing supper; I was informed that the guys were all going to a local wedding. the manager told me that I could leave it for today's lunch and he would put it out. I was actually given the day off, without pay, of course, but still I was free. I didn't have to make supper for the guys tonight because it was an off Shabbat. I thought about going to Jerusalem to see the grandkids, but I decided that I needed a mini vacation just for myself.
last night I went with my friend to town for a ladino festival. I was exhausted but I wanted to do something for a change. we found a location of music in the artist's colony and sat on concrete steps. it was actually very pleasant. we didn't schlepp around at all because it was pretty crowded and we were both tired. I don't do crowds anymore. there was a large food court set up but I had eaten at home before I left. I did bring along some cherries and nuts to nash. I also brought a Bacardi breezer to share with my friend. we stayed until midnight. we did have to walk a bit back to the main bus station to get a taxi home but it was a good night out.
I just might go back to the pool tomorrow morning. I don't think I will go back to town tonight for the festival. it was nice but not great. it has ben good for me to have a little action. I usually go to work in the early afternoon and return home at night. I eat my supper quickly because I'm on the intermittent diet plan and usually have a little time before I stop eating at 9:00 p.m. this morning I didn't eat until 11:00 a.m. I read that women should fast for 14 hours every day. I have only been doing 12 hours for the past two months and I have been eliminating sugar. my friend lost 13 pounds doing this and I am hopeful that I will be successful, too.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Gone Fishing
It is 9:30 a.m. in the holy city of safed. I have been cleaning and mopping and doing laundry for hours. I am now having a watermelon and mint smoothie. I took the day off. I spent seven hours cooking at the yeshiva yesterday and eight on sunday to cover today's lunch and supper and lunch for tomorrow. the kids are coming tonight and I want to take them to the pool tomorrow and not be pressured to rush back to the yeshiva to cook. the kids were there with me last week for less than 2 hours and they were bored. they also wanted to go to town to buy toys. I think I'm covered this time.
I got pretty sun burnt last time sitting near the pool, totally dressed; watching the kids play in the water. it was very downcast and cool and that's the worst time to be in the sun. this time I bought sun tan lotion. my Sephardi grandchildren also got burnt. I think I will enter the pool this time. I will wear a long shirt and dancer's tights. I don't own a bathing suit. if it is crowded I won't go in the pool. the schools are out so I guess the neighborhood kids will be there. I don't go to mixed swimming but the kids do.
I am going to the family bris, out of town, this afternoon. I have a ride. I will return home with my son and family. he and his wife are going away for a couple of days to chill. we will all go to the Sephardi family for Shabbat dinner and I will make lunch. I stopped off at a small mini market last night to get staples. I bought non gluten potato rolls. the kids loved them at pesach. I want to make soy hotdog sandwiches for the pool. the kids were starving the last time. I will bring drinks and they can get ice cream popsicles there. the pool is $30 for the three of us.
I will go soon to the neighborhood supermarket to buy the rest of the things for shabbat. I got paid yesterday so the sky's the limit! the kids love ravioli and gnocchi and belgian waffles so i'll load up on them. I bought hotdogs, hamburgers, kabobs, chicken wings and small steaks to make a birthday barbecue tomorrow evening. I was thinking about going to a Japanese restaurant but I think it will be too much of a schlepp. I want to buy a watermelon and a festive cake. of course, we need marshmallows for the barbecue. are we having fun yet?
I got pretty sun burnt last time sitting near the pool, totally dressed; watching the kids play in the water. it was very downcast and cool and that's the worst time to be in the sun. this time I bought sun tan lotion. my Sephardi grandchildren also got burnt. I think I will enter the pool this time. I will wear a long shirt and dancer's tights. I don't own a bathing suit. if it is crowded I won't go in the pool. the schools are out so I guess the neighborhood kids will be there. I don't go to mixed swimming but the kids do.
I am going to the family bris, out of town, this afternoon. I have a ride. I will return home with my son and family. he and his wife are going away for a couple of days to chill. we will all go to the Sephardi family for Shabbat dinner and I will make lunch. I stopped off at a small mini market last night to get staples. I bought non gluten potato rolls. the kids loved them at pesach. I want to make soy hotdog sandwiches for the pool. the kids were starving the last time. I will bring drinks and they can get ice cream popsicles there. the pool is $30 for the three of us.
I will go soon to the neighborhood supermarket to buy the rest of the things for shabbat. I got paid yesterday so the sky's the limit! the kids love ravioli and gnocchi and belgian waffles so i'll load up on them. I bought hotdogs, hamburgers, kabobs, chicken wings and small steaks to make a birthday barbecue tomorrow evening. I was thinking about going to a Japanese restaurant but I think it will be too much of a schlepp. I want to buy a watermelon and a festive cake. of course, we need marshmallows for the barbecue. are we having fun yet?
Friday, June 28, 2019
Keeping It Simple
it is 4:30 p.m. in the holy city of safed. a friend is coming for Shabbat. I already warned her that I am pretty tired and may not be able to schmooze all night. they bless the new month in synagogue tomorrow and I would like to be there. I turn 68 on Thursday. where did the time go? I made a pretty simple Shabbat dinner. I worked at the yeshiva yesterday for nearly 8 hours. the guys went on a hike and I had to prepare about 40 sandwiches. lucky for me, there were prepared soy schnitzels in the freezer. I baked them and covered each sandwich with ketchup. while the schnitzels were baking, I boiled about 30 eggs and cooked 3 pounds of pasta for their Friday lunch.
