Is it Authentic Pork Dumpling Soup?

Authentically delicious. I used a soup base that could come from Asian cuisine, as do the pot stickers, but then I used a ton of Tony Chachere’s, and threw in some potatoes because I had them on hand. So it’s not authentic to any one culture but this pork dumpling is delicious and that’s all that really matters some days.

Recipe Sites, Am I Right?

This is not a recipe site where you have to read a whole bunch of nonsense before getting to the recipe so I’ll get straight to it. The base ingredients are pretty easy to have on hand. The true star of the show here is the frozen pork pot stickers. I got mine from Trader Joe’s. Your pork dumpling soup will cook up super quick, perfect for a night when you’re bone tired from work and don’t want to stand over the stove. Throw the ingredients into the pot to simmer for a bit, and go put your feet up. It all comes together in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 5 or 6 yellow potatoes, diced
• one yellow or white onion, diced
• 5 carrots, chopped on the diagonal into large pieces
• one package of baby bella mushrooms, halved
• one bag of baby spinach
• one package of pork pot stickers
• 48 fl oz chicken stock
• ~1 1/2 cup water (to taste)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• orageno
• Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning to taste
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

Heat oil over medium-high heat. Chop the onion and when the oil is hot, saute the onions until translucent and aromatic.

Chop potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms. Add them to the mixture. Add salt & pepper to taste. Saute for 1-2 minutes.

Add chicken stock, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Add dry seasonings. I use Tony Chachere’s on just about everything because it’s a nice general blend of seasoning. I added extra oregano even though Tony Chachere’s has oregano already in it.

If you don’t have any of this miracle seasoning mix on hand, you could approximate the mix with this copycat mix from Food.com. It calls for salt, red pepper, black pepper, chili powder, garlic, cornstarch, celery salt, mustard, basil, sage, onion salt, oregano, and thyme.

Let the soup simmer on medium for 25-30 minutes until potatoes are tender and flavors have married.

Pork Dumpling Soup

Time to add the star of the show: the pork dumplings.

About five minutes before serving, add the pork dumplings along with the baby spinach. Cook until the dumplings are soft and the spinach is wilted.

It will be hot! Let it cool off before you shove it all in your mouth. It’s really hard to wait, though!

Recipes

There are a few other recipes to find here on Fae’s Journal. I post about all sorts of things I’m interested in, from MM romance book reviews to crochet techniques to game reviews. I’m eclectic, so there’s a variety of content here. Look around, stay for a while!

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Buying a new refrigerator is a big deal. Back in July of 2024, my old fridge gave up the ghost. It was at least 10 years old. The freezer stopped freezing. After inadvertently giving myself food poisoning a time or two, I found myself in the market for a new refrigerator. If you haven’t been shopping for a fridge recently, let me tell you: They’re expensive. The fancier ones, the ones with the nice French doors and bottom freezers are upwards of $3k. And mama didn’t have that kind of money in the summer of 2024, folks. So what I ended up with is this model: Frigidaire 18.3-cu ft Top-Freezer Refrigerator ( EasyCare Stainless Steel )

It wasn’t $3k, more like $800. But that is still a lot of money. I haven’t been too happy with this fridge, to be honest. It’s smaller than the one I had before, which was admittedly too big for my constructed-in-the-1960s house’s galley kitchen. But while the actual unit fits in the space provided better, the actual floorspace of the inside sucks. It’s not even that much smaller cubic feet wise than the previous fridge I had, but it just seems tiny. And with the fridge on the bottom it’s hard to see into and find things. I know, a privileged problem to have. But still a problem.

Gasp No… Refrigerator Problems

All my grumbling about the new refrigerator turned into much more than grumbling three weeks ago. That’s when my practically new, purchased in July of 2024 fridge stopped cooling. What the ever loving crap is that, right? I put some bottles of water in the freezer in the morning and by 5 pm I noticed they were still liquid. Um hello? Cue the mad scramble to get any frozen and perishable things into coolers, and friends’ freezers.

Everything Breaks on a Weekend

The refrigerator is still under the standard year manufacturer warranty since, ya know, July 2024 purchase. I hoped fixing it would be a quick turnaround. Get a service company out to repair it, bing bop bam.

Of course, the fridge stopped working on a Saturday. Everything breaks on a weekend, not on a work day at a time when customer service is open. As an aside, Frigidaire’s weekend phone message doesn’t even state their business hours. The recording just tells you to call back during them.

