Chilli On The Rocks

Made my usual chilli on Thursday. I must have been a bit distracted because I heated the pan up on a medium-high heat rather that the usual medium, making it too hot for the olive oil. Then I literally dropped the garlic powder jar into the pan (don’t tell the wife!). I got the jar out and thought, wow, that’s a LOT of garlic powder! I did think about scooping it out, but it was already burning and I needed to get the onions and cumin in the pan. I should have started over, but didn’t have enough oil left. Going against all LESS IS MORE principles I figured I could correct for the burnt garlic overdose by simply ADDING MORE STUFF. So I added more cumin, more turmeric, more sweet smoked paprika, more oregano, more jalapeños. It smelled and tasted pretty bad. I added vinegar and Kefir yoghurt, which made it look and taste more like a curry. There was tons of it.

The wife came home and had some for her dinner. She asked what it was (never a good sign). I explained that I added yoghurt to calm it down a bit. She ate it and said it was much better than my usual chilli.

I had some yesterday, and while it was edible, it was obviously (to me) totally overpowered by garlic. I don’t fancy any more of it if I’m honest.

Leftover cauliflower, broccoli and roast potatoes made a tasty bake in a Red Leicester cheese sauce.

A baked cheesy casserole dish featuring browned cheese and cauliflower pieces on top.

Carrots, parsnips, stuffing balls and mash (not pictured) all prepared and cooked today, ready for tomorrow.

A tray filled with honey-glazed roasted root vegetables, including carrots and parsnips, seasoned with Herbes de Provence.A muffin tin holds twelve golden-brown sage and onion stuffing balls with a textured, rustic appearance.

Successful and fulfilling work “Vision Day” yesterday. Everyone brought their own ideas about what lunch should look like. My refried leftovers and pitta with hummus paled in comparison with the homemade salad bowls, tiger roll sandwiches, and a Tesco Meal Deal. One colleague brought homemade cupcakes, fruit and chocolate bars to share.

Speaking of lunch. I’m kind of hoping the wife doesn’t want this fried halloumi, tomato and basil plate I offered her earlier. With a pitta and some hummus it will make a nice lunch tomorrow.

A plate features fried cheese pieces garnished with basil and served with two cherry tomatoes.

I lost interest in cooking, and lost interest in eating salad. Today I was hungry, so I made a simple tomato sauce with fried onions, dried garlic and Italian herbs, dried porcini mushroom juice, jalapenos and fresh basil. I fried some chestnut mushrooms separately in butter and garlic, and chopped up small some red, yellow and orange sweet peppers. Served with some posh dried fiorelli (?) pasta. No cheese required. Honestly, it was restaurant quality, light, tasty, enough. Usually I would fry the mushrooms and peppers with the onion and have them in the sauce. Leaving them out really improved the dish. Plenty left for tomorrow.

With all the hot weather I’ve been eating nothing but salad, fresh fruit and ice pops for what seems like the last few weeks. I’m fed up with it. This morning I tried to use some leftover olives, peppers and halloumi in an omelette. I probably used too much, but the olives and halloumi were overpowering.

Wife reckoned her pizza looked artistic.

A square pizza topped with spinach, red pepper slices, tomatoes, and cheese is displayed on a wooden board.

Veggie Chilli

Made veggie chilli today.

Fried cumin, turmeric, sweet and smoked paprika, onions, mushrooms, peppers, kidney beans and lentils in plenty of oil.

A colorful vegetable and bean stir-fry is being cooked in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

Added two tins of chopped/whole plum tomatoes a jug full of Bisto best onion gravy and a good squirt of tomato puree.

Topped with jalapenos out of a jar, and oregano.

A large pan filled with red sauce containing vegetables and sprinkled with herbs. A large pan contains a rich, colorful vegetable stew with a variety of ingredients like mushrooms, peppers, and beans in a thick sauce.

Left to simmer for a couple of hours.

Auto-generated description: A pot filled with a hearty chili containing beans, tomatoes, and various vegetables.

Hellish morning so far.

Little kid’s porridge was “too hot” so I stirred in some cold milk. Then it was “too milky” so I drained the milk with a sieve. Finally it was “too lumpy” so I put it in the food waste bin.

Then big kid’s “wasn’t right” so his went in the bin, too.