tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90413512811058062002024-03-13T16:51:58.671-04:00not lazy. rustic.brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-16269584620469328402014-10-09T20:20:00.000-04:002014-10-09T20:27:56.379-04:00coconut popcorn with mustard seeds<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="333" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/15300938849/player/42f0aa5639" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it's fair to say that i alternate between wishing</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that i could spend all of my free time - and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">time that i don't have - cooking,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and asking larry to ring for the butler to make us </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">dinner. as you can imagine, when the former</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">comes to fruition, it's better for everyone.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i am typically home, not working, only one</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">weekend day. that means that the other day is spent</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">running around cooking, doing laundry and getting ready</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for the week.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lately, since easton's naps have become more regular,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we've tried to fit all of our cooking into that two hour period.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(we're usually not successful. two hours is tight.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but, sometimes: we're just tired. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sometimes, we really need to use easton's napping time to...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">do nothing. and, sometimes, we let ourselves.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we spent last saturday's nap:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">eating lunch,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">watching top chef duels,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">finding out that teen mom is still on tv,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">talking,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">all from the couch.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and, after all that, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">easton was still asleep.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i kicked myself for not throwing that giant</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">blue hubbard squash, that i bought too many</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">weeks ago, into the oven before laying down.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i realized i could have put together the dry</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ingredients to prepare for tomorrow's</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">batch of weekly oatmeal. i could have pressed</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the tofu for sunday night's dinner (spoiler: still</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">have not pressed that tofu or cooked the squash.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">because i was feeling guilty,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and because melissa clark's</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015618-popcorn-with-coconut-flakes-and-mustard-seed" target="_blank">coconut and mustard seed popcorn</a> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">had been in my head for over 24 hours,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">since i first spotted the recipe,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i decided that making a snack - </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">no where to be found on the to do list -</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">needed to be completed immediately.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(by the way: totally love the new</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">cooking page over there.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="333" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/15301184268/player/d086ae5124" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="333" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/15487844685/player/5875e0b794" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="333" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/15487844795/player/5f7389f991" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i stuck pretty true to the recipe.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">unsweeted coconut, which is toasted</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in a dry pot, mustard seeds (i used yellow</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">instead of black - preference) heated in</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">coconut oil, until they became a popping burn</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hazard, popcorn kernels and salt. at the</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">end, i sprinkled in chili powder for a little</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">kick, which i was grateful for. (next time,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i have my eye on garam masala, instead.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the results, i thought, were ok. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a lot of the coconut fell to the bottom,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which is always the price i seem to pay</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with popcorn toppings. i wanted lime juice,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or more salt, or more spice, or something.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with my project completed, and the baby</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">now awake, i was done, and over</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the burning desire to make this popcorn.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and, then it was monday.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i had packed a couple handfuls to bring to work.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">when i took a bite it was completely different.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with time to sit, the coconut oil had permeated</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the popcorn in a completely desirable way. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">everything tasted more coconuty;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the chili powder and the salt were finally</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">doing their thing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">yes, there was still a pile of </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">mustard seed-speckled coconut </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on the bottom of the container, but </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">even those messy finger-fulls were more </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">enjoyable.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">clearly, the last thing i need is to pack </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">one more must make recipe to our hectic day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but, this batch's supply is starting to meet its</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">end, and i'm strongly considering the addition.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="333" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/15487844875/player/95f3a6b642" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>coconut popcorn with mustard seeds</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">adapted from the new york times, cooking</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i did not measure the salt and i'm pretty sure that i used more than the recipe called for. i did cut down slightly on the coconut oil used to cook the kernels, and i would not advise it: i think they needed the full amount to cook properly, without getting too dark. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 tablespoons coconut oil, divided</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup popcorn kernels</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3-4 shakes chili powder</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in large pot over medium heat, toast coconut flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt 3-5 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden brown, stirring occasionally. transfer to bowl.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">wipe pot of any remaining coconut. over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons coconut oil and popcorn kernels. shake pot to coat; cover pot and let sit. once the popcorn starts to pop, don't go too far away. wait until the popping slows to every 1-2 seconds, between pop. remove from heat and immediately transfer to bowl with coconut. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">meanwhile, place remaining coconut oil in small saucepot or small skillet, over medium-low heat. once warm, add mustard seeds and cooking 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to pop.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">pour mustard seed oil over popcorn. add remaining salt and chili powder; toss immediately to coat all the popped corn and to incorporate the coconut. if you can hold out until the next day, wait to eat then.</span>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-75743921488312781842014-09-19T22:30:00.000-04:002014-09-20T00:28:13.793-04:00well, that was unexpected<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/15289919485/player/a254272528" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it's been almost two years since this blog went silent, which not so coincidentally, is almost two years since I found out everything was changing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">that's almost two years since i suddenly could only stomach pasta with butter, plain slices of bread and tortillas topped with melted cheese. it's almost two years since i started hating the smell and taste of vegetables and began an intense love affair with all things fruit.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">it's just over 15 months since we met easton:</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_CiGInPcf14/VBz8N9PUvbI/AAAAAAAAA4g/uEeDf1fD1dw/s1600/kristen-driscoll-photography-2-3397674730-O.jpg" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">photo: kristendriscollphotography.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_CiGInPcf14/VBz8N9PUvbI/AAAAAAAAA4g/uEeDf1fD1dw/s1600/kristen-driscoll-photography-2-3397674730-O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">it's been just over 15 months since i no longer was so interested in eating and worried that i'd never figure out how to possibly cook again with this new responsibility.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and, it's been just two weeks short of a year since i went back to work (with homemade cookies in hand!). have i been cooking? yes. has it been good? decently. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">but, cooking is now done in large batches, over the weekend, freezing teeny portions into ice cube trays, and larger portions in containers to make sure that we eat decently - without falling dependent on takeout - throughout the week. taking pictures seems silly and wasteful, while we're trying to finish as much as we can before our very active baby wakes up from her nap.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">but - i've missed this space, this recipe diary. and, i'm determined to come back, in some way.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/15293334032/player/657dedd82a" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="375"></iframe><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">when i started to cook today, while the baby was in my arms and i was placing tiny fingerling sweet potatoes into a large pot, i thought, i should blog this. and because i haven't thought that in a very long time, I went with it. so, here we are. i'm not focusing on the fact that i'm writing in my car, on my phone, letting a very overtired baby finish her nap or that the pictures were taken with the very same phone and not my camera.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and, maybe while i was trying to clean cilantro, to make this potato salad, this happened. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/15293722215/player/57d4144675" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="375"></iframe><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">but, whatever. i'm back.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">--</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">last week, i picked up those adorable potatoes. and then, i ignored them. lest losing them the way too many pieces of produce have gone in the past, i woke up knowing they needed to be cooked before i let myself get back into bed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">i'm in the midst of a sweet potato-miso-scallion obsession, so the plan was easy.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">once the potatoes were in the pot, i sprinkled them with a bit of salt and covered the lot with a couple inches of cold water. the lid went on, i brought the water to a boil and, then, let them cook for 5 minutes. when they were drained and cool enough to handle, i halved them lengthwise, placed them cut side-down on a very lightly oiled sheet pan. they roasted about 10 minutes, until they were tender and the skin started to pucker.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">meanwhile, i stirred together big scoops of tahini and white miso (about 1/4 cup of each), a decent splash of sesame oil, 4 spoonfuls warm water, a small palm-full of toasted sesame seeds and two quick shakes cayenne. into the bowl, i added 2 small bunches scallions that were cleaned, trimmed and sliced and a medium handful of that cleaned and chopped cilantro (stems and all). i did not stir.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/15103153489/player/05528225e3" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">when the potatoes came out of the oven, i gave the pan a shake, dumped them into the bowl and let the whole thing sit for a few minutes before gently tossing together. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and then, i scooped a few into a small bowl, took a picture and gave one to the baby, who quickly ate two more, and threw none of it on the floor.</span></span>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-64772626740600636952012-10-10T19:55:00.002-04:002012-10-10T19:55:42.117-04:00green papaya salad with shrimp <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/8013542023/" title="green papaya salad by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="green papaya salad" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/8013542023_7d04dd171a.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i'm not sure when or how it started,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but larry and i never go out for thai,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">without ordering a green papaya salad.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">have you had one?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">they're everything i love:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">crunchy,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">salty</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and spicy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">there are peanuts.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tomatoes and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">green beans, too.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">if you're lucky,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tiny flecks of fried shallots</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on top.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it's my touch point for a new</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">thai restaurant.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">just like some people order</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">guacamole in a new mexican restaurant</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or always check out the omelets when</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">visiting a breakfast place for the first time,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i use green papaya salad to help me</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">decide if i'll be back</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">once the meal is over.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i want it to be spicy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">bright with fish sauce and lime.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">studded with peanuts to help</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">add texture and break up the spiciness.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and the tomatoes? i don't want them</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">overly smashed, overly jostled.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i want it to have that indescribable something</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that i just can't put my finger on.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">so, i was always little afraid to make one at home.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">if i am always hoping for that nameless thing,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">how in the world was i going to figure out</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">how to recreate it?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ok, that's not entirely truthful.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i've always wanted to make one,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but finding green papaya is not so easy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i searched my beloved asian markets many</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">times, until finally deciding that it wasn't meant</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to be and that i would have to settle for this</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">salad as a restaurant-only treat.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and then one day,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a few weeks ago, my mother</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">called to tell me about a new asian market</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that she was visiting after work. she asked if</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i wanted anything. i asked for a green papaya,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but i wasn't hopeful.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and then, lo and behold.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/8013541957/" title="green papaya by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="green papaya" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8035/8013541957_9b295ff1f0.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i'll be honest with you:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i didn't think it was big enough.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i had imagined the salad topped with shrimp,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">as a main course, but after seeing the smallish</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">fruit, i asked larry to pick up a green apple to</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">supplement. and, then, i started shredding this</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">thing with my spiked peeler (not an official name)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and felt foolish as the shreds of green papaya</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">started stacking up in the bowl.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we had more than enough.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/8013541667/" title="shredded green papaya by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="shredded green papaya" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8441/8013541667_c28fdce0f6.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i added things:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/8013545702/" title="dried shrimp by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="dried shrimp" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8443/8013545702_b1e5fa5610.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/8013541735/" title="mis en place by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="mis en place" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8449/8013541735_e8a2139c7a.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">dried shrimp</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">fish sauce</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lime</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">garlic</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 serrano peppers</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(sadly, no scallions or</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">cilantro due to a small miscommunication</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">between larry and i)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">green beans and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tomatoes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i stirred it all around</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and gave it a taste.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it sort of tasted like green papaya salad.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i chopped up more dried shrimp,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">added more fish sauce,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">more lime,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">chopped more garlic and tossed in</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a chopped shallot.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a third serrano went in.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i let the whole thing sit for ten minutes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and tasted it again. i think i drizzled in</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">more fish sauce. it was good. it really was.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but was i jumping out of my seat excited?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">no.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">would i make it again? yes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and that? that's more than i can say for</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">several thai restaurants we've visited.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">so, that's something.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/8013545528/" title="green papaya salad with shrimp by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="green papaya salad with shrimp" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8444/8013545528_07962b0b46.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">green papaya salad with shrimp</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">adapted from <i><a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2010/05/thai_green_papaya_salad" target="_blank">molly wizenberg</a></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i often find that i add more garlic, more fish sauce, more, more, more of everything with flavor than a recipe calls for. i don't know what it says about me. regardless. when tasting this salad for the first time, i wished three things: that i had let the mixture marinate for a bit before serving, that i chopped extra dried shrimp and garlic from the beginning and that my serrano had typical serrano-level spice. below, i've written the recipe with my changes and the way we made it, but keep in mind that the original had cilantro and scallions.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">again, this was not exactly the original. i learned through this experience that a) larry did not know that there was a difference between cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes and b) larry cleans the fridge out much more than i realized. hence, this recipe was prepared without cilantro or scallions. we also used cashews instead of peanuts, because i love cashews and that was what was in the house.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a couple more things: i brought leftovers for lunch and they were great, so don't be afraid to let this sit overnight. the original recipe was six appetizer servings, but for us, it was three decent size main meals.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 limes (about 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons packed golden brown sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup fish sauce</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 tablespoons dried shrimp, chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 shallot, peeled, halved and finely chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15 green beans, trimmed</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 green papaya (1 1/2-1 3/4 pounds), peeled, halved and seeded</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10 large cherry tomatoes, halved</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1-3 serrano peppers with seeds or 1 fresh red thai chile pepper, thinly sliced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15 large shrimp (about 20 count)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons coarsely chopped salted cashews</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">bring medium saucepan of salted water to a boil.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in small bowl, whisk together lime juice, brown sugar, fish sauce, shrimp, garlic and shallot. taste and adjust flavor, if desired. set aside.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">add green beans to boiling water; cook 2-3 minutes, or until just crisp-tender. drain; rinse under cold water to stop cooking. cut into 2-inch pieces.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">using julienne peeler or box grater, shred papaya. measure 6 cups papaya. place papaya in large bowl. add green beans, tomatoes and chile pepper. top with dressing; toss to combine. let sit. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">when ready to serve, divide papaya salad among serving plates. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">season shrimp with hot and pepper. heat grill pan or saute pan over medium-high heat. grill shrimp 4 minutes, or until just firm and cooked through, turning once midway through. top salads with shrimp. sprinkle with cashews.</span>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-32143123942871071802012-08-23T21:37:00.001-04:002012-09-03T08:57:15.743-04:00on jalapeno tequila and finding the one<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7837437738/" title="sparkling roasted jalapeno cooler by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="sparkling roasted jalapeno cooler" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8291/7837437738_7508b1f7b3.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lately, i've noticed myself starting</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sentences with the phrase,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i wish i were the kind of girl who...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the endings vary:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...loved watching football.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...would choose whisky over wine.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...was the life of the party.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...takes life as it comes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...loves action and science fiction movies.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...drank cocktails.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">yes, i know, i know. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you should accept who you are</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and embrace your individuality.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you should never wish to be </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">someone else.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you should just...be.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but, my goodness, how much easier</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">would my life be every september</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">if i looked forward to football as </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">much as larry, if i belonged to two</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or three fantasy leagues, myself, and for just </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">once, i would understand what everyone</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">else was yelling about when someone</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">didn't make it past the 10 yard line?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">there are some things that you can't make happen.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i often take a sip of larry's scotch,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">thinking that maybe this one -</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">because he calls it peaty or some other</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">word that sounds like nonsense to me -</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">will be the one who makes me realize i can hang</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">at a whisky bar. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it doesn't work.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but, then there are other things that i think</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i can influence. like cocktails.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">over the years, i've meandered back and forth</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">from sticking with my one glass of pinot noir,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to trying to love those trendy drinks that</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">come in highballs or martini glasses:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">cosmos,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">mojitos,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">rum and cokes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">occasionally, i've enjoyed </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a bellini</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a gin gimlet that's heavy on the lime.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i'm strangely envious of people who have</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"a drink." i want to be someone who</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">owns her cocktail. usually, though,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i'm just someone who owns her bottle</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">of red. and as someone who has never been</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a big drinker anyway, it's hard to readjust.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7837436812/" title="jalapeno tequila gimlet by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="jalapeno tequila gimlet" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7251/7837436812_4aa39bac8e.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i think that's why i was so drawn</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to the recipe for the jalapeno tequila gimlet,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in the july issue of bon appetit.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">two years ago, when we were out with</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">colleen and christian, at a restaurant in</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">asbury park, larry ordered a jalapeno margarita.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i had a sip, which burned my whole mouth.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i was glad i didn't order it. a few minutes later, i</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">reached in for another sip. my mouth was on fire.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but, after a few minutes, i went back in, ignoring</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the looks that larry was giving me for hijacking</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">his drink. when i saw this recipe,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i had spicy flashbacks.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">larry was surprised when i asked him if we had</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tequila. (for a home of people who generally drink </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">two things - wine and bourbon - we house</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a surprisingly large collection of bottles.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we had two. and luckily, one happened to be blanco,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which was what this recipe called for.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7837436584/" title="two jalapenos by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="two jalapenos" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8423/7837436584_7d2f10cc3e.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7837438184/" title="broiled jalapenos by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="broiled jalapenos" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7837438184_ded131f654.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7837438088/" title="chopped by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="chopped" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/7837438088_c58a807ba6.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">one day, on a friday that i was home,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i blistered two jalapenos under the broiler </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">until they were</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tender through and through,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but brown and crispy on the top.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">after careful consideration, i seeded</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the hot peppers, chopped them up and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tossed them into a glass bowl filled</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with tequila. and then, even though</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i had seriously thought it out beforehand,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">scolded myself for being a chicken.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the recipe called for the jalapenos with </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">their seeds and if i opted to remove them</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and then drank a spice-less drink later,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it would be on me. but, what if it was</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">so spicy that i was miserable?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i compromised with the seeds</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">of the larger pepper.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7837436716/" title="tequila and jalapenos by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="tequila and jalapenos" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8447/7837436716_2aa9fb7f1b.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7837437494/" title="fresh lime juice by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="fresh lime juice" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/7837437494_aaf7c91908.