Welcome My New Friend

A stove

I think I forgot to mention, I have a new oven/cooktop/range, whatever you call it, I’m now cooking with gas, or should I say propane!  Good grief, it is just incredible.

Gas cooktop, electric oven, oh my!  The only thing I ever missed from my old house across the river was my kitchen with its natural gas cooktop. Oh, the simmering I did!  Since I live on the east side of the lake, natural gas is not available, but propane sure is, and I’ve been looking forward to this for quite some time.  

The dinners I’ve made, the lovely sandwiches I’ve enjoyed on the center grill pan, the oven actually cooks evenly, with consistent temps, and well, you get the picture, it’s just been glorious.  

I can cook for one (me!) with great ease, and I don’t know why everything seems to taste better, but it does. For instance, last night I had that hankering for catfish, I dredged a filet in seasoned all-purpose flour, sautéed it in a little olive oil and butter, added the most beautiful sliced baby bella mushrooms and diced jalapeños, some lime juice, and a splash of white wine.  Who knew it would produce this fabulous browned butter sauce? Just to die for??? 

So, the grill pan in the center?? OMG!  What incredibly delicious sammies I’ve had!  I oddly enough had rye bread, corned beef, sauerkraut, and of course, kosher dills for the side, I love some Dijon mayo combo on the bread, and it grilled to perfection!  I don’t care so much for the Russian dressing or 1000 island, but ooh, la la! There is nothing like the crunch of grilled bread for a sammie, it is a treat from heaven!  I even grilled some toast to go with my coffee this morning, who needs a toaster? Really??!!

I do remove the grill pan if I have my stock pot in use, just like making spaghetti sauce this weekend.  It was such a pleasure to have my sauce actually simmering without fear of burning, sticking, I could take a breather and walk away from the cooktop! I also realize that I can remove the grill pan if needed and use my fabulous roasting pan when I make gumbo…… soon!

Try my suggestion for catfish, it was mighty tasty!  The lime instead of lemon was such a pleasant surprise, this next time (probably tonight!!) I’m going to make a mango salsa to go on top of pan sautéed catfish.  Ooohh, really delicious!  Mango, purple onion, jalapeno (I happen to be in love with jalapenos lately), red bell pepper, some frozen corn kernels if I have it, lime zest and juice, and whatever else I may find in the fridge, I’ll let you know, maybe some cilantro?? Don’t panic over proportions, eyeball it and be brave!  

Oh Lord, I think I just changed my mind. I have some beautiful shrimp in the freezer, and that salsa would be so scrumptious on top of grilled shrimp.  

I thank my appliance dealer and my plumber for bringing me close to Nirvana with my gorgeous new apparatus—just might have to bake them both a cream cheese pound cake!  And it will actually cook on time!!

Cook with love, eat well, share with others, be kind……….next time!

XOXO!

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