Duck Soup the aftermath of Daffy

     Okay I'm storing these a day ahead of each other.  So the actual post date is a day behind.  Deal with it.

     I stowed all the remains in the fridge.  Christmas had been on a Thursday.  I needed Friday to make sure I had all the ingredients.  A little about this soup.

     I chanced upon it whilst scouring the web.  The search lead me to Duck soup with dumplings.  If you Google just that you should come to the Hunters Anglers blog.  Neat blog actually.

     What appealed to me was the simplicity......Okay it had dumplings or these little things I think we used to call Spetzle and I don't care how it's spelled.  Simple AND DUMPLINGS.  You can go read the recipe.  It's an interesting blog and site.  It's not quite a requirement but a suggestion.  Because I'm going to just talk about a few highlights.

     I needed to get a few things for the meal.  Flour, Carrot, and I've no idea what else.  Hell can you remember a year back.  I can say that cause its 2015 and this occurred in 2014.  Lame but still a valid point.

    I started by making the dumpling dough.  Simple and easy enough.  In hindsight I should have maybe let it set a few hours more to let it dry, or even made the night before.  I just followed what was on my screen.

     Started browning some onions in duck fat of course.  Hell even the recipe said to do that.  I did have to cut the duck in half to fit in the pot.  Eventually the onions and everything else was in the pot, simmering for 90 min.

     The dumplings had to be grated.  Like I said I was just sort of following the instructions.  Hindsight again says the dough may have still not been totally dried.  But Hell I was psyched about making this.  So I grated on the large side of the knuckle buster.  My knuckles did not become casualties I'm pleased to report.  They were tiny as to be expected.  I mean I wanted real big gravy absorbing dumplings.  You don't get that in soup.

     Dropped the dumplings in salted boiling water in batches.  Came out well enough.  Then it was time to address the soup.

     Now having already established it to be a fatty meal to begin with.  The soup is also quite fatty.  We did add back some duck fat with the onions also.

     I'm used to making chicken soup.  You strain off some of the scum and fat off the top and such.  I always love eating the veggies you put in for flavor.

     The veggies in the duck soup were tossed.  They were just gross.  As for the soup.  I used a regular strainer under a fine mesh strainer with a piece of paper towel in it absorb fat and just stuff.

     The soup is as pictured in the blog.  I must admit while it was very exciting to make.  The eating was not so great.  I found it bland.  The dumplings at least added some texture.  But I had a great time making it..  Won't be doing it again however.  But am considering making some dumplings for my next batch of chicken soup.

     Thus ends my tale of the Christmas Holidays.  I hope you all had a nice one.  See what I feel like writing tomorrow after I post this blog.

-later

Thanks and sorry for the long hiatus. We'll finish the flu thing quick.

     Okay now that I've sorted that out.  IE at work wouldn't let me type for some reason.  What's new gang?  Almost a month to the day.

     I'd rather jump real quick and finish the flu tale.

     Things went well.  That weekend didn't do much but recuperate.  Made work on Monday or Tuesday.  Don't actually remember.  The week ended badly for my sister.

     Apparently out of no where she started bleeding again, the tumor thing.  Back across the road to the hospital.  Her oncologist has an associate there.  They decided on a hospital pretty far west of us.  I'd never heard of it.  They specified in pin point radiation and could handle....oh what was the word...can't think of it now.  Basically large people if you get me.  Bariatric I think.

     About 17 miles from work, 45 or so from home.  1 way.  This would encompass 3-4 weeks of my life for awhile.

Stuff.....and not STUFU

     HI!  Funny how that word still reminds me a girl I met in an online game.  I don't think I ever said it again after she broke my heart.  Laughable at best.  I tried to keep in touch via email, worked for a small time.  Then I noticed it was always me breaching in and asking how she was.  Then she'd reply.  So I just stopped.  Sadly I'm not even sure she noticed.

     Actually there was another girl too.  The feelings there were just friendship.  It would be hard to explain that.  Maybe even a little painful.  I don't like loosing friends. Who does right?

     That one I met in a chat room on the old about.com website in the humor room.  She was actually my very first online friend.  Lasted a good 5 or 6 years.  I think in a large way she was too self obsessed for my liking.   anyway. 

     Font changed there and I didn't care, because I'm done there.  So what's been becoming of me?

     Well for 1 week I didn't drive.  So I had to be dependent on family and public transportation even for work.   It was kind of neat again.  For the last 3 or 4 days of the week I wound up walking up to the train station and taking it to work.  Then used the bus which was conveniently across from the train station.  Had a light anecdote on my first day on the bus.

     I'm used to New York City public transportation.  It's a different animal out here. Obviously it is not 24/7 here.  The rules differ as well.

     Okay I'm on a northbound bus.  Making time.  I note that here each bus has a permanent rider.  Someone who is a bit off, has all day to ride the bus, and get to know the driver.  Think that would drive me mad.  Anyway.

     I'm getting close, about half a mile from my stop.  There is a stop up there but I pull the cord just in case, you know.  Well that was a little mistake.

     Seems out here the bus pulls over when you ring, not like in the city at the next available stop.  I chuckled at myself.  It's been a good 20+ years since I've taken the bus out here.  I forgot, pull the thing and the bus pulls over as soon as it can.  They don't wait for the next stop.  

     It was a nice day for a walk, balmy, blue sky, and yes I saw the bus make the stop at the bus stop a half mile away.  Lesson learned thankfully.  

     It was nice to take the train again.  Came to about $30 all in all for a 5 day period.  So not all that much cheaper than a car for me.  But then I have a sporty 4 cylinder.

     I took a nice detour on my walks home, enjoying the exercise.  Like I said, it was a nice week of weather.  I'm sure I'd be feeling differently if it was bad weather.

     I did do some driving last weekend.  Even went to the lounge.  Was such a gorgeous day it was only me and the owner.  He's becoming more tolerable.  We watched the Giants loose and I came home.

     This weekend you should have some stuff to read.  Hampton Bays is having another San Genaro festival, friend of mine installed the sound system.  Otherwise I'd never have found out about it.  So I'm going tomorrow.  Sunday is town day.  Vendors lining the streets and stuff, so hopefull some news there.  

     And that really is all I have for you right now.  Hope you come back.

-Later.

Good Morning.

     It's 4:17 January 2nd 2013.  My coffee is delicious.  Happy New Year!  First thing, I never make resolutions.  It's not that I think so highly of myself that I don't need work.  It is a bit of the knee jerk reaction to everyone else that claims it, so perhaps I'm trying to snub the tradition.  I don't know.  I always support when someone tells me they've made ones.  Always try to encourage.
     For my first act to day I started the dryer, need clothes.  Back to work today and oh boy it shall be interesting.  The self involved one will be back.We'll see how that goes.
     I am very happy in one way, not financially (no more large amounts of overtime), the good thing is I can return to the gym.  Oh I'm looking forward to it.  I didn't put on as much weight as I could have so I'm glad on that note too.  Think I'll start with the treadmill today.  Busy day today too. 
     Before my latest health thing (other blog) I used to fall out of shape so easily.  I am however taking exercise so much more seriously.  And I suppose the constant movement of the last month.  Told you I'm not a desk jockey.  Ran, copy center, mail distribution, mailing machines, building pickups, loading dock receiving and delivery.  Oh it was busy.
     I do hope you all had a good new years.  Talk to you soon