We have had our fair share of hospital food. None of it is spectacular. I said to Paul and Namine Friday night that the burger was not good, but my belly was full. That was all I could ask for.
When Namine was a baby the lower level cafeteria had actual food, not just “fast food” types of food. They offered an array of hot foods, like tater tot hot dish, fish fry, steak, and other things. There was a rotating schedule so if you were here for any extended amount of time you were sure to see some of the same things. On top of the hot foods they had the fast food as well. They also offered quite an extensive soup and salad bar. Now mind you this was 14-15 years ago.
Now the food is not so good. They have hot foods during the week, but on the weekends it is mostly just fast food options. You are always welcome to order door dash or Uber eats, but it is so expensive. Even the cafeteria is not cheap.
When Namine was smaller her Great Aunt CR would prepare the week before by making all sorts of food for us to bring with us, or she would gradually bring us food that she had made and that is what we would eat.
About 3 years ago I tried some food from a company called Epicure. My high school friend Kati Hatfield had joined the company and asked if I would be interested in trying some of the products. I said sure, I was always looking for a quick fix for dinner. After falling in love with the food, I became a consultant.
Fast forward, but rewind also. Last November Paul and I had started to talk about what we were going to do about food during Namine’s upcoming surgery she was going to have in December. It didn’t happen because she got the flu. But we talked and decided to get Epicure products that could be made in the microwave. We sat down with Namine and we all picked our favorites to bring to the hospital. On each floor in the hospital there is a parent lounge where there is a refrigerator, some form of hot water dispenser, and a microwave. So we knew we could bring a wide range of the cookware that Epicure offers. One of those items was the omelet maker, the other was the Multi-purpose steamer. The Multi-purpose steamer has a trivet, and a lid, and a square deep dish. It is all silicone, so we didn’t have to worry about it possibly getting scratched or broken. The omelet maker is made out of that same durable, food grade silicone. They can be used in the microwave or the oven up to 450 degrees F.
Okay more on the food. The multi-purpose steamer is just that. You can make regular rice in 12-16 minutes, “boiled” potatoes in 10 minutes, pasta in 8-10 minutes. You can also cook ground meat in 9-11 minutes, salmon, chicken and so much more.
Our menu consists of spaghetti and meatballs with red sauce, *honey garlic meatballs, *lemon pepper chicken, *easy peasy tacos, *lettuce wraps, *loaded baby bakers, *mac-n-cheese, and quinoa with chicken. All of the foods listed with an asterisk are all Epicure meals that can be made in less than 30 minutes, in the microwave and serves at least 4 people. We were also able to cook sides and a vegetable with each dish, except for the spaghetti night because we had a side salad. One of the things Namine asked for and I did not get the time to make ahead, was Epicure pancakes. You can make any pancake mix you like, once cool separate with a piece of parchment or wax paper, place in a freezer zip top bag and freeze. When you are ready to eat them, warm in the microwave for 15-30 seconds, or pop in your toaster.
I am happy to have Epicure in our lives.
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