Hungarian Mushroom Soup...

I couldn't decide what to post for a much overdue post for Sunday! Should I post a 'Silent Sunday' random photo...and call it a day?
...or should I just let Sunday slide, and wait till my previous post is 1 week old; as I have been dealing with this for the last few months?
...or, just do a random post on my latest photos of one of my self-created favorite Hungarian comfort soup that I've been eating since childhood?
Well, the answer is YES...and more!

As you can see, I changed my profile photo back to the one I took this summer...prior to my skin cancer surgery on my forehead. I did post a recent one, which you will find on my facebook profile page...which I will also be removing. When examining the photo up close, you can see the scars of my skin cancer surgery from last month.

Also, I've had a more recent skin cancer surgery nearly one week ago on top of my head...BASAL-CELL CARCINOMA. Unfortunately, this particular one, I've been putting it off for several months now...but, that did not solve anything, only made it worse; having the cancerous mole spreading wider, and deeper. I went through a 3 hour gruesome painful procedure, they had to keep cutting it deeper and wider...three 30 minute waiting time...each time having the biopsy after each procedure and going back to getting the cancerous tissue cleared up. (Vanity is not an option)...you do, what you have to do!...its a matter of saving your own life!

As for stitching up the wound...yet, I had to go to another facility by our local hospital, to have it stitched up, which was another 2 hour waiting, and treatment. Thanks to my sweet and patient 'one-and-only lovely and caring daughter, Lora)...I don't know what I would have done without her. She not only had to drop off two of her children (my grandchildren) ...on the way to school, early morning; but drove me straight to have the outpatient surgery, and wait with me for 5 hours.

Anyway...enough said: Even though doctors claim that I have Easter European DNA...skin, which is highly sensitive to the bright Florida sun...its also the fact that not just me...but we all have been ignorant of over-tanning in the dangerous sun without sun protection...in the last three decades, or so... and now, most of us are paying the price. 

Here's a very well collected information about BASAL-CELL CARCINOMA...on WIKIPEDIA

Also, I have found some support group on-line regarding skin cancer patients dealing mainly around the facial and head area; as I have. This will be my third surgery...two, on my forehead...and this latest on my head which was a total shock and surprise discovery!

Do not ignore any mole, or unusual growth on skin that might appear suspicious...especially if it bleeds...forms a crust, and does not disappear in a month or so. Also, look for discoloration on a mole, or anything that appears out of the ordinary. It could actually cause losing your life if you let it go untreated!

I have learned how to make the world's most famous Hungarian soups....gorgeous clear chicken, meat, or vegetable broths; creamy thick comforting soups and the most famous of them all is the Gulyás Leves= Hungarian Goulash Soup...which is NOT the stew, but the actual soup (another discussion and post for a later time)

I'm going to share a 'secret' product with you that is 'gonna knock your socks off'...seriously! Do you see the pretty red swirls on top of this delicious comforting and delicious soup?...well, it is imported from Hungary and its called PIROS ARANY= red gold!...seriously, you would think they discovered GOLD! Never, ever...have I tasted any condiment, so delectable, so creamy, not too-too spicy...just open up this beautiful red tube of the most amazing flavor enhancer (authentic paprika paste)... you will get hooked on this...I promise!...and oh, by the way, here's one place where you can order this. (as for me, I received this from Hungary through a niece of my sister here, in the U.S.)
Here's one source where you can get this amazing product: HUNGARIAN MALL

Also, you can purchase Piros Arany (paprika paste) from E-Bay...so check this out!

I did not go grocery shopping all this past week...taking heavy duty antibiotics, and for pain; some strong pain medication (which causes drowsiness)...spent all my time at home, and decided to make this delicious soup, and grilled cheese sandwich, after literally having no appetite for the first 24 hrs.
Scrounging through my fridge and cupboards...always finding something to make...if nothing else, a nice comforting soup, and sandwich is always the best solution; Grilled cheddar cheese and sliced tomatoes on whole grain bread...yumm! (for the recipe-by request)

Saigon-Style Scallops...from Weight Watchers

I'm back again on making some great dishes with Weight Watchers recipes. As you know...when I started my blog a little over 3yrs ago, I successfully shed 35 lbs. on the Weight Watchers plan in about 4 months...but have gained it back in the next year, so I went back on the Weight Watcher plan on-line last year. I did not reach my goal this last time, and was only able to lose 20 lbs...and now again, I'm giving it another try before joining WW again; for the third time.