Anyway, I was already pissed and then I had to wait until Monday to call customer service, where it ended up being impossible to get someone on the phone ever. I called several times, it gave me an estimated wait time, and after holding it would click and ring once before the line went dead. Still connected, but no sound and no hold music, just a dead line. After that happened twice, I turned to their customer service chat.

I Hate Customer Service Chat

Frigidaire’s customer service chat is like many companies these days, where you first have to “chat” with an AI virtual assistant to ascertain your issue or rather, become frustrated enough to ask for a representative enough times so your case is elevated to the priority level needed to maybe, possibly, chat with a real person. My customer service chat was frustrating because it took absolutely forever to relay messages. A chat is supposed to go faster than talking on the phone, right? I digress. My service was scheduled for that Friday. So I thought…

Authorized Service Company

Turns out that Frigidaire can’t actually schedule service repairs. So Tuesday, the 25th of March I got a call from the actual service company and was told that basically Friday was a no-go. On the 26th, I got a text telling me they had to order parts for the repair. They would call me to actually schedule the repair after the part arrives in their warehouse. Wait 3-7 business days. With no fridge.

Grumbling, my kid carts the tiny little dorm room fridge up from the basement because it seems like this isn’t going to be a quick fix at all.

Radio Silence

On April 3rd, 13 days after the refrigerator stopped working, I texted the service company for an update. A representative called me back on Friday, April 4th, to schedule the appointment.

My Frigidaire Refrigerator Problems are OVER

The repair person came today and fixed my refrigerator’s issue in less than 20 minutes. The authorized service company did a great job. While it took a while to get the part, it was an okay experience working with them.

It’s the timer that had stopped working. The timers is the part of the fridge that clicks over to the defrost cycle before returning to cooling. Makes sense because I hadn’t heard the compressor come on at all since Saturday, the 22nd of March.

However, while they were here fixing the fridge, I learned an interesting factoid.

Spill the Tea, Sis

The TEA is that Frigidaire knows the timer is faulty. Frigidaire knows these units shipped with a bad part. And instead of issuing a recall, which would put the onus on Frigidaire to fix. Frigidaire is owned by Electrolux, a large multinational company.

Electrolux is proud of its market position in appliances under the Frigidaire brand. From an annual review from 2019:

Strong market position with around 14% share in core appliances in 2019, predominantly under the Frigidaire brand. The brand has a 100-year heritage and targets consumers who value affordable solutions. 

Customers Eat the Costs

So, instead of a huge multinational company that could literally write off these costs, and also create jobs to employ repair technicians and take ownership of its problems, they want customers to eat the cost of repairs instead. They know what will happen because they ship these units with bad timers and just let them fail. The repair burden is placed on their customers and not them.

That is SHITTY BUSINESS, folks.

If it’s your business plan to not recall a part you know is bad so your customers have to pay to repair it you are in the wrong. Frigidaire and Electrolux are in the wrong here. You’re in the wrong.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Problems Have An Easy Solution

Recall the timer, contract with more authorized service companies to fix them, have them stock the parts so it doesn’t take 3-7 business days to have a knowingly faulty part delivered, and BUILD CUSTOMER LOYALTY. It’s such a no-brainer for me.

Companies can write off or deduct expenses related to recalling their products on their taxes. This includes costs for product retrieval, repair, replacement, and advertising. You know who can’t? Their customers.

Money is Tight

Since 2020, my finances have gotten tighter and tighter. Ends used to meet. Do you remember those days? Since starting teaching, I’ve been lucky to survive on a single income with a child to raise. Also as a public school teacher, it’s fortuitous that my salary increases as I gain experience.

All that to say that when I had to buy a new fridge, I went with a name that literally has COLD AIR in their name: Frigidaire. But now after everything I know they suck. Their customer service is slow and inefficient. It was 18 days from the time my fridge stopped working until it was fixed.

Woe is Me

I think people should know about this, is all. Trust my loud mouth is here to talk about it. Frigidaire refrigerator problems are not just my problem; it’s a problem they should take ownership of and fix.

Is Your Refrigerator Running?

Or is it a Frigidaire with a faulty timer unit?

More to Read

Fae’s Journal is where I write about things that interest me. Read MM Book Reviews, learn to read Hangul, find a knitting or crochet pattern, and figure out a crochet technique. Also discover posts about Gaming, Education, Free Google Slides Presentations and more. From time to time I post about Shopping, Home Organization tips and solutions, and even Recipes.

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What is a Trimalleolar Fracture?

