Despite the neverending snowstorm, I spent a lovely day at the Ottawa Art Gallery. I visited an exhibition (“Visions and Views” - highlights from their Canadian collections) and a presentation by the curator of the exhibition. Then this afternoon I went to an afternoon tea and lecture about a video installation in the gallery. There was a short break in between lectures so I decided to try the offerings at their café. I was hoping to have a bowl of soup or a salad since I knew we’d be having pastries soon and wanted something not so carby but the only items they had out were sandwiches. The smoked salmon sandwich looked good so that’s what I ordered. Sadly it looked better than it was. The sandwich was made with two thick slices of bread, one teeny tiny slice of smoked salmon and a shmear of creamed cheese. Oh well I took it for the team and I won’t be going back. No picture since I forgot 
The pastries were good though - I enjoyed the chocolatine I had.
Nope.
OHN NO KHAO SWE
This may not be the most photogenic sandwich, but it was quite delicious! The steak special from Carl’s in Waltham, MA - steak, sausage, peppers, mushrooms, onions, American cheese, and provolone. I had them add hots and jalapeños. Nap soon.
TBH that looks better than most cheesesteaks I’ve seen!
Roast pork, stuffing and apple sauce toastie on Wobbly Cottage sourdough at the Watch House Cafe in Bridport, Dorset, England. With a side of chips. Nice sourdough, not chewy. Forgot to take a photo of Dorset Apple Cake which we shared for dessert.
Ok, I love the name of this bakery!
Mamma Mia! 
@LindaWhit I love the name too! Their sourdough is lovely…
This was much tastier than a) it looks, b) it should’ve been, and c) I expected. Bok choy and the last shiitake I rescued from the hot pot broth, plus the salmon we couldn’t finish, lightly brushed with garlic black bean sauce and nuked for 1 min.
TBH I wish there had been more leftover 
“Seafood Sharer” starter to share: Smoked salmon, monkfish scampi, haddock goujons, dusted calamari, prawn marie rose, marinated anchovies, Salcombe “Smokies” smoked mackerel, crevettes, tartare sauce, bread of the day & Netherend Farm butter.
Followed by one main shared between the 3 of us: 6 seared Plymouth scallops - Thai basil & chilli dressing, seasonal side salad, shoestring fries. The ‘seasonal side salad’ was just a heap of undressed leaves of rocket (arugula).
At Ocean View at The Dome in Plymouth, England.
Wow! What a feast!
Chicken, corn, and serrano chile chowder over a baked potato. Could decided what I wanted so basically went with both!
Toasted tuna and lettuce on flaxseed/sunflower seed sourdough.
Tuna had diced pickled jalapeños, stuffed green olives, hot sauce and mayo. The tomatoes I just bought were tasteless so none were used
Sea salt chips on the side.
I’m fighting a nasty head cold, so on Tuesday I made chicken thighs and about 2 quarts of broth. I used some today to improvise this meal for 1:
In a mini grinder blitz til fine (with a dribble of water):
1 serrano
1/2 large shallot
1 inch ginger
4 garlic cloves
2 cloves
1/2 blade mace (or a little guy one)
In a medium saucepan heat:
1 T. oil
over medium high heat
Add:
1/2 t. cumin seeds
and stir until they crackle a little (or at least smell right…toasty…)
then add the green chile puree and cook until it smells less raw (2-3 minutes).
To the sizzling puree add:
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground cardamom
30 grinds black pepper
1 t. chili powder
1/4 t. turmeric
and cook until fragrant (1-2 minutes). Turn the heat down to medium during this if you need to.
Next add to the pan and bring to a boil:
2 c. chicken broth
And then add:
1/4 c. brown lentils
1/4 c. brown basmati rice
1 bay leaf
cook for 45 minutes at a simmer.
Stir in:
1/4 lb. cooked and shredded chicken thigh
and continue at a simmer for 5 more minutes to heat the chicken through.
Plate up in a bowl garnished with:
cilantro
yogurt
If you’re able to improvise this while not well, you must be a formidable cook. Looks delicious!
Wow. That looks and sounds fabulous! Hope it knocks the damn head cold right out 
Aw, thanks! I mean, I used the mini grinder 
.
Fortunately, a lot of it was hands off time (with a lot of sitting in front of the fireplace and taking it easy after).
