Leftovers everywhere

The last couple of days have been days of leftovers. Leftover cleaning up from the pergola removal and umbrella stand creation. Leftover laundry because I wear so few good clothes now that I'm not going out anywhere. Leftover food because the smallest quantity I can cook serves four.

At some point during the week, usually by Wednesday, we have lots of partial containers of things in the fridge. This week we had some shakshuka sauce from the eggs we had on Sunday. And we had some leftovers from meals I didn't talk about, like the curried rice and veggies we had for breakfast on Tuesday. Or the four pieces of fried red snapper from the dinner I made on Sunday night. Or the bits of hashed browns we had from breakfast on Monday. And don't forget the mashed broccoli and potatoes from Tuesday night! We also did our 2-week grocery shopping, so we have a lot of fresh produce and a leg of lamb for Easter Sunday. So, the last couple of nights have been spent cleaning out the leftovers, combined with some fresh produce, or a frozen potato product. Last night was a bowl filled with waffle fries topped with red chile and cheese (did I mention I made red chile last Thursday, and we sill had a little bit?), which did not get the picture treatment.

A  few weeks ago, when winter still felt like it was in firm control of our future, I made a beef braise and a twice baked cauliflower potato mash. I'm starting to see that I really like making variations on a lot of the same meal, with slight tweaks. And I seem to really like twice-baking things. I guess it's because potatoes get better when you cook them that second time. The things you add to them get melded in, and everything seems a little creamier and more delicious. Anyway, for the braise, I bought a small chuck roast, seared it off in the Dutch oven and took it out, sauteed some diced onions, carrots, celery in the fat in the pan, then added tomato paste. Put the meat back in, added a bottle of red wine (!!!), some broth, salt, pepper, and bay leaves, then put it in the oven on 300 for about 4 - 5 hours. I'd check it occasionally - when the meat is super tender, you're good to go. For the mash, I cooked the potatoes and cauliflower, mashed them together and topped them with some rye breadcrumbs I made from the stale end of the loaf. Popped that in the oven for the last 30 minutes of the braise finishing, and voila! Comforting, warm, delicious!

I'm also having a little trouble being in the kitchen the last couple of days because it is absolutely beautiful outside. Spring is busting out all over in my yard and neighborhood, and being outdoors is a real joy. I've been puttering around outside, planning my next project. Wait until you see it!!! Although it's supposed to snow here on Sunday and Monday, I know summer is coming, when we'll turn to cooking outdoors more and the food seems to get easier. For now, here's a look at what's growing in my backyard.

 As always, stay safe and healthy. See you here tomorrow!