PPLD's Cookbook & Recipe Blog - LibGuides at Poughkeepsie Public Library District

Happy Asian New Year!

January 21, 2025.

by Bridget O'Donnell

The Asian New Year is most commonly known as the Chinese or, Lunar New Year. It falls on different dates and may be celebrated as a holiday for varying durations between January 21^st and February 20^th, depending on the religion and culture. Also referred to as the Spring Festival, it marks the end of winter as a time to celebrate a new year and bring good fortune.

Loosely, celebrations can involve cleaning house, fireworks, kites, fruit, the color red, spending time with family, exchanging envelopes containing money, other auspicious traditions/customs and, of course, food(!). While most Asian cultures seem to enjoy some form of rice cake, fish, spring roll or dumpling, this month we send a warm, Happy and Healthy New Year via another ubiquitous staple to the Asian diet, tofu. ( )

This may seem like a tangent but, follow along, it shouldn't take long…When I first joined the local CSA I thought Bok choy would be easy to prepare. Sauté it in a little oil, garlic and soy sauce, right? Maybe, not exactly. Whatever I did made the entire batch incredibly bitter, which resulted in me avoiding it as even half of a unit at weekly distributions for years. Although the memory is still with me, by the end of the 2024 full-season vegetable share I was beginning to have a new outlook on the particular greens. In a candid conversation at work, one of my coworkers suggested sautéing it (to which I tried not to cringe) or, adding it to a salad, raw. My Korean coworker suggested Chinese stir fry and verbally gave me the following recipe.

Avocado Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Baby Bok Choy

Green Onion - the white part only

Garlic

Oyster Mushrooms

Soy Sauce

Other Vegetables (like broccolini or, bean sprouts)

Potato Starch (this is what makes it saucy)

Of course, I couldn't leave well enough alone. In addition to sautéing bell peppers with the onion and garlic, I added half of a block of tofu. (And, here we are, full circle, back from the tangent, as promised. Tofu!). The tofu was fried separately in soy sauce which, I guess, should be prepared more like Sue Pressley's recipe or, Maangchi's “Pan Fried Tofu” (pg. 207) with "Soy-Scallion Seasoning Sauce' (pg. 130). Honestly though, idk.

Prior to making the vegetable stir fry I also sautéed chicken in oyster sauce, garlic and potato starch to experiment with the new sauce recipe from my colleague. The chicken was added back to the wok with the vegetable stir fry to warm it up just before serving.

But, what about the rest of the tofu?…

Title of cookbook/website: Lucky Peach Presents 101 Easy Asian Recipes

Author of Recipe: Peter Meehan

What prompted you to check out this recipe?

…To finish the other half of a block of tofu, we had Miso soup. At the time, we were fortunate to have a box of premade miso broth. Unfortunately, I can’t find that particular brand in any local store or online but, there are other options. Look for hondashi [powder] or, kombu and bonito flakes to make your own dashi (broth) as suggested in Lucky Peach (pg. 72-73). Because there are 75 servings per container of hondashi soup stock, I imagine we'll be doing this a few more times. We also happen to have a jar of [white] miso paste, which I learned doesn’t make miso broth on its own but with a little more research we'll enjoy miso broth from scratch (and monitor our salt intake.)

(Learn more about Kombu in The Five Elements Cookbook by Zoey Xinyi Gong.)

**(Be aware of personal health risks that may be linked to medications, dietary restrictions or allergies. Talk to your physician about what a healthy consumption level might be for you.)

What did you like about this recipe?

This recipe is very simple. We enjoy having Miso soup for lunch, but Meehan says it’s also common at breakfast. Shalane Flanagan & Elyse Kopecky (Run Fast. East Slow, pg. 117) agree; it’s “for pure nourishment.” Whether for breakfast, to follow any meal or settle an upset stomach, Miso soup may not be dumplings, but it’s definitely a restorative Asian staple that may have health benefits.

What didn't you like about this recipe?

Personally, I prefer white miso over red.

Favorite recipes (that you tried from the cookbook/website):

Miso Soup (pg. 72) and, eventually, Dashi (pg. 73)

Did you alter the recipe or make any substitutions?

