Herb-Crusted Prime Rib. Parsnip Purée. Pan-Roasted Asparagus with Toasted Garlic and Parmesan.

... "Sunday Dinner. The one meal that I cherish the most. With all the food that James and I have had over the course of the week, I haven't cooked at home. I really wanted to be lazy today/tonight, and I asked James if he wanted to go out for dinner. He wanted to watch the new season of 'The Man in the High Castle' on Amazon Prime - so, I took this opportunity to head to the grocery stores alone. The word "PRIME" was dancing in my head ...

Herb-Crusted Prime Rib: Second Cut Standing Rib Roast (Bone 6 - Bone 9). EVOO. SnP. Thyme. Oregano. Rosemary.
 
Parsnip Purée: Parnsip. SnP. Cream. Thyme. Garlic. US Butter.

Pan-Roasted Asparagus with Toasted Garlic and Parmesan: OO. Garlic. US Butter. Asparagus. KSnP. Parmesan. Lemon.

James was so focused watching TV while I was cooking away in the kitchen. It's like him on Sundays to chill on the section and play video games and/or catch up on TV. For the first time since we've lived here in Chicago, I felt that we were 'home.' The funny thing is that 'Julie & Julia' was about to start on TV. I opted to serve him dinner on the sectional and join him. Like clockwork, Wally and Eva were right there wanting some. I chuckled. I gave them both a piece. I looked at James and said, 'Rate it!' ... he couldn't reply, he just continued scarfing it down. That's all I needed from him." /has my cold plate of food, but the photographs I took were on point

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Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Almonds. Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Smothered Pork Chops with Cider and Apples.

... "The snow is coming down in Chicago and I knew that James and I weren't going to out for dinner. We weren't going to put delivery drivers out there with the roads being so bad. I managed to head to the supermarkets and stock up on sips, snacks, steaks, starches, and sorbet. The five essentials to have in a snowstorm. James wanted comfort food and wanted porkchops and applesauce ...

Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Almonds: US Butter. Gala Apples. Brussels Sprouts. Garlic. Thyme. SnP. Almonds.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Sweet Potatoes. VO. SnP.

Smothered Pork Chops with Cider and Apples: Bacon. UBAP Flour. Cider. VO. BI Rib End Pork Chops. SnP. Onion. Granny Smith Apple. Water. Garlic. Thyme. Bay. Parsley.

James and I have settled on going out to restaurants recently for dinner because of my hectic work schedule. I do say I really missed going to supermarket and getting fresh ingredients to make a home-cooked meal. There's nothing better." /laughs at James eating dinner on the couch with Wally and Eva beside him while looking outside at the snow coming down

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Steak with Boursin and Potato-Cauliflower Mash. Skillet Broccoli with Olive Oil and Garlic.

... "The first major snow has fallen here in Chicago. After doing a 12 hour shift today, I know on a Sunday ... I didn't want go out for dinner. I haven't cooked in the longest time with my crazy and demanding work schedule and James​ and I are getting tired of traversing all over the place to get food late at night. James didn't want to leave the house and I didn't blame him. I opted to head to the grocery store and make dinner after work.

Steak with Boursin and Potato-Cauliflower Mash: Yukon Gold Potatoes. Cauliflower. US Butter. Whole Milk. S. P. New York Strip Steak. VO. Boursin Cheese.

Skillet Broccoli with Olive Oil and Garlic: OO. Garlic. Thyme. Broccoli. S. P. Water.

As I quickly shopped for dinner, my mind was racing. My mind never rests; just like Chicago. Shoppers were frantically stocking up on the essentials, while I was just trying to get the ingredients to make tonight's dinner for the both of us. Nevertheless, I got home and made dinner. Snow continues to fall outside on the pavement. James asked me to help him take out Wally and Eva after we ate. I insisted that he should do it. I told him, 'I made dinner and I worked a 12 hour weekend shift!' He comes back with, 'I'll rub your belly and do the dishes.' I said, 'You got a deal!" /doesn't want to go back out in the slushy snow

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Sautéed Pork Chops with Pears and Blue Cheese. Creamy Parmesan Polenta. Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

... "'All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey.' This famous lyric is from 'California Dreamin' by Mamas and the Papas. The weather was just like that today in Chicago. I asked James what he wanted for dinner today while he was at work. He said, '[p]ork chops.' I answered back, '/done.' I went to the grocery store and I thought - palm trees and warm weather. I need to represent that ...

Sautéed Pork Chops with Pears and Blue Cheese: 1" BL Pork Rib Chop. SnP. VO. Pear. Sugar. LS Chicken Broth. US Butter. Balsamic Vinegar. Blue Cheese.