What people refer to as a trimalleolar fracture is in actuality multiple fractures. The broken bones make up the parts of your ankle that support the bones of your lower leg and form the ankle joint, the move-y, bendy parts of your ankle. You know, the parts that help you move your foot and ankle.

Malleo Complex

There are two bones at the base of your tibia (shin bone) and fibula, called the posterior malleolus and the lateral malleolus. Together, these bones work together to make a three-sided framework that supports your leg and most importantly allows movement. When you break those bones, the ankle is unsupported. Things are just moving around in there that aren’t supposed to be moving at all. First of all, that’s incredibly painful and secondly, the fracture cannot heal correctly.

A trimalleolar fracture is a serious injury

It won’t surprise you that this sort of fracture is a serious injury. Because the break is unstable, trimalleolar fractures almost always require surgery to repair. The surgery is called an ORIF surgery: an acronym for Open Reduction, and Internal Fixation surgery. This surgery stabilizes the bones that were broken with hardware like pins, screws, and plates in order for the body to heal. And then afterward, the real hell starts.

NWB – Fully Non-Weight-Bearing

After surgery, which I had as an outpatient procedure at Piedmont Athens Regional, I am fully non-weight-bearing on my ankle for two weeks, meaning I can’t put any weight on it, using crutches and a wheelchair to get around. And most of the day I have to keep it elevated in this stunning purple pillow thing. It’s terribly uncomfortable. Nerve pain, bone pain, leg falling asleep because it’s in one position for too long. This whole thing sucks.

And after a trimalleolar fracture? Extensive physical therapy

I have my two-week post-op follow-up appointment on the 29th. I don’t know if enough time has passed for me to go partial weight bearing or if I’ll get a hard plaster cast and have another two weeks of this madness. But after I get out of this phase of healing, I’ll get a boot and be partially weight-bearing and be able to return to work. And I will need physical therapy. Joy of joys every resource I read says extensive physical therapy.

Because I Need to Work

Who can be out of work for this long? Ugh, I luckily had plenty of sick days accrued but this is taking a dent out of them. FMLA is unpaid leave and my ability to keep getting a paycheck comes from those sick days. My doctor put like THREE MONTHS as to how long I’ll need to be out of work but there is no way. I’ll have to return before that. I just have to get the healing process going.

Ankles are finicky

Ankles have lots of small parts and I know, I KNOW I need to be patient. But let me tell you, this trimalleolar fracture journey has had lots of downs and not a lot of ups. I want it to be over but unfortunately, it’s only been a few weeks.

How did I fall, you might circle back to ask?

On the 10th we got snow! In Athens, Georgia! It doesn’t happen often. Funny enough we got more snow the 21st of this month, twice in one month which is really wild. But anyway, that morning of the 10th I woke up, made coffee, took Sunny out on a good walk, delivered my neighbor’s grocery order, and then walking back to my house I told myself that my front walk had snow all over it and I should shovel it so it won’t get icy later. I should have just gone inside. Because that’s what got me. My yard has a hill and even though I was telling myself to be careful, I still slipped and fell.

And boy did I fall. My ankle twisted on the way down, and I knew it was going to be bad. I heard it pop. I felt immediate pain. Lots of pain. Like I was trying to unlock my phone by putting 911 into the unlock screen. I had no choice but to call the ambulance. It was still snowing, the roads were treacherous, and I wasn’t risking anyone else. My son wasn’t home, I was huddled alone in the yard, unable to move. So I called 911.

The Bills?

Yeah I don’t wanna talk about that…

Overall I do not recommend a trimalleloar fracture on my worst enemy and I want to be better. My take away? No more being responsible.

Oh hi

I’m fae. And if you’ve found your way to this post I want to tell you that I normally post about other things like MM book reviews, my dog Sunny, education, and crochet and knitting. Check out some other things and you might find something else to enjoy!

The post Trimalleolar Fracture appeared first on Fae’s Journal.

Ingredients

10-12 oz chicken breast
1lb frozen tortellini
Package frozen broccoli florets
Shredded cheese, mozzarella, and Colby jack or whatever you want
1/2 package of mozzarella pearls
1/2 white onion, diced
1/4 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup half and half
jar of alfredo sauce (which variety is your choice)
bay leaves
1 tbsp minced garlic (to taste really)
salt & pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
oregano and basil to taste

Baked Tortellini Recipe Process

Preheat oven to 350. While oven heats:
Dice the chicken into 1″ cubes (tip: use kitchen shears to save time, I hate cutting raw chicken)
Saute chicken in avocado oil, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder while sautéing.
After the chicken is sauteed, add the chicken stock, onion, and garlic. Lower the heat and cook until the onions are translucent.