Aside from the aforementioned premade miso broth, following the instructions I’d been given at a local Asian food store, I reconstituted Shiitake Mushroom caps. Add additional umami with dried Nori, Dulse or Wakame, just remember less is more. Dried seaweed will expand when added to liquid.

Would you recommend this recipe?

Yes, just like 17-year old author Johnson says, Food Is Medicine.

蛇年快乐 shénián kuàilè Happy Year of the Snake (2025)

References:

Books -

The Five Elements Cookbook / Zoey Xinyi Gong. (Available in print and as an eBook through Hoopla. Recipes require curating ingredients that could be considered ‘specialty.’)

Food is Medicine / Jada Lea Johnson. (eBook available through Hoopla.)

Lucky Peach Presents 101 Easy Asian Recipes / Peter Meehan.

Maangchi's Big Book of Korean Cooking: From Everyday Meals to Celebration Cuisine / Martha Rose Shulman.

Run Fast. East Slow / Shalane Flanagan & Elyse Kopecky.

Websites -

Colorito, Rita, and Amy Gopal. "Miso Soup: Is It Good For You?" WebMD, 13 February 2024, www.webmd.com/diet/miso-soup-good-for-you. Accessed 14 January 2025. - (On a low-salt diet? When choosing packaged miso soup, read the label to identify the brand with the lowest sodium. If making the soup at home, be careful not to add too much miso paste.)

Kapadia, Jess. “Everything You Need To Know About Tofu.” The Spruce Eats, The Spruce Eats, 15 September 2023, www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-tofu-definition-and-recipes-3376822. Accessed 20 January 2025.

Kim, Anna. “How Lunar New Year Is Celebrated Around Asia.” Travel + Leisure, 28 October 2024, www.travelandleisure.com/holiday-travel/lunar-new-year-celebrations. Accessed 14 January 2025.

Petre, Alina. “Tofu: Nutrients, Benefits, Downsides, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 10 January 2025, www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-tofu#nutrition. Accessed 20 January 2025.

Petre, Alina. "Why Miso Is Incredibly Healthy." Healthline, 17 June 2017, www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-miso-is-healthy. Accessed 14 January 2025.

Pressley, Sue. “Pan Fried Tofu In Garlic Soy Sesame Sauce.” My Korean Kitchen, 13 May 2019, mykoreankitchen.com/pan-fried-tofu-in-garlic-soy-sesame-sauce/. Accessed 9 January 2025. - (Pan fried tofu in garlic soy sesame sauce, sans the sesame seeds; I forgot we had them.)

Silvey, Andrea. "10 Health Benefits of Miso Soup: Gut Health, Immunity, Bone Strength, and More." Senior Fitness, 11 January 2025, www.seniorfitness.org/health-benefits-of-miso-soup/. Accessed 14 January 2025.

“What To Know About Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year, Seollal, Tet and More.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 9 February 2024, www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/lunar-new-year-chinese-new-year-seollal-tet-rcna136788. Accessed 14 January 2025.

Yeromiyan, Tania. “Your Comprehensive Guide to the Chinese New Year (2025).” CLI, 11 January 2025, studycli.org/chinese-holidays/chinese-new-year/. Accessed 14 January 2025.

Quick Subject/Concept links to the Discover Online Library catalog:

Chinese New Year - (Results narrowed by Literary Form: Non-fiction)

Cooking, Asian

Cooking (Tofu)

“Food as Medicine” - (This trendy keyword search is included just as an example.)

Lunar New Year - (Results narrowed down by Literary Form: Non-fiction)

