It's Been a Week of Salvage Operations

This week, I attempted to salvage lettuce, sardine fishballs, and some papaya and pumpkin fruit.

On Saturday, I made two fishball recipes. Both were a flops. I had over 60 fishballs to salvage.

With some DIY Tartar sauce or a red sauce, they worked as appetizers.

Then, I got a craving for Tostadas. That required lettuce. So, I have been eating a lot of Tostadas this week to save the lettuce and fishballs.

On a store-bought tostada chip, I added a base of refried beans, a crumbled fish ball on top of a base, with a little red sauce or DIY Tartar sauce, shredded lettuce and parm cheese.

The red sauce and DIY Tartar sauce helped add flavor.

There was not much difference in taste between the two types of fish balls. Plus, there’s not much difference in the pictures, either. I am too embarrassed to show the assembly of ingredients.

I can not afford to throw out these fish balls, so I will continue to look for ways to salvage them.

While I enjoyed these fishball Tostadas, another savage operation was a great success. Chicken Soup with pasta and a crumbled fishball.

The base of the soup was made from a previous Chicken broth recipe. The pasta was precooked and flavored with olive oil and basil. I just added the pasta and crumbled fishball to the broth. The fishball was like a dumpling.

Then, I thought about that bit of papaya fruit and pumpkn puree I had in the freezer.

Let's see if I add some plain yogurt, could I make mousses? Yes, I can.

Over the last five days, I saved 60+ sardine fishballs (some are frozen, will see how they work after thawing), a 1/2 head of lettuce and some frozen fruits.

#GERD-friendly

Microwave: Faux Shepherd's Pie - Single Serviing

I have gotten into the habit of reviewing the contents of my frig to see what I can use to make what recipes in order to use up my leftovers.

Looking at my leftovers of black beans, and mixed vegetables with cheese, I thought, what could I do with them?

Why not try to make a Faux Shepherd's Pie?

So, without any recipe as a guide, I just guessed and I made one. I expected it to be uneatable mush. Instead, it was great!

I added some links below to some real recipes for Shepherd's Pie for your information.


Microwave: Faux Shepherd's Pie - Single Serving

Ingredients:

Instant Potatoes
Hot water
Milk
Black pepper
A few drops of hot sauce
Parsley, dry
Can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
Canned or frozen mixed vegetables (La Huerta Guarnición de Verduras: Coliflor, Brocolí, Elote y Zanahoria)
Mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese


Pre-preparation:

Instant Potatoes
Make a small batch of instant potatoes with instant potatoes, hot water, milk, black pepper, a few drops of hot sauce, and parsley.
Add more potatoes, if too thin.
Add more milk, if too thick.
Mix well.


Mixed Vegetables with Cheese
In another small bowl, fill 1/2 with mixed vegetables.
Add several TBspns of shredded mozzarella cheese or other cheese.
Mix well.
Microwave on high for 2 - 4 minutes. May take longer if vegetables are frozen.
Remove and stir well.

 

 Process:

With a tablespoon, add a layer of mashed potatoes on the bottom of a small dessert bowl.
Then, add a layer of black beans.
Next, add a layer of mixed vegetables.
 Top it all with a layer of mashed potatoes.
Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top.
Microwave on high (covered) for 2 minutes.

Real Shepherd's Pie Recipes

No-Fuss Shepherd's pie | BBC Good Food
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/no-fuss-shepherds-pie

Shepherd's Pie
https://www.recipetineats.com/shepherds-pie/

Easiest Shepherd's Pie
https://www.thespruceeats.com/easiest-shepherds-pie-recipe-435776

Wikipedia - Shepherd's Pie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd%27s_pie

Utterly Putterly - New Use for Insulated Beverage Container

It is the simple things in life that can make you happy.

I like cucumbers. I especially like to pickle them. But, occasionally, I'll keep one cucumber to make snacks and salads. But, one drawback is cucumbers don't keep long and you can't freeze them.

While I try storing them in the vegetable bin, it just seems they go bad too quickly.

On 5/28/20, I got a big beautiful cucumber (.415/kg, 43.50 / 18.05).

After a day or two, I made a small cucumber salad and some snacks.

Now, here I was with 3/4s of a cucumber I wanted to save for more snacks, salads or pickles. Could I find a way to make it last longer?

So, on 5/31/20, while I was washing dishes, I washed out a insulated souvenir beverage container. I sighed. Like many souvenir mugs or beverage containers, I did not often use this container. Do I give it away? No use keeping things you don't use.

Hmmm, would this hold the remaining cucumber? Would it help keep the cucumber fresh longer? Let's try it.

It works. So far, so good, been eating fresh cucumber snacks for two more days, now, and the remaining cucumber is still fresh.

I love the fact the container is compact and does not take up too much space in the frig.