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i juiced six limes,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">shocked that i ended up</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with exactly one cup.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7837437964/" title="diluting jalapeno tequila by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="diluting jalapeno tequila" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/7837437964_5f41acf515.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that night, i pulled the strained tequila</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and the lime juice from the fridge, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">plus a bit of agave.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i stirred them altogether,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with some ice cubes and waited.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i waited more for the ice cubes to</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">dissolve as instructed in the recipe.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">larry came home from work,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">changed, went down into the basement</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and came back up with a bottle of bourbon.</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">what. are. you. doing?</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">bourbon was in one hand,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the recipe for that night's dinner</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in the other - i don't think he knew how</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to answer the question, or</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">more specifically, where he went wrong.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i've been making this cocktail for you all day,</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i countered.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he looked unconvinced: <i>i think you </i></span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">were making this for you. but, ok,</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i'm ready.</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i sighed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>your cocktail is not</i>, i told him.</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the ice cubes still have to melt.</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he sighed, but he put the bourbon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">back in the basement and started making dinner.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">when it was finally time,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i poured the tequila gimlet - </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the drink i was so excited about because</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it combined several things:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the drink i can sometimes stomach (a gimlet),</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lime juice</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and roasted jalapenos -</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">into a glass,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">garnished it with lime and took a sip.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it was a margarita.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i had made a spicy margarita.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7837436928/" title="jalapeno tequila gimlet with lime by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="jalapeno tequila gimlet with lime" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8304/7837436928_9eddb1ae2d.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">how had i not realized this before?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">had i been too blinded by the</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">fancy word gimlet </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and the roasted jalapenos?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the drink was good.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it was spicy and limey and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">everything, but it was still a</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">margarita. and frankly, me and margaritas</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">are at best casual acquaintances who,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with the exception of random nights</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">at an excellent mexican restaurant, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tolerate each other.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we both drank it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and it was nice and different and fine.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but the next day, i woke up thinking</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">about the other half of the </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">jalapeno tequila sitting in the fridge.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i wasn't ready to give up on it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it took me two days to stumble upon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a bottle of diet tonic water in the store</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and think that maybe that was the answer.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it took me two more weeks to find a night</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to mix it all together, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">half casually,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">half mad scientist on a mission.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i started with a little agave,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">added a little lime,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">poured in the tequila, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">added ice cubes and topped the</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">whole glass with the tonic.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sadly, i don't think it struck</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">me until after that it was</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">very,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">very</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">similar to the original.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but when i took a sip,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i knew i had stumbled upon...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">something.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">this was my drink.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ok, even now, i know that's</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">not true.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">this may be my once a </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">year drink because frankly,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i know myself well enough to</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">know that i am not going to</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">roast jalapenos toss them into</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tequila very often.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but, this drink.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it was spicy - i'm thinking</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">extra spicy thanks to the two</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">weeks of sitting and probably</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">partially evaporating -</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but it was also light and interesting</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and not so serious.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">this weekend,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with less than one quarter of the tequila remaining,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i set out to recreate.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it took some tinkering,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but i think it was pretty close to the drink </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that i had made a week before.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i sipped on it proudly,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">trying not to second guess the amount</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">of lime, trying to not decide if </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">as barely-a-drinker-turned-bartender,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i had added too much tequila to a drink</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for one and decided to just, be.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7837437854/" title="sparkling roasted jalapeno cooler by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="sparkling roasted jalapeno cooler" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/7837437854_510592da4a.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">roasted jalapeno tequila</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">adapted from <i>bon appetit magazine</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the one thing i really have to say about this is that, obviously, if your jalapenos aren't spicy, your tequila will not be spicy. it's the luck of the draw. but, i would taste the roasted jalapeno before adding it the tequila. if it's not spicy, i would hold off on making it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 jalapenos</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups tequila blanco</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">heat broiler, grill or the flame on your stove top. place jalapeno on grill, on broiler pan or on flame and cook 3-6 minutes, or until jalapenos are soft and blistered, turning often. when cool enough to handle, seed jalapenos, if desired. chop jalapenos. transfer jalapenos and seeds (if using) to a glass bowl or jar with tequila. stir to combine. let sit 1 hour. strain tequila into a sieve set over a pitcher, pressing on solids to release extra liquid. discard solids.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">roasted jalapeno tequila cooler</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">at this point in my life, i'm using diet tonic water. if that makes you sad, go with regular tonic.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 teaspoons agave</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus squeezed lime halves</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/3 cup roasted jalapeno tequila</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">handful of ice cubes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2-3/4 cup diet tonic water</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in large glass, stir together agave, lime juice and tequila. add ice cubes and squeezed lime. top with 1/2 cup tonic water. stir gently, just to combine. taste and add up to 1/4 cup more tonic water, if desired.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">jalapeno tequila gimlet</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">adapted from <i>bon appetit magazine</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the one change i made to this recipe was to reduce the agave from 1/2 cup to 2 tablespoons. i'm sure it would have been tastier with more, but i didn't miss the extra sweetness.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups roasted jalapeno tequila</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups ice cubes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup fresh lime juice</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons agave</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in pitcher, stir together all ingredients. let stand until ice cubes have melted, stirring occasionally. divide gimlet among 4 to 8 glasses, depending on your crowd.</span></div>
brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-526987427294783912012-08-10T12:33:00.000-04:002012-08-10T12:34:22.064-04:00falafel-stuffed eggplant<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7753549372/" title="falafel-stuffed eggplant by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="falafel-stuffed eggplant" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8286/7753549372_96e28147d0.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for the past eight months,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we've been pretty careful about</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">everything that we've been eating,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and in turn, everything that we're</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">cooking. but, here's the thing:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i'm a food person. i will not survive</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on grilled chicken breast and steamed</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">broccoli. i cannot.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i would be bored.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i would be annoyed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i would miss the fun that comes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with discovering a new ingredient</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or the joy that comes with making</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">something that's really special to eat.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">so that broccoli? it's roasted.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and that chicken? well, it's hardly ever</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on my plate because frankly, i think it's obvious</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">if you read this blog that i'm not too into chicken.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i've been extremely strategic in preparing food that's</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">interesting,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that tastes good,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that we might actually look forward to eating.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and for the most part, it's worked.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but, here's the other thing:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">our dinners have started to seriously resemble each other.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">most nights, we eat a salad -</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">usually with arugula at the base,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sometimes baby kale,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">often topped with beans or lentils,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or seasonal fruit. they are good hearty salads -</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the kind that i would be quick to order in</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a restaurant, not because they're better for me,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but because they look most desirable on a menu:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">grilled scallops with peas and feta,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lentils with roasted sweet potatoes and goat cheese,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sardines with chickpeas, tomatoes and peppadews,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">grilled shrimp and fill-in-the-blank with whatever's in the fridge.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">oh, the shrimp.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">there have been a lot of shrimp.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">between larry's love for steak and chicken,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and my dislike, combined with my ability to be happy eating mostly vegetables,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">shrimp is a good compromise.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">so, i'm always searching the grocery store aisles</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for new inspiration and the magazines for new recipes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we've had some hits,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">like roasted fish with tomatoes and olives,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a (very) modified version of our favorite quesadilla</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and spicy korean tofu soup,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but none felt quite as inspired as this</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/falafel-stuffed-eggplant-50400000121406/" target="_blank">falafel-stuffed eggplant with tahini sauce and tomato relish</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">from a spring issue of</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">cooking light.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7753549782/" title="eggplant halves by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="eggplant halves" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/7753549782_b75e4957eb.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7753547644/" title="stems by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="stems" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/7753547644_175ca307f4.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">something about the recipe made me feel</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">like it was a real recipe, genuinely conceptualized</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and created with an end result in mind.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i didn't have to make it to know that it would work,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but with one bite, i was glad that my</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">suspicions were confirmed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7753548182/" title="ingredients by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="ingredients" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/7753548182_90669d7a99.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i won't lie - there are a lot of ingredients.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i had many in the house:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a can of chickpeas,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the tahini,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">garlic,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">an onion,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a lemon,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">breadcrumbs,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the spices</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">eggs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but, i had to buy a few, too:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">like the vegetables that i wanted to be fresh.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the eggplant,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the tomatoes,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the cucumbers and the cilantro.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7753547742/" title="scored eggplant by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="scored eggplant" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8439/7753547742_18a9b9ec73.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7753547872/" title="roasted eggplant by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="roasted eggplant" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/7753547872_cfa9c56b0b.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7753548626/" title="hollowed out by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="hollowed out" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/7753548626_8c3603e9c3.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7753548934/" title="filled by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="filled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8297/7753548934_844a605161.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and there's a good amount of food to prepare:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you're asked to halve eggplants,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">score them,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">roast them,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">remove their fleshy centers,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">make a filling to stuff their centers,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">re-stuff the cavities,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">bake them again,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">make a tahini sauce</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and prepare a tomato salad.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7753547998/" title="onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and mint by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and mint" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8439/7753547998_fe954b360a.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7753547386/" title="tahini sauce in the making by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="tahini sauce in the making" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/7753547386_0a8cdc91ff.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">somehow, all of these things can get done</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in just over an hour, if you're strategic.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but, regardless of how long it takes to you,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it's foolproof pretty.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">need proof? see: name of blog.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it's knife and fork good, which in my experience,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">makes people feel like they're eating real food.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and, around here these days, that's important.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7753547554/" title="stuffed eggplant by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="stuffed eggplant" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/7753547554_89c60e97a0.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">falafel-stuffed eggplant</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">adapted from <i>cooking light magazine</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i made a couple of changes to the recipe based on both, ingredients that i had on hand and a few small mistakes that i made. i used vidalia onions instead of red in both places, because i had one sitting on my counter. i replaced the fresh breadcrumbs with whole wheat panko. i could have sworn that the recipe called for cilantro, so i bought a bunch. i used the herb to replace the parsley in the chickpea mixture. for the relish, i used mint instead of the parsley, increased the cucumber and tomato, and eliminated the olive oil. and, i replaced the honey in the tahini sauce with agave.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">when i made this, i decided to deal with roasting the eggplant, then i set out in a mad dash to get everything else done. this worked for me, by the skin of my teeth, but if you're looking for more of a relaxed cooking experience, make the tahini sauce first and make sure to prep the relish ingredients before starting everything else.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lastly. while i was perfectly content eating one-fourth of the leftovers the next day for lunch, i felt like the night before at dinner, i definitely should have planned to serve it alongside something else, like a salad.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>stuffed eggplants</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 eggplants, (about 12 ounces each) (mine were both slightly bigger)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 can (15 ounces) no-salt added chickpeas, drained and rinsed</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 large eggs</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup chopped onion</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tablespoon tahini</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 teaspoons olive oil</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 teaspoon ground coriander</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">relish recipe (below)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tahini sauce recipe (below)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">heat oven to 475Ëšf. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">halve eggplants lengthwise; score cut sides of in crosshatch pattern. place eggplant halves, cut side down, on aluminum foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray. bake 7 minutes, or until slightly tender and browned. carefully scoop out pulp, leaving a 3/4-inch shell (reserve pulp for another use). season eggplant with 1/4 teaspoon salt.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">meanwhile, in bowl of food processor, combine chickpeas, eggs, garlic, onion, breadcrumbs, cilantro, tahini, olive oil, cumin, coriander, black pepper, cayenne pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. process 1 minute, or until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl, if necessary.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">fill each eggplant with 1/2 cup chickpea mixture, spreading smooth. bake 25 minutes, or until eggplant is tender and chickpea mixture is lightly browned and puffed. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">place eggplant on plates. top each eggplant half with a heaping 1/3 cup relish and 1 1/2 tablespoons tahini sauce.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>relish</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 medium tomatoes, cored, seeded and chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cucumber, peeled, halved, seeded and chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 small vidalia onion, thinly sliced vertically</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, julienned</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in bowl, combine all ingredients.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>tahini sauce</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 tablespoons warm water</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons tahini</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 teaspoon agave</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 teaspoon ground cumin</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 garlic clove, finely chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in bowl, whisk together all ingredients.</span>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-4334866395519892712012-06-21T10:41:00.000-04:002012-06-21T16:25:54.562-04:00coincidence. and, chickpea & cauliflower picatta.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7193995604/" title="chickpea picatta by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="chickpea picatta" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7217/7193995604_e9d92a71ea.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">let's not lie to each other, ok?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">this does not look pretty.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">it's pale and brown and greyish</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and every other word that you want</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">to use to describe...bleh. it's the kind of</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">picture that would have made my former</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">boss insist that we add a bunch of julienned</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">bell peppers and herbs, just to jazz things up a little.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">but, those peppers?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">they would have made me really unhappy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">because this dinner was incredible and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">peppers would have ruined it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">it's a shame about the picture.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">three months ago,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i searched around on my new blog find,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.theppk.com/">the post punk kitchen</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">which i told you about last time,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">until i stumbled upon the recipe for</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.theppk.com/2010/09/chickpea-picatta/">chickpea picatta</a>. i love picatta -</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the lemon,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the capers,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the sauce -</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">it's the chicken i could do without.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">this one looked perfect:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">easy for dinner,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">full of shallots and capers,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">lots of lemon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">in place of that pesky standard protein, chickpeas.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i was dubious though: while i didn't need the egg-laced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">pan-fried chicken, i wasn't sure that this version -</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">batter-less and pan fried-less -</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">was close enough to really share a recipe title.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">nevertheless,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i bought all the ingredients, plus a cauliflower that i</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">thought was needed for heft, and planned to make</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the picatta for dinner the following night.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">when i got home though, i was greeted with</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">a set of ingredients identical to the ones in my bag.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">somehow, on larry's night to cook, he had stumbled</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">across the same recipe and was beating me to</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the punch by 24 hours.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i thought it was weirder than he did.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">larry hadn't planned on potatoes or pasta</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">or cauliflower for</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">sopping up the sauce - just wilted arugula.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">it was too far into the quick</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">cooking process to do anything else, so we split</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the entire pot between the two plates.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i could not believe how good it was.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i had no idea what to make for dinner the next night.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7194001976/" title="chickpeas and capers by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="chickpeas and capers" height="333" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5076/7194001976_814ed77b46.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">as i ate the picatta,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i was sad that the arugula underneath,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">by now partially wilted,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">was running low.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i was imagining myself finishing</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the lemony, briny, shallot-laced sauce</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">with a spoon,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">lest leaving any of it to be washed off my plate.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i tossed in extra arugula. the sauce, now cooler,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">coated the leaves like a dressing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">it was good enough for me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i looked at larry who was doing the same thing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">we were one step short of licking our plates.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7194006794/" title="cauliflower steaks by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="cauliflower steaks" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7088/7194006794_39b36ffcf1.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7194006854/" title="cauliflower florets by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="cauliflower florets" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7194006854_cefaafb72a.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">when i made it myself recently,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i really wanted leftovers, so i opted to go</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">back to my original plan: cauliflower steaks.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i quickly realized that i would only be able</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">to get two from the head and decided that would be</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">good enough. i'd roast the rest as florets and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">toss those with the leftovers. i also decided to skip</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">searing the steaks, in hopes of cutting back on</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">oil, time and mess. they all went into the oven</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">while i started slicing shallots.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7194005240/" title="1 cup sliced shallots by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="1 cup sliced shallots" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7194005240_05843cc99f.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7194004864/" title="garlic by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="garlic" height="333" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5071/7194004864_1839663ef5.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and then i realized how easy this recipe is.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">slice a bunch of shallots, then some garlic</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and saute everything with breadcrumbs;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">simmer into a quick sauce using wine and</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">broth. finish with lemon and capers.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">call it a day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">had i made a bigger deal about this picatta</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">than i really should have? was i wasting</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">a meal making this twice?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and then, i tasted it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">nope - just as simple and good</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">as last time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">not dinner party, fancy good.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">but definitely, after work, great.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7194006066/" title="golden cauliflower steaks by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="golden cauliflower steaks" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5192/7194006066_3e5c018175.jpg" width="333" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7194002928/" title="with breadcrumbs by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="with breadcrumbs" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/7194002928_a57142034a.