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Day 9: All is Fine

Here we are, the second weekend indoors.  I resolved to minimize my news intake today, to have an actual rest.  I read a book, did some more yard work, fit in some yoga and meditation, and also...we cooked and ate.

It is amazing how, even with just two adults home, there feels like so many more chores to do now.  Dishes, laundry, the extra cleaning/sanitizing, and preparing three meals a day at home means everything adds up quickly.  I know that others are managing this multiplied by many additional members of the family, some too small to help out much.  My heart goes out to everyone, as we adjust to the new normal.  

Today was a day to use up the leftovers.  On the Must Finish list: a substantial part of the giant tub of baby greens we've eaten all week; expiring today. The second half of the teriyaki pork tenderloin from Wednesday.  The polenta from last Sunday.  And the artichoke tapanade from Tuesday, which is still kicking around the fridge.

Wontons, Two Ways
Assembling our own wontons is something that we wouldn't normally take the time to do.  But now... nothing but time!  I picked up a pack of premade wonton wrappers on a whim during our last grocery shop.  Tonight, they helped us re-imagine a bunch of bits in the fridge.  
The veggie ones (baked) have finely grated carrot, four dried shiitaki mushrooms I found in the back of a cupboard, green onion, garlic, ginger, and the rest of the tub of baby greens, chiffonade for better distribution.  I sauteed the garlic and ginger, then added in the other veggies (mushrooms rehydrated) until heated through. For seasoning, I used Trader Joe's Mushroom Umami seasoning, on a whim.  It was great!  It has a slight bit of red pepper for heat.  Then a drizzle of toasted sesame oil, and we were ready to go. After stuffing, I sprayed with a bit of oil spray, placed on a baking sheet lined w/ parchment, and baked at 425 for 10 minutes.  Next time, I would go lower temp and longer, as some of the dough could've been crispier.  Still, not bad for not using a recipe!

The key to a soft, juicy meat wonton is to really grind the filling it into a paste.  I chopped garlic and ginger in my chopper, then added the pork, cut to 1" cubes.  Pulse with green onion into a paste.  The tenderlion was pre-marinaded, but I added a little soy sauce and sesame oil too, just in case.  Boiled in a frying pan with 1" water, lid on.  5 minutes on each side. They were delicious!

Omelette and Cheese Grits
Jeff took the reins on breakfast.  Omelette had wilted baby greens, sauteed mushrooms, and nubs of Boursin herb cheese.  Cheddar in the grits, topped w/ green onion.


Tapanade Toast, Salad, Apple
It was food.  That we finished before it went off.  Salad had balsamic, apples, and almonds.  The rest of the apple was cut in slices and sprinkled with a bit of cardamom rounding out the meal, bringing it to a sweet end.
That is it for today, friends.  I hope that you found a way to mark the weekend, wherever you are!

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