Jan’s Chocolate Mousse

For me Claudia’s Chocolate Mousse is the mousse by which all others are judged. It is however, not a health food. Jan usually makes it only once a year on my birthday. Jan spent years perfecting the techniques of making mousse, but she has not dared to tinker with mom’s recipe. For this year’s birthday dinner, she made some variations to make it her own.  I may just have a new favorite.

Jan’s Chocolate Mousse

Jan’s Chocolate Mousse

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Filed under Desserts & Treats, Treats

Karl’s Japanese Quick Pickled Carrots

I made some shredded pickled carrots for Jan, while her mouth was healing. I did not think they were anything special, but she really liked them. Today, I was at the Japanese store and saw some nice carrots. I decided that I would make some more for my Japanese dinner tonight.

Karl’s Japanese Quick Pickled Carrots

Karl’s Japanese Quick Pickled Carrots

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Filed under Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian MD

Karl’s Ham and Barley Soup

I do not always look on-line for ideas for dinner. Sometimes, I simply say, “What do I have in my kitchen?” I had spent too much of today planning my birthday/Chinese New Year’s feast. When I pulled my head out of the computer, I noticed that it was time to start making dinner, before a hungry wife and daughter appeared on my door step.

Karl’s Ham and Barley Soup

Karl’s Ham and Barley Soup

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Filed under Main Dishes, Pork, Soups

Karl’s Three Course Ham and Beans

I had defrosted one of my ham steaks for a meal that ended up not happening this Sunday. I do not want to re-freeze it, so I must think of a dish to make with it. Jan, who is just coming off a soft food diet, suggested ham and beans. Real food, but soft enough not to disturb her healing oral surgery.

Karl’s Three Course Ham and Beans

Karl’s Three Course Ham and Beans

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Filed under Main Dishes, Pork, Stews

Karl’s Szechuan Salt & Pepper Shrimp

I wanted a main dish to go with the rice salad that Jan had asked for. Jan went to Sonoma this weekend and went to Whole Spice. One of the things she came back with was a packet of Szechuan Salt & Pepper. A pan seared shrimp with this pepper blend seemed just the ticket.

Karl’s Szechuan Salt & Pepper Shrimp

Karl’s Szechuan Salt & Pepper Shrimp

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Filed under Main Dishes, Seafood

Karl’s Black and Wild Rice Salad

When Jan was visiting her friends, one of them made a salad out of the January issue of Bon appétit. She bought the magazine and asked for this salad for dinner. While the salad looked good, I wanted to make some changes. I do not like cooked squash, especially cold cooked squash. 

Karl’s Black and Wild Rice Salad

Karl’s Black and Wild Rice Salad

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Filed under Salads, Side Dishes, Starches, Vegan, Vegetarian MD

Karl’s Almond Banana Oat Mini-muffins

Jan took some bananas with her when she went to hang out with her friends this weekend. In the end they did not eat them, but the travel left them in pretty sorry shape. Banana bread for breakfast!

Karl’s Almond Banana Oat Mini-muffins

Karl’s Almond Banana Oat Mini-muffins

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Filed under bread, Breakfast, Side Dishes

Karl’s Shepherd’s Minced Pie

Jan is still eating soft food, but she is getting tired of smoothies. A few weeks ago, I made a Thanksgiving chopped turkey shepherd’s pie for her brother, who is also having difficulty chewing. Today, I thought I would make a lamb version for Jan.

Karl’s Shepherd’s Minced Pie

Karl’s Shepherd’s Minced Pie

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Filed under Lamb, Main Dishes

Karl’s Turkey Rancher’s Pie II

Note: Today, I am posting a soft food shepherd’s pie and I mention in my discussion that I had made one earlier for Thanksgiving. I realized that I had never posted the recipe.

Karl’s Turkey Rancher’s Pie II

Karl’s Turkey Rancher’s Pie II

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Filed under Main Dishes, Poultry

Karl’s Ezo Gelin Soup

Ezo galin soup is a Turkish dish that comes with its own mythology. I was attracted to the recipe because of Jan’s dietary restrictions. Her oral surgery is healing, but she cannot eat solid food. Cooked bulgur, lentils, and rice seemed like just the ticket for a dish that was soft, but not blended into baby food.

Karl’s Ezo Gelin Soup

Karl’s Ezo Gelin Soup

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