2 Foodies - 2 Dogs - 1 Budget

The Cookie Fairy Arrived

Yesterday my Mom who is still visiting during my recovery from surgery opened the front door and there was a shopping bag on the front step with this huge assortment of cookies from cookiesbydesign.com.  The good cookie fairies are My brother Kevin and his wife Stella.  Thank you so much!!! They are yummy.

Lunch With A Famous Chef!

Since Labor Day weekend I was battling a cold which is still lingering.  And in my run down state, when I went to the kitchen I decided to let the kid in me out and to have lunch with a famous Chef!  Well, a dead famous Chef, Boyardee.  In the pantry was a can of overstuffed beef ravioli. Ok, so this is not the most gourmet lunch I ever prepared, but it did remind me of my childhood and it was quick to heat up.  More good foodie recipes will come very soon! 

In the meantime, ponder this, when was the last time you allowed yourself to feel like a kid inside.  In this day of responsibilities, cell phones, emails, job/family stress we get caught up and wound up.  I encourage you to get your favorite food as a kid and think of what life was like then, or go out and buy a bottle of bubbles and just sit and blow for no reason at all, build a sand castle, watch a cartoon, or do something that makes you giggle down deep.  That is the best medicine for a Great Recipe for life and what I have to remind myself of every now and then.  And I have just reminded you as well so I have done my job for the day.

News Alert: Ella & Louie Find Fame And Negotiate For More Treats!

It's true, Ella and Louie now available as a U.S. Stamp to make people ponder if they are a realist like Ella or a Dreamer like Louie.  The two Minature Pinchers egos have inflated and are demanding extra cookies in negotiating with their owners Steve & Henry.  To keep the dogs happy, new treats were purchased at the local pet store and order was restored.

Send your mail in style, woof woof nice stamps!

2 Foodies - 2 Dogs - 1 Budget Products - Shop Our Store

Louie is a dreamer, day dreaming of Xmas and cookies.  His sister Ella is a realist knowing that Steve & Henry worked them into the website cause they are cute and if visitors aren't interested in their food or life, they certainly would be interested in cute small dogs. 

To honor Ella & Louie, they now have their own merchandise.  Are you a dreamer? or a realist? Either way, our branded merchandise will remind you to live everyday creating a "Great Recipe" for your own life. Just get our Ella & Louie coffee mug to ponder which category you fall into . . . dreamer or realist? or maybe a little of both.

And for those of you that do your "Great Recipes" in the kitchen, our apron will keep you clean while you fillet, dice, chop, saute, bake, etc.

Start creating your own "Great Recipes".  Other merchandise includes an Ella & Louie Key Chain & Magnet. And a 2 Foodies logo on a tote bag great for shopping or packing food to take on a picnic or to the beach, now isn't that a "Great Recipe" for life. More merchandise to be added in the future.

To view all of our merchandise just click here: 2 Foodies Merchandise

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Not only do we have a winner, we have someone who guessed the exact number of staples!  and the number is 105 of these incredible metal pieces that held me together for 4 weeks.

For those of you just reading our blog for the first time and are wondering why we are showing staples it's because I had major surgery to remove a Chondrasarcoma tumor and 5 of my ribs about a month ago.  These little staples kept my incision healing properly.  When my surgeon plucked out all 105 of these a week ago I asked if I could keep them to do something creative with which eventually I will do, but the first order of business was to have people guess how many were in me.  The winner's name is Bob from New York.  Bob will receive a glass teapot and one dozen blooming teas courtesy of Full Bloom Tea.

To update those following along, Tuesday next week I will have my first consultation with an oncologist to determine next steps in treating my cancer.  While the surgeon feels he got most of it out, most likely I will undergo some radiation as a preventive measure.  My thanks to all that participated in this little staple guessing game, and to all of you that sent your warm wishes during my recovery.

Sunday Dinner: Stuffed Sole and Mushroom Orzo with Peas

Prep Time: 45 Minutes - Cost Per Serving Under $6

For Sunday dinner, we used the stuffed fillet of sole that came in the Omaha Steak goodie package from my cousin.  I made a mushroom orzo pasta as a side and some peas.

The sole is frozen and the directions said to cook it for 35 to 45 minutes.  Just place it frozen in a pan and add 2 tablespoons of water.  I also added some fresh dill on the top of each fillet as well.

For the orzo pasta, I boiled water and cooked the orzo until al dente.  While I was boiling water, i re-hydrated some dried mushrooms in water.

Once re-hydrated, I used some of the mushroom water to create a sauce for the pasta by reducing it down in a pan, I added about 1 teaspoon of corn starch in some water then added that to the mushroom liquid to make it thicker.  For seasoning I added salt and pepper.  Once it was a sauce consistency, I poured it over the drained orzo pasta, and then grated fresh lemon peel on top of the pasta to give it some additional flavor.

For the peas, i put frozen peas in a strainer and ran them under hot water to defrost them.

Sunday Breakfast & The Colors Of Summer

For our breakfast Sunday, Henry, Mom and I went to Mimi's Cafe.  Herny had chicken sausage and eggs, Mom had french toast and bacon, and I had crab cakes Benedict.  Sometimes, just taking a moment, sitting down and being served food without preparing it is an extra special treat.

