Weekend Hospitality

We buy frozen corned beef uncooked from the butcher. I try to leave it out on the counter overnight until it thaws.  The traditional method is to boil it for 4-6 hours in a large pot of water.  Recently, I learned about a crockpot method which I think results in more tasty corned beef and is amazingly simple. Begin with 5 to 10 carrots peeled and cut into one inch chunks.  Add two or three large onions, cut into large pieces (1 inch).  Put the corned beef in the crockpot, add the vegetables and cover with water.  Cook on high for 5-6 hour, or on low for 8-10 hours until a fork easily penetrates the corned beef.  Take out of the crockpot, drain, cut and serve.  The vegetables can be served alongside. Today's menu: Dinner - 14 people Turkey stock soup with carrots, onions and mushrooms Corned beef Steamed Chicken Breasts Green salad (lettuce) Rice Guacamole  Cookies for dessert

This blog is hosted on Blogger.com.  I've been writing from some years now, but it is only recently that Blogger integrated statistics into their site.  Now I can see the most frequently read blog entries.  And the winner is:   Tas Kebab - Turkish Beef Stew It seems that recipes are a good draw on blogs.  They are not time specific and are caught by search engines so that people come back to see them. On a related note, I have been told that pictures make blog entries much more appealing. So, starting today, I will try to post at least one recipe with a picture each week.  I think the post will begin with the menu and then include the recipe and picture.  Comments about current events and life will have their own posts. Change is good, Elliot

I recently tried out an android phone, after using an old Nokia for what seems like ages.  The biggest difference was that I began to use SMS messages to reach people.  I think its easier than leaving a voice message, and faster than email.   On the other hand, I just received this note from a friend of mine.  I send about 100 SMS messages a month!  I can't image 6000! FOR MY DAUGHTER Today, I took away texting. It was very painful, mostly for me but I realised that my daughter's approval was far less important than her future and since it is my job to help her realize her potential and not enhance the muscles that strengthen the use of her thumbs....I thought it was time.   As I walk the halls of the school where I work, I see what everyone sees when they walk down any hall of any school and that is people, texting other people, while they walk together. Its a new kind of parallel play.   It used to be that parallel play served as a precursor f...

Its been some time since I've posted a menu, but its time to start again. The holidays are all over, (Thanksgiving and Chanuka).  The intense fall has past and winter is now visiting the country with cool evenings and pleasant daytime temperatures.  The rains of the past week were a good start, but we really need more cloudy, overcast, wet days.  Nothing in the forecast, but we can still hope. This weekend, we have one family eating over for lunch.  Dinner is just 6, which is pretty small for our crowd.  I've been in isolation for most of this week so my wife kindly volunteered to cook for this weekend.  Much appreciated. Shabbat Parshat VaYechi Dinner - 6 Orange Soup (Pumpkin) Beef Burgundy Prepared Shnitzel Noodle Green Beans Lunch - 14 Crock-pot Chicken Leiah's Best Fried Chicken Deviled Eggs Roast Eggplant Quinoa Green Salad Israeli Salad Guacamol Rice

I can't help it.  This is priceless.  Almost makes me wish I celebrated just so that I could build a tree and heap.

I have the strange pleasure to suffer from an over-active thyroid gland.  I don't wish it on anyone, the side effects are troublesome.  I've lost a ton of weight,which is probably the best side effect.  The other side effects are less friendly, but I've gotten through the worst and am now on the mend. The treatment for this disease is cool.  Yesterday, I took two small radioactive iodine pills.  1.5 hours of travel to the hospital during rush hour, five minutes to take the pills and 30 minutes back home.  Now, I'm radioactive for three days.  No going near people, which means more time on the computer!  Good thing I'm a techie and that I've got a new game to play (Starcraft II). The treatment is boring.  No symptoms, no indicators what so ever that anything is happening.  I have been told that the over-active thyroid symptoms will take about a month to go away.  I can't wait! Wish me luck and stay away for a few days.