Gourmet Meals at My Assisted Living Residence

OK let’s begin with the best types of pasta with accompanying sauces.

Pasta is largely divided into the more robust type and the less robust.
All pasta should be accompanied by a sauce sufficient to cover.

So in the picture we have Fusilli, which should be accompanied by a light smooth sauce such as pesto. A light seafood sauce, cream or oil based.
Other pastas that would suit these sauces are spaghetti, linguine, vermicelli and lunghi. Other less well known pastas are also suitable. I can list them if you wish.

The next is pastas that suit rich meaty sauces. Tagliatelle, pappardelle, fettuccini And mafaldine.

The next pastas suit hearty vegetable and cheese sauces. As well as ragu ( my favourite) and bolognaise. Penne, macaroni, rigatoni and peccheri.

Tiny pasta like orzo, fregola,etc good for soups and stews.
Filled pasta like ravioli is generally served with a light butter or oil sauce
I love visiting Italy and watch the pastas being made by artisans - nothing beats that.

I expect I have forgotten some but it’s a start hope it’s what you were looking for

My chicken masala doesnt look like that.

Eggs Benedict

On the upside, the carrots appear to be fresh, not canned- The leafy greens that accompany the carrot look like bok choy, or something like it- I see something circular beside it, possibly a stalk of some sort, celery or maybe onion- Also fresh, not canned- The leafy green tossed onto the pasta might be parsley or cilantro- And the pasta could be wheat free- An alternative type made from corn and or rice- Possibly potato-

rosecarmel are you a judge on Master Chef?

I don't like pasta either GagaJo almost a crime nowadays.

Ooh, I love eggs benedict. That bacon looks so good!

#onadiet

kitty??

Breakfast looks very nice!

glammanana I am sure they will eventually, as I would do. However, they only moved in 3 weeks ago, not sure how many chums they have made yet and this Assisted Living Facility is at least 2 miles from any real shopping area and they don't drive, I am sure that there other people that do - though even a permanent parking space is an added extra cost.

Whitewave, please continue, you aren't boring me in the least ..

Which would you add olive, which broccoli, which braciole, and how would you throw together a quick tomato sauce that tastes like it took longer to make ..

I'm enjoying your knowledge

Gonegirl, I wouldnt call his meal gourmet but it's healthy- I'm not a chef, not a judge- But I love games! And I thought we were playing "What's On the Plate?", Or something like that .. So, I took a guess ..

I reckon it's a Birds Eye Steamfresh, caterers' size.

Very nice too.

I didn't know Birds Eye was still in business!

!!!!

Their sachets of mixed veg (3 mins in microwave) are excellent for the lazy eater

Don't mention the plastic though!

here

There is nothing quicker than a tomato sauce. Ideally made with gorgeous fresh tomatoes grown in hot summer sun, but here in the U.K. our tomatoes don’t have the sweetness that comes from Italian tomatoes.

So I use a good quality tinned tomato, taste them if they are sweet and yummy that’s right for making the sauce.
So it’s garlic, onion, (both fresh) diced. Fry onion off in good quality extra virgin, add garlic and red wine, then I add the tomatoes fresh basil and oregano plus a bay leaf. Simmer and reduce then add good quality tomato purée. Done !

You can make your own variation of herbs but they are my favourite.

ninathenana by joux did you mean jus?

Thank you Whitewave .. I appreciate it ..

I do a generous amount of olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, mashed capers, and Chianti until infused then add the tomato .. But the aroma prior to adding the tomato is the best part of prep ..

Yes I don’t use capers as it’s one ingredient that I don’t like. But it sounds really yummy.

But .. Back to what Americans eat ..

It's a country of immigrants- No two households are alike- Many overeat- Not all taco bell and mc d- Too much of a good thing can put on extra pounds too- If that's what you mean?

Gonegirl, I had no idea they still existed! I remember when they came in frozen, wrapped, flatish boxes-

I know sodapop, odd really. It's just a carbohydrate.

Whose thread is this? lonjay has joined us from sunny California and you are all hijacking their thread.

So lonjay, my guess is that after such a long retirement and all your world travelling that you are so happy to be living somewhere that you can enjoy life and be pampered.
Am I right? It must be lovely to have meals like that prepared for you.

Bear in mind I have very poor eyesight lonjay but your meal looks like a rather cute, stuffed baby alligator. I have very little idea of American cuisine.

sodapop It's only 6 years ago since they bought the rest home and most residents are in their 80s.
They love what they were brought up with and the 'healthy' part is that everything is fresh.

Chef bakes their cakes for morning or afternoon tea. Blueberry and/or apple muffins are a favourite. Fruit is always an option.

They do eat more than bananas of course: oranges, stewed apple, stone fruits and soft fruits but some citrus doesn't go with medications.

All the soups are freshly made and the old-fashioned salads: tomato, boiled egg, cucumber (optional, it makes some of the residents burp) lettuce and spring onion and lately a bit of a coup for those who can manage it coleslaw!

No one wants a bar of rocket or mesculun

As for 'modern' music - hey still prefer war time songs and hymns.
In the dementia unit, they have a book of old memories featuring many of the war time adverts and familiar logos from the 30's and 40's.