Friday, July 18, 2008

Around Here


Hmph! Trouble is a typical male. He loves falling asleep in his favourite chair with the remote clutched close to him so no one else can change the channel. He is cute though!

I was going to post just the photos of Trouble, but decided to add a few more. This one is of my banana tree. It's growing quite nicely. I just love the beautiful foliage. So pretty!
My poor Buddha Bamboo is suffering though! I had to place it off the ground because Spike (Trouble's sister) discovered that she likes to use it as a litter box. She also loves eating the bamboo leaves! Grrrrr! Even though I have moved the plant, Spike has recently found out that she can jump up and still get into the planter! I've caught her several times and I keep spraying her with the spray bottle when I catch her, but she's getting pretty crafty. I think she knows that she isn't supposed to be doing that and is just trying to test my patience! Seriously, she sits there watching me to see what I'm going to do next!!
Since I haven't suffered terribly from nausea and food aversions in the past three days, I decided it was time to have some Chilaquiles!!! Yippeeee! Though the photo doesn't do the dish any justice (I realize it doesn't look that appealing in the photo), it was a very yummy meal and just what I have been craving. It tasted just like the Chilaquiles I had at some of the authentic Mexican restaurants I've been to!
Since I've been able to tolerate meat for the past few days, I decided to cook some chicken for my poor husband (who has had to go without meat since it has been grossing me out for the past 2.5 months). The poor guy has even had to take on cleaning the litter boxes and doing the groceries because certain scents make me really nauseous. Ahhhh...the perks of being pregnant. Yeah, right.

For lunch today, I made a Waldorf Salad.My Waldorf Salad is a slight variation from the original recipe. I've been to New York so many times and it's hard to believe that I have never tried the Waldorf Salad in New York. Usually when I go somewhere, I like to try food that is popular to that area. You know, Montreal=Montreal Smoked Meat, New York=New York Cheesecake, Philadelphia=Philly Cheese Steak, Key West (Florida)=Key lime pie, Singapore=Singapore Noodles, Japan=real sushi...
Anyway, every time I go to NY, it's to visit family. We usually go out for Chinese Dim Sum and I don't get to try any of the other fare NY has to offer. Maybe next time.

Here is my take on the recipe made popular by the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

C's Waldorf Salad Recipe
2 sweet apples, cored and diced
1 Tbsp lemon juice
3 Tbsp mayonnaise (I used Hellman's made with olive oil)
a handful of raisins
a handful of toasted, chopped almonds (the recipe calls for walnuts, but I don't really like walnuts)
salt & black pepper
lettuce
1 or 2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced.

Cook chicken and let cool before you cut into bite sized cubes. Chop up apples and add them to a medium sized bowl. Pour lemon juice over apples and toss so they don't turn brown from oxidation. Add mayonnaise, salt, black pepper. Mix in remainder of the ingredients. Make sure to mix well. Serve on a bed of fresh, crisp lettuce.

*You can also use seedless red grapes (halved) and celery, but I didn't have red grapes on hand and I haven't been able to stomach celery lately. If you don't like mayonnaise, you can also use plain/natural yogurt.*

21 comments:

Tracy said...

I love the curly banana leaf!

Anonymous said...

Should you ever venture to my country, I will have you try a Toad in the Hole, Spotted Dick, black pudding, Bubble and Squeak, and so many other fine British delights.

-Pete

Shannon said...

Great pics of the cat with the remote. Hubby lets me be the remote hog in our house :)
MMmmmmm chilaquiles... No one can make them like my parents neighbor in Mazatlan. Delish!

Jan said...

Cat with remote is too funny. I hope my cat doesn't discover how that functions. Love the Waldorf salad recipe.

Uncivil said...

Just dropping by to say hi! I guess i'm the "no blogger" lately.

Hope you're feeling well!

caninecologne said...

wow, banana trees can grow in your area? that's great!

one of my friends gave me 2 banana trees when we moved into our home 10 years ago. we now have a "mini grove". those things just multiply like crazy. over here, you cantell who's Filipino if they have banana trees in their back yard. ha ha. sorry to stereotype.

re: spotted dick (that japanmanpete referred to). - i saw that in a can at an import store. i should have bought it. it's supposed to be really good. pudding with currants or raisins i think.

my daughter liked the photo of the cat with the remote! too cute!

i am glad you are feeling better this trimester. that's great you are able to keep your food down and can handle mexican food too.

yszod - your word verifcation.

caninecologne said...

oh yes, by the way, you will be receiving something in the mail next week. :)

also you and your niece can fight over the earrings assortment.

pwrgng - your word verification
POWER GONG!

Unknown said...

Starshine:
Me too! It's so pretty! I love it first thing in the morning, when the leaves start to unfurl and droplets of water (or plant liquid?) fall from the curly leaves.

Pete:
I think you should seriously think of starting your own blog! Instead of blogstalking people, you can take photos of all those neat dishes you've got in England! I must say that the names of the dishes are very intriguing!