Stir Frying

Wok Cooking

Recent Posts

S.Care

S[elf]-Care February 18, 2025.by Bridget O'DonnellWinter weather doesn’t just wreak havoc on our immune system; it affects every part of the body including our largest organ, the skin. While it can be good to get outside for some fresh air, exercise and vitamin D, too much exposure to winter elements can result in a number of unwanted conditions including dry or cracked skin. For the New Year, rather than make resolutions that could result in any degree of shame, I wanted to find a few new hobbies. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly, I decided it was time to create a more regular self-care routine. Recently I read that “pampering yourself for twenty minutes without interruption is quiet indulgent and something we should all do for ourselves for all the benefits it provides (Natural Beauty from the Garden, pg. 74)." Vague and out of context, yes but, healthy habits help maintain a healthy mind and body. A little self-care might go a long way. Title of cookbook/website: DIY Beauty: Easy, All-Natural Recipes Based on Your Favorites from Lush, Kiehl's, Burt's Bees, Bumble and Bumble, Laura Mercier, and More! Author of Recipe: Ina De Clercq What prompted you to check out this recipe?Extremely dry skin on my hands has been an issue all winter. This comes with little surprise because of hard water, being almost OCD with doing dishes and, washing my hands religiously throughout the day so that I can rub my itchy/tearing eyes. One morning I looked in what might be considered a magnifying glass and saw just how dry patches of skin were on my face. The human body is made up of 70% water but without constantly replenishing our [water] intake we are prone to becoming dehydrated, especially overnight. So first, I tried putting more moisture into my body. Then I thought, if what I ingested could help hydrate me from the inside, why not try some of those ingredients on the outside, too. Sometimes that thought is correct and, sometimes it isn't. Important insights from Nature’s Beauty Secrets (pg. 11) -1. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it can’t be harmful. Some ingredients, especially essential oils, are very strong and can even be toxic. They should never be eaten, no matter how yummy they smell. Many items should not be used if you have certain medical conditions, like high or low blood pressure, epilepsy, or are pregnant. If you are unsure, consult your physician first.2. Before slathering any product all over, make sure to test it on a small area, such as the inside of your arm or at the edge of your hairline for facial products, to be sure you don’t have a negative reaction. This is especially true for those with sensitive skin.3. Different people experience different results.4. Try to use organic ingredients when possible to avoid superfluous (to say it mildly) toxins, additives, preservatives and/or over-processed fragrances. Your skin will absorb those, too. My hands might take a little more time and attention so I started looking for a few gentle but quick and, inexpensive solutions for my face. What did you like about this recipe?My two go-to face masks are a charcoal mask to deep clean and tighten and a honey mask to moisturize. One jar lasts a while because I use them sparingly but they run on the expensive side and because at least one product is being phased out, it can be hard to find. After some prioritizing… The Banana-Avocado (and Honey) mask was cooling which could have been because the ingredients were chilled or at room temperature (it’s winter, even the kitchen counters are cool). Overall, the mask made my skin feel relaxed, refreshed and softer. It may have helped open my sinuses, too. The Turmeric Oatmeal (and Honey) mask calls for a small amount of ingredients that I consider staples. Unfortunately, it didn't soften my skin as much as the Banana-Avocado mask but this is a new combination that I may fine-tune over time. What didn't you like about this recipe?Because the masks are perishable, leftovers don’t usually last more than a day. With sensitive skin I would only try one mask per day, and generally not every day. I suppose I could have eaten these particular leftovers but, I didn’t. It’s also not always advisable depending on what ingredients you add to your DIY products (refer to Important Insights, listed above). The mess-factor of the “Banana-Avocado Mashed Mask” made it difficult to keep on for 15 minutes or do anything else until I took it off. If there's a next time, I'll blend the ingredients for a smoother consistency. **Additionally, and very important(!), if the recipe calls for something like coffee grinds, mashed fruits or larger pieces of oatmeal, gently remove the mask with a washcloth or cotton pad and rinse that off in a tepid bowl of water. Even if you don’t have temperamental pipes, DO NOT wash the mask directly down the drain. There's a reason the kitchen sink has a food trap!! And, kind of funny note about leaving the Oatmeal-Turmeric mask on for 15 minutes. After removing the mask you might “glow” a little more than expected because you’ve basically just dyed your face yellow. A few cotton balls of witch hazel (and a shower) should clean the residual off of your face and hairline. If you're not vegan, there's always the “Liquid Gold Face Mask” (aka: plain honey) as suggested in DIY Beauty (pg. 36). Favorite recipes (that you tried from the cookbook/website):Banana-Avocado Mashed Mask (Nature’s Beauty Secrets, pg. 71). Then, because the recipes were so similar, I combined the “Morning Oats Face Mask” (DIY Beauty, pg. 38) with the “Luminous Turmeric Face Mask” (Hello Glow, pg. 42). Did you alter the recipe or make any substitutions?The measurements suggested for the banana-avocado mask yielded enough for two masks, which was unfortunate; the leftovers had to be composted because of my schedule and skin type. For this reason I reduced the measurements by half in the Turmeric-Oat mask but, the reduced amount could have been halved for a single serving/mask. Fortunately, this mask did last an additional two days. For the Oatmeal-Turmeric mask, one tablespoon of plain whole milk yogurt substituted three tablespoons of Greek yogurt/whole milk. As an experiment, I didn’t grind the oatmeal into a thin powder, which I think I would do in the future. And, as mentioned earlier, I added turmeric to the “Morning Oats” mask. If you have an extremely fair complexion, maybe avoid adding turmeric. Would you recommend this recipe?Yes, I encourage you to play with your food, it's fun. If your DIY recipe works it truly is empowering and will make you want to try more. My recommendation would be to avoid recipes with ingredients you know you're adverse to (for example, if you don’t eat bananas often, don’t make a mask with quite so much banana). Don't be your own worst enemy; remember that helping yourself also helps others. Take care of yourself so that you’re your best version and in the right frame of mind to help others, and, Yourself! Happy be-lated Valentine! Morning Oats-Turmeric (and Honey)Morning Oats-Turmeric (and Honey) MaskBe conscientious of your drains!(And know, that washcloth may be yellow for the rest of its life.)References:Books - DIY Beauty: Easy, All-Natural Recipes Based on Your Favorites from Lush, Kiehl's, Burt's Bees, Bumble and bumble, Laura Mercier, and More! / Ina De Clercq. Hello Glow: 150+ Easy Natural Beauty Recipes for a Fresh New You / Stephanie Gerber. Natural Beauty from the Garden: More Than 200 Do-It-Yourself Beauty Recipes and Garden Ideas / Janice Cox. Nature’s Beauty Secrets: Recipes for Beauty Treatments from the World's Best Spas / Dawn Gallagher. Websites -Bryan, Lucy, and Dustin Cotliar. “Surprising Ways Hydration Affects Your Sleep.” Sleep Foundation, 7 May 2024, www.sleepfoundation.org/nutrition/hydration-and-sleep. Accessed 2/13/2025. Flannigan, Jenna. “8 Best DIY Face Masks for Every Skin Type, According to Dermatologists.” Prevention, 28 April 2020, www.prevention.com/beauty/skin-care/g26752006/best-diy-face-masks/. Accessed 1/27/2025. Quick Subject/Concept links to the Discover Online Library catalog:Skin, Care and hygiene. Beauty, Personal. (Results narrowed down by Literary Form: Non-Fiction ; Concepts/Subjects/Themes: Skin-Care And Hygiene) ...

