I thought about Christmas meal and had no idea. We will have to thaw turkey breast or eat some of the chicken we are thawing. I will make the green bean casserole that he loves and baked sweet potatoes. There is Stove Top Stuffing and canned cranberry sauce and maybe some I cooked from fresh cranberries.
So far, the attorney, car rental, police and insurance do not respond to repeated calls. This is very demeaning. And, I am still sick!
One night, we had chicken al pastor. It was too hot for me, but I scraped off lots of the coating. I will finish it tonight but will never have it again. It helped that I ate it along with a salad. It was frozen chicken nuggets/chunks. I need to read labels better. Have you ever had chicken al pastor? What is your opinion?
-We got ads and a few groceries. The Kleenex was on back of list and not gotten. We really need those! We only creep around in this car close to home.
Tonight, we are having the rest of chicken al pastor, salad, and baked sweet potato. We will share one huge sweet potato with neighbor and keep two for us. They surely weigh a pound each. I would love sweet potato casserole, but Tommy likes plain sweet potatoes. So, I won't make it.
That's it.
It is so close to Christmas Day. How are things going for your plans?
I've never had chicken al pastor, but it's apparently made with achiote peppers, which are not supposed to be very spicy at all. Must be your delicate palate, Linda. Throw some sour cream on it to temper the heat.
ReplyDeleteNobody here can offer ideas for Christmas Dinner. One says prime rib, another says, "I hate prime rib!" One says goose, but I doubt if anyone will enjoy it and the thought of dealing with gallons of goose grease makes me nauseated.
If they don't come to some decision, I will hand them jars of PB and jelly and tell them to make their own dinner! I can only eat non-spicy mushy stuff, soup, & liquids, anyway. Basically nursing home food. I had oral surgery (bone graft/dental implant) a week ago and will be food-restricted for a while.
I've been having mashed potatoes with PB mixed in, and I've gotta say it's better than it sounds. Last night was mashed cauliflower with cottage cheese and homemade chicken gravy; also better than expected.
I am still buying last-minute presents; I got off to a great start after Thanksgiving but the surgery laid me low for many days. And now I'm scrambling. Sure hope LL Bean delivers on Xmas Eve, like they say they will...
I swept the porches and put out evergreen-filled urns, but there are no lights to speak of. So it's pretty during the day but a little bleak at night.
It is what it is! We will have a good Christmas breakfast, if nothing else: blueberry french toast casserole, scrambled eggs, bacon, & mimosas. If we have enough mimosas, maybe we won't care too much about a fancy dinner! ;^)
I have never been able to eat hot and spicy. None of my grown children can, either.
DeleteWhen I had oral surgery, pb was officially off the menu. NONE of your food sounds good. If you cannot eat dinner, maybe don't cook. Or just cook and easy thing that you can eat the leftovers when you are better.
Lots of people put out just daytime displays. I messed up getting the free lit up deer.
If I just had scrambled eggs for breakfast on Christmas, I would be deliriously happy.
Sue, I really think I need your blueberry french toast casserole recipe. Sounds yummers! Thanks!
DeleteMelanie,
DeleteIt does sound delicious!
It IS yummers, Melanie! I've never seen a recipe like it on the Internet. I got it over a decade ago from a newspaper. It is a family treasure.
ReplyDeleteIt's also amazing with blackberries, although a little fiddly to mix with the topping because they are so soft.
Blueberry-Topped French Toast Casserole
• 2 generous cups washed & dried, room-temperature fresh blueberries
• 12 oz Challah or egg twist bread (or brioche), cut into 1-1/2” cubes (~ 8 generous cups)
• 5 large eggs
• 1-1/2 c skim or 1% milk
• 3/4 c half & half or whole milk (fat free half & half works very well!)
• 1-1/2 t vanilla
Blueberry Topping:
• 6 T unsalted butter, softened (if using salted butter, omit the added salt)
• 1/3 c packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 t cinnamon
• 1/8 t salt
• 1/4 c flour
1. The night before you make the casserole, wash, drain, & sort the blueberries. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a single layer of paper towels, pour blueberries on top, and cover with another layer of paper towels. Let blueberries air dry overnight at room temperature.
2. When you are ready to make the casserole, generously butter the bottom & sides of a DEEP baking casserole or Dutch oven
3. Place the bread in a very large (4 qt.) bowl.
4. Add the eggs, both milks, & vanilla to a large bowl (or blender). Use an immersion blender to mix ingredients well. Pour the mixture over the bread; fold gently to coat the bread.
5. Preheat oven to 350˚F. Let the bread soak while you make the blueberry topping.
6. Using a hand mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar. Blend in the cinnamon, salt, and flour until well mixed. Add the blueberries and fold gently with a rubber scraper to coat the berries.
7. Pour the soaked bread into the buttered casserole dish. Dollop the blueberry topping evenly over the soaked bread.
8. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes at 350˚ until the top is puffy and dark golden. Place pan on a wire rack for 5 min. to cool
9. Serve with maple syrup, whipped cream, confectioner’s sugar, crème fraiche, yogurt, or whatever appeals. Leftovers keep well in the fridge.