COVID-19-REALLY A SECOND WAVE-IS HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF

 There have been so many links to the Spanish Flu. Its second wave happened because people let their guard down and socialized too much.

Really!!

So what is happening with us?

More of the same. The party scene, the overcrowded bar scene- instead of limiting patrons, the anti-maskers, the who knows what others decenters exist.

With the kids back at school, stores and businesses opening we can not let the morons hurt the majority, can we?

Responsible Canadians, are doing whatever they can.

The younger crowd thought they were invincible. Well they are not!!

I try to stay within my family group. If out, masks etc. One outdoor neighbour party two ago. Outside. Mask. Physical distanced. Washed hands. Elbow greetings.

I am fine but I did worry about being with others outside my bubble. Now the number is less than it was two weeks ago. Can not be with a group of over 25.Although that party was actually less than 25.

So with increasing numbers that was forecasted several months ago, let's be diligent. For the sake of everyone. But mostly for each individual's sake. I know I do not want to get the virus. I do not want my children, grandchildren, friends, neighbours oh well anyone to get it.

So do we have to have history repeat itself. Can we not learn from history?? Oh I really hope so.

#covid19#learningfromhistory#keeppracticisingthosepublichealthprotocols#bearesponsiblecanadian#wearyourmask#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FALL DISHES-WHAT TO MAKE WITH ALL THE FALL PRODUCE

 

Just a few of our Fall fare here in my area. I have put some roasted red peppers in the freezer.

Love the squash, brussel sprouts, pumpkins and all the good food.

When missing the fresh veggies and fruit of the summer, it is always rewarding to have local fall produce.

What are you making this Fall?

#fallproduce#pumpkins#Squash#sweetpotato#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

MAKING PASSATA OR BUYING BOTTLES

 I have been seeing posts of Italian-Canadians making "tomatoes" or as it is really called passata.

Adolph and I decided after his mother passed away that it was her thing. He was the cook so decided what passata to use. Besides Mamma would often complain about the tomatoes. One year too much acid. Another year too watery.

We would always freeze some roma tomatoes, buy tins of tomatoes and fresh ones to use in sauce and soups.

But doing the tomatoes became passe for us.

So this year I search the flyers for discounted passata. 

And I found some at Food Basics as in other years.

So carrying cases from my car to the house was so much work.

#passata#makingthetomatoesisover#usingavarietyoftomatoesforfood#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#bottledpassataisbest#

COOL WEATHER BRINGS INDOOR COOKING AGAIN

 I love using the slow cooker for meals. Today a ragu sauce Granpa style. Adolph taught me well. I make a double batch. Give some to my daughter, make some freezer containers and use some fresh for today's meal.

I have decided to do a slow cooker meal every week. Eat some, freeze some. I really find it hard cooking for one. So making fresh and freezing a meal or two from the dish like the sauce, beef stew, pot roast or chilli will give me the chance to have some ready made meals when I do not feel like cooking.

Granpa/Adolph was the cook/chef. He taught me well. But I really miss his cooking. He made great soups.

So I will do my best without him.

#coolweathercooking#granpataughtmewell#ragusauce#makingfreshandfreezingsomemeals#usingmyslowcookerformeals#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

SUMMER BARBECUES ARE THE BEST

 I threw out my little charcoal barbecue because it was falling apart.

Luckily I have two daughters with backyard gas ones. So dinners out and barbecues have been enjoyed this summer.

Granpa always loved a picnic lunch especially fried chicken. Oh the memories!

Summer and barbecues and picnics. Always will miss Granpa's cooking. Luckily we have the recipes, the pictures and the memories.

#summerbarbecues#granpalovedfriedchicken#picnicswerealwaysfun#enjoyingthesummer#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

CHEF ZACH AT RIVERSTONE ECO RETREAT CENTRE.

 The menu for a wonderful lunch and tasting of the dishes by Chef Zach Keeshig and his interns at Riverstone ECO Retreat Centre near Durham- Grey County Ontario.
The day was an excursion for Sonya from House of Kerrs to write about the menu as well as experience the Riverstone Eco Retreat Centre.

Zach's 5 interns from various areas in Ontario and one from as far away as Nunavut introduced themselves before the dishes were served. They will be continuing their studies at various Ontario colleges.
Using food from the land, the array of dishes were so tasty.
House of Kerrs will feature the dishes.
House of Kerrs- https://houseofkerrs.com
I loved the sourdough bread cooked in the wood fire oven with the maple syrup from Riverstone and herbs from the garden. The whitefish cooked on birch bark was a delight to see. The desserts were good but the maple sponge toffee with wild mint chocolate truffle was a great finish to the whole culinary experience.
A tour of the property as well as the garden after a little walk over the bridge illustrated what a wonderful place for a retreat as well as any formal events. Many weddings have been held there.

So have a look at the menu. You can go to Chef Zach Keeshig's  facebook page and book an experience. It would be worth the adventure. As for me the Retreat setting would be a great getaway for some reflective thinking. And more good eating!!
#Chefzachkeeshig#reverstoneecoretratcentre#cookingfromtheland#tryingindigenousfoods#tryafoodadventure#granpalovestocook#barbaradimambro#whitefishonbirchbark#mapletart#indigenouseating#foodingreycountyontario#visitingplacesinontarioforgoodfood#Elephantthoughts#helpingyouthtobehappyandhealthythroughcommunityeducation

JUNE AND HOME COOKING DURING THE PANDEMIC

Take out versus home cooking.

With the limited jaunts to the grocery store and more online grocery deliveries, cooking at home has become the norm.

Yes food is more expensive ordering online. So paying for take out with a fridge full of food seems wasteful.

So trying to use up all the veggies and fruit differently.

More banana bread or muffins. But thought to try something different with the rotting bananas so bought some doughnut pans. I'll let you know how it goes.
#homecooking#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#homemadedonuts