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i filled two dishes with arugula,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">not bothering to measure and topped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">each with a golden cauliflower steak.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i divided half the chickpeas and sauce</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">over the whole thing and rushed it</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">outside to better light to take a picture.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">it was chillier</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">than i thought it would be.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i wanted to go back inside.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i really should have kept some of the</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">arugula aside to garnish the top.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i tried to get a good picture.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">i thought i did.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">we ate it before looking at the pictures</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(i was foolishly confident).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">we loved it again.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and then, i looked at these sad</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">pictures. they make the sauce look</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">unappealing, the cauliflower look burnt.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">they lie, i tell you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">they lie.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7193995700/" title="chickpea picatta close-up by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="chickpea picatta close-up" height="333" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5470/7193995700_f692916787.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">chickpea & cauliflower picatta</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">adapted from <i>post punk kitchen</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">so here's the thing about the cauliflower (the thing that almost made me make this recipe again before telling you about it): i liked it better the next day, when those cauliflower florets were mixed in and given the opportunity to soak up the sauce. it was fancier with those cauliflower steaks, but i put my money on the simpler pieces any day. i've written it with steak directions - in case you're really curious - but only because i can't stand when a recipe is written one way, but looks another. (just keep in mind that unless you're a miracle worker, you'll only be able to get two steaks out of one head of cauliflower.) also - i've upped the sauce. the first time, when the meal was split between the two of us, the sauce was overly generous. this time, i considered it to be a passable amount. here, i've multiplied everything by 1 1/2 (except for the chickpeas, cauliflower and arugula).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 teaspoon olive oil</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 1/2 cups thinly sliced shallots (about 6 large shallots)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">9 cloves garlic, thinly sliced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 medium head cauliflower, either sliced into two steaks and then florets, or just cored and cut into florets</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 tablespoons whole wheat breadcrumbs</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 cups vegetable broth</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 cup white wine</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">black pepper (about a pinch)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">dried thyme (about a pinch)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 can (16 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/3 cup capers, with a bit of the brine</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (from about 2 juicy lemon)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4-6 cups arugula</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">arrange racks in bottom and top thirds of oven. heat oven to 425Ëšf.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">in large skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. add shallots and garlic and cook 5 minutes, or until slightly golden and softened, stirring often. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">meanwhile, if using all florets: divide cauliflower between two aluminum foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray. spray with cooking spray (or alternatively toss with additional olive oil); sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper. toss to combine. if using steaks and florets: place steaks on one aluminum foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray. coat with cooking spray; sprinkle with salt and pepper. use second baking sheet for florets.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">roast 20-25 minutes, alternating baking sheets from top to bottom of rack midway through cooking, tossing florets and flipping steaks (the steaks are delicate), until golden brown.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">add breadcrumbs to the shallots and garlic; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. add vegetable broth, thyme, black pepper, thyme and kosher salt to taste. increase heat; bring to a rolling boil. reduce heat to a simmer and cook 7 minutes, or until mixture is thickened and reduced by half.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">add chickpeas and capers; cook 3 minutes more, or until heated through. add lemon juice; stir to combine. turn off heat. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">divide arugula among four bowls or deep plates. top with cauliflower steaks or florets. divide chickpea mixture and sauce among bowls.</span>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-85910796085532550222012-05-18T18:48:00.001-04:002012-05-18T19:08:38.517-04:00the calm after the storm (inside mother's day)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7218179192/" title="ready (how i saw it) by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="ready (how i saw it)" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8002/7218179192_2bbe338422.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">blair called to ask if we were ready for </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">guests: she and grandma would be first.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we had said 5ish - it was 5ish. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i said sure, got off the phone and looked</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">around the kitchen. we had been cooking for</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">three days, we had done as much as we could</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and when i looked around,</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i saw a relatively put together space and the picture above.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(what you can't see in the picture is the wine glass, </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">mostly empty, just to the bottom right of the</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">casserole dishes. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that glass was a new addition.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">one that was welcome as we entered</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">cleanup mode.)</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we were having nine people for dinner - </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">our family. years ago, there were five of</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">us for mother's day celebrations - </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my mom,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">me,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my sisters and</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my grandmother.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">now, we've grown:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">larry, my mom's boyfriend,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my sister's boyfriend, my sister's fiance.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">nine is a lot of people.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we've morphed from a quiet small</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">group content with one bottle of wine</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and a barbara streisand cd</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">into a loud, beer-requiring,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sports-watching party.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we don't know how this happened.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and, we love it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but nine people require a lot of food.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">here's the rundown and my mental</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">checklist that i went through as i waited for</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">blair and my grandmother.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>charred jalapeno and charred scallion guacamole</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7218181728/" title="almost guacamole by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="almost guacamole" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7218181728_96776e0990.jpg" width="333" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we were having a lot of food for dinner - i did not want to go crazy with appetizers. we kept it pretty simple - veggies, chips and guacamole. several times i've noticed <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/guacamole-with-charred-jalapeno-and-scallions">this recipe</a> for guac made with roasted ingredients. i was planning to make my own, using the charred additions. i prepped everything ahead of time: tossing jalapenos and scallions into a hot oven, then chopping an onion, another raw scallion and cilantro. once the charred ingredients were cool, i chopped them, added them to the bowl and stuck them all together on the counter with the 4 avocados. this way when it was time, i could just halve, scoop, mash and mix. i should have predicted that everyone in the kitchen would be distracting. i should have added the whole limes to that bowl.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>asparagus</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7218181548/" title="asparagus by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="asparagus" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7072/7218181548_3d447625bd.jpg" width="333" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we needed a vegetable for this meal and i wanted something that was quick, easy and no stress: asparagus. i picked up a couple bunches of locally grown stalks and one named purple haze, which admittedly, looked nowhere near as purple once roasted.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>red swiss chard</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7218180880/" title="red swiss chard by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="red swiss chard" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5451/7218180880_e5fe2fcc50.jpg" width="333" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the soup, which i'll tell you about soon, called for swiss chard added the last couple minutes. the last thing we did before entering clean-up mode was stem and trim the chard. larry washed and dried it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>smooth salsa</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the cookbook <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mod-Mex-Cooking-Vibrant-Flavors/dp/B002QGSVJ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337379821&sr=8-1">mod mex</a> has been sitting on my bookshelf, untouched, for years. something made me pull the book off the shelf and i'm so glad i did. we consulted it for a good chunk of this meal. one dish that i used as inspiration, but then went completely off course, used this orangey-red, smooth salsa, which requires chilies to soak, tomatoes and garlic to broil, onions to saute and then everything gets simmered together with orange juice and apple cider vinegar before getting whirled in the blender.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(in the back, on that ugly, ugly thing we are getting rid of soon - we keep promising ourselves - is this <a href="http://www.lottieanddoof.com/2012/05/almond-olive-oil-cake/">almond olive oil cake</a> via lottieanddoof, glazed and cooling.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>tomatillo salsa</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i love making tomatillo salsa. so many people have recipes that they say, <i>i have no idea why someone would buy</i> - homemade ricotta, pasta, fresh bread. the closest thing i have to that is tomatillo salsa. i've learned that there are several different ways to make it and i've done it several different ways depending on my mood - boiled and pureed, broiled and pureed, fresh and diced. but, this time, because the oven was already on for the guacamole, i opted to roast half the ingredients and combine them with fresh in the blender. i roasted 3 or 4 cloves of garlic, a serrano pepper and half an onion. in the blender, the other half of the fresh onion, 3 cloves raw garlic, one scallion, cilantro, lime juice and tomatillos sat in the blender waiting. i whirled, adjusted the salt and lime, whirled again, and was satisfied.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>black beans</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">over the years, i've stopped using a recipe for black beans and started using sauteed onions, garlic, cumin, cayenne pepper and ground coriander as a base. when everything's soft, i add the beans (not soaked) and cover with a couple inches of cold water. i bring the mixture to a boil, reduce it to a simmer, partially cover and keep an eye on the pot, stirring sometimes, adding more water when necessary and tasting for doneness after one hour. when the beans are tasty and almost soft enough, i add salt, a bit of sherry vinegar and a few splashes of sherry. the mixture simmers for about 10-20 minutes more. best case scenario - make the beans the day before and reheat when needed, stirring in a little more sherry, if necessary.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>tortilla soup </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7218181818/" title="about to eat by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="about to eat" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7218181818_1e057ca0d2.jpg" width="333" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">this soup was the inspiration for the entire meal. a few week's ago, i received an e-mail from my mom with the recipe (which i'm giving you, below) and a note that said, "don't you want to make <a href="http://www.food52.com/recipes/17263_rick_bayless_chilied_tortilla_soup_with_shredded_chard">this</a> for me and larry?" i think she was kidding. but when i decided to host mother's day, i knew that the meal should include this soup. i had planned to make the soup on friday so that it was one thing out of the way when we started cooking on sunday. somehow, i ran out of time, but when larry got home from work on friday, he convinced me to stick with my plan, and together we made a triple-batch. it was wonderful to pull the saucepot out of the fridge on sunday afternoon (not so wonderful - trying to store everything else around an 8-quart saucepot in the fridge).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>chicken enchiladas</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7218181076/" title="ready to reheat by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="ready to reheat" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8152/7218181076_2020960506.jpg" width="333" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i don't know why i wanted to make enchiladas, but i was determined. my only requirement was that it used tomatillo salsa. i found one in mod mex that called for making a marinade, baking the chicken in the marinade, shredding the chicken, making a tomatillo salsa and making the enchiladas. it seemed a little intense - i had to work saturday during the day - but, also, perfect. i knew that i was going to make my own tomatillo salsa (above) and that i wasn't going to fry the tortillas before filling, but otherwise, i was pretty sure i found my recipe. (the recipe for this one is below, too.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>corn, zucchini and cremini mushroom tamale pie</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with nine people, one casserole wasn't going to cut it. and, while i know i could have made double the enchiladas, a bunch of us aren't big meat eaters, so i wanted a vegetarian option. mod mex had a recipe for a tamale bottom with grilled vegetables and that smooth salsa. while looking through another cookbook earlier in the day, i spotted a recipe that featured a three sisters gratin, boasting a black bean, corn and zucchini layer. i decided to sort of combine the two, replacing the black bean layer with a mushroom layer and skipping the gratin aspect. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">when i got home from work on saturday (just after i set the beans to boil), i sauteed corn with half a chopped onion, stirred in chopped green chilies and set everything aside to cool. next, i sauteed four sliced zucchinis with the other half of that onion, thyme and mexican oregano. while that cooled, i cooked diced creminis with garlic, then stirred in scallions. larry mixed together that tamale mixture, then i patted it into the bottom of the dish, topped it with that orange-infused smooth salsa and layered first with the mushrooms, then the zucchini, followed by the corn and a bit of shredded cheese. i loved putting the lid on that thing and sticking it in the fridge. one more thing done for saturday evening.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>toppings for the tortilla soup</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">i adored this platter and wish you could see it better. i did take a quick picture: <a href="http://instagr.am/p/KlTtmArMMI/">here</a>. rick bayless (did i tell you the soup was a rick bayless recipe?) recommends that you pile lime wedges, tortilla strips, flash fried chilies and shredded cheese onto a big platter for serving. i almost went with bowls, which seemed more manageable on a big table, but ultimately, i was happy with the presentation of the platter.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it seems like a lot of food.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it was a lot of food.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but, we had very little left over.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">just memories.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and enough soup left for dinner the next night.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7218181464/" title="family by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img alt="family" height="333" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5075/7218181464_df7b4a4804.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>rick bayless' tortilla soup with red swiss chard</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">adapted from <i>food52 </i>and<i> rick bayless</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">as i mentioned above, we tripled the soup. i probably could have gotten away with doubling it, but i think i would have been too nervous up until the minute i doled out 9 servings. ultimately, everyone got one cup (there was a lot of food coming) and we had about 6 cups left over. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">something that i think is important to note: a true triple batch would have used 18 cups of broth. on friday, when i was stirring broth into the puree, i stopped at 14. the mixture was pretty thin and i was concerned about what the four extra cups would do to the flavor and the texture. the soup thickened up over two days, but i still feel good about the decision to keep the broth low. i'm not sure how i would have felt if i had made a single recipe. below is the original recipe for one batch with my three small changes - i baked the tortilla strips instead of frying them, used canned tomatoes (per food52's permission) and reduced the oil (no need to use that much if baking the strips). this is for one batch, but honestly, if i made this again, i think i would double it and save the leftovers in the freezer.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">one last note: this recipe calls to flash fry chilies, which crisps them up. i made the recipe ahead and by the time i was ready to serve the soup, they were no longer crispy. i placed them on a baking sheet in the oven for 1-2 minutes, watching and smelling carefully. it worked beautifully.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1.5 ounces dried pasilla chilies (also called chillies negros) (about 4-5 chilies)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided (note: i didn't use much more oil than this for the triple batch)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cloves garlic, unpeeled</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 medium-large tomato or 1 can (14 ounces) whole tomatoes, drained</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 medium white onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6 cups chicken broth</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 teaspoon salt (approximately)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 cups loosely packed, thinly sliced red chard</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for garnish:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4-6 corn tortillas</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups shredded cheese (i used sharp cheddar)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 limes, quartered</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">heat oven to 350Ëšf.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">stem and seed chilies. cut into 1-inch squares.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil until hot. reduce heat to somewhere in between medium and medium-low. add chilies, in batches, cooking about 4 seconds; transfer to paper towel-lined plate, to drain. (note: i found myself cooking them for about 4 seconds, turning and cooking 4 seconds more. i was very careful not to burn.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">place 1/3 chilies in small bowl; cover with very hot water and let sit 30 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally. reserve remaining chilies for garnish.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in medium saucepot, heat remaining vegetable oil over medium heat; add onion and cook 25 minutes, or until golden, stirring often.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">meanwhile, in dry skillet over medium to medium-high heat, roast tomatoes and garlic about 10 minutes, or until golden and softened, turning often. peel garlic; transfer to food processor or blender. add softened chilies and 1 cup broth. process for 1 minute, or until smooth.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">place strainer or chinois over saucepot with onions; increase heat and listen to hear the onions sizzle. strain tomato mixture into onions; pressing on solids. cook, stirring constantly for 3 or 4 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and darkens. stir in remaining broth; bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. cook 30 minutes, stirring ocassionally. season with salt, if necessary.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">using sharp knife, cut tortillas into thin strips. place in single layer on aluminum foil-lined baking sheet that has been coated with cooking spray or olive oil. coat with cooking spray or olive oil. bake 10-12 minutes, or until golden (keeping a careful eye to prevent burning). let cool.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">when the soup has finished cooking, let cool and chill until ready to serve. when ready to serve, reheat. add swiss chard and simmer 5-6 minutes, or until tender.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">place tortilla strips, cheese, chilies and lime wedges on platter. ladle soup into bowl and serve with toppings.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>roasted chicken enchiladas al pastor with tomatillo salsa</b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">adapted from <i>mod mex</i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">if i'm being honest, i think that when i first imagined making enchiladas, i was thinking about a rotisserie chicken shredded, some salsa and some cheese. these were about 10 steps up from that not-really-cooking idea. these definately require some time and some ingredients, but if you break it up like we did, it won't be that bad. we made the marinade the day before, which was a huge help.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>al pastor marinade</i></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">this was pretty bold when tasted on its own, but was very nice with the chicken. we left out the achiote paste and reduced the cloves (the original recipe called for 1/2 teaspoon), but otherwise followed the recipe.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 ancho chilies</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 guajillo chilies</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 cloves garlic, peeled</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 bay leaves</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 medium yellow onion, quartered</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tablespoons kosher salt</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 teaspoon ground cumin</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 teaspoon dried mexican oregano</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 teaspoon ground allspice</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 teaspoon ground cloves</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups water</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup apple cider vinegar</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in dry skillet over medium heat, toast chilies 30 seconds-1 minute on each side, just until fragrant. transfer to bowl; cover with hot water and let sit 30 minutes, or until softened, stirring ocassionally. drain chilies; transfer to blender. add remaining ingredients. blend 2 minues, or until smooth.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>chicken enchiladas</b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">as i mentioned above, i like to play around when i make the tomatillo salsa. there was a recipe in the book for one, but i opted to go with my own. i also chose to heat the tortillas to soften and roll; i did not deep fry as instructed. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 cups al pastor marinade (above), divided</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups tomatillo salsa (your own or store-bought)</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups corn kernels, grilled on the cob and cut or defrosted frozen kernels</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup chopped fresh cilantro</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">12 corn tortillas (or more)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups grated cheese</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">heat oven to 350Ëšf.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">place 2 cups al pastor marinade in 9x13 glass baking dish; add chicken. seasonly lightly with salt; turn chicken to coat. cover tightly; cook 30-40 minutes, or until completely cooked though.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. shred chicken; stir in corn, cilantro and remaining 1 cup marinade.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in skillet over medium heat, warm tortilla 25 seconds; flip and heat 25 seconds more. place flat on clean work surface; top with a light 1/2 cup chicken mixture. roll carefully and place seam-side down in 9x13 dish. repeat with remaining tortillas and chicken mixture. sprinkle with cheese. cover with aluminum foil; bake 20-30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. serve with tomatillo salsa at the table.</span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-63951820209074554822012-04-16T20:02:00.004-04:002012-04-16T22:10:24.498-04:00snapshot: the food, the stories, the pictures<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for those of you who follow me on</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/notlazyrustic">twitter</a> - that teeny lot of you - </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">you know that i've been posting</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">as much there as i have been here,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">save for using my phone to instagram</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">meals made at home</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ingredients picked up at the store.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's just...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's just that sometimes it's easier to</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">come home and just make dinner,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">you know?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">no stopping and starting </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with the camera,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with the silent fight larry</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and i have as i turn the switch off to</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">take a picture using natural light as </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">he flicks it back on because who cooks</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with such dimness in the kitchen?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with stopping to wash my hands,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to think about how to make something</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that i'm tossing into a bowl,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">pretty, instead of tossed into a bowl.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and then there's this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">you wouldn't want to read a lot</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">about what we've been cooking.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">there have been a lot of salads.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a lot of soups.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a lot of things that you make because you have</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to eat dinner, instead of things that you make</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">because they are blog-worthy, irresistible, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">cutting edge or even slightly precious.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, every once in a while, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i put something down on the table and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">think, <i>i want to remember this.</i> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and then, instead of pulling out the camera and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">turning out the lights, or dragging my food</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">outside onto the deck, i grab my phone and </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">take a quick(ish) picture, which</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i upload to twitter. it makes me feel like</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i'm still connected to...something.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">so, if you're in that small twitter group,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">you've most likely seen some of these.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, if not, here's a glimpse into what i've been</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">cooking and doing the past couple months.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in january, we surprised our youngest sister, erin, with a surprise party (that she totally knew about), at my other sister, blair's, house. almost six months before, at my birthday dinner, erin told me that she wanted banana cupcakes with chocolate cream cheese frosting for her 25th birthday. i made <a href="http://traceysculinaryadventures.blogspot.com/2011/11/roasted-banana-cupcakes-with-mascarpone.html">roasted banana cupcakes</a> with the aforementioned <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/317481/chocolate-cream-cheese-frosting">chocolate cream cheese frosting</a> (whipped using bittersweet chocolate) and <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/01/car-bomb-cupcakes/">these</a>, which i've taken to making anytime i need a fail safe dessert. as usual, i left out the irish cream frosting and opted for the filling as a glaze. we balanced them on a cardboard tiered platter that we bought at homegoods. it teetered precariously all night, but never collapsed. score.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7080171449/" title="cupcakes by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5449/7080171449_365280ccb6.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="cupcakes" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">growing up, my mom made hummus for every holiday dinner. when i needed to bring in a dish for heritage day, i brought in a bowl with carrots. i'm russian and romanian - i'm not even sure hummus was entirely accurate, but nevertheless, it's the first dish of my mom's i regularly made. my mother feels very passionately about tahini-less hummus - hers is a simple blend of chickpeas, chopped onion, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and paprika for sprinkling. i made a batch when we had friends over, giving the mixture a heavy dose of smoked paprika and aleppo pepper before pressing puree.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7080165589/" title="smoked paprika and aleppo hummus by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7099/7080165589_3ec8347f2c.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="smoked paprika and aleppo hummus" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it may look like sludge, or optimistically, like deep chocolate hot fudge, but i promise you it was neither. this tangy, slightly spicy <a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/cherry_ketchup.html">cherry ketchup</a> was spread over dried cherry turkey burgers that larry made for a friday night dinner in february. he really wanted to skip the spread, but i decided to make it while he formed the patties. the ketchup was ready and waiting way before the burgers were done (somehow we had every ingredient in the pantry). and even though larry was dubious, he agreed it was important for the meal.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6934091712/" title="cherry ketchup by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/6934091712_75fd236204.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="cherry ketchup" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this doesn't look like much (except maybe a mess), but oh my goodness, we loved it. we haven't been eating a lot of pasta around here, but when i found the (new-to-me) blog, <a href="http://www.theppk.com/">post punk kitchen</a>, right around the same time she posted a recipe for <a href="http://www.theppk.com/2012/03/roasty-soba-bowl/">these soba noodles</a>, i was pretty sure we'd make it soon. we used green tea noodles, roasted broccoli instead of cauliflower, grilled tofu in place of lentils and scallions, which for me were necessary. commenters were pretty clear that this bowl of food was more than memorable, and even though i made it, i wasn't expecting much from such simple ingredients. i was wrong.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6935948632/" title="green tea soba noodles by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5323/6935948632_b264dd8555.