Saturday 16 February 2013

Saturday Snippets 4



The common cold won out in the Starman household this week.  By last Saturday evening I had gone down with a very sore throat and racking cough, and the cold became full-blown during the next 24 hours.  It was totally debilitating, and whilst Starman does his best, he is not known for his culinary skills, so I still staggered up in the evenings to ensure we had at least one square meal a day.  At least these days I don't have horses to worry about like in the past!

Starman is now holed up in bed in the spare room, TV remote, mobile phone, home-phone handset, daily newspaper, paracetamol tablets, and cups of tea to hand!  He is happy croaking out various instructions to me in a 'deep brown voice' and enjoying being waited upon.



I am doing laundry, thinking what to do for tea, and writing these snippets.  So don't be too hard on me if I sound a bit doo-lallie this week!

Everything has completely gone out of the window as regards any types of spanking, and I only hope he'll remember what to do with his hand, and I'll remember what to do with my bottom, when we eventually both feel well enough to consider it.

So there are two queries I have this week.  One is because Cat kindly reminded me that chicken soup is an excellent remedy for when you not yourself.  I promptly opened my 'book of soups' and found a wonderful old Jewish recipe and hastily got it underway.  There was only one simple snag.  The bag of chicken pieces I defrosted, turned out to be pork!  So that ended up in the bin, and we had to have the soup minus the chicken; which was really the whole point of it!  And yes, I did have some excellent homemade chicken stock I used as the basis for the soup, but I had to recompense with lots of vegetables.  It was excellent, but stupid, and typical Ami!

So this first query, in all seriousness, is what do you do when you get awful winter colds?  Any remedies or recommendations will be seized upon with alacrity!  

The second query is: spanking is the last thing on poor old Starman's mind at the moment.  But I am getting very antsy!  I've been for a walk in the fresh air, and cleaned the house, and even done my ten minutes intensive cycling.  I need some recommendations NOW!!!!  As a couple, what do you do in these situations?

And here is my recipe of the week.  It's a real cracker!  We eat a lot of chicken and this recipe is just a little different, and surprisingly the garlic in it tastes very sweet cooked this way.  

Chicken with Sherry Vinegar and Tarragon Sauce  (Serves 4)

1 3.5lb (1.75kg) chicken, jointed into 8 pieces, or you could use 4 bone-in chicken breast portions
5 fl oz (150ml) sherry vinegar
15 fl oz (425ml) medium-dry sherry
12 shallots, peeled and left whole
4 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
2 tbspns olive oil
2 tbspns fresh tarragon leaves
1 heaped tbspn creme fraiche
salt and freshly milled black pepper

First of all heat the oil in a frying-pan and season the chicken joints with salt and pepper.  Then, when the oil begins to shimmer, fry the chicken (in two batches) to brown well: remove the first batch to a plate  while you tackle the second.  Each joint needs to be a lovely golden-brown colour.  When the second batch is ready, remove it to the plate to join the rest.  Then add the shallots to the pan, brown these a little, and finally add the garlic cloves to colour slightly.

Now turn the heat down, return the chicken pieces to the pan, scatter the tarragon leaves all over, the pour in the vinegar and sherry.  Let it all simmer for a bit, then turn the heat to a very low setting so that the whole thing barely bubbles for 45 minutes.  Half-way through turn the chicken pieces over to allow the other sides to sit in the sauce.

When they-re ready, remove them to a warm serving dish (right side up) along with the shallots and garlic.  The sauce will be now have reduced and concentrated, so all you do is whisk the creme fraiche into it, taste and season as required, then pour the sauce all over the chicken and scatter with sprigs of tarragon to garnish.  This is lovely served with potatoes and freshly shelled peas.  Serve with some well-chilled Fino sherry as an aperitif!



I will be so glad when we see the sun again.  We saw it briefly for all of two hours yesterday, but mostly our skies look like this!  However, there are some little patches of colour appearing in the darkness.


I hope you all have a lovely weekend!  