Vegetable Chopper

For years, I contemplated buying a blender, instead I bought a manual vegetable chopper.

It is simple to use and clean.

During COVID19, I did not go out much or very far.

Nearby tiendas did not have celery,so I got some chayote.

(Source: Wikipedia.com)

After I had washed it, removed the seed and cut it into slices,
I used the chopper to “dice” the chayote.

After adding the slices to the chopper bin and pumping the blades for a minute or two, the chayote was cut into variety of small pieces.

I added some of the chayote to a chicken salad mixture in place of celery. It tasted fresh and crunchy.

See also, Chicken Salad Mixture post.

Chicken Salad Mixture

Chicken Salad Mixture

1 Can diced chicken, drained
1 Cup Celery, washed and diced
1 TBspn Mayo
Ground black pepper
A few dashes hot sauce
A few dashed of onion powder
Lime juice from one slice of lime


In a medium refrigerator container, add ingredients and mix thoroughly. After use, cover and store in frig.

Use in sandwiches, wraps, tacos, toast topping, or salads.


Variations:

Use equal amounts of cooked frozen mixed vegs to chicken instead of celery.

#GERD-friendly

 

Hotplate: 10+ Hours Pinto Bean Soup

Hotplate: 10+ Hours Pinto Bean Soup
(Adapted from: https://whatscookingamerica.net/soup/appalachian-soupbeans.htm)


Pre-Preparation:

Add 1 Cup of pinto beans, rinsed and drained into a medium pot.
Cover with water an inch higher than the beans.
Cover pot.
Leave on counter overnight.
If possible, check in a few hours to see if the beans need more water.


Ingredients:

1 Chicken bouillon cube
4 Cups water
A drizzle of vegetable oil
2 slices canned meat, cubed
5 dashes onion powder
5 dashes garlic powder
2 dashes hot sauce
1 TBspn Cilantro, dry (optional)
3 Grinds Black pepper
S/P to taste
Garnishes: shredded cheese, diced onions or scallions


Process:

In the morning, drain and rinse beans in a colander.
Set aside.
Add 1 chicken bouillon cube to 2 cups of water.
Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
Remove and stir to dissolve bouillon.
Set aside.
Add a dribble of veg oil to pot.
Add meat cubes to pot.
Add garlic and onion powders, hot sauce and black pepper.
Cook on medium-high, scald the meat quickly, then add 1/2 cup chicken stock.
Stir mixture.
Reduce heat to medium-low.
Cook for a few minutes.
Add beans to a pot.
Add remaining stock.
Stir.
Add 2 Cups Water.
Stir.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce to a simmer.
Stir.
Add cover but leave a small gap to let air circulate. It will help the beans soften.
Simmer 45 minutes.
Check mixture.
Stir.
Add more water if liquid is low.
Add salt to taste.
Stir.
Simmer for another 45 minutes.

 When serving, add garnishes of choice.

References:

Wikipedia, Pinto Beans
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinto_bean

#GERD-friendly
 

More Puttering Bliss

I fixed my first zipper.

Zippers are an interesting invention. But, if they break, they can be a bear to fix.

When the zipper "broke" on one of my backpacks, I put it in the sewing pile. 

I am always optimistic that I can fix things. Eventually, a lot of my "to be fixed" items go in the trash because I can't sew or repair much of anything.

Well, during the COVID19 Shelter-in-place, I had much more time on my hands. So, I decided to try and tackle fixing the zipper.

The top of the zipper had torn away from the base and the little zipper handle came off. The zipper teeth had fallen open.

So, using tweezers, I pushed and pulled the two ends of the zipper back into the handle into their respective slots. Then, when I pulled the handle down, the zipper teeth closed up.

I stitched the zipper base and the top of the zipper teeth tightly together so the zipper teeth would not separate, again.

I saved the knapsack!

Also, while I haven't learned how to make deodorant, yet, I did find a way to stretch a container of deodorant.

I buy men's deodorant because they come in larger quantities for about the same price as women's deodorant. You can find men's deodorant in pleasant scents.

But, I think deodorant containers are wasteful. They don't contain much deodorant and come in hard plastic containers that end up in the trash.

When I reached the end of a deodorant container, I decided I needed to figure out a way to extend the life of the deodorant, if I could.

So, I took the container and ran water over the top while I rotated the ball applicator. 

Then, I shook the container to slosh the water around, hoping to salvage some remaining deodorant.

It worked! I think I have almost as much deodorant as when it was new.

A Visit to Seye, Yucatán, México

A Visit to Seyé
Yucatán, México

I got a chance to visit Seyé, a Mayan pueblo, in Yucatán, México near Mérida.

During my visit, my host, Lucy, showed a friend and me a working henequén farm and factory, and a Tortilla Shop that made fresh tortillas.

