By Larry Levine –
I shopped today, not to hoard groceries but to buy enough stuff to last a few days so I won’t have to go out too often. I wound up with more than enough, even though the shelves were far from well-stocked. Yes, I’m a pretty good home cook. But there’s no mystery to this. Here’s what I bought and what I’m thinking I will do with it.
Three-quarters of a pound of wild King salmon – The fresh fish counter was fully stocked. This will be tonight’s dinner, with sautéed asparagus.
One large eggplant – This will make two meals for each of us. I’ll make eggplant parmigiana for the first time ever. Don’t have enough cheese, so I’ll buy some at the Italian deli on my next venture out of the house because that will be less crowded than the supermarket and more likely to have the cheese. I’ll call ahead to be sure.
Two ham steaks – These will make two meals for each of us. Not sure how I will prepare this, but I’ll probably serve it with a yam for Jennifer and a sweet potato for me for one dinner and figure out what to do with the other. Mashed potatoes would be nice.
Two ribeye steaks (nearly one pound each) – These will make two meals for each of us. They’re in the freezer. I got a yellow squash that would go well. Also baked or mashed potatoes.
Four short ribs – This will make one meal for each of use. They are in the freezer.
Half a point of low sodium ham – For lunches. Need to get some tomatoes next out.
Brie cheese and crackers – for snacks.
Swiss cheese – for grilled ham and cheese sandwich.
I had some chicken thighs in the freezer. They will become a stew-type meal with carrots, small potatoes and pearl onions.
There you have it – 17 dinners, a week and a half worth for the two of us. Doesn’t count the sausages in the freezer, the pasta in the pantry, or the chicken soup in the freezer.
Gelson’s Market, as well as some others, have said the first hour they are opened each morning will be for seniors only. I’ll try that and see what happens. I’d like to pick up some chicken and get a few more things for lunches. Maybe some ground beef. Can always drop by the fish counter again. Some lamb chops. Oh, the benefits of a well-stocked pantry.
You don’t need to be an accomplished cook to do any of this. The internet is crammed full of recipes. Find one that sounds good and give it a try. Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention.
Good luck. Happy cooking. Stay healthy.
