Matzo Balls
Matzo balls are a traditional Ashkenazi (East-European Jewish) dumpling made from matzo meal (ground matzo). The balls are shaped by hand and dropped into a pot of salted, boiling water or chicken soup. The balls swell during the boiling time of approximately 20 minutes, and come out light or dense, depending on the precise recipe. Matzo balls are roughly spherical and can range anywhere from a couple of centimeters in diameter to the size of a large orange, depending on preference. They can be frozen and reheated in soup. Matzo balls are usually served with chicken broth as matzo ball soup. Adrienne loves my matzo ball soup and always asks me to make it when she's home.
Ice Cream Mochi Balls
Mochi ice cream is a Japanese confection made from mochi (pulverized sticky rice) with an ice cream filling. Mochi ice cream can be considered finger food, or is eaten while on a toothpick. Mochi ice cream can vary in diameter, but is comparable to a golf ball in size, shape and weight: 45 g mass and 45 mm diameter. There are two layers: a soft, dough-like outer mochi shell, and inner ice cream core. Flavors are dependent on brand, however, matcha (ground green tea), chocolate, and vanilla are likely to be represented. Strawberry, mango, and red bean paste (azuki) are also common flavors. Adrienne likes the chocolate and mango ones.
14 comments:
So glad Adrienne can't remember any of this crap... Hopefully once this is done and she can go home she can read through these posts and pat herself on the back for being so brave and tough.
BTW, I love Matzo ball soup and Mochi ice cream! My old boss used to tell me that whenever I got sick to have some Matzo ball soup, too bad you couldn't just give some to Adrienne and everything would be ok... I found the Mochi at Trader Joes and love the green tea flavor, yum! Hope you're keeping yourself nourished by the way Alison.
Chris
Your girl is not only a fiesty little fighter, she has an adventurous palate to boot! I just can't see going to the trouble of getting to ice cream through casing when I could eat it much more quickly and easily from a bowl or cone. Did I mention that I was a stick in the mud?!
All kidding aside, I'm glad to hear Adrienne isn't remembering any of this. I hope things settle down tonight and that you can both get some good rest. Praying the infection and edema hit the road...
Lisa
I'm glad she's not in pain and is not remembering this ordeal. I know I would want to be as comfortable as possible if it were me. Please know she's in our thoughts.
Thanks for the food info...I've had Matzo ball soup (have made it my self from a package...probably not nearly as good as yours) and don't remember ever hearing about Mochi ice cream...which doesn't sound very appetizing to me. I like Chris' idea - make some MB soup for Adrienne...would be wonderful medicine for her!
I'm so glad that Adrienne is pain free and you can communicate with her...I've been concerned about that. She'll be amazed by all she went through when she gets to reading your blog.
Take care of yourself too...you need to keep up your strength to continue this battle.
((HUGS))
Susan
Well.....thank you for widening my knowledge of foods I've never even heard of let alone tasted - one day, maybe!
I, too, am glad that Adrienne is comfortable and without memory of all she is going through.....but it brings back the memories for me of watching all Wullie went through in his transplant - he had no memory, but I did......so, my thoughts are very much with you, Alison as you watch all Adrienne is having to endure.........hugs, hugs and a whole pile of love to you both..........<3
I think about and pray for Adrienne every day. Alison, I am continually amazed at your knowledge and caring- and I know you are getting her the best possible care. I'm glad Adrienne is comfortable and hope she'll be back up and about very soon.
-Jessica
fleurdelys7
PS- I'm a fan of the mochi too(green tea flavor).
Alison, keep looking for distraction . . . and do take your rest when you can.
Keeping your girl in my thoughts and prayers.
I'm more of a kugel girl myself (in an Episcopalian kind of way . . . ) which a Jewish roommate introduced me to long ago, but I can see where matzo ball soup could hit the spot right about now
Karen, Clare's mom
When Adrienne's ready (and she will be) she'll have to try the mochi green tea flavor. It's my favorite.
It sounds like the very best is being done for her. She is so lucky to have such a loving, supportive family and care team.
Alison,
I hope you are able to get some good rest tonight. Sending relaxation thoughts your way.
I never knew what those Mochi balls were called. I just love them. I never had them with ice cream in them. But, occasionally got the ones with red bean paste when I lived in Japan. They were wonderful. I haven't had them for years. YUM. Chris posted that they can be found at Trader Joes. One of my favorite places. I'll be sure to ask for them.
Sending prayers that tonight is uneventful and tomorrow is a much better day.
((( HUGS ))) and prayers,
Judy_smile
Alison,
My heart goes out to you and your family. I cannot begin to relate to what you are going through. Adrienne is oh so lucky to have such a loving family and caring friends behind her all the way.
I think about Adrienne constantly. Thank you for making it so easy to stay in touch. From the first day I met her, I knew there was something very special about her. I have felt a connection with her ever since, and I look forward to seeing her again.
I know Adrienne will soon be well enough to go home and be with her family, where she belongs. Please let me know if there is anything, I mean anything at all, I can do or continue to do to help. I will not hesitate.
Jack
Checking in again this evening for any updates and to send you prayers for some rest tonight for both of you. I hope tonight is peaceful.
((HUGS))
Susan xoxo
this would be my nonjewish husband's fantasy food i think (i'm his jewish second wife; his first wife was Japanese): http://justjennrecipes.com/mochi-ball-soup/2008/02/11/
when Adrienne gets well, maybe you should serve her matcha-flavored matzah ball soup (yuck). isn't green tea supposed to be very healing? one thing i was thinking which i did with my dad: my sister and i rented a room in a hotel across from columbia pres/cornell (it was in the helmsley medical tower and they had great rates for patients, btw). anyway, they let us rent for ourselves as caregivers. one of us would stay with my dad for several hours and the other would go to sleep for those hours. if there was an emergency (i know, every event is at this point), we would both be in the room with him. we too lived not so very close to the hospital and this just saved us from the commute time. we could have a shower and refresh and be two minutes away. it was still pretty expensive (they only charged us $90 a night for a studio, which i'm sure you know is great for ny, but still). maybe you could do this there? at least when Kurt comes, you could maybe go across the street and drug yourself to sleep for a few hours. i just know that the lack of sleep part really was mutilating and it made everything so much harder emotionally when things are so unutterably hard to begin with. so hopeful for Adrienne still and for you, her brilliant, loving champion. sending light...
hi adrienne & alison! i love how the mochi lets you pick up the ice cream with your fingers without getting them cold or sticky. i remember the first time i had it i was like, gosh, it's like magic. had fried polenta at marea tonight on central park south. i know you're not a huge fan of italian food, alison (otherwise i would have taken you and adrienne there for lunch that day) so maybe next time i can convince you and adrienne to try it! the polenta is really sweet and intensely corny. as others have said, am glad adrienne can't remember this ordeal, and as many have said, glad they've found an all-star team of doctors for the a-team of mother and daughter. as always, i send my love and best wishes. you're always on my mind. `ryan patrick sutton
Hoping that last night was peaceful for you both. Sending more loving wishes for strength to continue this battle and improvements in all areas of concern. Always in our thoughts.
((HUGS))
Susan
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