A quick history of henequên in the Yucatán focuses on the large Spanish Haciendas or henequén plantations where workers farmed the agave plants, harvested and transported them to a factory where the plant fibers were made into different types of rope.

Until the invention of synthetic rope fiber, the Yucatán was once one of the few sources for rope.

The wealth from henequén products can be seen in the remaining haciendas in outlaying areas and the mansions in the city of Mérida, particularly on Paseo de Montejo.

Some have been renovated and are used as hotels, homes, or businesses.

So, it was a real joy to visit a working factory.

The huge pieces of equipment reminded me of Margaret Burke-White’s photography and some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s industrial designs.

The story of henequén in the Yucatán is a large part of it's history.

A few references:

Henequen industry in Yucatán

All in the Family: Railroads and Henequén Monoculure in Porfirian Yucatán

Later in town, we visited a Tortilla Shop and the owner, Thelma Rodriquez, was kind enough to let me take pictures of how they made tortillas from a corn flour mix.

Thelma says the tortillas are multi-grain.

A Puttering Passion

I use a lot of yogurt.

Here in Mérida, yogurt comes in a variety of sizes from small snack cups, to the popular 8.5 oz drink size, and to larger container sizes.

(Popular brands in Mérida: Yoplait, Danone)

I had a persistent problem. Often, I do not use all the yogurt in the 8.5 oz bottle and want to restore it in the frig. The little aluminum cover often tears, so it doesn't not work as a lid.

I have been looking for lid alternatives for years.

 I found one, today.

I use a cough syrup that comes with a cap you use as a measuring cup for the syrup. It fits perfectly as a yogurt lid.

 Hurray, for Puttering Passion!

While I save lots of plastic containers, I am not advocating for a lid for this yogurt. If you ever watched the film, Albatross, it really makes one want to eliminate all plastics.

Uh Oh, just one search for yogurt brands in Mexico and down the rabbit hole I go.

It makes me think of Yogurt Wars, whose brand makes it to the store shelves?

Found a recipe for making Yogurt that I can try.

Lentils, Mixed Vegetables and Black Bean Salsa

I am always on the lookout for a lentil recipe that works for me.

This one turned out pretty good. It's probably not as crunchy as the original recipe because I used mostly canned goods.



Lentils, Mixed Vegetables and Black Bean Salsa
(Adapted from: https://www.lentils.org/recipe/lentil-corn-black-bean-salsa/)


First, I made a batch of lentils using my recipe: Stovetop: Lentils with Garlic Powder (https://riastoneblog.blogspot.com/2019/06/stove-top-lentils-with-garlic-powder.html).

Then, with each of the items below, drain, rinse, drain again in a sieve. Then dump into a large food container with a lid.

Note: the ounces measurements are approximate.

I used: Metric-Conversions.org (https://www.metric-conversions.org/weight/grams-to-ounces.htm).

1 560g (20oz) Can Black Beans
1 400g (14oz) Can Mixed vegetables
1 210g (8oz) Can of salsa

Next, add to the ingredients:

1 Juice from a slice of lime
Ground black pepper, to taste
1 Cup cooked lentils, drained in a sieve
Stir the ingredients to mix thoroughly.

Cover container.
Place in frig.
Chill for a couple of hours.

This is a hearty, meaty tasting salsa.

#GERD-friendly

Microwave: Mug O'Apple Bread Pudding

During the COVID19 quarantine, I am rummaging around in closets, drawers, cupboards, and the frig.

I had a tablespoon of canned apple pie filling in the frig that had been sitting around for quite awhile.

I usually have a heel of bread somewhere in the frig.

So, I decided to make a Mug O’Apple Pudding based on a prior Mug O'Bread pudding recipe.

All I did different this time was stir the mixture well before microwaving.


Microwave: Mug O'Apple Bread Pudding Recipe
(Adapted from: https://riastoneblog.blogspot.com/2016/12/mug-obread-pudding.html)


Ingredients:

1 8oz coffee cup

1 TB Canned apple pie filling
1 Slice of bread, torn into pieces
1 egg
1 1-2 TB sugar
2 TB milk or yogurt (I used lactose-free dry milk mix)
1 TB vegetable oil (or margarine)
1 tsp vanilla
2 Dashes of cinnamon

Process:

Add apple filling to bottom of cup
Break bread into pieces, place in cup.
In separate bowl, mix rest of ingredients
Pour mixture over bread.
Push bread down into cup so all pieces are soaked in mixture.
Stir and mix bread, fruit and egg mixture together.
Microwave 2 minutes on high.
Remove, let it cool for a bit before eating.

It tastes like apple crumb cake!
 
Variations: use other types of fruit or no fruit.
 
#GERD-friendly

Converting Jack's Peach and Chickpea Curry into a Toast Topping

As you can see, if you preview my blog posts, I follow Jack Monroe https://cookingonabootstrap.com/.

