Thursday, June 21, 2007

My plans are on hold...

I have not meant to disappear this week. I had some meals in mind, actually... but that was before Bob got sick. He's had this nasty sore throat for several days now--much worse than my recent bout. He doesn't want to swallow anything at all, much less anything solid. The poor guy... I've been keeping him full of ginger tea, and gargling salt water. I hope it passes soon. It's extremely rare for him to get this ill.

He has been requesting the Cure What Ails Ya Garlic Soup from LDV constantly, so I have tried to make sure there's always some at the ready. It seems to pick him up whenever he eats it, I guess just because he's so hungry--though garlic is known to be high in antibacterial and antiviral compounds that I know cannot hurt. I wish I could enjoy this soup too, but I had an incident several years ago that involved large quantities of garlic and I have only been able to stomach it in modest doses since.


Bob loves this soup with a slice of toasted spelt bread and a little dab of Earth Balance.

This morning as he was leaving for work, I had a feeling he would be coming home soon so I made this sore throat-friendly porridge that he could enjoy when he came back. Sure enough, he never even clocked in before he turned around and came home.


Barley and quinoa porridge (recipe follows). Bob really liked it, so that was wonderful. I loved it too, despite that it was a very warm first morning of summer. The porridge is smooth and creamy, and has a wonderfully delicate vanilla aroma and flavor.

I made this for lunch, thinking that Bob might eat it. He didn't, but it was no loss for him, really.


There is a recipe in LDV for Lentil Dip... The idea is similar to hummus, but with red lentils rather than chickpeas--which sounded like an interesting idea. The copious quantities of oil that the recipe called for freaked me out, so I cut it way down. The resulting flavor was bland--even though I kicked up the spices a good bit. It made an okay lunch with some toasted pita wedges and cucumber slices, but I'm not going to be able to eat the rest in its present form. And it made quite a bit. I have an idea on how to use up the leftovers so that it might not be a total waste, but I shall not be making this recipe again.

As soon as Bob's feeling well enough to eat regular food, I have some recipes I want to try... but until then, please think happy thoughts for him. And for me too--I don't want any part of whatever this is! Take care... I'll be back around soon.


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Barley-Quinoa Breakfast Porridge

1/2 cup pearled barley
1/2 cup quinoa
2 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups plain soy milk
1 tablespoon agave nectar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped

Combine grains, water, cinnamon, and salt in a pot and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and allow to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring 2-3 times. Increase heat to medium-low; add remaining ingredients and cook, covered, for another 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently, until barley is soft. Serve with additional agave nectar and milk, if desired.

16 comments:

KleoPatra said...

Poor Bob! i am sending good thoughts his (and YOUR) way... poor kid. i hope his throat clears up and that the rest of his health is back to super soon... being ill is never fun but i'm sure that having you beside him makes him feel a whole lot better, Laura...

Very nice of you to cook all that good stuff for him, even if he can't have a lot of it at one time. Eating healthfully and drinking your special tea is sure to bring a fast recovery.

*HUGS* *HAPPY THOUGHTS*

Unknown said...

Happy thoughts? How about some effective prayers to the Creator? I'm praying.

Anonymous said...

Poor Bob! hope he feel better soon.
and hope you dont catch it.

Anonymous said...

Get well soon Bob! That Cure What Ails Ya Garlic Soup sounds like it would be a real winner. It looks delicious - especially with that spelt bread. What is the green stuff in the bread? Zucchini?

laura k said...

Kleo, thanks - your kind words mean so much!

Ron and Ginny, yes... prayers are effective. I'm praying too, and thankful to know that you have joined me.

Johanna, thank you very much!

Crystal, LOL - I just offered to make him some more of that soup, but he says he's garlicked out! Need to come up with a plan B now... The green stuff in the bread is actually sunflower seeds. I have no idea why they turned green during baking, but I guess that's just the way they are, the crazy little things!

Unknown said...

I hope Bob feels better soon, I'm sure the soup will chase the infection away, and in the mean time he gets to eat that yummy porridge!

Lentil spread /pate can be very bland. :( You could try to pep it up with some tomato paste and fresh basil, use it as a base for vegetable dhansak (curry) or use it for my pasta recipe (it will taste a little different - but better than throwing it away)

theONLYtania said...

I hope Bob feels better. I'm just getting over a cold, and it was no fun at all. You're so sweet to him :-) The soup sounds yummy.. even all that garlic. I haven't tried that one yet though.
And the porridge.. I'm not really sick anymore but I'll take some of that! Looks good :-)

vko said...

Hope Bob is feeling better- he will definitely be cured by all that healing food that you so lovingly made him!

You should also indulge in some of that garlic soup to ward against whatever's been ailing Bob!

Hope he is well soon!

laura k said...

Judith, thanks for the suggestions for the red lentil spread. I think I'll be able to pep it up with something and save it! Your pasta sauce might be a good way to try.

Tania, I hope you continue to get over your cold! I don't know, this just seems like such a weird time to be sick, to me...

Vko, I'm definitely taking an aggressive approach to keeping myself healthy--the garlic soup is a bit much for me (though I have been sipping it some), but I've been drinking ginger and cayenne pepper tea and washing my hands obsessively! Thanks for your wishes!

MeloMeals said...

I hope Bob feels better soon.. sore throats like that are really painful. Do you think he has strep?

It's awesome that you cook him healthy delicious foods that will heal him.

and your sushi looks soo good in your last post.

Don't Get Mad, Get Vegan! said...

what wonderful and thoughtful meals for bob while he battles this bug!

aTxVegn said...

Healing thoughts to Bob. I know anything you fix for him will make him feel better.

laura k said...

Melody, I sure hope it's not strep, because then I'll probably catch it for sure as I am prone to strep. He's starting to feel a good deal better now, so I'm hoping that it wasn't anything that serious. Thanks for your comment about the sushi--I can't wait to make it again, actually!

DGMGV and Diann, thanks so much! :)

Kate said...

Aww poor Bob. The food looks great and I want to try the garlic soup next time I am sick. Is LDV. La Dulce Vegan? (did I spell that right?).

laura k said...

Kate, yes - La Dolce Vegan! You were close enough. ;)

Kati said...

I hope Bob is feeling better!