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="green tea soba noodles" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a few weeks ago, several of us at work cooked lunch for the others to help raise money for a final fundraising push. i made those chocolate cupcakes again (fail safe, i promise you), using reduced coffee in place of stout and vanilla extract instead whisky (work event) and, for the second time, i made these <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/11/salted-brown-butter-crispy-treats/">salted brown butter rice crispy squares</a>, using homemade marshmallows that i had sitting on the counter and desperately wanted to get rid of, lest they would be eaten or go unnoticed and stale.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6934091600/" title="brown butter rice krispies squares by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7107/6934091600_4e9715c92e.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="brown butter rice krispies squares" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my mom visited new orleans in mid-march. larry, innocently - i like to believe - asked her to pick up a bottle of bourbon he enjoyed on our last night <a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2011/12/lima-bean-puree.html">in nola</a>. at that table in <a href="http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/">cochon</a>, he fell in love at first sip, not realizing that that drink was unavailable in, or for shipping to, new jersey. my mom searched the city, unable to uncover a bottle, until one day at <a href="http://www.restaurantaugust.com/">restaurant august</a> for lunch, she noticed it on the menu. she inquired, only to find out that only one liquor store in the city sold it. they trekked out there, got the bottle and wrapped it very carefully in a box they had shipped home. when she opened it in front of us, one week later, the <a href="http://www.buffalotrace.com/">buffalo trace</a> was perfectly in tact. it was the jar of pickled okra, next to the bourbon, that had suffered. we made a deal: if i made her pickled okra, we were even. so, i looked at a few recipes before cobbling together my own: cherry peppers, a blend of white and apple cider vinegar, garlic, coriander and red pepper flakes. i think we were both happy with the results.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7080171341/" title="pickled okra by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/7080171341_df94e224a4.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="pickled okra" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i can't claim to have made this <a href="http://www.food52.com/recipes/2558_tuscan_onion_confit">tuscan onion confit</a> from <a href="http://www.food52.com/users/21_merrill">merrill</a> of <a href="http://www.food52.com">food52</a>, unless you call cooking toasting the almonds the night before and coming home after 1 1/2 hours of cooking to stir the mixture and drizzle in extra vinegar. i wanted to make it to serve with the turkey my mother was making on easter sunday. (yes, somehow, we missed passover, but celebrated with an easter dinner this year - with several people at the table who do in fact celebrate easter.) however, i had to work the day before - luckily, larry agreed to take ownership of the confit. it was memorable: sticky, sweet, slightly tangy and deeply nutty. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6934091670/" title="pearl onion confit by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/6934091670_ed631deea1.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="pearl onion confit" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that next night, i had planned to make a snap pea, radish and feta salad, in celebration of spring. but between the turkey, the confit, the matzoh stuffing and homemade applesauce, it just didn't seem like a spring table in need of a cold salad. the day of, i switched my plan to a recipe that was fast, required little prep and most importantly, took up a minimal amount of space in my mother's kitchen and her stove top while she tried to make dinner. i've never prepared radishes any way but raw, but now, i kind of love the tender bite of them braised. one tablespoon of butter doesn't seem like very much for 2 pounds of vegetables, but let me tell you, <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/butter-braised-radishes-with-sorrel">these radishes</a> from <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com">food and wine</a> were buttery. tinted pink, they were pretty, too. my only wish is that i had stirred the sorrel in, instead of sprinkling the greens on top. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7080165667/" title="butter-braised radishes by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5311/7080165667_ab604e71de.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="butter-braised radishes" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and that's that. 3 months. 8 recipes to show for it. 8 pretty good recipes. stories included.</span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-77470152306123758702012-04-09T10:11:00.003-04:002012-04-09T10:18:40.823-04:00hopefully, a salad worth waiting for<div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7020694687/" title="lemony kale salad by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/7020694687_c1731ac40c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="lemony kale salad" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">i really debated not posting this recipe.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">one of the main ingredients isn't even in season anymore,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">for goodness' sake.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">but, i really have been working on this post for months -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">writing here and there,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">editing the pictures,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">occasionally adding one here -</span></div><div>and i decided that the only way that i can move on</div><div>and start posting, is if i get this mountain of a post</div><div>out of the way. so, i'm going for it.</div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7020695163/" title="delicata squash by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7262/7020695163_63d76bc9b6.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="delicata squash" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6874591360/" title="half moons by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/6874591360_4d5c8d05c1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="half moons" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7020695069/" title="roasted delicata by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/7020695069_81be6d29cf.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="roasted delicata" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">***</span></div>over the summer,</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i was on a work trip and i was</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">asked if larry and i go out</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to dinner.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my answer: yes, more than we </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">probably should, actually.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the response: based on your blog,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it doesn't seem like you do. i feel like</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">restaurants are a really good place</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for inspiration.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i've been thinking about that a lot.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we do go out to eat - at least once a</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">week, on most saturdays.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, we often go out for sushi,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">or for food that i'm not so quick</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to create at home. or, when </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">larry really just wants a steak.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that's not to say </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that we don't sometimes go out</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for dinner,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">just because i'm craving something</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">or i've heard about a new restaurant,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">or we're bored of all the other</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">places we regularly visit.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, for all three reasons,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that's how we ended up </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">at <a href="http://www.pizzaporta.com/?page_id=2">porta</a>, in asbury park,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in november.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">porta is a newish restaurant,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">factory and loft-like,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">loud and packed,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">drafty and somewhat threadbare</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with picnic style seating and </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">wine served in juice glasses.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, somehow, it's just right.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">through first unfortunate, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and then, fortunate circumstances,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we nabbed a table within three minutes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of walking in, in spite of a 45 minute wait.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we were asked if we preferred to sit</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">next to each other, or across,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and even though the couple nearest</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">us had chosen the very close together option,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we decided to face each other.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i ordered a glass of red,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">larry, surprised by the selection, and excited,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ordered a dale's pale ale. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in. the. can.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">pizza, we knew, was dinner.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that is dinner at porta.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i ordered one with arugula and truffle oil.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">larry's decision was made easy when he read</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">about the carbonara, whose star was the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">egg baked into the cheese on top.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for an appetizer, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we debated between a few,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but i pushed hard for the </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">cavolo nero:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">kale salad</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with shaved watermelon radishes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and roasted sunchokes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when it came out,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i was initially disappointed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the plate was large - huge, i</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">might argue - but the salad seemed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">small tossed into a messy</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">pile, somewhat off center on the dish,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">somewhat, uncared for.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i divvied up most of it between two plates.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, then, i took a bite.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this salad was fantastic. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the kale, not at all tender,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">was full of character. the sunchokes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">were golden, the radishes a slightly bitter</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">foil. the strips of toasted bread</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">seemed so much more than croutons,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">garlicky and spicy. the teeny, tiny cubes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of pecorino were firm and salty,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and worth fishing off the bottom of the plate.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but the thing that i loved about this</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">salad, the thing that made me wish i had</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ordered my own and the thing that</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">made me decide that i absolutely</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">had to make this at home,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">was the bright lemony dressing,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">way more acidic than i would have</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ever had the nerve to serve.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i was sad when it was over.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my pizza - it was good.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the wine - i enjoyed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but that salad.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it was an appetizer to</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">put all other appetizers to shame.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6874591260/" title="sourdough loaf by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6874591260_bd6d54f8c2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="sourdough loaf" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6874591172/" title="croutons by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/6874591172_0e7a77ce5d.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="croutons" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that tuesday,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i looked online and found</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/raw-tuscan-kale-salad-recipe.html">this recipe</a> from </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">101 cookbooks.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it seemed so similar that i wondered</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">if porta had used it as a jumping off point</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when creating theirs. heidi used breadcrumbs</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">instead of croutons, and her pecorino</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">was grated into shavings. but it seemed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">like a good place to start.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6874591110/" title="chopped garlic, kosher salt by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6874591110_f3b1f1ae0b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="chopped garlic, kosher salt" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/7020694853/" title="diced pecorino by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7020694853_d1ee9b4961.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="diced pecorino" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6874590976/" title="dressing and pecorino by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/6874590976_6642e2b1ca.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="dressing and pecorino" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">once made,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it was pretty clear that,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">save for adjusting for personal taste,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this was the only recipe i needed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i had toasted croutons,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and cubed the pecorino into</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">teeny tiny pieces, just like we </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ate at porta. when we sat down</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to eat the salad, i was thrilled</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with the results. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">tart,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">garlicky,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">acidic,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">slightly spicy</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and a mouthful to eat.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this is food that you are forced</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to chew, forced to experience</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, if you're larry, forced to embrace</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">several more times.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6874590924/" title="kale salad by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7086/6874590924_fb198a54bb.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="kale salad" /></a></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">lemony kale salad with pecorino</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">adapted from <i>101 cookbooks</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i've made this salad several time since, adding roasted mushrooms, roasted halved shallots, roasted tomatoes, and most often, roasted delicata squash that has been seasoned with cayenne. i wish the salad in this picture featured any of the other options, because it's true: i took these pictures so long ago and started this blog post so long ago (i'm pretty sure i made this particular salad the same day i made cashew brittle for holiday gifts), that one of the main ingredients is no longer in season. don't fret - just add your favorite veggie to roast.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">on the pecorino: i'm torn. the first few times i made this salad, i cut the pecorino into the teeniest tiniest bites. each time, they fell to the bottom of the salad, along with tiny pieces of garlic. each time i stabbed one with my fork, it was a gamble - would i end up with a mouthful of salty wonderfulness or a mouthful of garlic? so, this time, i made it with larger cubes and it was delicious, but much more salty. since making this salad, several kale salads have been posted online <a href="http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2011/12/raw-kale-salad-with-walnuts-pecorino-and-lemon.html">here</a> and <a href="http://food52.com/blog/2839_northern_spys_kale_salad">here</a>. both involve grating the cheese. maybe an option?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">last thing: leftovers are really, really good. maybe even better than the first time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 medium delicata squash, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">4-5 ounces bread (my favorites for this: sourdough and multigrain), cubed into 1/2-inch dice</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/4 cup olive oil, divided</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">4 large cloves garlic, peeled, finely chopped and divided</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">pinch or two cayenne pepper, if desired</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, divided (or more to taste)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">salt and pepper</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 large juicy lemon, juiced (you want at least 3 tablespoons)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2-3 ounces pecorino romano, cut into small dice</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 large bunch tuscan kale, stemmed and torn into 1-inch pieces</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">heat oven to 375Ëšf. in bowl, combine squash, 1 tablespoon olive oil, cayenne pepper, kosher salt and black pepper, if desired. place squash in single layer on aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. bake 12 minutes; flip. bake 8-12 minutes more, or until tender and slightly golden. set squash aside.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">meanwhile, prepare croutons: in same bowl that you used for the squash, combine bread cubes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 clove chopped garlic and a couple pinches red pepper flakes; season with kosher salt and black pepper, if desired. when the squash comes out of the oven, arrange croutons on baking sheet in single layer. bake 6-7 minutes, or until golden. flip and bake 5-7 minutes more, or until golden brown and crunchy throughout (if the croutons are not completely crunchy and you have leftovers, they will be soggy the next day. believe me: it's a bummer.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">meanwhile, place remaining garlic on cutting board. sprinkle with salt. let sit 5 minutes. cut and mash with sharp knife to form a chunky paste. transfer to a small bowl; add lemon juice and a remaining red pepper flakes. drizzle in olive oil, whisking constantly. add pecorino to dressing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">place kale in bowl (i use the same one that i used for the squash and croutons). top with squash and croutons (if you're going to save some of the salad for the next day, save some of the croutons, too). top with dressing and toss; let sit at least 10 minutes before serving. </span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-15378186606997385622012-01-16T22:30:00.002-05:002012-01-17T09:59:14.586-05:00caper and scallion cream cheese-stuffed bagels<div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712005355/" title="stuffed everything bagel by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6712005355_eec702e2a3.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="stuffed everything bagel" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i'll tell you this story and then,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i think you'll have an accurate picture</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of me, who i am in the kitchen and,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">probably, who i am in life.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">picture me, on new year's day,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">10:55 am, crouched down on the floor,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">staring into my oven,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">watching these bagels bake,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">begging them not to be failure -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">considering that i had invited</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">other people to eat breakfast</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in ten minutes and was still in</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my pajamas - </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">begging them to not lose their</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">cool and to please, please, please,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">just brown without letting their </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">scallion and caper-laced</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">cream cheese centers </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">burst out from the sides.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and then, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">one minute away from the 20-minute mark</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of the 20 to 30 minute baking time,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i watched as one bagel -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the troublemaker,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the instigator,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the up-to-no-good bagel</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">as i now think of him -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">oozed cream cheese out</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">its side.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712005183/" title="stuffed bagel, exploded by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6712005183_d71f972c7f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="stuffed bagel, exploded" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i was pissed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">***</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the best present larry gave me</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for chanukah, was one i didn't even</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">know i wanted: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Momofuku-Milk-Bar-Christina-Tosi/dp/0307720497/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326767467&sr=8-1">milk</a>,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the new cookbook from christina tosi</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and momofuku milk bar.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712004867/" title="milk by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6712004867_140980df76.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="milk" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i couldn't stop reading it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">every night that week, i pulled it onto my bed,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and eventually, read the entire thing</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">from david chang's forward to the bonus recipe </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for crack pie.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the recipes are unique.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">playful. childlike.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">packed with technique</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and a. lot. of steps. a lot.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">after deciding i had a good handle on the book,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i realized i also</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">had high hopes of making three</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">recipes in the first week. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">two - the banana cake and the corn</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">cookies - i was forced to skip,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">after searching all around new jersey</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for two hard to find ingredients</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(banana extract and just corn,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">respectively). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712007277/" title="dried onions, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic powder, salt by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6712007277_ea885dec6d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="dried onions, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic powder, salt" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the third was the bagel bombs.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a bagel, made from a simple dough,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">filled with frozen balls of cream cheese,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">topped with poppy seeds</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sesame seeds</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">kosher salt</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">dried onion </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and baked until golden brown.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">after i realized that three-quarters</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of our new year's eve party would be</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sleeping over, and we'd be adding two more</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for brunch, it seemed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">like the perfect time to experiment</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with a recipe that serves eight.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712006691/" title="yeast, flour and salt by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6712006691_f27b4869ee.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="yeast, flour and salt" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">so, on new year's eve,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">while making appetizers,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and the <a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2012/01/boca-negra.html">boca negra</a>,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we prepared the dough,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">made the cream cheese filling</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and stirred together the </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">seeded topping.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712006895/" title="frozen cream cheese balls by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6712006895_b0ccf0b27e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="frozen cream cheese balls" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712007485/" title="everything bagel mix by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6712007485_861471d36b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="everything bagel mix" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the only thing was this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the dough was kind of funky.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it was wet and not interested in</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">coming together.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i mixed a little longer.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i added more flour.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">against my better judgement,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i poured it into a bowl and decided</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to let it rise to see what would happen.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and then, an hour later,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when the dough had risen, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but was still sticky and unmanageable,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i realized i had two choices:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">abandon the bagel bombs</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">or</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">start over.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, probably because at this point,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i needed </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:georgia;font-size:small;">to provide brunch and,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">maybe because i had already made</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">all the other components,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i surprised myself by choosing</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to redo the dough.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i measured everything again.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i remixed the dough.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and while i couldn't tell you </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that we had a perfect ball</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">at the end of the mixing,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it was closer than we were ever going</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to get with the first batch. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">so, i turned the mixer speed up a bit,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">beat for an extra two minutes,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and dumped the dough into the bowl.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">after the mixture had risen,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i covered the bowl, placed it in the fridge,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and decided that i better make</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a frittata, too.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712006093/" title="proofed dough by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6712006093_b3e17a8118.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="proofed dough" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the next morning,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">while everyone was still waking up,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i chided myself for throwing two parties</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">within 12 hours of each other, then pulled</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the dough out of the fridge to allow it to come</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to room temperature. i prepared the ingredients </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for <a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2010/09/roasted-cauliflower-smoked-paprika-and.html">this frittata</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">by the time i was ready to get started,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i had an audience.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and let me tell you, that was the wrong</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">time to be on display.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my eight equal pieces, stretched out into</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 - 3-inch round discs, looked like this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712005953/" title="stretched dough by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6712005953_d5ff4cbf1d.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="stretched dough" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712005799/" title="cream cheese ball and dough by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6712005799_d1a0b9e509.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="cream cheese ball and dough" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i was so grateful for the frittata.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, for the strawberries waiting in the fridge.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">as my sisters read me the directions,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i topped each piece with the cream cheese balls,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">rolled the dough around them and was pleasantly</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">surprised when somehow, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">they looked like this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712005647/" title="dough balls by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6712005647_bed9441fd7.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="dough balls" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712005493/" title="brushed with egg wash by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6712005493_45acf3455d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="brushed with egg wash" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i brushed the balls with egg wash,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sprinkled all over with the everything bagel mix,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and asked the rounds for not the first or last time,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to please, please, please</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">not let me down.