What's for dinner?

In our family, time together always includes long, lingering dinners centered on the foods we all enjoy to bring out the best in our
conversation. With our family being together out of a hospital setting for the first time this past week, I was looking forward to enjoying some of our favorite meals together, however, my intermittent nausea and lack of taste became frustrating.

Not all of my taste buds have come back yet; I can taste salty and sweet but not a lot in between. For example, for breakfast I have oatmeal with maple syrup as a sweetener or toast with butter and jam, and for lunch a bagel with lox spread or a latke from the deli around the corner.

The first week here I made marinara with tinned tomatoes from the local grocery store. The result tasted acidic and flavorless. I also found that I have an aversion to Parmesan cheese - imagine! I convinced myself that the marinara did not taste good because I did not use my preferred brand of Cento tomatoes or fresh Parmesan. So when Stephen and the kids arrived last week, I sent them to Viviano's Grocery on The Hill to purchase Cento tomatoes, fresh pasta, olives, and Parmesan, and made sure they did not forget a box of Torrone (nougat candy).

So, I attempted to make marinara again with the Cento tomatoes and paste, and the fresh Parmesan. Unfortunately for me there was no
improvement in taste but the family assured me it tasted exactly how I have always made it and was delicious. What I have found delicious, thanks to Alana, is Tortellini with Balsamic vinegar, and thanks to Daniel, small pasta shells tossed with a fresh Roma tomato sauce, chopped fresh basil and fresh mozzarella.

On Saturday, the 5th night of Hanukkah, I had a craving for, and enough energy to attempt an apple pie. Having just the bare basics here in the kitchen in St. Louis was not a deterrent and actually provided a chance for the kids to see how one can improvise and cook without all the equipment most of us have at home these days. We cut the butter into the flour with two knives, used a wine bottle as a rolling pin, and a square glass Corning ware as the pie plate. Granny Smith and Gala apples were a perfect combination, and Stephen and Saul surprised us with vanilla ice cream to top off the pie; deemed a definite success by all including me!

Late last Friday I received the preliminary results from my 30 day post transplant bone marrow aspiration. So far there is no sign of any leukemia cells (Yippie), this week we will have the full report.

Happy holidays to everyone. Enjoy every moment and time together with family and friends!

Deborah