An Enforced Break

Last night I had the smell of garlic on my fingers for the first time in a while. I've been in and out of the hospital the last couple of weeks for pregnancy complications, and now I'm on modified bed rest. I've been trying to figure out what my limitations are as I head back into the kitchen, so I've been looking for really simple things to do.

Yesterday for lunch I took a suggestion from Ina Garden (I've seen a lot of her and Paula Deen lately, and WAY too much of Rachael). Toasted some sourdough, slathered on some mango chutney, then melted thin slices of Cheddar over the top. I ate it with tomato soup with spinach, an ultimate childhood combo with an element that made it a little bit interesting.

Last night I just sauteed lots of minced garlic in lots of oil, then wilted baby spinach in it, tossed it with capanelle and topped it with Parmesan.

Todd's parents stayed with us for an extra week to help around the house and take care of me. Todd commented on his mom's ease at pulling together an evening meal, not even realizing the thought and grocery trips that go into dinner every day. She did pull together bits and pieces on the last night they were here to make a pork, cabbage and carrot saute with sauce that we ate over rice. I loved it. Plus it added cabbage to the list of foods Todd'll eat.

She also made pasta, chicken enchiladas, steak-, onion- and Swiss-topped baked potatoes, an omelet, a beautiful pork loin with potatoes and soup. Home-cooked food is so much better than takeout. I'm going to miss them (mom's cooking and dad's dishwashing abilities--plus the company, of course).