I had at least 3 amazing hard cover WW cookbooks with notebook binders...removable pages, plus another recent one that I received from a friend as a gift last year. I got rid of the 3 books...they were 'thrift finds' any way, and I re-donated them; but I did keep the one called  Weight Watchers One Pot Cookbook which as awesome one-pot dishes that does not even seem like a typical WW recipes, they are mostly comfort meals which is perfect for this time of year...comfy/cozy meals. The scallops I made were made in a wok but can also be made in a large skillet!

If you like scallops, which can be so versatile; also, shrimp could be a wonderful replacement for this dish. I made very little alteration to this this...not overly concerned about the 'point system' at this time, but if you serve it over a bed of salad greens, you will stay within the ---5--- points that it has.

 

SAIGON-STYLE SCALLOPS

slight adaptation from; Weight Watchers

1	TBS CANOLA OIL
1	SHALLOT MINCED
1	TBS MINCED PEELED FRESH GINGER
2	GARLIC CLOVES MINCED
2	TBS PACKED BROWN SUGAR
1	TBS ASIAN FISH SAUCE
2	TSP GRANULATED SUGAR
¼	TSP RED PEPPER FLAKES
3	TBS WATER
1	POUND SEA SCALLOPS
3	SCALLIONS, THINLY SLICED
6	CUPS LIGHTLY PACKED BABY GREENS

Directions

HEAT OIL IN MEDIUM DUTCH OVEN OVER MEDIUM HIGH HEAT. ADD SHALLOT, GINGER, AND GARLIC, COOK, STIRRING CONSTANTLY UNTIL FRAGRANT, ABOUT 1 MINUTE.

ADD BROWN SUGAR, FISH SAUCE, GRANULATED SUGAR, AND PEPPER FLAKES, SIMMER 1 MINUTE. CONTINUE TO COOK UNTIL MIXTURE BEGINS TO THICKEN; STIR IN WATER AND COOK, STIRRING FREQUENTLY, UNTIL SAUCE IS THICKENED, ABOUT 2 MINUTES.

ADD SCALLOPS AND COOK, STIRRING FREQUENTLY UNTIL JUST OPAQUE IN CENTER, ABOUT 3 MINUTES. WITH SLOTTED SPOON, TRANSFER SCALLOPS TO MEDIUM BOWL. ADD SCALLIONS TO SAUCE AND BRING TO BOIL. BOIL UNTIL SLIGHTLY THICKENED, ABOUT 3 MINUTES, POUR OVER SCALLOPS. DIVIDE SALAD GREENS EVENLY AMONG 4 PLATES, TOP EVENLY WITH SCALLOPS AND SAUCE .

 
These are the ingredients I used. In addition to the fish sauce, I added 2 Tbsp. Teriyaki sauce and a few drops of Tabasco sauce, and mixed the ingredients in a little bowl and added them in the process called for the sauces, and spices.











Make sure you have your shallots, garlic, fresh ginger, and scallion minced up in advance, and have it ready. The cooking time is very little. You can also add a sliced chilli pepper or two for color, and flavor.









For the scallops if they are wet...dry them with paper towel, do not let them be soaking in its liquid, or any liquid; otherwise you will have a difficult time searing them. I seared the scallops first, before adding the other ingredients. (Removed them from the pan)...added them back in when I poured the sauce ingredients over them and cooked them for an additional minute or two!





I used a wok to make this easy and packed with Asian flavors dish, but you can use a large skillet if you don't have a wok.

You can serve this amazing scallop dish over Jasmine rice, or a bed of delicate Mesculin greens...either way, you will love it...if you love scallops. Shrimp and cut into cubes of boneless breast of chicken is also a good replacement. The sauce alone is so divine! xo

A little update about Mushi...she is resting comfortably; has her own little pillows, and blanket...and she has come out of her hiding from my 'printer desk', closet, and you name it; whatever little hiding spot she could find. Had a little talk with her, and she has been snoozing on my lap while I'm on the computer, or watching TV.



 

Asparagus-Potato Frittata

Although I've been feeling so 'out of it' and not really in the mood for driving, grocery shopping, and...especially cooking, due to not feeling my best with the bandage on my forehead to cover and protect the 'skin cancer surgery'...and taking strong antibiotics is not my favorite thing at all. I finally had the stitches removed and now I'm on my way to healing with a slight scar about 1 1/2 inches which will fade in time. I scheduled for my next surgery appointment  a month away!

When you know you have a dozen eggs in your fridge...actually, you only need 8, have onions, and some kind of fresh veggies, you could whip up a frittata in no time, at all!

