Can we talk?

Picking A Topic

         Sometimes it's hard to pick a topic at all, and sometimes it's hard to pick just one. I'd like to talk about the candidates debate, but the public and the media have both had such a superficial reaction, I'd hate to step into a hornet's nest. I'd like to discuss Absalom and David, but I'd get preachy probably.

         Today, I was expecting company who went to the beach instead, and called us from the beach after I already had a big meal in the oven. There were only 3 of us at dinner, so we'll be having leftovers. My dad has to have corn on the cob every Sunday without fail. Sometimes, I skip it because we have so many fresh vegetables. I get sick of corn. I knew some people in Pennsylvania who ate it fresh from the farm nearby every day of the week. Not me. Dad buys too much, and shucks it all at once. So we'll have corn all week!

         I fixed baby straight neck squash (organic) on the stove top, steamed with my fresh basil. The main course was chicken drumsticks and potatoes. I made up the recipe after looking over some. It was delicious. I put them in a bag with some breading and spices. In a foil lined pan, sprayed with Pam, I cut up celery, carrots, and garlic. I put the breaded chicken on top. I put  washed home-grown sage leaf in the pan. Before I did any of that, I peeled the potatoes from The Vegetable Lady, cut them and soaked them (it makes them crisper and takes away the gelatin like substance that's not good for weak kidneys). On the spur of the moment, I dunked the drained potato pieces into the leftover breading. Then I arranged around the chicken and stuck in the oven.

         After about 20 minutes, I sprayed them with Pam and turned over. A few minutes later, I sprayed again to be sure they browned okay. They were a big hit. We added fresh tomatoes and home-grown cucumbers and iced tea, of course.

         Here's the lesson: Don't use the cheapest available foil. Store brands are usually okay. The most expensive is the best, but I understand the desire to save a little. The foil I used I knew would be a problem the moment I opened the box. It was like silver tissue paper. I have never seen such thin foil. I know that sheet metal comes in different gauges. Apparently, aluminum foil does, too. It tears easily. It stuck to the bottom of the pan and came out in little tiny pieces. I had to really scrub the pan to get it up. I might as well have had the vegetables or chicken skin stick.