Right after our Mimi feast, across the street was a local farmers market that happens every Sunday where vendors sell their fresh produce, plants, etc.  The deals at a local farmers market are sometimes unbelievable.  I snagged an 8 lb bag of grapefruit which had 12 large grapefruits for only $2 for the entire bag!  Here are some photos I took showing off the colors of Summer:

Chondra Update 8/23/07: Staples Out! Hammock Arrives!

When Henry and I started this blog, it's primary focus is food and our enjoyment of eating, cooking and preparing most of our own meals in a gourmet way inexpensively and sharing this with whomever has an interest via the web.  While our main focus is food, this blog also deals with how we juggle day to day life, our ups, downs, accomplishments, failures, style and living.  Hence, this update deals with my battle with cancer. 

Some of you know that 4 weeks ago I had major surgery where they removed 5 of my ribs on my left side and a few spots on my left lung where the cancer was touching.  The incision was large and held together with metal staples which have been in me for the last 4 weeks.  The first time I went to the surgeon after the operation he said to keep them in one more week.  When I went back I had an infection in my lungs with fluid and he gave me antibiotics and said keep them in one more week.  Today is exactly 4 weeks since my surgery and my scheduled appointment with the surgeon and I am pleased to say the staples are out! Yeah! Yeah! and more Yeah!  While my kind doctor removed the staples, my Mom who is visiting from New York was right there holding my hand.  Thank you Mom.  The surgeon said its probably the most staples he ever removed from an operation, which lets you know how extensive this surgery really was. 

I hope this doesn't freak too many people out, but I asked to keep the staples.  He said sure, this is the first request ever to keep them and he wanted to know what I was going to do with them and I told him something creative, I am not sure yet, but something to symbolize my battle with Chondrasarcoma.  After all, these staples held me together for 4 weeks, I feel it's only fair to hold onto them and figure out a way to creatively use them to express what I am going through.  Once I figure out how to use them I will post it.  In the meantime, I did think of one way to get some mileage out of the staples.  A contest to guess how many of these things held me together, like guessing how many jelly beans in a jar.  In order to guess, just email your guess to me at steve@2foodies2dogs1budget.com.  In order to help you out, I will tell you there were more than 30 and less than 200.  Please email just one guess per email address.  I will accept emails today through Wednesday August 29th 10 pm PST.  The one who guesses closest to the actual number or the exact number first wins a Fullbloomtea.com glass teapot and one dozen assorted blooming teas, retail value $60.  Let the guessing begin!  Good Luck.

Prior to going to the surgeon today, as my Mom and I were leaving my our house, UPS had left a package at the door.  A hammock and stand that I ordered about 2 weeks ago.  So when we got home, Mom and I put it together and all I can say is I am in heaven.  Here are some pictures including the view when I look up laying in the hammock of the palm trees.  The rustling of the palm fronds and the breeze against my skin while I laid in it made me feel so alive.  It's hard to explain but it was a very peaceful, zen moment for me.

And even Mom got into the relaxation zen moment.

Weather report - Overcast - Drizzle - Dank: Must be Soup Time!

Today when I woke up it actually felt chilly in the house.  When I stepped outside I realized why.  It was overcast, and lightly drizzling in Long Beach.  After breakfast, I was motivated to make something hearty to serve with dinner later tonight, and soup came to mind.

When I was a kid living in the Bronx, I remember going to my Mom's Mothers apartment for family dinners now and then and Grandma would make a soup from a mix by Manischewitz. FYI Manischewitz has been serving up mixes since 1888!, they must be doing something right.  A few weeks ago while shopping I saw the mix she used to use and picked it up.  They have several different types, I actually picked up a lentil mix as well as a split pea mix.  Today I did the split pea mix.  The mix is pretty straight forward, add the peas to a pot with 5 cups of water, boil then cover and simmer for 1 hour.  About 10 minutes before the hour is up, add a flavor packet. 

Of course I am a foodie and can't just make something without embellishing.  So while cooking the peas, I had a ham hock in the pot which helped add flavor.  And i shredded the meat off the ham hock at the end and added it back to the soup.  As I am writing this I hear Ella and Louie fighting over the bones that they are enjoying from the ham hock. 

As a side note, Grandma Rose was a foodie in her own way.  I remember she would add a turkey neck to the soup when she cooked hers to give it extra flavor.

Almond Amaretto Pancakes and Sausage Breakfast

Prep Time: 20 Minutes - Cost Per Serving Under $1.50

This morning I made some almond amaretto pancakes using Kona Coast Hawaiian Style mix.  It was the first time using the mix, and I could see pieces of almonds in the mix as I scooped it out of the container.  It was very easy to make, just add water, an egg and a little oil and beat it up until the batter is smooth.

As the pancakes were cooking, I fried up some fresh Farmer Johns link breakfast sausages.

This was a quick breakfast, under 20 minutes to make and under $1.50 per serving.  The pancakes from the Kona Coast mix by the way were really good.  Fluffy with small bits of almonds in every bite.