And that you don't have colds like us!

Hopefully spring is on its way! 




22 comments:

  1. I hope you are all feeling better soon! As for advice as to what to do with a cold it depends if it is a simple cold or if it is more flue like symptoms. I use elderberry syrup at the very first signs of a cold/flue and vitamin C and that seems to lesson it. I've heard zinc can help too though never tried it. For flue there is a homeopathic remedy - can't think of the name at the moment (but I can look it up for you if you need it) which I hear works really well. Otherwise, tea with honey, and chicken soup are comforts. And sleep is always good. :-) As for what you do when one is sick and the other is antsy for a spanking I have no advice - I can barely get my husband to spank me when I am craving one even when he is healthy... :-) Best wishes, Terpsichore

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    1. We have an old remedy here in this part of the UK called Elderberry Rob. I'd forgotten all about it. It's specifically for colds and coughs. I will go and dig it out for future reference. Starman has been at the honey pot. He's turning into Pooh Bear!

      Thank you for your ideas Terps!

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  2. Geeeez Ami! Now you are having to deal with colds! I am SO sorry to hear that! Feel better soon!

    Pretty much all I can think of is what you are already doing- rest, fluids and treat the symptoms as they come up. If you have a fever it may be something a little more than a cold (flu like?). Keep an eye on it. Chicken soup, tea with honey and lots of lemon, etc!

    As to your question regarding your antsy-ness, I'm far from expert around here. What I would suggest is perhaps get back on that bike and peddle away! I was never one for gym or sports growing up, but in the last few years I did the couch to 5k program and have completely surprised myself with becoming a runner. When I get that way, I take it to the treadmill or the street- even if I don't feel particularly motivated I always feel better after. Rob has been known to point me in that direction here and there when I need it! It works!

    Thanks for the recipe and feel better!!! (((((Hugs)))))
    <3 Katie

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    1. In this wet and cold part of the world colds are par for the course. WE NEED SUN!

      I haven't had the energy for the bike, but am going to start again tomorrow. I've managed to keep my weight stable, but the need for exercise is now very great.

      Running is so good. But my knees aren't brilliant after years of eventing horses. You tend to use your knees like springs to take the jolts when jumping. I like swimming, but I am dreadfully slow.

      Hopefully my antsyness will get cured this week!

      Many hugs, Ami

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    3. Goggle is going nuts - so duplications galore. Sorry!

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  3. I once read that a cold will last 14 days if you do nothing and two weeks if you take something to help cure it. I do believe because I have tried every new things that comes along and they go when they go. Maybe they need a spanking.

    You're just looking for release. It's been a pretty stressful period for a while. Try sending a note, or setting a scene, something of that nature to propel him along once you are both up to it.

    Good luck.

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    1. Spookily enough, I was told that a cold was a week coming, a week with you, and a week going. If I was spanked with my head down whilst I had a cold I think I would suffocate! Help!

      The release should be coming shortly! LOL

      Thanks Sunny,

      Ami

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  4. Sitting here at 1.33am reading your recipe and thinking..hmmm yummy! And now I feel hungry...
    Lots of vitamin C, garlic and honey works well. There is a recipe for flu like symptoms on one of my posts that apparently works a treat. I have yet to get up enough energy to actually try it though :)
    Hope that you are feeling better soon. I agree with Sunnygirl, try finding a release :)

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    1. 1.33 am!!! Does this mean a spanking?!

      All of the above seem to be very good. I have been taking cod liver oil capsules since before Christmas because someone told me they were good too, but they've done nothing!

      The recipe is yummy!

      Hugs, Ami

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  5. Time will heal this cold. In the mean time feed him the chicken soup to quickly restore his strength.
    As for remembering what to do with hand and bottom? That's simple. Hand: move up and down, Bottom: keep still.
    I would suggest to just ask him for a little spanking as a reward for all the good service he gets.

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    1. Bas, the chicken soup went down a treat, even without the chicken!

      I will keep your advice in the second paragraph to myself! LOL!

