Good, Simple Food...Served at Home, Made with a Smile

Coming home at day's end, I check the mailbox and trudge down the sidewalk, kissing my fingers at the new crocus budding bravely beside a pile of snow. Unlocking the door, I absorb the silence inside and tiptoe in, as though intruding on ghostly shadows that recede before my steps. Sunlit fingers walk over the quiet plants in the solarium and warm the worn floorboards that creak under my feet. Nudging the back door open, I lean against the doorjam and breathe in the scent of warmth and sun and distant hazy mountains.

I never know exactly how long I'm there, absorbing the Comforter's presence. Finally, though, a naughty sprite nudges my elbow, breaking my reverie. You'd better get crackin' on dinner, girl. it says. The rude thing. So, snapping to energetic life, I bustle into the kitchen armed with my laptop. Now, you may laugh all you want, but this is my most important kitchen implement. Not, as you may suppose, for recipes. Not, as you may suppose again, for feverish social networking. Nay. I crave music all day and cannot have it, so I must while preparing dinner. Beginning my favorite playlist, I ply my skill with spatula and knife all the more merrily. Sometimes, when my favorite song shimmers through the air, I begin dancing round the woodstove, through the living room, into the bedrooms and back to the kitchen, with a stalk of celery in one hand and a pot holder in the other. Stubbing my toe dampens things a bit and returns me contrite to my task.

What am I making??? Perhaps something like the following recipe. Let me know if you like it.

Something or Others

-Gather

• Thawed Phyllo Sheets
• 1 lb. ground meat of your choice
• 1/2 stick Butter, melted
• Flour
• Cheese (your choice)
• Onion
• Garlic
• Oil
• Milk
• Sour Cream

Cook your meat and season as you like it. Garlic and onion go well with just about anything, in my opinion.

Spread two sheets of phyllo on a large baking sheet and brush liberally with melted butter. You can add the grease from cooking the meat to your cup of butter as well. Add another two sheets and repeat.

Spoon half the meat onto the phyllo and position thin slices of cheese on top. Delicately fold the phyllo over the meat and brush the pocket with butter. You can then sprinkle with salt or pepper or put extra cheese on top.

Heat oven to 400 degrees and bake until pockets are brown and glowing. Each serves approximately one person.

Meanwhile, add a bit of oil and flour to the meat fragments in the skillet and brown the roux to a decent tan. Add milk to thin and a spoonful of sour cream and reduce to your desired thickness. Flavor with salt and pepper to taste.

-Variations

• French: Beef, Montreal steak spice mixture, and swiss cheese
• Mexican: Beef or pork, cumin, red or green chili, paprika, red pepper, cheddar cheese. Served with guacamole, lettuce, and diced tomatos.
• Italian: Turkey or sausage, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, and mozzarella cheese. Serve with artichoke hearts.

I think there are a gazillion more variations on Something or Others. Got any? Drop me a line.

Cheers!