Sylvia's Scenario

Did you hear that DoubleTree by Hilton released their signature cookie recipe? It happened last month and they've kept their recipe a secret for decades, although there are a lot of copy-cat recipes out there.  Now that the travel industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus, DoubleTree has decided to share their secret recipe and I made them for the first time yesterday. Their senior vice president and global head, Shawn McAteer, had this to say, "We know this is an anxious time for everyone. A warm chocolate chip cookie can’t solve everything, but it can bring a moment of comfort and happiness. We hope families enjoy the fun of baking together during their time at home, and we look forward to welcoming all our guests with a warm DoubleTree cookie when travel resumes.” They are known to be rather large, complimentary cookies, warm from the oven when you check-in at any DoubleTree hotel.  We had the pleasure of enjoying them in 1998 when we moved to Idaho from...

We had a lovely low-key Mother's Day this year due to our "stay-at-home" orders in our state for the coronavirus.  Thankfully, it was 86 degrees so we could sit outside and enjoy the warm evening.  Lauren came over and I marinated a pork tenderloin with my  teriyaki  marinade and then made this new Asian cabbage salad recipe. We all loved this recipe, especially the ginger peanut dressing. I got it from a blog called Well Plated by Erin  who blogs on healthy, wholesome, from-scratch recipes, the type of recipes I'm always eager to try out. I also loved this recipe because it is so colorful and full of all kinds of healthy vegetables. I'm trying to make recipes to keep our immune system strong so that includes eating lots of vegetables and this recipe certainly fits that category.  This could actually be a main dish salad by simply adding some grilled chicken breast to it.  I think I will try that next time.  It would also be good...

Did you celebrate Cinco de Mayo yesterday?  We, like most people, did not have anything planned and I didn't even have anything in mind to cook yesterday.  When Bruce brought it up, I said, "I wouldn't mind a margarita, I guess."   Well, one thing led to another and before we knew it, Bruce was making some homemade nachos, plus the margaritas and I made this recipe for Spanish rice because we had some leftover rice in the fridge. I've never made Spanish rice, actually.  We haven't been to a Mexican restaurant in ages and I realized I was craving some typical Mexican restaurant-style accompaniments.  I searched for recipes and found this one from  PBS Food .  It's a site for parents giving ideas for recipes your kids will like.  I guess that's why I liked this recipe so much.  It's kid-tested!  It actually tastes just like the rice you get at a Mexican restaurant on the side with your entree and refried beans.  We lov...

This recipe is so easy with hardly any ingredients, it baffled me how good it tasted when I first made it.  Basically, all you do is take a whole chicken, put it on top of some sliced cabbage and roast it in the oven and it is SO GOOD!  There is something about that crispy, roasted cabbage soaked in buttery, salted chicken juice that is so irresistible.  I got this recipe from Smitten Kitchen  and she got it from Helen Rosner , who is a roving food correspondent for The New Yorker and James Beard Award winner.  She reported on Instagram that she didn't have her usual vegetables to put under her roasted chicken and all she had was cabbage and BAM! A new recipe is born.  It doesn't sound like much but it was good enough that I must share it here for you all to make and see for yourself how this extremely, simple chicken recipe is good enough for a special occasion or to even serve to guests coming for dinner.  But since that won't be happening for awh...

Our 35th day of self-quarantine .  We are eagerly awaiting the governors press conference today because he's suppose to talk about outdoor recreation activities and maybe lift restrictions on golf, fishing and hunting.  Bruce is eager to hear this one because he wants to be able to play golf again.  It seems to me that golf would be safe enough.  Our state is taking things really slowly so we won't have a second wave hit us of the coronavirus .  Now, every time the governor comes on the air, we're eager to hear what will be the next thing to open.  Last week, he allowed construction workers to go back to work. (I'm so glad our remodel is all done.  We started our remodel one year ago exactly.)  Two neighborhood farmer's markets opened last week, too, with lots of restrictions but at least that's something.  Our neighborhood farmer's market hasn't started back up yet, but when it does, it will be interesting to see how it's changed.  T...

Our days lately have been typical Seattle wet and dreary.  Not to mention that this is our 31st day of stay-at-home orders by the governor that began on March 23rd.  And there doesn't seem to be much to look forward to, although the coronavirus cases are decreasing now, so that's good.  Our state is doing much better than other states since we're obeying the guidelines outlined by the health department plus it started really early here, way before March 23rd.  Heck, I sent the email out to cancel our Mariner ticket party on March 5th!  Cruises were still leaving packed with people  from Florida every week.  I remember thinking how crazy those people were but the rest of the country wasn't even thinking about coronavirus.  My thoughts are this:  it isn't going away so we're just going to have to deal with it until there is a vaccine.  When stay-at-home orders are lifted, the virus is still going to be out there and we're still goin...