Fish Pie

   Trying to stay ahead of food before it expires is a constant problem in my small household. The other day I needed to use up several ingredients that were left over from my latest cooking attempt. This resulted in a fairly successful new recipe of my own invention. I did photograph the result but seem to have deleted it prematurely. Nevertheless, here's the recipe, as far as I can remember it. It was one of those concoctions where you keep adding different flavours and can't quite recall exactly what went in!

Fish Pie (for want of a better name)

1 basa or other firm fleshed fish fillett
12 small or 6 large shrimp
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cremini mushrooms, chopped
1/2 cup green peas
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 can coconut milk, thinned to pouring consistency with milk
1tbspn. tomato paste
1 tsp each curry powder and garam masala
1/4 tsp. salt and pepper
1 tsp. corn starch
2 cups potatoes, cubed (I used small red potatoes, skins left on)
1 tspn. crushed garlic
4 oz. goat cheese
Milk as required for mashed potatoes

Saute onions and mushrooms in olive oil until soft. Add coconut milk, tomato paste, curry powder, garam masala, salt and pepper. Stir well until bubbling, then reduce heat to simmer. Chop fish into chunks and add to pan. Cook until fish becomes opaque, about 5 minutes. Create a slurry with the corn starch and a couple of tspns. water, add to sauce and stir until sauce thickens.   Add shrimp and cook another 5 minutes. Add peas and cook another 2 minutes. Transfer to a deep casserole.

   Cook potatoes in salted water until tender, drain and dry off on warm burner. Mash and beat in garlic, goat cheese and a little milk to make a smooth consistency. Spoon on top of fish and smooth to cover, then create some peaks for browning. Dot with butter. Place under broiler until slightly browned.

A Day Out

   A sunny day and getting warmer, but I spent it indoors at the Scarborough Golf and Country Club. The event was RTO's annual lunch and travelogue. It started with a glass of wine and conversation, followed by roast chicken and a very yummy chocolate mousse cake. Coffee was on the table as the room was prepared for the travelogue - a visit to Germany - the lights were dimmed and we sat back to be transported to the Bavarian countryside.

   The presenter was knowledgeable and entertaining as we "virtually" visited the many cities and towns that line the rivers of this interesting country. The antiquity of some of the buildings surprised me; the Baroque period was well represented as were the Middle Ages with many timbered buildings that have either been preserved in their original state or. accurately reconstructed. My favourite was a castle built by one of the Prussian princes to resemble Versailles in France.

   No housework achieved today, as I needed a nap when I got home. Also, no need to cook dinner as I am sure I will still be stuffed from lunch! I will potter in the garden for an hour or two but mostly just admiring the new growth and other signs of Spring. I love these little tulips, which still have to open completely, as they are usually the first tulips to appear, probably because they are in a warm, sunny spot.

A Dreary Day

   It has rained pretty well all day and curtailed our activities - no park or strolls to the shops. We did manage to the play group where James reached a new level of participation by requesting his favourite song and doing all the actions  for "Shake your wiggles out". Unfortunately this tired him out so much he fell asleep while I prepared lunch. We went ahead with lunch (one of his favourites, sausages) with little hope of getting him to sleep again. Nothing daunted, I had him upstairs by 1:15 and he surprised me by falling asleep after 2 stories and a song. A successful afternoon!

   The tax return turned out as I expected with a hefty sum to pay the government. This result came from a combination of factors. Hopefully, this is a one time occurrence and next year I will be back to paying just a small sum at tax time. Luckily I have been putting aside enough to cover the bill.

  I am about to try out a new recipe tonight - or rather, a combination of recipes to use up ingredients that are about to expire. It's a fish pie, made with coconut milk left over from last week's curried chicken, which I will cover with a mashed potato and goat cheese topping  broiled to toasty goodness. I'll throw in some vegetables just to keep me well nourished!

Tax Time

   I just remembered that tax returns have to be submitted in 8 days, so James and I walked down to the post office to pick up the forms. This is the first year that the forms have not been mailed out which is why It had escaped my notice that the deadline was fast approaching. Tomorrow will be spent trying to round up documents and figure out the bad news. Ever since I retired I have always had to pay more tax, rather than getting a refund, since I have the minimum amount deducted from my pension (I'd rather keep the money until the last possible moment). Years in which I have worked a substantial number of days, the discrepancy has been quite considerable, but, in 2012 I hardly worked at all so shouldn't have too big a bill.
   James spent most of the day outside today and got a little blush on his cheeks - time to break out the sun screen! We were at the park until 12:30 and then he was out in the back yard again after lunch. He just did not want to come inside and it took me until 2:00 p.m. to settle him for his nap. However, he did sleep well and woke bright and refreshed at 3:30.

   Dance group tonight and we had a big discussion as to whether we should hold the annual Christmas Dance in December. Seemingly there is a conflict with another group who are planning an event just 10 days before ours. We may have to postpone our dance until next year, since both dances would draw from the same participants. To cancel it completely would mean losing the deposit. There are many reasons, pro and con, to be considered. We have to decide before our last night in May. I voted to go ahead with our event but many are undecided as of yet.