Happy A.N.Y.!

The Asian New Year is most commonly known as the Chinese or, Lunar New Year. It falls on different dates and may be celebrated as a holiday for varying durations between January 21st and February 20th, depending on the religion and culture. ...

T-minus

T-minus, and counting…Some leftovers, I completely forgot to take pictures of the food before we ate.December 30, 2024.by Bridget O’DonnellTo end 2024 I thought it would be nice to “Deck the Halls” and host a holiday meal at our home. Fully aware that “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" a busy time of year for everyone, I narrowed down the only weekend we were both available earlier in the month and suggested the following menu. ** *Appetizer -A simple charcuterie board (fruit, meats, cheeses, nuts, crackers and chocolate)~ * ~Salad - Mixed green (vaguely resembling Caesar salad, croutons and red onion optional) ~ * ~Entrée -Baked Salmon, two waysserved over a wild rice-quinoa blend and sautéed greens~ * ~Soup -Vegetarian Roasted Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato (with apple, maple syrup, a hint of ginger and other warm spices)served with French bread and unsalted butter or yogurt spread~ * ~Dessert -Vanilla Ice Cream* * * * * ** * * * * "Hallelujah!" and “Joy to the World;” the date and the menu would work! “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful!” …After a good amount of strategic planning, shopping and cleaning, “It was Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” Two weeks after our invitation, on the morning of our dinner, it snowed. “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” and stop well before our guests arrive. It didn’t quite amount to “A Marshmallow World” but more closely resembled an icy “Winter Wonderland.” It was a "Silent Night,” until,… “Do you hear what I hear?” “Silver and Gold” “Jingle Bells” welcomed our guests through the entryway that I’d finished painting the first week of December and inside the house to stop 'Jack Frost Nipping at Your Their Nose.'Title of cookbook/website: Salmon Recipe Cookbook: Simple & Delicious Salmon Recipes Book for Beginners. Author of Recipe: Dr. W. Ness What prompted you to check out this recipe?This year I wanted to offer a holiday dinner that would feed 14 people and meet the following guidelines: In addition to being a complete meal, there would be enough choices for picky eaters to fill up on, too. Although a Pescatarian entrée would be served, vegetarian options would be eclectic enough so everyone could find something they might enjoy eating. The meal should be more like something you might order at a restaurant.The sum and its parts would be sustainable and nutrient dense (aka: healthy!). As the menu suggested, I planned to season the Salmon two ways. About 20 years ago I was given a baked Salmon recipe that I continue to make and still reference for a list of possible ingredients, not necessarily their measurements. The recipe is easy, flexible and it consistently tastes good; however, because it’s baked in orange juice the end result can be a little sweet. With that in mind, I wanted to offer a more savory option as well. The Salmon Recipe Cookbook had something similar to a happy little experiment that I made recently, so I borrowed from that recipe for the second dish. What did you like about this recipe?The soup and salad could be prepared ahead, which was good because the soup took two days around our work schedules. The salad was supposed to be made the night before but, sometimes plans change. Although parts of the entrée could also have been prepared the day before, everything tastes better the day it's made and it all takes ~30mins. …According to Ness, the fish could take even less time if it was broiled or poached. (Maybe next time.) What didn't you like about this recipe?Not too much. The recipe suggests sautéing garlic in a skillet before adding it to a mixture of ingredients in a separate bowl and then pouring it over the fish in a greased baking dish. Two, too many dishes for me. To prepare everything the same day and keep it warm required all four burners and the oven working almost simultaneously. Streamlining the process, I skipped the sautéed garlic. Favorite recipes (that you tried from the cookbook/website):Lemon & Garlic Salmon Steaks Recipe (found within the chapter titled, “Salmon Recipes.”) Did you alter the recipe or make any substitutions?Occasionally, I buy what’s on sale, whether it's a fillet or loin, freeze it then find myself substituting the cut we have for any given recipe. Similarly, for this recipe, I substituted salmon fillets for salmon steaks. The Salmon Recipe Cookbook states that poaching results in a moister fish. To split the difference, like Awada suggests in her "Lemon Garlic Salmon" I placed the fish on top of thin lemon slices (cut to half a centimeter thickness) then, added enough spring water to cover the bottom of the dish. If both dishes were baked in liquid at the same temperature (350° F), they should be ready at the same time. There was one small oversight, thicker pieces of fish needed a few additional minutes in the oven. The broiler also wasn’t used, as instructed in most recipes that I found for baked salmon. Would you recommend this recipe?Overall, there’s very little I dislike about this meal. Just be prepared to plan ahead; think about ‘making a list, and checking it twice’ daily until dinner. There were definitely a few things I had to consider. To avoid becoming