Scratch Cooking October 5th

Have you read about this woman, Dawn? She has a treatable brain tumor but her insurance, Cigna, to which she pays more than $700 a month, has refused to pay for her treatment for more than 2 years now. She is going to Philadelphia to confront their CEO. What a brave woman! You can read her blog here - http://www.itcouldhappentoanyone.com/

Today was one of those days when it seemed like there just wasn't enough time in the day. But you read Dawn's story and you realize that the to do list will still be there tomorrow. Sitting down with my daughter for dinner to hear about her day, well we parents only get that for a limited time.

I made some healthy (sort of!) nachos that led me daughter to exclaim "hooray for healthy nachos!" First I sauteed a large chopped shallot with a chopped poblanlo pepper and some chopped crimini mushrooms (about 20) in olive oil with a little salt. After a few minutes I threw about a cup of baby spinach. I let it cook until the liquid evaporated, about 20 minutes.

While it was cooking I made 6 tortillas and then cut them up, brushed them with olive oil and salt and broiled them for a few minutes. I also made a fresh tomato salsa with 2 tomatoes, 1/2 jalapeno, 1/2 onion, 1/4 cup cilantro and salt.

Once the tortillas were a little crispy, I put the poblano mushroom mixture on top and sprinkled with cheddar cheese and returned to the broiler until the cheese was melted. I served it with the salsa and some homemade sour cream (1 cup cream mixed in a jar with 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar and left at room temperature for 24 hours).

Hooray for healthy nachos indeed! And hooray for Dawn, fighting the good fight. May Cigna come to their senses and give this woman the care she deserves. And may Congress come to its senses and pass a public health care option and health care reform so that people like Dawn don't have to suffer unnecessarily and fight for the care they need.