I have also bought most of her books. Like Amy Dacyczyn, author of the Tightwad Gazette, Jack encourages people on a limited budget with limited cooking skills that they, too, can make great frugal meals.

Here is Jack's original Peach and Chickpea Curry:
https://cookingonabootstrap.com/2019/11/05/peach-chickpea-curry-recipe/.

While this post is not an actual recipe, you can go to Jack's website and try her recipe.

I was skeptical about trying to make this recipe for several reasons. Because I need to adapt recipes to make them GERD-friendly and according to available supplies, I wondered if I could actually achieve a curry.

Suffice it to say, adapting the recipe to make it GERD-friendly meant No onions, No garlic and No tomatoes. I tried to use a bit of onion and garlic powders. I tried to give it the tomato flavor by adding a few crumbles of tomato bouillon. If I use too much of any of these spices, my stomach rebels.

Well, it did not turn out the way I thought. So, I now I had a lot of peaches/chickpea mix left.

What could I do with this? First, I thought, I’d try to make the curry again by recooking a batch with additional spices. No, that won’t work, it would be too spicy.

Ok, let me sleep on it.

Then, I thought let’s see if it works as a toast topping. So, in the morning, I spread some cream cheese on a slice of toast and topped it with a 1 1/2 tablespoons of the peaches/chickpeas mix. It worked! It’s great. Hurray, another save!

#GERD-friendly

A Frugal Cup of Coffee

I have some ground coffee. I have a French Press but I only wanted to make one cup of coffee.

The ground coffee I have has a weak flavor, so what I did was use a tea-spoon (meant for loose tea) and grabbed a tea-spoon full of ground coffee, placed it in a cup and added boiling water.

Then, I stirred it and pulled the spoon out to let it drip and then stirred it some more etc.

Then, I added 1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee, stirred and got a good cup of coffee. Used the same grounds twice for another cup.

 

No Bake: Small Yogurt & Whipped Topping Pie

My recipes have devolved into small or single portion servings and minimalist ingredients.

While I don't have a sweet tooth, I do crave something sweet now and then. I made a version of this recipe, previously, but this one is simpler and more basic.


No Bake: Small Yogurt & Whipped Topping Pie
(Adapted from: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/12225/strawberry-yogurt-pie-i/)

 
Ingredients:

6oz Yogurt, flavored
6 Tbspns Whipped Topping
6-8 Cookies, crushed, use more if needed
Garnishes: Cookie crumbs and cinnamon


Process:

Put cookies in a plastic bag.
Smash cookies into crumbs with something hard like a can or a cutting board.
Conserve some cookie crumbs for garnish.

Layer the bottom of a small pie dish with the crushed cookie crumbs.
Use a spoon to level the cookie crumbs in the dish out to the edges.

In a small bowl, add yogurt and topping.
Stir and mix well until smooth.

Pour yogurt mixture over cookie crumbs in pie dish.
Use spoon to smooth mixture out to the edges.
Place in freezer for several hours to set.

When serving, garnish with additional cookie crumbs and cinnamon.

For a variation, see other blog post:

No Bake: Fruit & Yogurt Dessert
https://riastoneblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/no-bake-fruit-yogurt-dessert.html

#GERD-friendly - this is GERD-friendly for some but not all. Because I use lactose-free milk and dry milk, the use of other dairy products sparingly does not cause a problem. Be cautious.

Hotplate: COVID19 Chicken Broth with Additions

Breakfast today was a catch-all, Kitchen Sink Mug O'Something.

Lunch was a mug of COVID19 Chicken Broth with additions accompanied with several saltine crackers.


COVID19 Chicken Broth with Additions


Ingredients:

6 Cups water
1 Chicken Bouillon cube
1 Dollop vegetable oil
A sprinkle of onion powder
A sprinkle of garlic powder
Ground black powder
1-2 drops hot sauce
Additions: Use what you have.
Saltine crackers 


Process:

In 1 cup of water, add bouillon cube and microwave on high for two minutes.
Remove, stir to dissolve bouillon.
In a pot, add oil.
Add onion and garlic powders.
Add ground black pepper and hot sauce to taste (Optional).
Turn heat to high.
Stir the ingredients quickly.
Add bouillon water.
Stir.
Add 5 more cups of water.
Let this mixture heat up then remove from hotplate.

I added 6 ladlefuls of the broth to a large mug.
Then I add a ladleful of Rice, Chicken and Vegetable Stew to the broth.
Then, I stirred the mixture.
I microwaved the mixture for 2 minutes on high.

Be careful this broth will be hot!

Have some saltine crackers with the broth.


While I had a healthy frugal Breakfast and Lunch, the cafe next door has begun to offer door-to-door service. So, today, I got a Cafe-Carmelo Frappachino.