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">***</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">now, i was torn.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the bagels were not deeply golden brown</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">as they were supposed to be,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but we were at the 22 minute mark</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and five of the bagels were leaking.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i gave it two more minutes,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and then i couldn't take any more.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i had one perfect bagel left.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">after i had taken the time to mix together</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">cream cheese,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">scallions,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">fried capers,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">black pepper</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and sugar,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">then shape them into balls and freeze them</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the day before, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i couldn't handle the thought of</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">all but one of my guests receiving empty bagels.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i pulled them out from the oven,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">tried fruitlessly to gently tuck the cream cheese</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">back into the bread as instructed,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and realized that these were magic bagels</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that spouted cream cheese, but were somehow, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sans culprit hole.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but then, when we sat down to eat,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">everyone with a bagel and a slice of frittata on</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">their plate, i was thankful for a small miracle,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(and generously-sized cream cheese balls):</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when torn open,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">all the bagels were still stuffed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">there was enough, as my sister's fiance said,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to tear the top half off and dip it </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">into the cream cheese as you ate.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">breakfast was not a bust.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the bagel bombs -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">warm,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">doughy</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">salty</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and heavily</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">seeded -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">were a hit.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that's why, when i walked into the kitchen,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and saw the parchment paper, just sitting there,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">holding seven splotches of cream cheese,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i tried really hard to no longer</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">be pissed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6712005027/" title="baked by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6712005027_c387bfc4ee.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="baked" /></a></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">caper and scallion cream cheese-stuffed bagels</span></b></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">adapted from christina tosi and momofuku milk bar</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">there are several components to the recipe, broken down below. every piece can be made a couple days ahead of time, but the bagels need to be assembled the day that you are baking and serving. tosi says they are best served warm, but can be reheated later on or the next day. i didn't have leftovers to prove that theory.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/2 dough recipe</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">fried caper and scallion cream cheese filling</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 egg</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/2 teaspoon water</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">everything bagel topping</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">heat oven to 350Ëšf. line baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">punch down dough; flatten the dough on a smooth and dry countertop. use dough cutter to divide dough into 8 pieces; using your fingers, gently stretch dough into a round, approximately 2-3" wide (note: i'd aim for three inches, if possible.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">top with one frozen ball cream cheese filling. bring edges of dough together around the ball and pinch together; gently roll dough between the palms of your hands until your dough resembles a ball shape. check to make sure that holes have not formed and all the cream cheese is enclosed. arrange 4-inches apart on prepared baking sheet. repeat with remaining dough and cream cheese balls.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in small bowl, whisk the egg and water. brush each ball with egg wash mixture. sprinkle top and sides generously with everything bagel topping.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">bake 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">wrap remaining bagels in plastic and store in the fridge for up to three days.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">regarding the cream cheese explosion, this is the exact note in the book:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">"while in the oven, the bombs will become a deep golden brown and a few may have cream cheese explosions. continue baking until you see this happen! not to worry - serve them as is or use your fingers to tuck the cream cheese back inside the bagel bomb."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the dough</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this is the recipe that tosi calls the mother dough. she uses it for several other recipes in the book. yes, i had trouble with it, but i don't know what my problem was and ultimately, the bagels turned out great, so i'm giving you tosi's recipe, as is.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (550 grams)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 tablespoon kosher salt (12 grams)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/2 packet or 1 1/8 teaspoon active dry yeast (3.5 grams)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 3/4 cups water, at room temperature (370 grams)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">grapeseed oil</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in bowl of stand mixer, using the dough hook in your hand like a wooden spoon, stir together flour, salt and yeast. add the water in a steady stream, continuing to stir and mixing for 1 minute, until the mixture has come together.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">attach the dough hook to the stand mixer. place the bowl in the mixer. on the lowest setting, mix dough 3 minutes, or until the dough is a ball, is smoother and is more cohesive. mix for 4 minutes more, still on the lowest speed. the dough should look like a wet ball and should bounce back softly when pressed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">brush large bowl with grapeseed oil; add the dough. cover with plastic wrap; let sit at room temperature 45 minutes to rise.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">use to make bagel bombs; cover and put in the fridge or freeze for up to one week.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>fried caper and scallion cream cheese</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in <i>milk</i>, the mixture is made with scallions and thick cut bacon. much to larry's disappointment, i decided that i really wanted these to be vegetarian and crowd-friendly. so, using their recipe as a jumping off point, i tinkered to create a fried caper and scallion cream cheese - something i've been thinking about since eating, what i'm pretty sure was fried caper cream cheese under smoked salmon at a local breakfast spot. it was good, but i'm not sure it was worth the work or the oil, once frozen and baked. i'd probably just add plain capers next time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/4 cup olive oil</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 heaping tablespoon capers, dried well</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">7 ounces cream cheese, softened</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3 scallions, thinly sliced</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 teaspoon sugar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/4 teaspoon kosher salt</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in small skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil until shimmering. add one caper. when the caper begins to sizzle, add remaining capers. let cook 45 seconds to 1 minutes, or until the capers open and begin to look like flowers. using slotted spoon, transfer capers to paper towel-lined plate and let cool. reserve caper oil.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in bowl of stand mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese 1 minute, or until smooth. add 2 teaspoons olive oil from capers. beat 20 seconds, or until combined. add scallions, capers, sugar and salt; beat 20 seconds, or until combined.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">divide cream cheese into 8 equal balls; place on aluminum foil-lined small sheet pan. freeze 1-3 hours, or until completely frozen. use immediately or transfer to an airtight container and store in freezer for up to 1 month.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">everything bagel topping</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i know how ridiculous this sounds, but once i started making the different components, this mixture was what i was most excited about. i've always had a soft spot for everything bagels and it made my day to realize that i could make the topping and use it for anything i so desired (i'm thinking fish).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (3 grams)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 tablespoon white sesame seeds (6 grams)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 teaspoons black sesame seeds (4 grams)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 teaspoons poppy seeds (4 grams)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 tablespoon dried onion flakes (4 grams)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/2 teaspoon onion powder (2 grams)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (1 gram)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in small airtight container, stir together all ingredients. use immediately or use, ideally, within 6 months.</span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-12430379361982287592012-01-02T22:15:00.002-05:002012-01-02T22:28:26.431-05:00boca negra<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624524607/" title="slice of boca negra by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6624524607_294a2704af.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="slice of boca negra" /></a></span></div>2011 was a trying year for my family.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">we flitted - or dashed - from family</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">emergency to family emergency and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">spent our time in rest, figuring out</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">how to handle the situations that kept</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">smacking us in the face, contemplating</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">our next moves and crossing our fingers </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">that the worst was behind us.<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">needless to say, 2012 is a welcome change.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">this is a year we have hung our hats on -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and as i write that, i realize,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">my goodness, that's a lot of pressure on </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">a new year. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">but, i think it can handle it -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">after all, we have a <a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2011/01/brownie-cupcakes-with-pink-cream-cheese.html">wedding in july</a>, not</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">to mention a family bond that's thickened</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">over the past 12 months and seeds of proof</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">that things are starting to turn around.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">to kick it off with every ounce of </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">this-year-damn-well-better-be-good we</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">could muster, we had dinner and watched</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">the ball drop together, at our house.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">larry and i cooked all day on</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">new year's eve, making appetizers,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">prepping eight dungeness crabs for</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Oven-Roasted-Dungeness-Crab-231591">drowning and roasting in a garlicky</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Oven-Roasted-Dungeness-Crab-231591">orange sauce</a>, getting ready for</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">new year's day breakfast (which i</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">can't wait to tell you about) and, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">making this cake.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">even though i had, for months,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">thought that this new year's was</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">important to spend together, i hadn't </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">given the menu much thought. i had </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">channeled back to <a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2010/01/homemade-send-off.html">this new year's eve</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/sets/72157624488153601/">my mom's birthday</a> and remembered</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">that crabs are always good for celebrations</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and for a crowd. but, i wasn't really sure</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">if i would be able to get 8 of them, so somewhere</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">inside, i was thinking lasagna. but i found the crabs</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and kind of, sorta, not really figured out the appetizers</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">as i shopped and saw what was in store.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">but, the dessert. i hadn't really thought about that at all.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">the day we went grocery shopping,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i quickly searched a few blogs.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">then, i thought that i was tired, we had </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">to leave, we didn't have time for endless hours</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">of searching. so, i went to dorie greenspan's</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">web site and scanned the desserts for something</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">decadent, something celebratory, something...without</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">a million steps or layers of frosting or 20 bowls.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and, then i found <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2008/01/baking-with-dorie-a-seriously-chocolaty-cake.html">boca negra</a>, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">with which a quick read and a glance at the reviews,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i was pretty sure was my dessert.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i asked larry if we owned bourbon -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">he countered with maker's mark.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and then, i looked more closely.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">things jumped out at me:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">six ingredients</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">made in the food processor</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">30 minutes exactly.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i added 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate to</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">our shopping list (and 12 more white chocolate</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">for the accompanying cream), and didn't look back.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">that night - the night before new year's eve -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i made the white chocolate bourbon cream,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">in about 5 minutes. boiling heavy cream whirled</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">together in the blender with the chocolate, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">bourbon was added and the whole thing,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">thick and fluid and pretty dreamy in flavor,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">went into the fridge.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">the next day, i was a little more nervous.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">after a more careful perusal of the reviews,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i realized that some people had wound up </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">with a molten cake (instead of the rich,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">fudgy texture they were expecting) and that</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">the cake had to be baked in a water bath.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">there was flipping.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">of a hot, precious, delicate cake.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">twice.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624529847/" title="folded parchment by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6624529847_9fc8689879.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="folded parchment" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624529609/" title="ready to cut by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6624529609_eda5811dc3.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="ready to cut" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624529141/" title="ready for batter by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6624529141_4778810915.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="ready for batter" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">oh whatever.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">it was for a new year.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">so, when i woke up,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">before even sipping my first sip of coffee,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i lined the bottom of my sheet pan</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">with parchment paper and then realized,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">as i often do, that the eggs and butter</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">needed to be at room temperature.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">so, i set them all aside, asked larry to chop</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">the chocolate and busied myself</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">making other appetizers. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">45 minutes later, i came back to it all.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624528787/" title="chopped chocolate by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6624528787_ef3cf0f9c7.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="chopped chocolate" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">the chocolate was in the food processor.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">the butter was cut into 10 pieces.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">the eggs were cracked into a measuring</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">cup. the flour was measured.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i brought bourbon and sugar to a boil,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">added it to the chocolate and processed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">for about 15 seconds, until the chocolate</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">inside was no longer bouncing inside</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and making noise. as the processor ran,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i added the butter, one piece at a time,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">then poured in eggs, again one by one.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">after the flour was in, we ran it a few</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">seconds more and had a very dark batter.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624528447/" title="bourbon, sugar by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6624528447_05e78d5e32.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="bourbon, sugar" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624528101/" title="chocolate, bourbon, sugar by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6624528101_61bf49e5cb.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="chocolate, bourbon, sugar" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624527911/" title="butter, cubed by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6624527911_6423320092.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="butter, cubed" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624527645/" title="eggs by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6624527645_aeaa3965dc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="eggs" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624527295/" title="measuring flour, the lazy way by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6624527295_c56ab9f1ac.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="measuring flour, the lazy way" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">i transferred the batter to the cake plan</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and placed it in the roasting pan. then,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i foolishly forgot the trick for adding water</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">to a roasting pan (but, didn't forget to tell</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">you, below), and instead, added it using the sink.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624525965/" title="in water by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6624525965_f622f8097d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="in water" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">it went in the oven and i begged the cake</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">to please show me a thin, crackly top layer</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">when the 30 minutes were up, so that i didn't </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">have to use my own judgement to decide</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">if the cake was finished or not.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and, it did!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624525619/" title="crackly crust by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6624525619_defc48f0d2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="crackly crust" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624525277/" title="ready to flip by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6624525277_14a311e9b6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="ready to flip" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">but, then, the unmolding.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and the hot flipping.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">twice.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i gently placed a layer of plastic wrap on</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">top of the cake, as instructed. i topped the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">whole thing with a large plate. i held my</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">breath and flipped. so far so good.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i shimmied the cake plate off and smiled.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i was staring at an empty pan, a whole cake.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and then, i flipped once more, onto the </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">serving plate. the cake landed slightly askew,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">but it was on the plate.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">it was safe.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624525001/" title="baked and safely on a cake plate by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6624525001_d7a1bb3bae.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="baked and safely on a cake plate" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">the recipe said the cake could be served</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">warm or at room temperature, but there was a note</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">that it could also be served cold, if you're</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">a fan of fudge. i liked that idea.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">but, by that point, our fridge was filled with</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">bottles of prosecco, sparkling cider, 8 dungeness crabs,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">a bowl of proofed dough and many, many</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">other things. this cake, on its pedestal cake</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">stand, was destined to be served room temp.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">the white chocolate cream!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i almost forgot about it,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">that night, and just now, too.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i remembered to check on it,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">late afternoon. it was still stunning in</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">flavor, and satiny in texture, but also,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">hard, like the ganache filling on a truffle,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">that had spent a day in the fridge.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i would still serve it,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">but i can't say that i understood it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">that night, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">when the ridiculous amount of appetizers</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">that we all made had been eaten,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and the crabs cracked,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">toasts to a better year, made,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and all of us full,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">we sat around our coffee table in the living room,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">set the television to dick clark </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and pulled out a freshly bought box of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Apples-Party-Box-Hilarious-Comparisons/dp/B00112CHCK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325560454&sr=8-1">apples to apples</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i looked at the clock. it was 11:30 and frankly,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">none of us needed cake. or prosecco.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">we left the bubbly in the fridge.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">but at 11:50,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i pulled the cake from the counter, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">sat it in the living room and we ate, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">teeny, tiny slivers, of seriously fudgy,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">room temperature cake, dotted with</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">thick white chocolate-bourbon cream.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">we toasted in spirit and kissed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">each other happy near year, while</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">giggling over the most recent</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">apples to apples play. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and that was it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">it was 2012.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">we had made the decision to</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">make '11 end much better</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">than it had lived.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">we laughed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">we ate a messy dinner.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">some of us swore we</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">remembered all the words</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">to certain 90's rap songs and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">some us used pandora to make</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">them prove it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">we ate cake.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and, for all of that,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">we were thankful.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6624495927/" title="boca negra by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6624495927_a7f1023f01.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="boca negra" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><b>boca negra</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">adapted from <i>lora brody via dorie greenspan via seriouseats.com</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">this is a serious cake for serious chocolate lovers. (interestingly enough, that's not me - but, still, i can appreciate it.) it's fudgy, fudgy, fudgy and while the recipe says that it serves 12, we managed to get eight wedges out of just over a quarter of the cake. yes, they were tiny (it was 11:50 at night. we were full.), but it was enough. it is worth noting, however, that even though this cake is rich and dense, it cuts beautifully.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">i'm including the recipe for the white chocolate cream, below. it's definitely an interesting addition and, the bourbon nicely unites the two, but i think you could whip some whipped cream with a few drops of bourbon and still be happy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">below, are the directions for making the cake using the food processor. if you prefer to make it by hand (good for you!), or you do not own a food processor, the directions are <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2008/01/baking-with-dorie-a-seriously-chocolaty-cake.html">here</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">and, one last thing. we can now tell you that at room temperature, this cake is soft, supple and chocolate almost like a warmed chocolate bar. when chilled, it really is like a piece of fudge, which is how larry preferred it. i think that i've liked this cake the best when removed from the fridge and given 20 minutes to sit before serving.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">1 1/3 cups sugar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">1/2 cup bourbon</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">2 sticks (8 ounces each) unsalted butter, at room temperature</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">5 eggs, at room temperature</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">place rack in center of oven. heat oven to 350Ëšf. lightly butter a 9-inch round baking pan. line bottom of pan with parchment paper. lightly butter parchment paper; set aside.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">(here's how i do it, as shown in pictures, above: i fold a piece of parchment in half, twice. then, i fold the paper, corner to corner to form a triangle. i do that a second time, too. then i place the point in the center of the pan, and mark the spot that the paper hits the inside edge of the pan. cut the remaining paper off, at that mark, in a slightly rounded fashion. when you unfold the triangle, you should have a round that fits in the pan. see how mine was a little too big and went up the sides? sometimes that doesn't matter. this time, it did and resulted in creases in the cake. i would try to avoid that.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">place chopped chocolate in bowl of food processor. in saucepot over medium heat, bring sugar and bourbon to a boil, stirring occasionally. add to chocolate; run processor 15 seconds, or until mixture is smooth. it may look cool and harder than you think it should at this point - don't worry.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">with processor running, add butter, one piece at a time, making sure it mixes into the mixture before adding the next piece. add eggs, one at a time, again making sure that the egg is absorbed into the batter before continuing. (i like to crack all eggs into a liquid measuring cup and then pour them, one at a time into the mixture.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">add flour and process 10 seconds.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">transfer batter to prepared pan. place cake pan inside roasting pan. place in oven and, using a pitcher, carefully fill roasting pan with water. (you want the water to come up 1" on the cake pan.) bake exactly 30 minutes (the cake should have a thin, crackly-looking top crust).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">remove the roasting pan from the oven. carefully remove the cake pan from the roasting pan. i used larry, a spatula and a silicone, waterproof oven mitt - i'm sure there's an easier, more graceful way. wipe cake pan dry. carefully and gently, cover cake surface with plastic wrap. place large flat plate over cake pan; flip over and place plate on work surface. carefully remove cake pan from cake; peel off parchment. place cake plate over cake; carefully flip cake and remove top cake.