      As for your third paragraph - I may want a BIG spanking.....

      Many hugs, Ami

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  6. Homemade chicken stock? :-O Holy cow, how many days did you have to boil your chicken bones to make it? I used pre-made chicken stock for the first time yesterday (in my crock pot to make chicken vegetable soup), and I was impressed. I love making all-day soups in my slow cooker.

    And yes, I'm afraid medicine does nothing for colds for me. Just pain medicine seems to make a difference. Otherwise it's just sniffle and cough and ache and wait to heal.

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    1. No, no, no. All I do is put the chicken carcass, with chopped celery, parsnips, carrots, garlic and onions with some water to cover, into the bottom of the Aga overnight. Voila, chicken stock to feed the world by morning. Send me yours, I'll happily do them for you! Then I freeze the stock for when it's needed.

      I have to admit to taking plenty of paracetamol.

      Hugs, Ami

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  7. I always was told plenty of fluids. Maybe you can treat the symptoms with certain homeopathic remedies. I bet you can go on line for that. Or maybe a nice glass of wine!
    As for the spanking I say just suggest that when he feels up to it.... He should get to it.
    And when you are needing a laugh about spanking, picture me with my Scotsman trying 'not' to go over his knee, so I don't hurt him!

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    1. Minelle, now what fluids are you talking about dear?!!! Just wine? He has been 'off' all alcohol for a week, and has lost 6lbs! Maybe there's a lesson to be learned here?

      I do nothing but 'picture you'!!! ever since you first told me! Did you put a pillow on his lap first? Ha ha ha!

      Hugs, Ami

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  8. HI Ami, so sorry to hear you are both under the weather, I hope you are both feeling much better soon. I can't think of anything else either than might help, sounds like you are doing all you can - rest and fluids.

    As for spanking, I agree with Sunny also. You've been through so much stress is the release you are in need of. Let him know of this need and I'm sure he will take care of it when he is feeling up to it :)

    Hugs,
    Roz

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    1. Much better now Roz. Rest and fluids of various types have done the trick.

      And I just KNOW that the situation is going to be rectified shortly. He has the memory of an elephant when it comes to sassy comments. I shall hide the HH this minute whilst I think about it! Maybe dig a hole in the garden and bury it at midnight!

      Hugs, Ami

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  9. I am a firm believer in homemade chicken soup, where you simmer the bones for an age and a half. Hot toddies at bedtime and walks outside in the fresh air.
    Loved your recipe - I am going to give it a try.
    As for the antsy feeling - what about visiting him in his man cave but leaving your undies outside? The exercise might be good for him....
    Hope everything is back to normal at this writing - I know I am late.
    hugs and love
    lillie

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    1. Hadn't thought about the hot toddies at bedtime but they could be tried regardless. I love walking in the fresh air. Today was great, lots of blue skies and sun, although with a minus temperature.

      Man cave? Help! Our bedroom is freezing at the moment. The wind is coming straight off the Siberian Steppes with nothing between them and us!

      Thank you, everything is well on the way to normal, and I expect the sass will be addressed very shortly!

      Is your private site up and running yet? How will I know?

      Many hugs, Ami

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  10. I am going to try your recipe.

    As for chicken soup...each fall I buy a couple chickens and make a giant pot and put it in the freezer b/c by the time you are sick, you don't have the energy to make it.

    Sorry about the lack of spanking. So far we haven't found a good solution in these situations. We tend to get through and then I have a giant meltdown on the other side. Maybe/hopefully you can avoid that!

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    1. That is the best bit of advice I've had for a long while. You are dead right, you get sick and then don't have the energy to start making soup! And bought soup is just not the same.

      I really want to avoid a giant meltdown this time. We are in a very good place at the moment. Starman is smiling again, and he didn't for so long that I was very distracted. I will happily submit, even to the HH, if it brings a smile to his face! And I don't say that lightly. No, disregard that - I'm still going to bury it at midnight!

      Hugs, Ami

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