Creamy Parmesan Polenta: Water. SnP. Baking Soda. Polenta. US Butter Parmesan.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Brussels Sprouts. EVOO. Water. SnP.

As you can see, I made the Brussels sprouts into something that looked like palm trees. The polenta resembles sand. As for the pears - don't they look like surfboards? Anyway - I told James the reasoning behind the presentation and why I chose the ingredients that I did ... alas, he didn't care. He sat down and ate it. I chuckled. It's good that he's coming home to a home-cooked meal once again. Looks back towards the kitchen and glad to see this new kitchen is being put to good use." /wondering if we should head into the West Loop for ice cream for dessert

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Old-Fashioned Pot Roast with Winter Vegetables.

... "James and I have settled in our new flat here in the Illinois Medical District in Chicago. The transition for James, Wally, and Eva is quite easy. Heck, I'm quite surprised. It took me 3 days/nights to get my kitchen up and running - yeah, I forgot a couple of key items back in Lindenhurst, but, I'll get them soon enough. I asked James what he wanted for dinner. He said, 'comfort food.' Well, there was farmer's market that I went to and I grabbed some veggies ...

Old-Fashioned Pot Roast with Winter Vegetables: BL Chuck-Eye Roast. S and P. US Butter. Onion. Carrot. Parsnip. Celery. Garlic. Beef Broth. Merlot. Tomato Paste. Bay Leaf. Thyme. Balsamic Vinegar.

I tested out the stove, microwave, dishwasher, and even the refrigerator. They all passed my tests. I couldn't believe how comforting it was to actually cook once again for James. Wally and Eva were right there watching me as well. I shed a couple of tears. I'm just glad that we are all back together in the hustle and bustle of Chicago. Remember, comfort food isn't comfort food - unless you are making memories while eating it." /stares at James scarfing down and licking his plate and asking for more

... "Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Fillet of a big grizzly bear, in the cauldron a soup to share ... FOR EVERYONE! It's October! The pumpkin spice lattes are already out, the leaves are starting to fall, and everyone is anticipating the holidays and the comfort food that comes with it. Did you dust off your fall and winter recipes? What recipes and food photography are you going to share this October? Need I mention Oktoberfest? All the German food and beer!!! Need I mention Halloween? All the sweet treats that all of us will be indulging ... or will you get tricked ... maybe get a 'trick?' Happy October, Bears in the Kitchen!" /looking for käsespätzle and pumpkin pie

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Roast Beef Sirloin with Caramelized Carrots and Potatoes.

... "It's my first official night in my new place in Chicago. It was snowing and raining today. Mother Nature is being a real queen. So, I thought ... I want to be a king cut of beef for dinner ... so did Scott ...

Roast Beef Sirloin with Caramelized Carrots and Potatoes: Thyme. US Butter. Red Potatoes. Carrots. BL Top Sirloin Roast. VO.

Heck, I had to open the windows to vent out the kitchen. The sounds of traffic and pedestrians shouting in the streets made me felt I was in the gauntlet of Chicago's fury. At least my appetite will always be satisfied ... until I want dessert ... hmm, GrubHub?" /wants a pint of Netflix and Chill ice cream (popcorn ice cream with M&Ms) from Cone Gourmet Ice Cream

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All-American Mini Meatloaves. Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes. Fast Buttery Peas.

... "Having no front teeth is hard. Heck, the foods I enjoy most: fried chicken, hard candy, apples, and even peanut butter have been a challenge. I looked for comfort from a good friend of mine, Suzanne​. I asked her what she gave her baby and she said, adult food. Here I am, eating applesauce and strained carrots and crying over it. I decided to take things in my own hands and make a 'soft food' dinner ...

All-American Mini Meatloaves: Ketchup. LB Sugar. Cider Vinegar. VO. Onion. Garlic. Thyme. Panko. Parsley. W-Milk Wochestershire. Egg Yolk. Dijon Mustard. S & P. Ground Pork. 90% Lean Ground Beef.

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes: Yukon Gold Potatoes. US Butter. Buttermilk. S & P.

Fast Buttery Peas: US Butter. Shallot. Thyme. Garlic. Frozen Peas. Sugar.

Yes, the struggle is real. I didn't really think how much teeth are important in not only food digestion, but in food consumption! James​ was surprised that I even made dinner with the medication I'm on - he was expecting me to have Ensure and yogurt for dinner ... but, alas, I have to start figuring out food that we can both eat with or without teeth." /so wishing that I had my four front teeth right now

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