Tuesday, September 11, 2012

A Very Short Tour of my Kitchen



Cooking is at once child's play and adult joy. And cooking done with care is an act of love. 

Craig Claiborne


My son came to spend Sunday afternoon with me. He surprised me the above little gift.  I love when people appreciate my food.  Heck, I love when people appreciate me.


A cook can never have too many spices...especially now with this low-sodium diet.  I'm always looking for ways to spice up my food.  Speaking of spicing up food....


This is my sodium-free meat sauce on Garden Delight Penne Rigate.  Now, I have always loved my pasta.  Pasta and homemade sauce was something my mom really knew how to make.  I just cannot seem to get my sauce to taste like anything.  It is so bland, just like eating plain noodles.  I try and I try and add all kinds of ingredients, but nothing seems to work.  The above was made from...

6 plum tomatoes
1 tbs. no salt tomato paste
garlic powder
basil
oregano
chop meat
olive oil

It smells utterly fantastic, and when I heat it up at work, everyone is full of ooh's and ah's, but it is utterly tasteless.  Anyone have any suggestions?


And finally, hubby found the above oil painting on the street about 18 years ago.  It's a cornucopia, a ceramic jar, and a couple of pears, quite appropriate for this time of the year. It remains an important part of our home.

"A True Home - A roof to keep out the rain. Four walls to keep out the wind. Floors to keep out the cold. Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father. Warmth of loving hearts, light from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Home is first school...for the young ones where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind. Where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick. Where joy is shared and sorrow eased. Where fathers and mothers are respected and loved. Where children are wanted. Where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned. Where money is not so important as loving-kindness. Where even the teakettle sings from happiness. That is home."

Author: Ernestine Schumann-Heink

12 comments:

  1. such treasures...the pasta looks wonderful, unfortunately no advise

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  2. Love the cute spoon holder! All I can suggest is -- more spices! Have you ever tried the minced garlic that you can buy in little bottles at the store? To me, it packs a better garlic punch than powder.

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  3. I'd say real garlic too...it tastes way better and the flavors meld with the other ingredients. You can find minced garlic in a jar at the store or buy the real deal. I never use garlic powder or salt. The same goes for the spices...if one can buy fresh basil, etc, it is always better.

    Love your little spoon holder...too cute! :)

    Have a great week Mary!
    (((Hugs and Love)))
    Akasa

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  4. Good morning Mary....ahhh...no taste in the pasta.....you know...I usually add sweet sausage and spicy sausage to my pasta sauce....it seems to add that extra little punch when needed....also....as Debra said.....LOTS AND LOTS of garlic! LOL

    xo

    Jo

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  5. Pasta looks great! I neeed to back off on the sodium too! I agree, I dont think you can go wrong with fresh herbs! Have you tried sundried tomatoes? Just chop them up and toss them in with the olive oil. Much more flavor!

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  6. I see my idea has been voiced. Real garlic.
    (((hugs)))Pat

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  7. Sept. 12th

    You can't stop me from commenting on your latest post. :-) Just by turning off comments, there, today. :-)

    I'm sorry that your feeling melancholy. But me'thinks we all do, at one time or another.

    Lots and lots of gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"

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  8. MWAH...

    just kissing the cook.

    love the pictures Mary and I can almost smell the sauce from here.

    yummy

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  9. Freshly ground pepper and coriander. Ground fennel, too. After you have been off salt for a bit, food will taste better. :)

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  10. Freshly ground pepper and coriander, some fennel seed,too. :)

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  11. Freshly ground pepper and coriander. Ground fennel, too. After you have been off salt for a bit, food will taste better. :)

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