Small Bites…Adventures in Downsizing

By Jan Kinzel

The Secret Garden, a charming novel enjoyed by children and adults…I’ve Got a Secret, a TV game show from the fifties…Do You Want to Know a Secret? Beatles in the 60s….Secrets for successful downsizing, new on the scene! What are some ‘secrets’ to help ensure a successful downsizing experience?

  • Give the idea a tremendous amount of thought
  • Share with trusted ones – friends & family
  • Explore the emotional aspects
  • Get practical
  • Choose your next living situation carefully
  • Make a plan of action
  • Prioritize possessions according to value – monetary & sentimental
  • Purge to lighten the load
  • Get help – downsizing is very physical
  • Make the next living space as comfortable as you can
  • Add a touch of luxury somewhere in your decor
  • As finances allow, upgrade or remodel to what you really want
  • Get involved in some of the community’s social activities
  • Meet some of your new neighbors
  • Have a small group of neighbors in for a bite to eat & a little socializingDownsizing is a major event. Change is inevitable and this is a huge one! The ‘secrets’ shared above are some tried and true ways to make the adjustment successful and enjoyable. The ‘secrets’ shared below are ways to prepare some fun recipes.
    TWO SECRETS TO PERFECT ASPARAGUS Crispy Steamed AsparagusWhat’s the secret? It’s never put on heat.This is so great because you can never over cook them this way.
    Place medium sized asparagus spears in a glass baking dish that has a lid, such as Corning Ware. Cover asparagus with boiling water and put the lid on immediately. Asparagus will be perfect in twenty minutes.
    Char Roasted Asparagus
    What’s the secret? It happens on a sheet pan in the oven.
    Trim bottoms of medium sized asparagus spears and lay them in the same direction on abaking sheet lined with foil and sprayed with Pam. Sprinkle with extra-virgin olive oil (I prefer the garlic flavored oil) and season with salt and pepper. Roast in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes and the asparagus spears are a little charred but still crisp.page1image22144page1image22304

PERFECT LITTLE SECRET FRITTATAS

What’s the secret? Muffin tins!

I like to use the oversize ones. Preheat oven and muffin tins to 350 degrees. Meanwhile whisk together 12 eggs and 1⁄2 cup milk. Season with salt and pepper and stir to mix. Gather ingredients you would like to put into the frittatas – such as diced onions, crumbled cooked bacon, cooked sausage crumbles, sautéed mushrooms, baby spinach leaves, basil leaves, thyme –any things you like. Stir all of these into the egg mixture. Remove muffin pans from the oven and spray with Pam. Fill the muffin cups to 3⁄4 full. Top with grated cheese – your preference. Poke the cheese down into the eggs and bake at 350 degrees until set – about 20 minutes. Pop them out onto individual plates or a serving platter. Baby spinach leaves and cherry tomatoes make a great garnish for these little jewels.

THE SECRET TO PERFECT CARAMEL SAUCE

What’s the secret? It’s oh so easy and tastes way better than the stuff in a jar!

Place 1⁄2 cup real butter and 1 cup sugar into a heavy bottomed sauce pan. Cook on medium heat until butter is melted and sugar is incorporated. Raise heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Swirl pan frequently to keep from burning. Cook until sugar mixture is a medium dark amber. Remove from heat and slowly stir in 1 cup cream. (Cream will bubble up and spatter.) That’s It. Caramel sauce will be smooth and creamy and ready to serve on waffles with sliced bananas and pecans!

The Secret Rescue of Strawberries or Save Our Strawberries (SOS)

Here is a secret way to clean strawberries. I’m pretty sure I invented it because I have not seen this anywhere else! Draw a bowl of lukewarm tap water. Place the whole strawberries in the water, making sure all are covered. Let them stand for about 15 minutes but not longer than 30 minutes. Remove the berries from the water and go about your preparation of them. But, first, look in the bottom of the bowl. You will be amazed at what you see – lots of dirt that would have otherwise remained on the berries with just a quick rinse. The water bath also plumps up and rejuvenates the berries.

But when you have berries that simply refuse to be rejuvenated, dice them up and throw them in a heavy bottomed sauce pan with a cup or water and a cup of sugar (adjust measurements for more or less berries) and a squeeze of lemon juice. Bring to a rolling boil and turn to simmer with a very light boil. Cook this way for about 45 minutes and you will have delicious freshly made strawberry jam! Place in a canning jar with a lid and refrigerate. The jam is good for up to a month.

TIP: Share ‘secrets’ but not confidences.

…I will give you… riches of secret places…Isaiah 45:3