bidenflation | The Oasis at Four Queen Palms

With the ever-rising cost of foodstuffs, using every bit of food, and wisely buying provisions, is key to maintaining the household on a sensible budget. My “waste not, want not” motto works well in this economic climate. Not only is that good to follow with everyday home resources, but it is also a practical, wise, and economical way to get the most out of food and leftovers, so why not wisely stretch meals and create light lunches, while keeping the cost of food as reasonable as possible?

One of the ways I use leftovers or portions of foods is to prepare fresh cabbage with a variety of other vegetables that sauté easily. Today, I am sharing my Cabbage-Leek Sauté recipe for two.

Take three slices of bacon and cut them into thin lardons. Sauté in a large frying pan. Then add about a third of a thinly shredded small green cabbage and one leek stalk cut into thin rounds. Stir gently. Meanwhile, slice about six button mushrooms; toss them into the pan. Add about one half cup of chicken stock (or water, if you prefer) and half a tablespoon of dried thyme. Season with black pepper and salt, if desired. Stir gently to combine. Simmer on a low flame, until the vegetables are limp, but not overcooked. Transfer to plates and serve.

So, you see, there is no need to spend a lot of money for a wholesome home cooked meal. With a little creativity, you can have nice meals that stretch your buying power.

From time to time this year, I will be sharing my tips on stretching your homemaking dollars. With a little fortitude and imagination, you can become more economically wise. Check out my essay on Soups HERE, and my Shepherd’s Pie HERE.

As ever,

Lady Susan Marie Molloy

At this point, 2023 is 1/12^th finished. January went by at a snail’s pace for me, even though there were so many tasks accomplished:

January saw me write four new short stories – “The Jeweled Slippers,” “The Grand Duke and His Valet,” “Cave Justice,” and “Three Scottish Pearls.” All are now available on Amazon Kindle for your reading pleasure, as found HERE.

Best Friend and I noticed that our local grocery store hasn’t had fresh carrots in stock for about two weeks now. In fact, many items are missing from the shelves: oyster crackers, canned tomatoes, many Oriental cooking ingredients, and contact lens solution is out (I took the last bottle, and finding it there was a surprise).

Also, when Best Friend and I stopped by a department store earlier this week, we noticed the unmistakable strong odor of mothballs in the clothing department. We speculated that the inventory was sitting on the supply ship for months, hence the mothball odor. It was a turn off, and we soon left the store and headed to another to continue our shopping.

For the past four months, I have been busy crocheting a crazy quilt afghan with the leftover yarn I have. I am getting close to finishing it, and since I still have a lot of yarn remaining, I’ll most likely make another afghan, but in a different pattern. The afghans will come in handy for the chilly, yet ideally short, winter months here at The Oasis at Four Queen Palms.

I am toying with the idea of writing a short home economics book with the idea of smart money saving hints and tips for our time. I have it formulated in jotted down notes and outlined in my thoughts. If this idea comes to fruition, I may have it ready by late spring this year. Stay tuned.

And during January, I read two books by Alice Duer Miller, “The Happiest Time of Their Lives” and “Ladies Must Live.” Both were written at the turn of the century and were enjoyable to read. I sprinkled in a current magazine, “Taste of Home,” for good measure.

Now, the calendar turned to February – a month of a Saint Valentine’s Day celebration, preparations for Lent, and a bit of yard work and planting planning. Although this is a short month, it will be packed with activities, which I will be happy to share with you here.

Here’s to optimistic thoughts and good actions on our part. The world is becoming darker, and we surely need more light and optimism.

As ever,

Lady Susan Marie Molloy

The Oasis at Four Queen Palms

Gracious Living at The Oasis.

Tag Archives: bidenflation

Smart Home Economics – Cabbage-Leek Sauté.

Carrots, Mothballs, and a Crazy Afghan.