I had to prepare hamburgers for their evening barbecue and used about 5 pounds of ground beef. I made veggie kabobs and it took forever. I think I marinated the vegetables too long until they were soggy. if they were a total disaster, I wasn't informed. at around 4:00 p.m. I gave up. I had been working steadily and on my feet since 9:00 a.m. last year I made dozens of kabobs and it took hours. I had to cut up the herring into tiny pieces and add hot peppers and onions for their Kiddush on Shabbat. I also opened an industrial sized can of tuna and added a bunch of mayonnaise. I then cut up peppers and cucumbers and tomatoes for their breakfast this morning.
it took me about half an hour to clean the kitchen and pack up the food for the barbecue. it normally takes a full hour to do the washing up, mop the floor and clean the stovetop and counters. I didn't actually cook much yesterday. I wonder if I am a bit slow but I know that I can get a meal together in record time. I just keep the menus easy when I'm tired. my quick food items are baked potatoes, grains, pasta and lentils. I haven't been up for making kugels lately. it takes me almost an hour to get all the veggies ready when I make a soup for couscous. I'm chopping up potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, onions, peppers and tomatoes. and then there's all the peeling. the soup takes under an hour to cook and the couscous is pretty much instant. if I come in at 1:00 p.m. or later, it's pasta or rice and some kind of fried patties.
if I come in around 1:30 p.m. it's canned tuna and tabouli salad and scrambled eggs. if I want to make falafel I need to come in at 12:30 p.m. it takes an hour just to bake the frozen French fries. frying up about 160 falafel balls takes a good hour. I then have to cut up cucumbers, tomatoes, pickles and onions and make a large bowl of tahini. I often fry up eggplant slices. it's a cheap lunch for the yeshiva but it takes me hours. right now I am only cooking for 18 guys. I try to make a bit more. some times the rabbis eat something. there is always leftovers.
today, I made some chicken legs and meatballs in a red sauce. I had 5 legs in the freezer and a small package of ground beef. I didn't even add breadcrumbs to the beef. luckily, it held together. I bought precooked beets, the greatest invention to date. I made two salmon fillets. my friend doesn't eat fish. I made a small amount of chopped liver. I had a small package of broiled liver in the freezer. I had some leftover sweet noodle kugel in the freezer from last Shabbat. I bought chumus and made tahini. I baked spelt corn muffins with soy milk. I used a different recipe and they turned out brownish. I also made spelt chocolate brownies. the recipe called for milk. I made some 'tahini milk' and hopefully, they'll be edible.
aftermath: turns out that the brownies are just cake and not great cake, either and I forgot to add cornmeal to the corn muffins so I have vey bland small brownish muffins with raisins. oh well.......
I had to prepare hamburgers for their evening barbecue and used about 5 pounds of ground beef. I made veggie kabobs and it took forever. I think I marinated the vegetables too long until they were soggy. if they were a total disaster, I wasn't informed. at around 4:00 p.m. I gave up. I had been working steadily and on my feet since 9:00 a.m. last year I made dozens of kabobs and it took hours. I had to cut up the herring into tiny pieces and add hot peppers and onions for their Kiddush on Shabbat. I also opened an industrial sized can of tuna and added a bunch of mayonnaise. I then cut up peppers and cucumbers and tomatoes for their breakfast this morning.
it took me about half an hour to clean the kitchen and pack up the food for the barbecue. it normally takes a full hour to do the washing up, mop the floor and clean the stovetop and counters. I didn't actually cook much yesterday. I wonder if I am a bit slow but I know that I can get a meal together in record time. I just keep the menus easy when I'm tired. my quick food items are baked potatoes, grains, pasta and lentils. I haven't been up for making kugels lately. it takes me almost an hour to get all the veggies ready when I make a soup for couscous. I'm chopping up potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, onions, peppers and tomatoes. and then there's all the peeling. the soup takes under an hour to cook and the couscous is pretty much instant. if I come in at 1:00 p.m. or later, it's pasta or rice and some kind of fried patties.
if I come in around 1:30 p.m. it's canned tuna and tabouli salad and scrambled eggs. if I want to make falafel I need to come in at 12:30 p.m. it takes an hour just to bake the frozen French fries. frying up about 160 falafel balls takes a good hour. I then have to cut up cucumbers, tomatoes, pickles and onions and make a large bowl of tahini. I often fry up eggplant slices. it's a cheap lunch for the yeshiva but it takes me hours. right now I am only cooking for 18 guys. I try to make a bit more. some times the rabbis eat something. there is always leftovers.
today, I made some chicken legs and meatballs in a red sauce. I had 5 legs in the freezer and a small package of ground beef. I didn't even add breadcrumbs to the beef. luckily, it held together. I bought precooked beets, the greatest invention to date. I made two salmon fillets. my friend doesn't eat fish. I made a small amount of chopped liver. I had a small package of broiled liver in the freezer. I had some leftover sweet noodle kugel in the freezer from last Shabbat. I bought chumus and made tahini. I baked spelt corn muffins with soy milk. I used a different recipe and they turned out brownish. I also made spelt chocolate brownies. the recipe called for milk. I made some 'tahini milk' and hopefully, they'll be edible.
aftermath: turns out that the brownies are just cake and not great cake, either and I forgot to add cornmeal to the corn muffins so I have vey bland small brownish muffins with raisins. oh well.......
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