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">serve warm, at room temperature, or cold.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><b>white chocolate bourbon cream</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">as i said, this mixture is more of a scoopable ball of chocolate than an accompanying cream, but it is interesting and i think it would be fun to use for other desserts. it does need to be made one day ahead of time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">12 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">1 cup heavy cream</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">1/4 cup bourbon</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#999999;">place white chocolate in blender. in small saucepot, bring heavy cream to a simmer (small bubbles should form around the sides of the saucepot). pour cream into blender. run blender 1 minutes, or until mixture is smooth. add bourbon; blend to combine. transfer to container. chill 1 day before serving.</span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-62679894993642991462011-12-20T11:50:00.001-05:002011-12-20T11:52:11.352-05:00tackling latkes: sweet potato-scallion & potato, onion and apple<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6544153225/" title="potato-apple latkes, cooling by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6544153225_1c2a59b441.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="potato-apple latkes, cooling" /></a></span></div>i've never made latkes before,</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for the purpose of chanukah.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for my culinary school graduation,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i decided that one of my dishes for the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">grand buffet, was going to be beet latkes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when i was done shredding them, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the table,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my apron,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my hands,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the floor and the counters,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">were stained red and i was already</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">over the project. by then, my chef</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">had convinced me that they could</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">be served at room temperature, so</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that i did not have to struggle with</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a la minute preparations - in retrospect,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that part was probably for the best - and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">he had an idea that they should be served</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">over a bed of sliced, raw golden beets.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my memory of that day is this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">while others had the idea to create appetizers,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">like, little savory cheesecake bites, cut into</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">precious squares, i just had to create not only</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">one, but three dishes, that involved persnickety,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">time consuming steps. after making</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">teeny tiny chocolate tarts and lobster, corn</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and chive shot glasses, i spent all afternoon</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">frying 150 beet pancakes, only to have the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">people who ate them, complain that:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1) their fingers were stained</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2) they were kind of cold and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3) they didn't realize the raw beets were for</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">pretty, not for eating.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i was over latkes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6544152377/" title="latkes, frying by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6544152377_288082369b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="latkes, frying" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, then, this year, for chanukah, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i wanted back in.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i want to start making dishes that have</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">tradition to them and holiday memories</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">attached. i want to own a portion of the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">jewish meals that my family will serve</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">year after year. i want to, one day, not</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">be shocked when i'm responsible for</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">producing an entire holiday meal</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">on my own.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my mom was thrilled.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my sisters were happy to still </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">have latkes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i was kind of scared.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i was worried that i wouldn't</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">work quickly enough and that the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">potatoes would brown. i was worried</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that i wouldn't be a good enough </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">squeezer and that the latkes wouldn't</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">turn golden, because they'd be too </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">waterlogged. i was worried my f</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">amily,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">upon eating their first latke,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">would turn to my mother, with pleading</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in their eyes, and silently beg her to take</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">back latke making duties next year.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">all of these fears - and the fact that i had to</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">work the day of our chanukah dinner (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">held </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">this past weekend, thanks my work schedule</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this week) - convinced me to make the latkes a week</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">early, and pop them in the freezer, to give me</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">time to fix any mistakes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6544152959/" title="fat sweet potatoes by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6544152959_f235026d37.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="fat sweet potatoes" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6544153117/" title="chopped scallions by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6544153117_88592c8716.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="chopped scallions" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6544152727/" title="egg shells, scallion ends by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6544152727_e0c3288dcc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="egg shells, scallion ends" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6544152565/" title="grated sweet potato by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6544152565_aa99f0c275.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="grated sweet potato" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i decided to make two latkes:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sweet-Potato-Latkes-105919">sweet potato latkes </a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">from gourmet, that i've</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">been looking at for years</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">melissa clark's <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/dining/apple-potato-latkes-with-cinnamon-sour-cream-recipe.html?ref=dining">apple potato latkes</a>,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">featured one week earlier in</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the new york times.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6544154059/" title="peeled onions by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6544154059_49484490b3.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="peeled onions" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6544154189/" title="latke ingredients-potatoes, apples, onions by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6544154189_3a84d9dfe5.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="latke ingredients-potatoes, apples, onions " /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6544153885/" title="eggs by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6544153885_919df40d85.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="eggs" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6544153625/" title="latke batter by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6544153625_c5a1e5a174.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="latke batter" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and then, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this happened:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(except for the facts that </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">-i confirmed that i have</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a hot [and cold spot] on my burner</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">-i made myself cook in a freezing cold kitchen</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with the windows open to eliminate the frying</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">smell from the start [didn't work]</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">-i should have followed my instinct and squeezed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the sweet potatoes before frying, even though the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">recipe didn't instruct for that to happen</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">-it took me all afternoon to make the latkes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">-i may have [literally] frozen my husband out of the kitchen,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and then demanded that he come back to help me</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">squeeze the potatoes, apples and onions quickly,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">before making him help me find room in our jam-packed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">freezer for 60 latkes)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the whole thing actually went ok.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6544153391/" title="apple potato latkes, frying by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6544153391_37aeb017db.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="apple potato latkes, frying" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sure, i've learned you can always squeeze a little bit</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">more, to really make sure all the liquid is out. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and yes, i'm now more willing to accept that</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the first batch of latkes are kind of like the first pancake,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and will never go that well.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, the latkes tasted like latkes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in spite of my best efforts, the house smelled</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">like chanukah.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and this past saturday, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">we reheated the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">latkes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">at my mom's, until they were </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">crisp-on-the-outside,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">creamy-on-the-inside</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">i watched my family carefully - </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">no one seemed to be sending</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">out smoke signals for help.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">they ate every single one, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">erasing my </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">beet latke nightmare memories,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in the process.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6544284201/" title="chanukah dinner by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6544284201_c056b6480e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="chanukah dinner" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><b>sweet potato-scallion latkes</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">adapted from <i>gourmet magazine</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this recipe was very basic, and a couple reviewers had complained that they were bland. so, after grating the sweet potatoes, i stirred in a few healthy dashes of cayenne, cumin and coriander, which i think i actually was able to taste, subtly, in the finished product. i did not measure - i just shook in spices, until it felt right. as i said above, the recipe did not call for squeezing liquid out of the potatoes, but i think that was a mistake. i spent the whole time i was making these, trying not to notice the liquid pooling at the bottom. and, i doubled the scallions, but i think i could have tripled them (below, i've written as i made them - doubled).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i also made the decision to double this recipe, which was the right decision. the original recipe was supposed to make 28, but doubling it, i got 30. sure, maybe some of mine were big, but i don't think they were that big. below, is the doubled recipe.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">4 eggs, lightly beaten</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 bunch scallions, trimmed, cleaned and finely chopped</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 teaspoons salt</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 teaspoon black pepper</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2/3 cup all-purpose flour</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ground cayenne</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ground cumin</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ground coriander</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3/4-1 cup vegetable oil</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in large bowl, stir together eggs, scallions, salt and pepper; set aside.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">using box grater or grating attachment on the food processor, grate sweet potatoes; transfer to a dish towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. add grated sweet potatoes; sprinkle with flour and a couple healthy shakes each cayenne, cumin and coriander. stir to combine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, heat 3/4 cup oil until hot, but not smoking. Working in batches of 4, spoon 2-3 tablespoons sweet potato mixture into skillet. flatten using back of a slotted spoon (i actually used the 1/4 cup metal measuring cup i was using). reduce heat to medium and cook 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown on each side, turning once. transfer to paper towel-lined plate or sheet pan. add remaining oil to skillet, if necessary.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to freeze: let cool completely. freeze in single layer 2-4 hours. transfer frozen latkes to a freezer safe resealable bag or container. to reheat: heat oven to 400Ëšf. heat latkes 10-15 minutes, or until hot and sizzling, turning once.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><b>potato, onion and apple latkes</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">adapted from <i>the new york times</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for this recipe, i did something that i never do: i just trusted the recipe. i decided to make it the second i saw melissa clark tweet about it, i didn't bother to research if anyone else made it and i just went for it. it was kind of refreshing. i also doubled this recipe and made the latkes, larger than instructed, but somehow, got exactly the right number (36). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i think that my apples were small, and as i result, i didn't really taste that much apple, but i don't mind, and i would still try them again the same way. i used 4 onions, because they were tiny. also: because i was so nervous about making sure that the apples and potatoes, didn't brown, i asked larry to help me and we turned it into a very fast multi-step process. instead of shredding the onions, potatoes and apples at the same time, i shredded the onions first, squeezed them and then added them to the bowl with the eggs. then, i asked larry to shred and squeeze the apples while i peeled, shredded and squeezed the potatoes. we did not have anything brown, and i recommend it, but if you're cooking alone, there's probably no reason for my crazy version of operation shred and squeeze. (i also realize that my method added work, but it relieved stress, so i consider it a wash.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">here's what i didn't do: i didn't make the cinnamon sour cream that went with it (i'm not really sure why), and since i was making this recipe second, i opted to just keep using vegetable oil, instead of the olive oil.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">6 large eggs, lightly beaten</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 tablespoon kosher salt</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 teaspoons black pepper</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 medium yellow onions, peeled</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">4 golden delicious apples</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 large russet potatoes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">vegetable or olive oil for frying</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in large bowl, stir together eggs, salt and pepper; set aside.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">using box grater or grater attachment on the food processor, grate onion. place onion in strainer; press on onion to release liquid. transfer onion to dish towel; squeeze out remaining liquid. transfer to bowl with egg mixture.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">peel and core apples; grate apples. repeat straining and squeezing. transfer to bowl with onions; stir to combine. peel potatoes; repeat shredding and squeezing. sprinkle with flour and baking powder; stir to combine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1/4-inch oil, until hot, but not smoking. in batches of four or five, drop 3 tablespoons of latke mixture into skillet; press to flatten. cook 5-6 minutes, or until golden brown, turning once. transfer to paper towel-lined sheet pan.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">to freeze: let cool completely. freeze in single layer 2-4 hours. transfer frozen latkes to a freezer safe resealable bag or container. to reheat: heat oven to 400Ëšf. heat latkes 10-15 minutes, or until hot and sizzling, turning once.</span></div></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-32473326653551513852011-12-13T11:15:00.000-05:002011-12-13T11:19:54.194-05:00lima bean puree<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6505564379/" title="lime bean puree, meatloaf, shredded brussels sprouts by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6505564379_5708d92537.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="lime bean puree, meatloaf, shredded brussels sprouts" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">hi. it's me.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">you may remember me, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but just in case...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my name is brooke.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i cook and take pictures</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of what i've cooked</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and write about what i've </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">cooked and taken pictures of...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when i have time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and even though cooking,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">taking pictures and writing</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">rank very high on several lists:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(-things i'd prefer to be doing,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">-things i love doing,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">-things i'm often thinking about doing), </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">they also fall high on</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">another list:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">-things i often need to ignore to make</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">way for life and work. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, i refuse to give up on this little</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">blog-that-could, um, maybe-can.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, i hope you don't either.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">because even though it's taken me</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">almost three months to tell you about </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this lima bean puree, i've thought</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of it often and have been writing this</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">post in my head for almost as long.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">--</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">larry and i spent our september wedding</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">anniversary in new orleans. while that might</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sound romantic or sweet or well-planned,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it was none of those things. ok, wait. that's not fair. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">let me start over.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we spent the summer trying to find one week</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to go on vacation. but, suddenly, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it was almost the end of august</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and we had not gone away, nor had we found a</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">week that would work. i looked and saw one free </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">five day period - starting tuesday afternoon,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that we could run somewhere, anywhere.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i also realized that this was it - if i held out for a</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">full week, i'd be waiting until after the first of the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">year. we found a place with reasonable</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">fares and jumped into a half-assed vacation, feet first.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and during that time, we recognized that somehow, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">our anniversary</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">fell during that 5 day period. suddenly,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we were going away for our anniversary.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we made many reservations - determined</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">not to miss out on the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6181161319/in/set-72157627744304224">barbecued shrimp</a> at <a href="http://www.mrbsbistro.com/">Mr. B's</a>,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6179563818/in/set-72157627744304224">incredible steal of a lunch</a> at <a href="http://www.restaurantaugust.com/">restaurant august</a>,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the cochon at <a href="http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/">cochon</a> - but, still, none for the evening</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of our anniversary. i researched, trying not to be</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ridiculously indulgent, trying to take the night</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">seriously. and, then, i found <a href="http://marriottmarketing.com/ord/production/MSYBR_MilaNewOrleans/">mila</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it was a small menu, which ordinarily turns me</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">off, but everything seemed just right. so, i read</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a few reviews, made reservations and knew</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that if the meal was a bust, we would probably</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">still be a little full from lunch, anyway.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the dinner was lovely.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we enjoyed a gorgeously arranged salad featuring</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">frisee and cornbread croutons and heirloom</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">tomatoes and large crystals of sea salt.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">they brought us out celebratory glasses of </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">champagne, that we never would have thought</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to order on our own, and i ate a pasta dish that</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">was decent, if not sorely in need of a squeeze</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of lemon.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6179563324/" title="lima bean puree and sweet butter by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6173/6179563324_3a0e462cd4.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="lima bean puree and sweet butter" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, what i fixated on that evening,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and what i continued to talk about in the same</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">breath as those barbecued shrimp when we got</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">home, was the lima bean puree that they served</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in a little cast iron skillet, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">alongside cornbread and sweet potato biscuits,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when we first sat down.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it was so simple. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">warm lima beans blended into silkiness,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and lightly flavored with...i had no idea.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i preach that i love crazy combinations and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">bold impressions. but, this puree was</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">neither and i couldn't get enough of</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the subtle mystery flavor.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i asked the waiter - who was more than</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">happy to talk to us after learning that we</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">were from new jersey, too. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">he came back and gave me this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the lima beans were steamed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">they were then pureed with a pepper vinegar.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">hmmm.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that was not it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i talked about the puree on the walk back</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to the hotel, on the plane ride home and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in the grocery store when i bought a bag</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of dried lima beans to begin operation recreation.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6505565297/" title="lima bean close-up by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6505565297_170c37a0a6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="lima bean close-up" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i researched the recipe and found nothing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i thought about calling the restaurant, but</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">let's be honest - i chickened out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, then i decided that i had to get started</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">or kiss my lima bean puree-obsession, goodbye.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for attempt number one, i decided to use </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">hot chile peppers. i'm not sure why - the puree</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">wasn't even slightly spicy. but, i really cannot</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">stand the flavor of bell peppers and i was pretty</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sure that if they used them to make the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">vinegar, i would have been able to taste it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">yet, i was pretty sure i was barking up the wrong</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">tree with the fresnos.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i cut the peppers into 1/2" pieces, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">crushed a couple large cloves of garlic and </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">tossed both into white distilled vinegar.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6505565135/" title="lima beans, soaking by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6505565135_e01290cb66.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="lima beans, soaking" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6505564971/" title="soaked lima beans by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6505564971_c08b67b046.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="soaked lima beans" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the next day, i simmered the soaked beans</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">until they were ultra tender and then transferred</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">them, still warm into the food processor.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(was that a mistake? would limas get pasty like</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">potatoes? should i have been using a masher?)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and even though it seemed like it was too simple,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i didn't have any other jumping points.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6505564755/" title="in food processor by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6505564755_2083abc86a.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="in food processor" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">so, i poured in a few tablespoons of the limas'</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">cooking liquid, a couple of the very spicy vinegar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and a couple of olive oil. i blended with my eyes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">half closed and when the mixture seemed smooth,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i gave it a taste. it was...close. very close.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i added another tablespoon of the spicy vinegar,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and then one more for good measure, sprinkled</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in a few more pinches of salt and blended again.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">oh my goodness. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i did it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">first try. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">blind guessing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">completely confused about the crazy spicy vinegar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that gave the lima beans a touch of mystery. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, here it was, in my food processor. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">hot and craving</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a sweet potato biscuit.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6505564619/" title="blending by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6505564619_624cef72f6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="blending" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i made larry - who i think enjoyed the puree</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a normal amount the first time - try it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">he confirmed it tasted like mila's.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i was shocked. still am, if you can't tell.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, then i realized:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">no pictures. it had never even occurred to</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">me to take out the camera for what i assumed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">would be a non-event. that was the beginning of october.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it took me until two sundays ago to make them</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">again, to serve alongside a turkey meatloaf and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">shredded lemony brussels sprouts.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6505564517/" title="lima bean puree by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6505564517_14a9fa4937.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="lima bean puree" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i was worried that i wouldn't like it as much.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that i wouldn't be able to get it right again,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that the flavor wouldn't ring true or stand out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, from the moment that i tested one lima bean</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to make sure it was tender enough to blend, i knew</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we'd be ok. better than ok. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i still loved it - subtle, unexpected, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but somehow just right. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">just like our anniversary trip this year.