I was talking about this dish the other day, maybe Friday, and I said I could make this at home. So I did.

From approximately 12:00, for those of you who can still read analog clocks, we have leftover chicken breast from my Thursday dinner out, then, clockwise, sliced water chestnuts, spiral-cut zucchini, bean sprouts, egg pancake cut into “noodles”, mixed mushrooms, and spinach. Rice under all, natch.

As the recipes said, I cooked each ingredient separately, with different seasonings (soy sauce in the spinach, five-spice powder in something else, garlic and onion in another thing). Then, thanks to the magic of modern technology, I brought everything up to heat in the microwave before arranging it on the plate.

I sprinkled it all with sesame seeds and roasted almonds, and drizzled mine with soy sauce and sriracha sauce.

So, so good! I thought it was worth the trouble, just for a treat, but Charlie didn’t think so. He prefers simple food, and feels guilty if I take much time away from my work, bless him!

He did like the look of it, though: He said it reminded him of the house platters he used to get when he was stationed in Germany. Funny connection, eh? So that was nice, getting an unexpected memory.

I’m posting at Fatal Foodies about a make-do pineapple upside down cake.

A WRITING PROMPT FROM ME TO YOU: Today is St. Gregory’s Day, the day Slovenians (I am told) celebrate as The Day The Birds Get Married. Write about birds getting married. Or anybody getting married.

MA