Unknown said...

Shannon:
Lucky you!!! I wish I got to be the remote hog in this house! ;)
Oh my goodness...Chilaquiles in Mazatlan! Sounds divine!!!!

Jan:
Yes, Trouble likes to think that he is funny too! I don't think he knows how to operate the remote yet. He just likes hogging it! Oh! He's managed to turn the TV on and off (in the middle of the best parts of movies of course!) by sitting on the remote with his big, heavy butt! Trouble weighs close to 18 lbs, while his sister is only around 6.5 lbs.

Unknown said...

Jimbo:
Hey! I think you should change your name to "The Unblogger"! ;) At least you're having fun!! ;) Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
I'm off to pick up my Mom for the "Strawberry Social" at the hall tonight. I don't normally attend these things, but I am seriously craving strawberries! Strawberry shortcake, strawberries with ice cream, strawberry everything!!! LOL!

Canine:
Hola amiga! Que tal? I just called your house but no one was home :( Anyway, I'll try you again sometime this week.

Ummmmm...The banana trees don't actually grow well in this climate. Our summers are hot, but winters are freezing. I'm growing mine indoors. I know it's cheating, but I do like having the beautiful, big, green foliage in the house. So pretty. You are so right! It is SUCH a filipino thing! LOL! I think almost every member of my family has a banana tree (or two, or three)!

You totally didn't have to send me anything, silly! You are too sweet. Anyway, I will talk to you soon! XO

caninecologne said...

Sorry I missed your call : (

I was home, but upstairs in the "loo". haha.now you know why I couldn't answer the phone! i was bummed that I missed a chance to chat.

that makes sense to grow your banana tree indoors. i hope it survives your winter.

re: package
too late! it's been sent!

rdctwuc

louann said...

I'm so happy that your 1st tri-sem blues seems to be wearing off C!

The cat looks cute =)

merinz said...

Hmm funny about males and TV remotes.... they seem to have a fascination with them.

Anonymous said...

The kitty cat fell asleep watching TV again, huh!? ;-) So cute!! And I am so impressed, as always, with your culinary abilities. Wishing I could whip up such wonderful meals so effortlessly!

xo,
Jane

Momisodes said...

So glad you finally had some Chilaquiles :) That Waldorf salad looks delicious.

ROFL at your kitty with the remote ;)

Jeanna said...

Glad to see the last few days have been good for you. My cousin's dog Zander collects all the remote controls and refuses to give them back.
Pretty cute photos of Trouble, especially him being a cat and all.

J said...

I have some cooked chicken in the fridge...maybe I'll make a waldorf salad...hmmm.

Regarding the cat box, you do know that you CANNOT change the box while pregnant, right? Not even kidding. Cat poop has something that is toxic to the bambino.
http://www.bellaonline.com/ArticlesP/art2481.asp

So hubby has a new job for awhile! :)

Unknown said...

Canine:
LOL! Thanks! You are the best. Really, you shouldn't have though! I do love the earrings you make! My niece and I argued last time over who got what! LOL!

POWER GONG!! LOL! That had me laughing so hard! Too funny!

Louann:
Thanks! Me tooooo!!! I still get the occasional icky feeling...but not as much up-chucking! Sorry...TMI! I know! ;p

Unknown said...

Mrinz:
LOL! Soooo true! :) It's funny, because the other cat doesn't even bother with the remote (and she's female). Maybe there is a little truth to males and remotes!

Jane:
:) Oh, don't be too impressed. I usually fake people out with the easiest dishes that just look time consuming! LOL! My mom is a great cook, but she always does things the longest and hardest ways possible. She's a perfectionist and really goes all out in the kitchen. I also love a good meal, but I don't love spending as much time in the kitchen as my mom does! I've found ways to shave off time!

Unknown said...

Sandy:
Yay! Finally, chilaquiles! Now, the only problem is that I want them again! I also don't have the ingredients on hand right now. I have to wait for Hubby's sister who lives in 'the city' to bring us some Mexican ingredients. *sigh*

Jeanna:
LOL! Yes, the kitty with the remote is too funny. He cracks me up. He is the goofiest cat ever. Hubby doesn't really like him (at least he SAYS he doesn't). Trouble always jumps on Hubby when Hubby is sleeping or he runs right over him while he's watching TV. Though Hubby insists that he doesn't like Trouble, I've seen him watching TV with the cat asleep on his lap a few times, so he can't fool me! ;)

Unknown said...

J:
Ohhh! Thanks for the link! Thanks for looking out for me too :) I'm making sure Hubby reads your comment! ;) I did hear about the toxins in the cat litter before and a friend's mom sent me an e-mail telling me about this as soon as she read this post!

I know this sounds bad, but HOORAY for no more litter box duties for the next few months! LOL! No, Hubby, I'm not gloating! :)

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City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
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