Imagine my surprise when Dear Husband turned to me and asked if I cared to go grocery shopping with him! I had been wanting to take him to a local chain that carries almost everything Italian. We finally made that trip, and it was fun to see him checking out the aisles. I believe that he could have happily spent three hours shopping!
\nSo, we went again today. This time I had several new recipes in mind, and it was the perfect place to get the ingredients. I have never cooked with fennel. At this store fennel is called “California anise.” I think fennel might be one of the ingredients that gives a vegetable broth depth and complexity. I plan to make my own vegetable broth for soup later this week. I need to read up on using fennel, so that I know how much to use, and whether to use the lacy greens or just the bulbous part.
\nWe found a pasta called “mafaldine” that might work in a pasta dish I want to do. I’ve found a lightened version of Bolognese sauce to try later this week. I bought several small eggplants and plan to roast them for this casserole using Bolognese sauce, cubed eggplant, crumbled Italian sausage and mafaldine. The pasta is a long strip that has a ruffle on one long edge.
\nI have a new recipe for bread pudding for dessert on Valentine’s Day. This one calls for coconut milk. We found cans of it in two of the ethnic sections. I could see the wheels turning as Dear Husband looked at all that was offered and though about how he might use things we don’t normally have in our pantry.
\nWe’re going to make saganaki one evening, and one of the deli men talked us into trying a cheese other than Kaseri. I’m too lazy to look up the name. I’ll let you know what it is if it turns out to be good! *G* We also bought Gruyere for something called a “Grape Pickers’ Skillet” that’s in the February “Cuisine at Home” magazine. My only other experience with Gruyere is in fondue.
\nIt was fun! We so rarely get to shop together it was novel to spend the time wandering through the store. I’m delighted to have some new things to try. DH helped me bring in all the goodies, and put lots of them away for me. It’s been a pleasant day, one I hope we’ll repeat occasionally.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Imagine my surprise when Dear Husband turned to me and asked if I cared to go grocery shopping with him! I had been wanting to take him to a local chain that carries almost everything Italian. We finally made that … Continue reading