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6179036965/" title="anniversary champagne by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6177/6179036965_664aa98560.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="anniversary champagne" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6179514686/" title="the mark of new orleans by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6172/6179514686_24600c35ee.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="the mark of new orleans" /></a></span></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6179020031/" title="street lights by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6163/6179020031_7616af2813.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="street lights" /></span></a></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6179546420/" title="ready by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6157/6179546420_fe4d62214d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="ready" /></span></a></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6179038157/" title="antiques by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6153/6179038157_65a89b5f1d.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="antiques" /></span></a></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6178986323/" title="pralines by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6167/6178986323_206cd0ed6b.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="pralines" /></span></a></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6181685692/" title="first raw oysters of the trip by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6172/6181685692_288eceb6d6.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="first raw oysters of the trip" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><b>lima bean puree</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(kind of adapted from mila's)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i have to warn you one last time, this puree will not knock you over with its uniqueness or its shocking lingering flavor. but, it is a lovely mixture to serve with the intention of slathering on warm bread, or served alongside chicken, fish, or as we did on this night, meatloaf. also - know this: this puree will probably not be your best friend at a dinner party. while, you can keep it in the food processor covered for quite a while, if you try to serve it too early, it does form a bit of a crust on top, as it did at mila.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i reserved extra lima bean cooking liquid and stirred into leftovers the next night before reheating. the flavor and texture were pretty spot-on from the night before.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>puree</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 bag (16 ounces) dried lima beans, picked over</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/4-1/3 cup spicy vinegar (recipe below)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3-5 tablespoons lima bean cooking liquid</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3 tablespoons olive oil</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">salt and pepper</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">place lima beans in large bowl; cover with at least 3 inches cold water. stir to make sure all beans are submerged. let sit 6-8 hours (you can put them under water before you leave for work and make the puree when you get home).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">drain beans. place soaked lima beans in large saucepot; cover with at least two inches water. bring to a boil; reduce heat to a bare simmer and let cook 45 minutes-1 hour, or until beans are very tender, skimming off foam as necessary. (to test beans, halve bean and look: you don't want the center to be any darker than the center. if the bean is the same color all the way through, it's a good sign you're ready to go. then taste it. there shouldn't be any resistance. but, for your most sure-on bet, use this trick i learned from anne burrell: after the first one is tender, check four more. if all five are soft and cooked through, it's time).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">before draining beans, ladle out a cupful of cooking liquid. drain beans; let lima sit 10 minutes. transfer beans to bowl of food processor; add 1/4 cup spicy vinegar, 3 tablespoons cooking liquid and olive oil. process 30 seconds, or until smooth. taste; and adjust seasoning, adding more vinegar if the puree tastes too flat or more cooking liquid to smooth it out; season with salt and pepper. blend again, tasting and adjusting as necessary.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>fresno pepper and garlic vinegar</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">5 large fresno chile peppers</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3-4 large cloves garlic</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 1/2 cups distilled white vinegar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">cut peppers into 1/2" pieces. smash garlic with back of knife. transfer peppers and garlic to glass jar or container; cover with vinegar and stir to combine. let sit at least one day before using. (note: the next day, the vinegar will be extremely spicy. that's ok - don't let it stop you from using it in the puree.)</span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-48850589875572996112011-09-26T21:20:00.000-04:002011-09-26T21:24:40.777-04:00masala-laced carrot macaroons<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6182366159/" title="baked spicy carrot meringues by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6182366159_4fd4c174bc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="baked spicy carrot meringues" /></a></span></div>i've probably told this story before,</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but i can't find it anywhere on this blog,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">so i'll just write about it and apologize</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">if you've heard this 3-second tale before.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it was senior year of college and i was</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sitting in the living room of my college apartment,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">talking about how i'm always looking for something</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that's different, something that you don't see</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">coming and going, just something. (to be honest,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i remember that part, but i have no idea what i</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">was talking about.) my friend turned to me and said,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>brooke, sometimes there's nothing wrong</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>with a plain potato chip. </i>(note: i know we weren't</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">talking about food.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i know what he was saying.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sometimes life is not about being different.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sometimes it's about the familiar.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's about the classics. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the thing is, i never want a plain potato chip.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's plain. i've seen it before. it offers me very little.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i always want the chip that's coated with </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">craziness.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and so when i buy a cookbook,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i want one that offers me something new.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">yes, i want to one day make </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">chocolate chip cookies </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">brownies that are classic,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but so good that my kids constantly wish</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">they're eating mine when snacking on someone</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">else's (am i nuts? yes.).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, for now, i want the crazy. i want the recipes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that make me look at food and ingredients</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">differently, while resulting in desserts that are</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">surprising and unforgettable</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(they should taste good, too).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this, it should be noted, is my philosophy</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when finding a restaurant, too, which is why</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it takes so long for us to find a place to</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">eat dinner and why it takes me hours</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to research places to eat while on vacation.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">surprisingly, when i decided to take home</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">alice medrich's newish book,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">chewy </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">gooey</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">crispy</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">crunchy,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it was for both reasons:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this book is full of the classics</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and it offers really interesting twists</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">on recognizable recipes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6182888054/" title="almonds, carrots, eggs, garam masala, coconut by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6182888054_fd21abff86.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="almonds, carrots, eggs, garam masala, coconut" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">still, the first one that i decided i had to make,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">spicy carrot masala meringues, fell into the second</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">category. they looked pretty simple, but</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">provided several things that i love:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">carrots (reminiscent of my favorite cake, carrot),</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">garam masala (a new love)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and shredded coconut.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6182887924/" title="almonds by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6182887924_5ce25436c4.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="almonds" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6182887656/" title="beaten egg white, sugar, garam masala by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6182887656_ddca0fa93f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="beaten egg white, sugar, garam masala" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6182366977/" title="carrots, coconut, ground almonds by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6182366977_3d0361b6d9.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="carrots, coconut, ground almonds" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i think - if you are glancing quickly and in a rush -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">you might look past this recipe.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it involves grinding almonds,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">shredding carrots,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">giving the recipe 10 minutes to hydrate,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">stirring while set in simmering water,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and ultimately, baking.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, thanks to my food processor and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a decent mise en place, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i think it took me less than 30 minutes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to get these cookies in the oven.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6182366603/" title="stirred together by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6182366603_493b50b267.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="stirred together" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6182366447/" title="not yet baked by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/6182366447_d2beb4b88c.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="not yet baked" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, then, i let them be,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">worrying about the next thing that</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i was making, when really, i should</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">have focused on making sure these</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">teeny bundles didn't burn their</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">bottoms in the oven. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">so of course, they got a little too</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">dark underneath. and i got a little</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">angry. but then i calmed down and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">tried one. and here's what i learned</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">from these cookies:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1) the carrots really taste like carrots.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">while that might sound like a charlie</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and the chocolate factory rip off,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i was really surprised to find that i could</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">taste the strands of carrots in a very different</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">way than you can when the veggies are</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">baked into a cake. i'm not a huge carrot lover,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">so my first bite worried me, but i persevered.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2) you really can taste the garam masala.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i - someone who wants to jam pack everything</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">she eats with spice and flavor - worried that </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 teaspoon wouldn't be enough to make an</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">impression, but i was wrong. the spice comes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">after and lingers, slightly spicy, cinnamon-laced</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and faintly indian-influenced. (i would say the spice</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">was most pronounced on the second day and decreased</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in intensity on each day forward.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3) they were a little bit sticky, which is something</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i'm not crazy about. i did find that the ones that were</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">closer to burnt on the bottoms were slightly less</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sticky, which made me think that my oven might</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">need to be adjusted. but, i digress.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">4) my family, when offered slightly weird cookies -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with carrots and indian spices woven throughout -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">at the same time as brownies, will eat an equal</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">amount of both. and, i'm pretty sure that at least</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">some of them, if given a choice,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">would reach for a plain potato chip. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6182886828/" title="garam masala meringues by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6182886828_c201590c4b.jpg" width="496" height="500" alt="garam masala meringues" /></a></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">masala-laced carrot macaroons</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">adapted from <i>chewy gooey crispy crunchy </i>by alice medrich </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this is how i tackled the recipe: i ground the almonds in the food processor, then transferred them to a bowl. next, i used the shredder attachment on the food processor to shred the carrots into the bowl, which i did not bother wiping clean of almonds, since they were ultimately going into the same bowl anyway. the only thing i struggled with with these cookies was how long i really needed to stir the mixture over boiling water. the recipe said 5-7 minutes, or until the mixture had thickened slightly. i went for the full 7 and the mixture did seem thicker, but when it came time to scoop them into the cookie sheet, the ingredients did not hold together, instead, functioning like separates, coated in something wet. i placed the bowl back over the simmering water and stirred until the mixture was scoopable and was able to form something closer to a batter that kept its shape. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ok, i will tell you this. i read this recipe about 10 times before and while making it. and just now, when i went to type it out, i realized it says, "set the bowl directly in a wide skillet of barely simmering water." that's not what i did. instead, i read "set the bowl directly in" as "place the bowl over a double boiler." most likely, that was where i went wrong. below, i'll write as intended.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">also, the recipe called for (a generous 1/4 teaspoon of) lemon zest, but i'm never crazy about lemon in baked goods - save for lemon bars - so i omitted it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3/4 cup whole almonds</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2-3 carrots, peeled</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 large egg whites</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 cup sugar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 teaspoon garam masala (alice also offers that you could use cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3/4 cup shredded unsweetened dried coconut</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. heat oven to 325Ëšf.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in food processor, pulse almonds 10 times, or until chopped (you're looking for almonds that are both large chopped and finely chopped). set aside.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">on box grater or using shredder attachment on your food processor, grate carrots. measure 1 1/3 cups lightly packed carrot (reserve remaining for another use).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in medium stainless steel bowl, whisk egg whites until frothy. stir in sugar, garam masala and salt. stir in carrots, coconut and almonds. set aside 10 minutes, to hydrate the mixture.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">bring a large wide skillet of water to a very low simmer; place bowl in skillet. cook 5-7 minutes, or until the mixture is very hot and the liquid turns from opaque to translucent, stirring constantly with a silicone spatula, making sure to scrape the bottom.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">use 1 heaping teaspoon measure to drop cookies on two parchment-lined baking sheets. bake 20-25 minutes, or until the cookies are deep golden on the bottom (check by turning up the corner of the parchment paper), rotating the pans top to bottom and left to right midway through baking.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">place pans on cooling racks and cool completely. remove from parchment paper and store cookies, loosely covered, 3-4 days.</span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-29403283220934700412011-09-06T19:10:00.008-04:002011-09-06T22:06:19.607-04:00green smoothie<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6121975301/" title="green smoothie by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6121975301_e92e57abe5.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="green smoothie" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">while we all hold on</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(for dear life, sometimes) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to who we are,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i think it's fair to say we become products</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of our environment. for me, that means a lot</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of things - like lately, my (slight)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">obsession with green smoothies.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i had never heard of green smoothies - </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">much less imagined myself drinking, craving</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and researching twists on them - before about</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a year and a half ago. one of my coworkers brought</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in a smoothie everyday, filled with lots of visible</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">kale. other people started drinking them. a lot</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of people started talking about them. and i kept</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">thinking, one day, i'll get up the nerve to make one.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i kept it in my head for over a year.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">people still drank them, but they didn't talk about</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">them quite as much. then, in april, i switched jobs</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and boom: green smoothies. in my face. all the time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">again. ok, i will make them. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, i didn't.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">until one day, in the middle of may,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i realized that i had almost all of the ingredients</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in the house for <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2879">this one</a>, the smoothie i'm</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">most commonly faced with. i prepped everything</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the night before - i chopped kale, measured spinach,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">diced strawberries and sliced dates, even sprinkling</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">some flax seed in for good measure. the next morning,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i blended the whole thing with a ripe banana and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">coconut water, the only acceptable beverage in the house,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and blended. the results were faintly flecked, but overall,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">smooth. the mixture, like everyone said,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">tasted like bananas. it was pretty good.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for the next few weeks, we set up shop every night.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">after dinner, larry would try to clean the kitchen,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and i, as i am apt to do -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">stemming kale, hulling strawberries - would </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">recreate a mess next to him.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the next morning, when larry got up for work,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">he would pour a couple cups of coconut milk</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(which we found we liked better than the coconut</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">water when not using a crazy ripe banana) into</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the container, add a banana and blend for 2 minutes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">before dividing amongst our shiny new smoothie cups.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(mine's the orange!) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">his would leave with him. mine would go in the fridge,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ready and waiting for me to fly downstairs, always one</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">minute later than my 7:20 deadline, and grab it out</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of the fridge. it was great - i loved my breakfast,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i felt good about my breakfast and larry was into it, too.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, then, as i am also apt to do, i got bored.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i wanted to try new things.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">so i played around - trying almond milk,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">blueberries, mixed berries, no kale, no spinach,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">adding ice cubes and more.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i learned this: mixed berries have never been my thing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, also, this: i love green smoothies. love 'em.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">there aren't many i haven't liked.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, there's one that has stood out as my favorite.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the one that i wish i could drink every day.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, i don't because, for many reasons, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's more of a special</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">occasion green smoothie. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i can't believe i just wrote that.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6121975573/" title="apple, cubed by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6121975573_6464e9f7bb.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="apple, cubed" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this one</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">doesn't have kale or bananas.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it sometimes uses dates, sometimes agave.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when they're in the house, i add blueberries.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">lately, i've been tossing in cubes of melon.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">here's what it always features:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">baby spinach</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">an apple or a pear</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a couple splashes of almond milk </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ice cubes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and a generous half of an avocado.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6122519050/" title="melon, spinach by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/6122519050_fc9148af41.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="melon, spinach" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i haven't been able to decide if i like</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">apples better than pears. i'm sad that i</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">discovered the delicious addition of melon</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">so close to the end of melon season. i'm</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">very happy that i realized i only need a small</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">amount of almond milk - just enough to blend</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the mess into a cohesive frosty drink - to make</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">me happy. but, i've made one decision, that i haven't</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">wavered from since beginning.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i don't measure.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i can't. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">early in the morning,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when i need to leave for work and i've</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sacrificed my hair time for smoothie time,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the last thing i want to deal with</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">are measuring cups. honestly,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it annoys me that i have to deal with </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a knife and a cutting board. and, by now, i've</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">gotten pretty good at making a smoothie</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that tastes pretty much the same every day.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6122518922/" title="almond milk, spinach, apple, melon, avocado, ice by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6122518922_1377cefce9.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="almond milk, spinach, apple, melon, avocado, ice" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">so, here's what i do. approximately.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i start by placing a <b>huge handful of</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><b>baby spinach</b> in the container.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this fills up about half the blender.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">then, i large chop an <b>unpeeled</b> <b>apple* or pear</b>,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">using all of a small piece of fruit, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">or three-quarters of a large piece.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that goes into the blender, too,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">pressing down on the spinach.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">then, i add about <b>ten cubes of melon,</b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">or a small handful of blueberries.</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i spoon in a <b>generous half of ripe avocado**</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(and, by this i mean, that when i "halve" the fruit,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i make sure to cut a bigger section for the smoothie)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">then, i drizzle in <b>a squeeze or two of agave </b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><b>(or three chopped pitted dates)</b>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i add <b>two or three splashes of</b> <b>almond milk</b>,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">just enough so that i can see about 1/3-inch</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of milk on the bottom of the blender.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, then, before setting the blender to puree,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i top everything with <b>two small</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><b>handfuls of large ice cubes</b>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">usually it takes a good 20-30 seconds for</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the mixture to start blending. if things don't start</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to take shape at that point, i turn the blender off and shake</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the container a couple times. if that still doesn't</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">help everything mix together, i add a little bit</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">more almond milk. and once everything is combining,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i let the blender run for at least a minute or two, or until</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">everything is cohesive and smooth.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6121975431/" title="blending by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6121975431_d5a6bc3902.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="blending" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">on the rare days that i've gotten it together</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to make my smoothie before i start getting ready,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i've learned that, surprisingly, this mixture</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">keeps - covered and in the fridge - for at least</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a couple hours.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and that's it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's green.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's satisfying.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it makes people ask questions.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(what are you drinking? why are you drinking that?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">spinach? avocado? did you lose a bet?)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, mostly. it makes me immensely happy.***</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#666666;">*you may notice that the apple i used on the day i took pictures was a granny smith. they looked really shiny and beautiful in the store, but i don't recommend using them. they make the smoothies more tart that i like and it would take quite a bit of sweetener to balance it all out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#666666;">**don't get me wrong. a fair half of an avocado makes a really good smoothie. but, using a little more than half ensures that the entire thing tastes faintly of avocado. and in my opinion, what's the point of using a good, but expensive and fatty fruit if you're not going to be able to taste it?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#666666;">***on friday, i made three smoothies - one for me and one for each of my sisters - as a road trip "treat" to drink on the way to our grandmother's house. they drank theirs, but i'm not sure they'd be able to say that these smoothies made <i>them</i> immensely happy. one of my sisters said it took her three sips to realize she liked it, but she came around. i do think they'd say they like them just fine.</span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-51552241983643231112011-08-24T21:26:00.001-04:002011-08-24T22:24:24.372-04:00thai melon salad<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6078557772/" title="thai melon salad by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6078557772_38a1a7e116.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="thai melon salad" /></a></span></div>last week, larry and i had a really</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">lovely day. it was the day after my</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">birthday and we both took off from</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">work. i drank coffee in bed and, later,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we ate lunch outside, very close</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to the ocean. we bought fig vinegar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">from an olive oil shop and sat on the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">boardwalk with our legs dangling over</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the sand. we went to see <i>the help</i>,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">which i've been hoping to see in the theatre,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">since finishing the book last november. