What's Cooking
February 2026
This month has been difficult. At least it’s a short month. I’ve had to grasp a bit for moments of joy. But not giving up!
I’ve been very sporadic on my walking and I miss it. Weather has been the major factor. I’m not hard core enough to go when raining.
My knitting groups have been very necessary. In person laughing, talking, sharing. I finished my striped scarf just in time for 60 degree weather! I need more cold weather.
I started a new throw. It’s made in 4 strips then put togther. It’s easy enough to take to knitting groups and still talk. Very important.
I have not been on a “responsible only for me trip” so I took a day trip. I went to Massee Lane Gardens. It’s late in the season but it was worth it. Mark your calendar for next February.
Movie night at Friend’s worship was good. We had a potluck and watched Hamnet. I was seriously crying especially at the end. But a good evening. I took black bean vegetable bake. Very good and freezes well.
Cooking has been hard for me in February. I had many days of just not feeling it. But I had some fun.
I made pierogies. I grew up near Pittsburgh and had very good pierogies made by church ladies. My first time making them and they were good! It wasn’t Lent so I used bacon too.
Freezer meal - minestrone soup with sausage. I’ve cooked a lot of fish. Chile lime fish with bok choy and rice, simple lemon pasta for something sunny.
Mini quiches for our monthly business meeting at Friend’s worship. I used filling from one recipe, crust from another. I made bacon Swiss and feta/roasted red pepper.
Chicken gnocchi (cubed the chicken, 5 ounce bag baby spinach), tomato and sausage risotto, black bean tacos, (blue corn shells).
It looks like lots of cooking but it’s a whole month! Sausage broccoli pasta, crab cakes, baked cod - I made up the recipe, used panko, lemon pepper seasoning, lemon zest, melted butter, but this is a good recipe for a similar preparation.
No link to sheet pan scallion shrimp since I don’t subscribe to NYT recipes, but if you do, it’s good.
And a cook book recipe from the library - One Hour Comfort Food from America’s Test Kitchen, Philadelphia pork subs. Roasted tenderloin, red peppers, broccoli rabe, garlic.
Slightly anxious as to what next month will look like, but Spring officially enters the year so hoping!
I could jump in the pan with those pierogies. They made my mouth water. All your food looks delicious and reminds me that I need to cook more. I've been trying to finish a quilt for a deadline, so I made Door Dash rich this week, and when Alan asked if there was anything to eat, I'd holler out, 'It's on the porch!' Sewing became more important than cooking in my life at some point. Is there a balance?