Makeshift Meal

I've been meaning to stop by and say hi for a few days, just haven't taken the time to place fingers on keys...  I've been wanting to share a dinner dilemma I had a few nights ago...  Here is my tale of daring culinary escapades in the crazykitchen...

Mealtime was approaching, and as I'd been visiting with our friend Denise, I was running late.  Just what could I pull together in only an hour?  You must understand that for a 7pm mealtime, I often get started around 3-4pm, so you may see that I was distressed.  Flinging open the frige door to take a quick inventory, the idea began to culminate...

Due to my "kidney issues," I'm learning to limit salt use by using other seasonings to enhance flavor.  So, when I salted a pot of water to cook some noodles, I used about half of what I would have done...  I was recalling a dish I once had at a restaurant, a sort of crab alfredo dish, so I grated parmesan, minced a shallot, and I was off.  The noodles were cooked, drained, and set aside.  Butter and shallots into the warm pan for a couple of minutes, added flour for a minute or two, added heavy cream, the noodles, and imitation crab meat.  Simmered all of that until they sauce thickened, by which time the crab had warmed through.  A sprinkle of white pepper and a bit of garlic powder, and voila!  For a side, I heated some broccoli which I had par cooked fresh, sealed in a freezer bag.  A little salt, and butter, and dinner was served!

In all honesty, I did impress myself - this meal was as flavorful as the meal I remember from that restaurant way back when - I'm going back 10-15 years!  I must get this one down on paper and place it in the "keeper" file.  While I'm sure this recipe won't rate too well on the "cholesterol" scale, other than the cream, it seems (in my mind,) not overly unhealthy....

Now back to the kidney issues, I'm watching dairy, as I understand that calcium can monkey up the works, but last checked my calcium was about midway between high and low.  I'm no longer eating nuts, have given up caffeine, and I'm cutting down on sugar...  If you have any other insights or advice, feel free to help me here!  I still need to hook up with a nutritionist/dietician, but meanwhile, I'm doing what I can to help the cause...

Be well!