The Most Popular Menu Item

Amazingly, since I am a vegetarian, I assumed everyone would really love my Ratatouille.  I truly thought that would be the most popular menu item on my list.  I was wrong!

Since the Ratatouille is not number one I have a tie for first place and I'm not surprised.  People seem to love comfort food.  Everyone wants to come home to a homey meal in the evening but almost everyone I know is either too tired to cook or they simply don't enjoy it.  For many it means going to the grocery first as well.

I am very pleased I am able to fill an apparent much needed gap in the lives of my friends and family.  Not only do I enjoy the prep, cooking and packaging but I know I'm providing healthy, wholesome food for some who otherwise may not eat as well.

When it was suggested to me I come up with a menu and let people choose what they would like to order, I thought it was a great idea.  As in any new endeavor, I made a couple of mistakes.  One mistake was to publish a menu with many entrees, sides, soups and desserts from which to choose.  What happened was I received several large orders at one time and everyone ordered different dishes.  That meant I had to get cookin'. 

I think I cooked for 5 days straight from early morning to late night.  I was thankful my granddaughter, Brittany, came to help.  Now I know better.  I should have published what I had available as I completed a menu item.  Thankfully, it's all under control now and I'm planning and cooking September's menu.

Okay...are you curious what are the most popular menu items?  The tie is between Chicken Pot Pie and Shepherd's Pie.  Most definitely comfort food.

I sent out an email last evening letting everyone know what I still had available and everyone who ordered wanted the Shepherd's Pie.  I had so many requests I made more today.  I just didn't want to tell anyone I was out of something they seem to love.

Here's a hint of what's on the menu for September:

It's a frittata of eggs, potatoes, onions and sweet peppers topped with Roma tomatoes and chiffonade of basil from my towers. 


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Thank you for your support!

I am overwhelmed by the interest my cooking tales have generated.  I have received encouragement, questions, suggestions and compliments.  It means everything to have my passion for cooking shared by so many folks.

Thank you to all who have taken the time to contact me in one way or another.  I appreciate every one of you.

I'm still cooking but not from morning until night.  I am able now to slow down and enjoy cooking again.  I am making several dishes this week but at a much more reasonable pace. 

Sooooo....a new project has just been born.  I ordered a real German fermenting crock and a cabbage shredder, the old fashioned wooden box type.  I also ordered about 30 pounds of cabbage from the organic produce co-op.  Tomorrow is the shredding and salting day. 

 

I'm going to be attempt this fermenting process and determine if it's something I may be successful doing.  I love sauerkraut and can't wait to taste it. 

 

I'll report on the outcome in about six weeks.  Making 'kraut is a slow process.  

 

The Passion of Cooking!

For years I have claimed I could not determine my passion in life.  I will tell you I love to cook.  I love experimenting with my own recipes.  I grow my own herbs and many vegetables.  I love gardening and all the work the that goes with it.  I have always enjoyed entertaining although I do less and less every year.

After a great deal of thought I have decided cooking and gardening are my passions.  I used to just think I liked spending time in the kitchen and the garden but now after two weeks of cooking every day, I know for sure it's my passion. 

How did it come about?  A friend who has always used a personal chef told me their chef has decided to end this service to concentrate on other endeavors.  The friend said she had found a place online that would deliver and before I could check my tongue I blurted, "I'll cook for you!" 

About a week later my friend handed me a recipe and said this would be a trial.  It was an interesting recipe but very vague.  For instance, the recipe called for tomato sauce.  No size or flavor, just tomato sauce. 

To shorten the tale, I cooked for most of two days.  I made their recipe and one I like.  I froze each in glass containers lined with parchment, removed the contents from the containers and vacuum sealed the spicy concoctions in Food Saver bags.  Now my friend can just remove the dish from the freezer, drop it back into the glass dish and either microwave or bake it. 

When I mentioned what I was doing to a couple of people they wanted to participate as well.  Now after cooking for a solid week I still have not caught up with the orders.  Amazing!

Here's what's cooking this week:

Chicken Taco Soup
Vegetarian Taco Soup
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Red Lentil Soup with Spinach
Vegetarian Vegetable Soup
Ratatouille
Shepherd's Pie
Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie
Chicken Pot Pie
Vegan Pot Pie
Parmesan Pork with Black Beans and Rice
Pot Roast Beef with Potatoes, Carrots, Celery
Maque Choux (Okra, Tomatoes and Corn)
Zucchini, Corn, Edamame Sauté
Squash Casserole
Broccoli Soufflé
Almond Green Beans
Berry Crunch
Snickerdoodle Cookies

This is the Maque Choux:

 

I'm not finished yet.  I'm up early and I stay up late but I have enjoyed my time in the kitchen.  I think when it's all wrapped up (pun intended) for this week I'll take a well deserved vacation.