part of the congestion at the grocery store right before a holiday, I bought the fish a few days in advance and froze it. Not only would my vegetable scrap broth and the fish need time to defrost but, it couldn’t be done too far in advance. Ingredients had to be prepped, roasted and then rendered into soup. Vegetables had to be cleaned and cut into bite-sized pieces for sautéing and salad. The fish could be seasoned before guests arrived but, not too early. Garlic had to be minced (you can use a jar of minced garlic if you have to reprioritize tasks before or, just as guests arrive). Of course, I also had to allow room for a few surprises. To make sure everyone had something they enjoyed I opened up the menu by suggesting they bring a snack, drink or dessert but, it wasn’t required. In case there were additional guests or carolers (hahah or, hohoho), I also picked up two pre-made dinner options from the hot bar at the store. Did I mention, one “Sleigh Ride" carpool with “The Little Drummer Boy” was an hour late? “O Holy Night!” The short answer is yes, try it. A little citrus helps make dinner merry and bright!Pour some of the liquid over the fish when serving. If you can, try to eat the thin slices of baked lemon and the salmon with the skin on it for added nutrients. “Feliz Navidad!” *“Mele Kalikimaka!”*"Happy Holidays! May the Merry Bells Keep Ringing…" References:Books - Salmon Recipe Cookbook: Simple & Delicious Salmon Recipes Book for Beginners / Dr. W. Ness. - (eBook available through Hoopla. This cookbook has an interesting format, the recipes are stacked and there are no photos.) Songs - Anderson, Leroy, and Performed by the Boston Pops Orchestra. “Sleigh Ride.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDRFmn_KqfA. Accessed 30 December 2024.Autry, Gene. “Here Comes Santa Claus - (Right Down Santa Claus Lane).” YouTube,, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhcLpwlA-ZA. Accessed 30 December 2024.Cole, Nat King. “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKhRnZZ0cJI. Accessed 30 December 2024.Cole, Nat King. “Deck The Halls (Lyric Video).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=kORRidv-p0Y. Accessed 30 December 2024.Cole, Nat King. “Joy To The World (Lyric Video).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgAZVgfUxcg. Accessed 30 December 2024.Como, Perry, et al. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (Official Audio).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmddeUJJEuU. Accessed 30 December 2024.Crosby, Bing. “A Marshmallow World (1st Recording - 1950).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnH6z0SLGks. Accessed 30 December 2024.Crosby, Bing. “Do You Hear What I Hear? (Lyric Video).” YouTube,, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs9FPx3_Slk. Accessed 30 December 2024.Crosby, Bing. “Jingle Bells.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIZ97NfycAk. Accessed 30 December 2024.Crosby, Bing, et al. “Mele Kalikimaka.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=FezVApPddqU. Accessed 30 December 2024.Feliciano, José. “Feliz Navidad (Official Audio).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8NcQzMQN_U. Accessed 30 December 2024.Händel, Georg Friedrich, and The English Concert & Choir. “Oratorio - Messiah, HWV 56 Part 2, No. 44 Hallelujah Chorus.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=usfiAsWR4qU. Accessed 30 December 2024. The Harry Simeone Chorale. “The Little Drummer Boy (1965 Version).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag4_Z6DsTsc. Accessed 30 December 2024.Hudson, Jennifer. “Winter Wonderland (Official Audio).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CUey6AFgZA. Accessed 30 December 2024.Ives, Burl. “Silver and Gold (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrpLh7N67m0. Accessed 30 December 2024.Jackson, Mahalia. “Silent Night.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxDr-KCcQGA. Accessed 30 December 2024.Kings College Choir. “O Holy Night.” YouTube, YouTube, 24 Dec. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTFG_nvreoI. Accessed 30 December 2024.Martin, Dean. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Official Video).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnil5LyK_B0. Accessed 30 December 2024.Trans-Siberian Orchestra. “Christmas Lights Gone Wild (11 Videos).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0IwpRzWL_4&list=PLzw3Yg6omvWBMGO7diRorUGE5MX5FFcAb. Accessed 30 December 2024.Wade, John Francis. “O Come All Ye Faithful, Traditional Choir.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9P3zXXCTa0. Accessed 30 December 2024.Williams, Andy. “Happy Holiday / The Holiday Season (Official Audio).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ5cmrz-mrU. Accessed 30 December 2024.Williams, Andy. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Official Audio).” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN_R4pR1hck. Accessed 30 December 2024. Websites -Awada, Rena. “Lemon Garlic Salmon.” Healthy Fitness Meals, 1 Jan. 2021, healthyfitnessmeals.com/lemon-garlic-salmon/. - (This recipe suggests broiling the fish for the last three minutes.)Rosenblatt, Kristine. “Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon Recipe.” Kristine’s Kitchen, 26 June 2024, kristineskitchenblog.com/lemon-garlic-baked-salmon/.Quick Subject/Concept links to the Discover Online Library catalog:Cooking (Fish)Cooking (Seafood)Parties Planning.Pescatarian cooking.SaladsVegetarian cooking ...

Thankfully,

Thankfully,November 25, 2024.by Bridget O’DonnellIt's that time of year when the sky is dark in the morning while I'm getting ready to walk the dog (and cat, comfortably outfitted in her travel book bag), and then dark by the time I get home from work. It's the time of year when the weather in NY can fluctuate erratically, with a high of nearly 80 degrees one day and snow the next. 'Tis the season for a variety of colds. It's the time of year when yard work finally begins to hibernate for the season and decorations, commercials and radio stations joyfully remind us of the coming holidays, with bells on. It's also the time of year to begin thinking about what you're thankful for, while weighing the decision to buy/make a whole turkey for Thanksgiving or create an entirely new tradition. Early in November, about a week after daylight savings, I brought a cold home. Thankfully, or not, it happened just in time for a much needed ‘mini-vacation.’ Trying to remain positive while feeling under the weather, but just as grateful today, I continue to be thankful for being able to create so many things with my hands, even if some are more successful than others. Case in point: last month I roasted two whole chickens that came out perfect. Then, after simmering the chicken bone broth for three days and one small oversight, it was ruined. All that time and bottled water… Thankfully, this has never happened before. So, with a few days off and a cold that didn't encourage me to exert myself outside for any great lengths of time, I convinced my nerves that it wouldn't be a repeat performance and tried again. Title of cookbook/website: The Girl Who Ate Everything (.com) Author of Recipe: Christy Denny What prompted you to check out this recipe?A few consecutive days off from work (aka: my ‘mini-vacation’) could be just enough time to roast chicken and make bone broth for a nutrient dense chicken soup to fight my cold, and restore my confidence. What did you like about this recipe?This recipe consistently tastes good but, it's really only as good as the broth and the chicken used. The entire process is time consuming but the final ingredients are incredibly versatile. Once the chicken is roasted it can be served any way you like, hot or cold. This week we've had it:with sautéed greens and roasted root vegetables, in a curry sauce, over pasta with basil and spinach pesto and, of course, in chicken soup. In addition to the hot dinners I've mentioned, feel free to try it (hot or cold) as:a chicken sandwich or, on top of a salad. The extra bone broth currently resides in the freezer ready for the next recipe (or gift, or upset dog tummy). *Note, after the broth has been strained multiple times and then cooled to room temperature on the counter top it should be refrigerated overnight. This will make it easier to skim and discard the fat that settles at the top of the container before making soup or freezing. Freeze bone broth as close to two days after making it to extend the shelf life. What didn't you like about this recipe?To be perfectly honest, the last thing I want to do after roasting chicken, making dinner, bone broth, soup and cleaning everything up is to make my own egg noodles. Clean up continues throughout the entire process; it can be tedious. By the second full day the broth has been simmering I start to get anxious about leaving the stovetop on. Sometimes I can get myself to wait a third day but then the house retains the smell of broth for an additional day or two (Our poor dog. This is probably hard for her because she loves bone broth). Favorite recipes (that you tried from the cookbook/website):Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Did you alter the recipe or make any substitutions?This recipe is easy; I use it as a template every time I make Chicken soup. Aside from not measuring the spices…. Streamline the recipe by adding 1 cup of pre-made pasta to the soup, like fideo cut spaghetti or egg noodles then, follow the cook times on the package. Would you recommend this recipe?It's Soup-er [b] !! …and then there were two [pots].Liquid gold (aka: 48hr bone broth).Happy Holidays!(mood lighting employed)References:Books (listed chronologically - steps in “the entire process”) - Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner: 50 Winning Ways to Cook It Up! / Stacie Billis. (Because I roast whole chickens often I don't refer to a recipe. Instead, I wing it and rely on a meat probe and thermometer. Check out this title for a traditional whole roasted chicken recipe, available in print and as an ebook. Jump to the “In an Oven: Roasting & Baking” chapter, skip the truss and brine and it's similar to how I would roast whole chicken. Enjoy!)Broth & Stock from the Nourished Kitchen: Wholesome Master Recipes for Bone, Vegetable and Seafood Broths and Meals to Make with Them / Jennifer McGruther. ("Chicken Bone Broth" pg. 32; I personally don't add white wine, or vinegar like some recipes suggest.) The Soup Club Cookbook: Feed Your Friends, Feed Your Family, Feed Yourself / Courtney Allison. (The "Jewish Chicken Noodle Soup" pg. 135 is similar to what we like.)Websties - Denney, Christy. “Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.” The Girl Who Ate Everything, 7 August 2023, www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/homemade-chicken-noodle-soup/#recipe. Quick Subject/Concept links to the Discover Online Library catalog:Cooking (Chicken)One-dish meals.Soups....

Dehydrated Shiitake Mushroom Caps	Reconstituted Shiitake Mushroom Caps
Miso Soup, Ingredients	Lunch (or Breakfast!)

Happy A.N.Y.!

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