random thoughts – Day 1,716 – (Wednesday) – stuffing and stuff

The stuffing/dressing saga has entered the production phase. After a brief consultation with the dinner hostess, it was decided to bring the stuffing in a crockpot instead of an oven baking dish. Ovens have limited capacity and the logistics can get complicated when there are lots of pans and casserole dishes jockeying for position.

A crockpot full  of stuffing.

A glass of Argentinian Malbec was poured. First things first, right? Then kitchen duty was activated for the crew of one.

Onions were chopped with the favorite knife and sautéed in the favorite cast iron pan. Ground beef and pork were browned in the pan with the onions. Celery was chopped. Instant potatoes were transformed from light as air flakes to a denser food consistency. It was all combined in the crock with the stuffing mix and seasonings.

Twice as much meat and onions as needed were cooked. Most of it was used for the stuffing and some was set aside for personal use. Extra potatoes were prepared, with a small portion set aside. This is how I roll with food preparation. Plan ahead, cook once and get multiple meals from the deal. I love efficiency. After the stuffing ingredients were mixed, it was time to move ahead with supper.

Supper is served.

Green beans and broccoli were cut and sautéed. Some of the extra meat and onion mix was added. Plated with a side of formerly instant potato flakes, topped with shredded cheddar, and a side of the refilled glass of the Malbec, it was a tasty treat for a cold night. More grownup and nutritious than Tuesday night's olive loaf sandwich. There is a lot of comfort in winter food (and wine).

There is a small container of meat and onion, and a smaller one of meat, onion, green beans, and broccoli packaged for future use. They will join the other random bits and bobs in the freezer and will one day become part of a casserole or a soup.

After the work, it’s time to relax with Average Joe, a dark comedy drama series on Netflix. It stars Deon Cole, who I’ve seen in the comedy Blackish. He’s great at comedy, and I didn’t know what to expect from him in a murder-y show, but I like it. There are funny moments, poignant moments, and a heavy dose of murder for a temporary flight from quiet-ish, regular life.