Add minced garlic and Alfredo sauce. Pour the half-and-half into the jar of Alfredo sauce, shake it to get the sauce stuck to the side, and then pour it into the sauce. Add oregano, basil, and bay leaves. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Spray cooking oil into a baking dish. Pour a layer of tortellini. Spoon sauce over the tortellini. Add some broccoli. Add some cheese. Layer tortellini, sauce, broccoli, and cheese until the dish is filled. Cover with remaining sauce and shredded cheese.

Bake for 45 mins to an hour until cheese on top is bubbly.

It’s done, baby!

It’s hot. Let it sit for at least ten minutes. Serve with Texas cheese toast, because let’s be decadent.

I don’t usually post recipes. Usually, I post MM romance reviews, crochet techniques or patterns, or about gaming. But I loved this recipe that I made last night and wanted to share it. Check out some other baked tortellini recipes here if you’re into this whole baked tortellini thing.

The post Baked Tortellini Recipe – Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo appeared first on Fae’s Journal.

First Spice Rack

The first spice racks I purchased are a set of two three-tiered spice racks that are very nice. These spice racks are very nice quality acrylic, and require no construction. Unfortunately they did not fit into my cabinet space. This was super frustrating, actually, because they almost fit but were off by like one centimeter, maybe not exactly but it’s a ridiculously small measurement. One side did fit, sideways, so I am using that. But the other side didn’t fit and there was no finagling it into place, I was afraid the acrylic would shatter.

So boo, one side of the spice cabinet done, but the other side still needs a spice rack! My spice cabinet is super full, I should mention.

I did end up keeping these shelves because they’re nice quality and I think these sorts of tiered shelving can work for a bunch of different things like to store crafts, makeup or skincare items, paints, or office supplies.

Since I do have plenty of all of those things, I didn’t return these spice rack shelves and like I said one of them did fit into my space.

I like how these shelves have a lip so things will stay in place, and won’t slide off. When that happens it’s like a domino effect and everything comes tumbling down, super annoying! And inevitably that happens when you’re cooking and in mid-preparation and need a spice you forgot to grab! It can be a huge pain!

Second Spice Rack

After another measure (which I sucked at because I failed again!), I ordered a second spice shelf. This spice rack is very deep, and doesn’t fit in my spice cabinet either! Like I mentioned before, I find measuring things challenging. It’s a personal failure. So, I failed to measure the depth of my cabinet when I was shopping for another spice rack. I just looked at the small width that I have available and purchased the spice rack I could find that fit based on that. But oops, this spice rack has five shelves so it is very deep.

So someone who might be looking for a smaller spice rack needs to measure the depth of their cabinet and make sure this would fit. Overall, it’s a nice rack, and putting it together is not difficult. You do have to remove all the protective adhesive sheets but the pieces themselves just snap into place. Simple. But if you’re looking for a spice rack that you don’t have to put together this one isn’t for you. I’d go with something like the first shelf I purchased.

So if you’re following the score, I have purchased two spice rack shelves and neither of the purchases worked for my spice cabinet. So the quest continues… once I find one that actually fits I will post again!

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Yardwork is Hard Work

Yardwork is hard work and that’s why I hate yardwork! It’s too loud, it’s too icky outside in the Georgia summers, there are bugs, etc. I just really, really hate yardwork.

Too Busy

Plus I had plans. I saw Avengers: Endgame, finished Kingdom Hearts 3 and watched the Battle of Winterfell. That was a lot! If not action, it was an emotionally draining weekend. Sunday should have been my preparation day for the week. But tired is an understatement. THe battle towards the end of the school year has me super drained so mustering the energy didn’t happen.

Someone Has to do Yardwork

But yardwork doesn’t wait. It must be done and no one else does it. There’s no one else to do the yardwork.

Lots of Yardwork Tasks

I need to cut the grass, in both the front and the back, and put deer netting over my flowerbed if I want my garden to survive the deer salad buffet. While I am at it, I’ll trim the hedges, too. My parents cut back a truly evil Holly bush a few weeks ago and those limbs have thorns that will slice me up. I need to figure out a way to clear the branches without shredding my arms in the process. That bush must die, so my plan is to pour boiling water on the stump to kill it off. I also need to tie a rope up so my vining plant has somewhere to climb.

All of this yardwork is a full weekend of work. That didn’t get done! And frankly I don’t have the energy.

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