Tag: Food

My study group all made it to Japan safe & sound. We did nearly lose some people along various stages of the way here, but in the end we arrived with our lives and health in tact. I don’t know these people well enough to say whether or not their sanity is in tact after the trip or if they’re always this crazy.

As this was the first time in my memory that I’ve flown; I think I should make a note of the following:

  • Flying is not as bad an experience as I had been fearing it might be.
  • Puddle-jumper planes suck for people over 5 foot 8 inches, due to low ceilings and no headroom when going down the aisle.
  • International flights are too damn long and my ears are still somewhat numb from the constant roar of the engines.
  • Turbulance sucks! Particularly when you’re watching the wing bounce.
  • Landings are not evil, but only because that means you can get off the plane soon.

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Normally given the choice, I will sleep blissfully through all of Saturday morning, arising from the depths of my slumber only when the morning has past. Unfortunately, I’d gotten stuck at work Friday night till nearly 7 and so I couldn’t get the rent paid the night before. Since rent must be paid within 3 days or you get hit with a late fee and since I’ve had problems before with dropping the rent off in the night deposit box around a holiday weekend; I really needed to get the rent paid while the bank was open. So my alarm was set and awaken in the wee hours of Saturday morning I did. Ariesna decided to go along with me; so went off to the bank and successfully paid the rent and then hit up the post office.

While I was waiting in line there, an old/odd friend of ours was there as well. Elf was farther up in line than I and was trying to be friendly, but I’m not at my best during the morning particularly not during the morning before I’ve gotten some caffeine in my blood. So, I apologize Elf; I wasn’t trying to be rude/mean, I just don’t do mornings. Finally it was my turn and I got my package mailed off1. The post office was kind of nice because my favorite worker waited on me. He’s an older guy who’s always nice and has a smile for everyone. Plus, he seems to take some real pride in his work and his appearance; as I’ve never seen him show up looking sloppy (like most of his co-workers do).
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I found this tasty recipe in a comment over at The Amateur Gourmet.

Vanilla Monkfish

    Ingredients (Serves 2)

  • 1 monkfish tail (you can do it with filets of any plain cheaper fish too, but monkfish is much better, and if you can afford vanilla, you might as well go for the expensive fish too)
  • 1 lime (clean it well to rub all the chemicals away as we want to use the zest)
  • cr�me fraiche
  • aluminum foil
  • half a vanilla bean
    Directions

  1. Heat your oven to about 180C (about 350-360 degrees F).
  2. Cut the aluminum foil into 2 big squares.
  3. Cut the monkfish into 2 pieces and put one on each sheet.
  4. Open the half vanilla bean and scrape the seeds onto the fish.
  5. Then grate the zest of the lime onto the fish (doesn’t it smell nice?).
  6. Sprinkle with a bit of salt.
  7. Then pour a big spoon of cream on each portion of fish.
  8. Fold the aluminum around the fish until you get 2 airtight bundles (what’s the English for Papillotte?).
  9. Put them into the oven and bake for probably about 10 minutes (I’m being totally random there, but it should be all right).
  10. Serve with white rice, and maybe a couple of slices of mango

I saw this over at mediatinker and decided to copy here because I really want to try making this some time.

Avgolemono

    Ingredients (serves 3-4)

  • 4 chicken filets, or 1 skinless breast diced
  • 2 cans chicken broth
  • 1/2 can water
  • 1/2 c rice
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 2 eggs
  • 2-3 Tblspn milk
  • 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
    Directions

  1. In a stock pot, cook the chicken quickly over high heat until seared. Pour in the stock and water.
  2. Add the rice, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked.
  3. In a bowl, beat together the eggs and milk until very well blended.
  4. When the rice is cooked, pour the egg mixture into the boiling soup in a thin drizzle, stiring to form egg threads.
  5. Remove from heat, add lemon juice and parsley.

Variation 1: use 10 finely sliced shiso leaves instead of parsley.
Variation 2: add some diced carrot with the rice. Add 1/2 cup chopped spinach after the rice is done and allow to cook down, then do the egg threads.

I saw this post over at Mindful Musings and thought it was too cool, but also too short. So here’s the revised list:

  1. When you are sad, I will get you drunk and will help you plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.
  2. When you are blue, I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
  3. When you smile, I will know you finally got laid and give you a high five.
  4. When you are scared, I will rag you about it every chance I get.
  5. When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be and to quit whining.
  6. When you are confused, I will use small words and draw pictures to explain.
  7. When you are sick, stay the hell away from me until you’re well again. I don’t want whatever you have.
  8. When you fall, I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.
  1. When you do something stupid, I will let you know. By pointing it out as loudly as possible to make sure you never do it again.
  2. When you get drunk off your ass, I will drive you home. But only because I am going to shave your eyebrows off.
  3. When you are lonely, I will keep my eyes open to find a mate for you. But I will never set you up on a blind date; unless you ask for it and then I will laugh at how desperate you’ve become.
  4. When you are angry, I will help you kick the other guy’s ass.
  5. When you are in love, I will be supportive even if I think s/he’s totally unworthy of you.
  6. When you get married, I will be happy to show up at your wedding and eat the free food. I will even try to find you a wedding present that you might like.
  7. When you have kids, I will give you my congratulations and then immediately change my phone number so you can never ask me to babysit your kid.

Ok, so my additions to the list aren’t as good as the original stuff; but what the heck, I had fun writing them.