Marie Cookpad

   We certainly are living in interesting times.   A tad bit scary, but its all pretty much out of our control. So long as we are washing our hands frequently, not touching our faces and isolating or practicing safe social distancing, we should be safe. We have been self isolating for about a week and a half now, which means that we are not leaving the house and we are relying on our food storage for the most part when it comes to cooking and eating.   The recipe I am sharing with you today is the perfect store cupboard recipe and proof positive that you don't really need a lot of fancy ingredients to provide a delicious meal for your family.   In fact this dish only really requires 4 ingredients.  A jar of some really good Italian peeled tomatoes.  A package of pasta. Some butter and an onion.  You might also want some grated Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top of the finished dish.  This is so, so, so simple and I have to tell you ...

  I have a huge confession to make.  I miss North American Chinese Food over here in the UK.  I have yet to eat any Chinese dish that even remotely resembles what I am used to and what I loved from back home.   Oh sure, I know that the dishes we are presented in Chinese Food Establishments on both sides of the pond are nowhere near like the real thing at all . . .  but I like what I like, and what I have had in my experience, is what I am used to and what I enjoy, and what I consider to be Chinese, so all of you purists out there, mum's the word.   The few times I have eaten Chinese food here in the UK, I have to confess I have not really enjoyed it all that much.  I do like the chow mien from our local chippy, but for the most part, what I have experienced is not what I grew up with or what I crave.    Where's the Beef & Broccoli?  The Egg Rolls?  Won Tons?  I haven't seen any yet and I love Beef & Broccoli. even more ...

  If you are a North American who grew up in the sixties and seventies you would have had to live under a rock not to know who the Brady Bunch were!   It was a very popular half hour sitcom on the television! It was about a two widowers with children (her 3 daughters, him 3 sons) who married and became the Brady Bunch!   One episode that really sticks out in my memories was the one where Bobby Brady was doing an impression of Humphrey Bogart  whilst saying Pork Chops & Applesauce. Entitled "The Personality Kid," I believe it is probably the one episode which sticks out in most people's memories.  When I think of Pork Chops and Applesauce, I always think of this particular show and I always think of my mom who was tickled pink with it and used to like to repeat the phrase  in Humphrey Bogart's voice as well when we were having pork chops and apple chops for supper! I guess it became a bit of a family tradition!    With fresh Bramley Apples...