Blog Party #44: Pantry Raid! The Round-Up

Welcome to Blog Party!  We're starting a little late, as one of our guests was delayed.

We have a small group, which, considering how long it's been since we've gathered, is still pretty wonderful. 

I've put up some pretty purple lights around the house.

I've set our bandana-themed napkins, which double as masks!

And I've got a nice music mix going, including Stevie Nicks (Stand Back), Dua Lipa (Don't Start), Men at Work (Who Can it Be Now?), Billy Idol (Dancing with Myself), and Celine Dion (All By Myself).

Keeping things simple as we ease back into Blog Party-ing, so let's take a look at our guest's contributions!

First up is Jasmine, who brought Eritrean Tsebhi Birsen and pita chips.

Using up some canned tomatoes she had on hand, spices, and my favorite, galic-chilli paste! Yum. 
And according to her, it can be turned into a soup - talk about double-duty!

Thanks, Jasmine!

Next,  Breadchick arrived with Left Over Cold Veggie Peanut Soba Noodles - looks tasty!

" a handful of soba noodles, little this and that from the past week’s roasted vegs, about an 1/8th cup of chopped peanuts, and some pho broth"

Way to use it all up!

And of course I've set out a few bites for everyone.  First up, Smoked Chicken Salad Bites.

We'd smoked some chicken (and for the vegetarians in the house, Delight Soy 'chicken') last week, which was turned into a simple chicken salad for tea sandwiches. 

There was plenty left, so dollops of the smoky stuff is served on some pecan crackers that were taking up some valuable space. 

DIVINE. 

Next, Paneer Tikka Naan Pizza Bites.

I'd made naan earlier in the week, and had some kicking around the fridge.  There was a partial block of paneer in the freezer, and oh, hey, a jar of Tikka Masala sauce in the cupboard (yes, sometimes we cheat).  A quick blast of heat, and some finely chopped mint (that needed to be used up) to finish.  

Simple, tasty, and filling mini pizza slices for all. 

And finally, Non-alcoholic Citrus Sunrises. 

Another case of using up what's already on hand. 

We'd purchased a 2 liter of Sprite for something, and never actually used it! And as I'm loathe to toss anything that could be used, there it sat. 

So, mix Sprite with some orange Crush from a bottle left over from the holidays, and some grapefruit seltzer (a favorite of Matt's), and a little bit of grenadine for color. 

Decorate with a grapefruit wedge, and enjoy!

This is where I'd usually invite everyone to hang around and visit, but this time I'm saying: Stay Home.  

Thanks for stopping by, take care of yourself and your loved ones, and I hope to see you - from a distance!- back next month.

The New Normal

How's everyone doing?  Hanging in there?

Strange times, eh.

And we're all facing new challenges while planning our meals, menus, and shopping.  Trying to use more of what's already in the kitchen, and crossing our fingers that the store has what's on our grocery lists!

We had a decent supply of chicken (and faux chicken) in the freezer, plenty of rice, and a few boxes of 'insta-Indian' (those thin boxes of goodness containing various paneer dishes, daal, and so on),

We did not, however, have any sort of bread.

So I made naan (using a recipe from Rasa Malaysia), and we put together a tasty, filling meal using what we had around.

These are useful skills to hone, as we're looking at, potentially, up to eighteen months of 'six feet away' and 'stay at home'.

And I can think of no better way to work on those skills than to join Blog Party! It's coming up Saturday, 4 April, so there's still time to participate.

Our theme is Pantry Raid (read all about it here), where you create appetizers and drinks (any kind!) using ingredients you already have on our shelves, in your freezer, and so on.

It doesn't have to be fancy.  We're just looking to virtually gather together, and share some tasty foods. Get experimental! Use it up! Blog Party and Dispensing Happiness are safe and encouraging spaces. 

So stop by this Saturday with your (Pandemic) Pantry Raid treats, and get ready to party!

From at least six feet away.