I really do not need a recipe for this simple frittata, but I got inspired by Martha Stewart's Whole Living magazine...sad to say, is no longer in circulation. Again...I swapped the vegetables and omitted the jalapeno peppers which I did not have, but no worries...if you want it spicy, you can use chili pepper flakes for a spicier flavor. Recipe also calls for fresh corn kernels (you can use frozen)...I used diced potatoes, instead...otherwise, you can be creative and add veggies of your choice! Click on the link, for the recipe!
SPICY ZUCCHINI FRITTATA

The next day, I still had a lot of leftovers and had a yummy cold frittata sandwich for lunch. Some people do not like cold eggs...but as for me; I love cold hard boiled eggs, or a frittata (fried-scrambled eggs) especially on simple, fresh whole wheat bread.

My poor little kitty, Mush has found a little 'me space' which I usually have it stacked with cook books and some novels, and just stared out at me feeling left out, while I am finishing my post.

Pets can pick up on your 'moods' and feelings. Poor baby has felt neglected all week long...or is she just watching the red ribbons protruding from the book?...most likely. She is such a comfort, so sweet and delicate little thing, and oh, so 'finicky'...just like most female cats are. (she still misses Prince, can't believe its been already over one year that he had to be put down...sigh!)

I really appreciate all your caring and friendship; if I neglected to comment on your blog...I will try to catch up visiting and commenting, and as for my posts; I need to step that up, as well and post at least twice a week. Take care, and Hugs to all!

Creole Shrimp and Rice...my way!

Living in sunny South Florida gives us the advantage of obtaining the freshest seafood every day...available, 365 days a year. You can even buy it from fishermen coming back from the fishing boats...not cheap, but affordable and oh, so amazing and fresh!

I love shrimp, especially the pink Key West shrimp. I saw the CREOLE SHRIMP AND RICE  recipe in June, 2013 issue of Cooking Light magazine and I was impressed by it, but adding the 1 cup of milk to make the Creole Sauce was not my 'cup of tea', so I adapted the recipe changing it to the 'ruby red' spicy sauce, and serving it with Jasmine rice!

I discovered this beautiful bag of little treasures...fresh San Marzano mini tomatoes...grown in Texas, so sweet, crunchy and yummy; you can eat it just like 'candy' but I used it in my sauce, along with the Red Gold tomatoes... that I still had left over from my promotion pack. No need for extra spices, although I used the same recipe as the one from Cooking Light, and added 1 can of the Chili Ready diced tomato.

We all have a way of dealing with 'stress' a different way. Most people eat for comfort...or shop for comfort...be a 'hoarder' of accumulated unnecessary things; as for me, I also shop, but I do the 'thrift shopping' and only for items that I really could use in my kitchen or around the house.

As for eating...I substitute it for 'food shopping'! My cupboards are slightly overflowing with just about every staple item needed for cooking or baking; my fridge is full with fruits, vegetables, dairy products, breads and rolls in the freezer. Food shopping brings me comfort, but it can be costly if all the perishable items are not used up in time.

I'm not the type of person to complain about my physical health...aches, and pains, or even keeping a doctor's appointment; rather cancelling and re-scheduling, instead. To get to the point, I've been neglecting my every 3 months dermatology check ups...after over a year, I finally visited the dermatologist office to check for dangerous moles or spots sprouting up. Since the last couple months I had at least half a dozen suspicious moles and spots...some cancerous, removed from my back, chest, and arm, and now I am dealing with two more that are a little more complex.

So, if you did not hear from me for over a week...posting, commenting, its not because I'm on vacation its just LIFE HAPPENS...every day is a 'challenge' of some sorts.

I had a dangerous skin cancer (Basal Carcinoma) surgically removed from the middle of my forehead this morning...three consecutive sessions...digging, scraping, carving; now its stitched up, and I'm not feeling my best, and next month I will have to have another one surgically removed.

Here's some helpful information about skin cancer...from the SKIN CANCER FOUNDATION

When you don't hear from me, and I'm not blogging...or on Facebook...something's up.
I also forgot to mention that, Pinterest has been a great comfort for me for the last week, just pinning...pinning...and marveling at all the amazing and beautiful things. Also, I've been 'downsizing' and getting rid of things. I hauled more clothes, books...mostly cookbooks, and small pieces of furniture, to donate...you would think that I'm moving!

Have a wonderful week, ahead! xo

Linking to:Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherines Corner
                  Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage