It's Just You And The Kitchen

 This is the time of year when the nest empties out. The kids have either gone back to college or flown the nest in their first post graduate apartment. That means  the kitchen is yours again. It's time to have fun.

Many couples may feel that loneliness yet it's also a time to celebrate and discover. Remember the time when it was just you two, newly together. You had fun. You cooked for each other. If yo want to splurge and have lobster for dinner you did. if you wanted a candleight supper with champagne you arranged it. Now you can do it again. Treat youselves to a lush seafood dinner. Think shrimp kabobs on the grill or steaming crab legs. If you're into beef then then a juicy and buttery filet mignon on the barbecue. Serve with Hasselback potatoes which are those fancy sliced potatoes. with the kids away you can also put out all those stinky cheeses you loved and they hated. Imagine a charcuterie board full of Limburger and Camembert wedges. Now you can even experiment with Pont l"Eveque which smells like a mix fo barnyard and bacon and Robiola , an cheese with a strongly unique aroma.Kinds are also picky when it comes to unusual foods like escargot  or smails. Yet if you loved them when you first had your kitchen then get them again.

Having the kids around meant seeing homemade treats get gobbled up in seconds. Now with just two you can easily bake and have a batch of cookies or even a cake last for a week. Again, like with savory food, indulge youselves now. Bake a scratch chocolate cake with homemade fudge frosting. If a whole cake is rtoo much then think of a mini cake. It's easy to get the pan for it. You can also make all those 'icky" desserts thant the kids turned upt heir noses at . Try your hand at a pear galette or aquafaba meringues. Another plus about havinmg the kitchen to yourself is less clean up. There's not the big crowd anymore .There are no friends staying for dinner or coming over for snacks and games. You can leave  dinner dishes in the sink overnight and don't have to go crazy mopping the floor. (because those muddy feet are dirtying up their dorm rooms or apartment)There will be night when you'll be cooking for one or ordering in. Forgo the plates . Use them when the kids come or friends come over. Use the aurfryer and microwave more too.

It's just you and your kitchen, Enjoy this alone time. Celebrate it. Have fun cooking old recipes again and just baking for two.

Careful Planting

 Everyone should start thinking about planting their gardens right now. It's the best ammunition we have to fight high prices which will definitely go up by the beginning of summer. Growing our own fruits and veggies will help in whittling down the food bill.

City , suburban and country families can benefit from growing their own food. Many cities have their own community gardens where all sorts of fruits and veggies are grown. There are even exotic ones like bok choy and Scotch bonnet peppers. However apartment dwellers can also benefit from their own little farms. Pots of tomatoes can be raised on balconies along with lettuce and spinach. You can also grow Meyer lemons and strawberries too, The key to success is placing them in plenty of bright sunshine and watering them on a regular basis. Feeding them is also crucial. Use a water soluble fertilizer. Of course these may be tempting to animal companions and kids so try to keep them out of harm's way. Luckily brownstones have small gardens where you can even keep chickens for eggs. These are perfect for gardens but just be warned There is shade and some veggies like tomatoes and strawberries won't give you a full harvest. There are veggies that can thrive in cool shady areas. Think collard greens , broccoli and any of the root vegetables. Carrots, potatoes , yams and turnips are great and they are versatile for all sorts of dishes.

Suburban and country gardens can be as big as you  want. Start with a list of the most versatile fruits and veggies. Strawberries and  blueberries can be used in a variety of recipes from jam to salad dressings to pies and cakes. Set aside a portion of your yard fro them. Tomatoes are a must. You can eat them fresh but also make everything from salsa, and ketchup to sauces and even jams. Bell peppers are also a good choice. These can be stuffed or turned into a tasty summery gazpacho. If you have a lot of space think about starting your own cornfield or melon field, It will take a few years for an orchard to produce. Apple trees take two to three years as do peach trees. You can plant them now and wait for the return. The same is true with grapes. Vines will take at least three years for a full harvest. If not them then think about growing fig, apricots and cherries. The second step is creating a plan and a key to your garden. Think about what areas are sunny and shady and plant accordingly. It;'s then getting the right soil and fertilizer as well as fencing to keep out the wild life.

Prices are going up. Food bills will be astronomical. Cut them by growing your own fruits and veggies. It's not only economical but fun too.