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in between the beach and the movies,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we stopped at the book store, where i was</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">given a really great gift: unlimited time</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to look through as many cookbooks as i</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">wanted. and, truthfully, that's quite a gift. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">as much as i love cookbooks, i rarely buy</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">them. and when, i do, it's a specific book</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that i've had my eye on for a while. rarely, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">do i just plant myself in front </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of the shelves and read.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ultimately, i left with three - two baking</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">books that, it turns out, i actually had wanted, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but had forgotten about,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and a third, <i>cooking in the moment</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">by andrea reusing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to be honest, i keep picking up and putting down</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the last one. i would decide that i was not</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">going to keep it and then i'd turn one last page</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and see a recipe, like the one for </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">black sesame sauce.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in that case, i read the recipe twice </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and thought, ok, i know</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">how to make this. as i shut the book,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i noticed a page reading</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">garlic and crab fried rice.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this happened several times.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ultimately, it was the kale panini and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">salt preserved chilies that cinched</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my decision.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that night, i got back in bed and read</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>cooking in the moment</i> from cover to cover.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, in spite of my curiosity about the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">recipes above, i knew that the first dish i</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">would be making was the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">spicy melon salad with peanuts and mint.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it uses fish sauce. and a lot of it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">need i say more?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6078558014/" title="melons by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6078558014_04983e3af8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="melons" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, then, you should have seen me the next</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">day, standing at the grocery store, staring at</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the melons, trying to channel my melon </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">knowledge. is it the santa claus melon that's</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">really sweet or is it the canary? are any melons</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">really dark orange? or yellow? what will happen</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">if i add watermelon? will the color run?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ultimately, i was lucky.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a melon expert - or at least he seemed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that way to me - helped me pick three</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">small, sweet flavorful globes. he was spot</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">on. (except when the next day i realized</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that i somehow had two green-fleshed melons, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but i'm very over it.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">after a search for my melon baller - </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a tool i'm pretty sure i haven't used since</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">culinary school - i cracked open the melons</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">on sunday, prepared to make a cooling</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">summer salad for a hot summer night.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">except it was sunday. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when there was lightening.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and thunder.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and rainstorms that made me fear</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for our basement.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">so, i scooped melons for a cool evening.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6078557950/" title="balled out melon by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6078557950_5c428a88c4.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="balled out melon" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6078016651/" title="honeydew, galla, crenshaw by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6089/6078016651_6c6120d392.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="honeydew, galla, crenshaw" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, that's ok, too. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the melons were incredibly sweet,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">floral and juicy. i pulled small</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and large balls from</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">all three:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the honeydew,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the crenshaw and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the galia.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(as for the remaining melon in</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">each half, i used a spoon to separate</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">them from their skins, put all three</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">into the same container and have</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">been adding the pieces and sweet</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">juice to my smoothies in the morning.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's been a nice change.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i whisked together the juice of two limes,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a few glugs from a new bottle of fish sauce -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i forgot how powerful a brand new bottle</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">could be - a squeeze of agave and an </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">unfortunately, mild, chopped </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">red fresno chile pepper.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the dressing was powerful.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">slightly spicy, slightly sweet,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">tangy and salty. i tossed it over</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the melons, took a premature bite</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and knew that i would love this dish.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">simplified, it reminded me of a </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sweet green papaya salad.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the recipe said to let it the mixture</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sit for at least 45 minutes or up to </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">several hours. we went for three.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">before serving, i topped it with</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">shreds of mint and salted peanuts</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and we dug in.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the marinating liquid is</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">unbelievably bold.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, the melons, when picked up with </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a fork, instead of scooped,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">gave a significantly more subtle delivery.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i don't know how many fruit salads are eaten</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with a spoon,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but it would be a shame to leave all that</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">limey-fish sauciness on the bottom</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of the bowl.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">team spoon. all the way.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">regardless.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this salad slash side dish slash</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">potential dessert is everything i look</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for in a recipe. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's different, so it won't see itself</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">coming and going. but, more importantly,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's sweet and salty and soft and crunchy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's slightly spicy and kind of tangy</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and would be perfect on</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a hot night spent outside.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it was a recipe that gave me</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">reassurance. it made me feel justified</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">about buying the cookbook. and, about</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">making larry amuse himself in the bookstore</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">while i dealt with my indecisiveness. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, it made me find my melon baller.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">worth it all around.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6078557840/" title="melon, chopped peanuts, chile, mint, fish sauce, lime juice by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6078557840_58f7bd0aa0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="melon, chopped peanuts, chile, mint, fish sauce, lime juice" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">thai melon salad</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">adapted from <i>cooking in the moment</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i followed this recipe pretty closely. the only real changes were using agave instead of sugar and using a serrano chile pepper and a red fresno chile pepper, because neither were very spicy. with a spicy pepper, i would have stuck to one. i also chose not to measure the peanuts - just grabbed a handful and chopped.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i agree that this salad should only sit for a couple hours. by the next day, the melons had expelled a lot of their own liquid and mellowed the flavor of the dish significantly. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2-3 assorted melons</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 large, juicy limes, juiced</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/4 cup fish sauce</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 tablespoon agave</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 spicy chile pepper, chopped</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">10 mint leaves</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 small handful roasted and salted peanuts</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">halve melons. using melon baller, scoop melon into balls, transferring to a measuring cup as you scoop. measure 4 cups melon. transfer melons to mixing bowl.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in liquid measuring cup, measure 1/4 cup lime juice. whisk in fish sauce, agave and chile pepper. pour lime juice mixture over melons; toss to combine. cover; chill 45 minutes, or up to several hours.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when ready to serve, rip mint leaves into smaller pieces. chop peanuts. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">using a slotted spoon, transfer melon to serving platter or bowls. top with spoonfuls of marinade. garnish with mint and chopped peanuts.</span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-61793682714569653282011-08-11T18:56:00.010-04:002011-08-14T22:15:40.689-04:00for love. and peanut butter pie.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6043637281/" title="peanut butter pie by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6126/6043637281_c665fa0a90.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="peanut butter pie" /></a></span></div>over six years ago,</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we were visiting colleen and christian</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when i got the kind of call you</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">never want to get. not ever.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and not in the house of your</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">friend's boyfriend, no matter how wonderful</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">they are. it was my mother,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">telling me that my ex-boyfriend - the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ex-boyfriend, who i dated for six years,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">starting one month into our freshman</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">year of college - had died. we hadn't</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">spoken since one month after our</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">break up. to me - to everyone - the horrible</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">accident came out of nowhere.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">had we still been a couple, i'm not</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">sure how i would have managed. if i'm being</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">honest, i still don't think i've fully recovered.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">from that phone call.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">from his accident.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">from knowing that even though we would never have</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">been remembering together anymore,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i am now the only one who can know our memories.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">--</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to say that i was an immense worrier before</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">his death, would be fair. i have always been</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">fearful of things large and small.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but after that, everything was elevated.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i dream about him, about trying to stop him from</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">stepping into an elevator or leaving the room.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when i wake up, i panic for my family.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when i haven't heard from or can't reach</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my mom,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my dad,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my sisters,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my grandmother,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">larry,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i hate myself for it, but i obsess over the worst.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i hate myself for allowing myself to think things</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that are not doing anyone any good.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my mind is set to catastrophe.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">--</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">on monday morning, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the first thing that i saw were three</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">tweets, in a row, with the message that</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a food blogger had lost her husband</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">unexpectedly to a heart attack the day before.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i follow jennifer perillo on <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/JenniferPerillo">twitter</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i read her <a href="http://www.injennieskitchen.com/">blog</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i've known her as an active member of food52.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the closest i've ever been to her, was making</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">her <a href="http://www.injennieskitchen.com/2010/01/homemade-manicotti.html">homemade manicotti</a> for larry last winter.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, when i saw the tweet, i was unable to focus</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">on anything else. i drove to work shaken and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">all day my mind wandered back to jennie and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">her two daughters. when larry got home from work, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i tried to tell him what happened </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and shocked both of us</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when i started crying uncontrollably.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when i calmed, i hugged him. hard.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">then, i told him about jennie and her</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">two young daughters and how we really don't</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">know each other, but through her tweets,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i knew about her date nights and that i've</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">been meaning to try her <a href="http://www.injennieskitchen.com/2010/02/lentil-ricotta-meatballs.html">lentil-ricotta meatballs</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and that the hardest thing for me - and i've come</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to find out, others - to see, was that her last tweet</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">before she lost her husband, was about canning</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">marinara and getting ready for their vacation</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to cape cod in 13 days. i felt for jennie in a way</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that i did not know i could feel for someone</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">who i did not personally know.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">jennie posted last week,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">talking about her husband in a way i believe</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">few of us would have the courage to do. and,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in a time when i think many of us who know</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">her peripherally, felt helpless, jennie asked for</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">us to make her husband, mikey's, favorite dessert,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a peanut butter pie, on friday, to honor</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">him and those who we love the most in our lives.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, so i did. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i made the recipe exactly as it was</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">written. i tried not to sweat it when my crust</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">crumbled a little into the melted chocolate</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">layer, knowing that was not the point. the point</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">was that even on friday, five days later, jennie, her</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">husband and her daughters were still on the forefront</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of my mind and, because, my family was even closer. i </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">made it for the people who i love and have loved. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, i served it to my family tonight. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i told them the story of our dessert and </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">about the hundreds of food bloggers who came together</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to make peanut butter pies for our families, and in</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">our hearts, for a family who many of us do not know. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">as we ate, i showed them <a href="http://whiteonricecouple.com/films-documentaries/video-creamy-peanut-butter-pie-mikey-jennifer-perillo/">this video</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that has brought me to tears each</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">time i've watched it. and, we talked about showing</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the people that you love, that you love them, always.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">--</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for the pie recipe, to see more about the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">amazing food community that rallied or </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to learn more about jennifer's strength,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">visit <a href="http://www.injennieskitchen.com/2011/08/for-mikey.html">in jennie's kitchen</a>.</span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-36962110550604998342011-08-11T14:04:00.004-04:002011-08-11T14:16:21.765-04:00tomorrow, i'm making a peanut butter pie<div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/6032514207/" title="makings of a peanut butter pie by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/6032514207_463f65dc33.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="makings of a peanut butter pie" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, you can, too.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">here's <a href="http://www.injennieskitchen.com/2011/08/for-mikey.html">why</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">.</span></span>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-16346482392649035282011-07-31T23:30:00.001-04:002011-07-31T23:35:36.508-04:00grilled calamari and nectarine salad<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5996187567/" title="squid and nectarine salad by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6017/5996187567_70e467da06.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="squid and nectarine salad" /></a></span></div>i'm pretty sure it's not cool to admit,</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but i love my reality tv. and even less cool</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to admit: i'm a fan of the food network.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">are there food celebrities who i cannot stand?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">yes. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">are there recipes that make me</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">stand up and yell at the tv, accusing the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">chefs of misleading the not-so-knife-savvy</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that they can chop two onions and 3 cloves</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of garlic in the time that it takes a tablespoon</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of olive oil to warm itself? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">yes. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">are there times</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that larry has to listen to 5 minutes of my</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">amazement that a chef will cut an avocado</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and then tell us to use it as a garnish when</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the stew will not be ready to be served for thirty minutes?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">yes!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, i'm still a fan of the food network.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i love that they've been a huge part of the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">cooking movement, inspiring people to</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">get back to the kitchen, or more likely,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">getting them into the kitchen for the first time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i believe in a network that makes food fun</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and cooking less of a chore and is trying,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">very slowly, but surely to offer up a bit</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of diversity, in the dishes and the chefs</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">they are offering. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, i loved when they bit the bullet</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and offered up their form of reality tv,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">several years ago, with the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">next food network star. i have watched</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">every season, and often - as is very unusual</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with most reality television - my early</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">pick has won. (fingers crossed that the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">streak continues - susie and jeff,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i'm pulling for you two.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">last year was no exception.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i loved aarti from the beginning,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">as much for her fun personality</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">as my recent interest in indian food.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and, she herself was a food</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">blogger. the day after she won,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my mom texted me and said,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>already scheduled the dvr to record</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>aarti's first show!</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">while i'll admit that it's rare,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">these days that i'm watching tv on saturday</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">mornings, i'm thrilled when i am home and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">am able to turn on the tv in time to catch</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">an episode. i always learn something or</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">get an idea for my own food.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and last weekend, when i caught less</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">than 5 minutes of her show before having</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to run out to meet my family for breakfast,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that was all it took to decide what i was</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">making for dinner the following night.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5996188321/" title="nectarine wedges by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6024/5996188321_58b7dd38b9.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="nectarine wedges" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">she was pulling nectarine wedges off </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a grill pan and adding them </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to a bed of lemony greens, along with</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">garlicky squid. it was the kind of salad</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i would have ordered without a second thought</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">on any day in a restaurant.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, knowing that it had been nearly 100</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">degrees for days and that the last thing</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">either of us really wanted to do was </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">serious sunday night-cooking, this salad</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">seemed inevitable. in the best possible way.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">while we have a grill that we use regularly,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">we really wouldn't have wanted to head outside. i was so glad that</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the recipe actually said to use a grill pan. sometimes,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i need a little pat on the back, a little that's-ok. and right</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">there, telling me that i could use a grill pan, that i didn't have</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">to go through the trouble of threading the teeny squid</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">onto soaked skewers and cook the nectarines in a basket,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that made the recipe extra appealing.</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and here's the funny thing: when i cook a dish</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for the first time, i obsess about it until</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's on the plate in front of me. i think about</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">what it will taste like, what it will look like,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">if i should change the chives to scallions or</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">use almonds instead of pine nuts. i think about</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it as i'm cooking it and still, i find myself making</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">changes even when i should be finished</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and am one second away from </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">tossing it into a bowl.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, with this recipe, there was none of that.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ok, maybe it's more fair to say there was very little</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">of that. i guess the truths are this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the salad looked good.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i guess, as it turns out, i trust aarti</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(i've yet to see her cut an avocado too early).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">none of the ingredients were so tempting to mess with.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5996188587/" title="squid, drying by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/5996188587_2cb3917ba8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="squid, drying" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5996188817/" title="tentacle by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/5996188817_ff7d3743b1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="tentacle" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">so, i bought the squid.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(coolest thing: the store divided the squid between </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">two trays: bodies and tentacles so i was able to ask</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">for a 50/50 ratio). i picked up two nectarines.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i grabbed arugula, a lemon and a few very juicy limes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and that was it. the rest i had at home.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5996188913/" title="lime, halved by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/5996188913_5d926e6d81.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="lime, halved" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i prepared the ingredients, staying pretty close to</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">recipe with just a few tiny alterations. first -</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and it pains me to say this - i had a lot of trouble</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">reading the recipe. several times, the recipe writer </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in me wanted to stop, rewrite the recipe and then</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">make it. so, ultimately, i think i made everything</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the way that it was intended, but i can't be sure.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">also, there was this: the recipe called for</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a couple pinches of a couple different spices and</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">when it comes to seasoning, i always believe</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">in going (carefully) bolder. and, because</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we were eating this as our meal,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i added an extra nectarine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, i don't want you to think that i have any</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">complaints: we loved this salad. it was garlicky</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and citrus-laced and, even with the extra spice,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">still delicately kissed with garam masala.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">but, all of the flavors managed to share the spotlight</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">without competing. the nectarines were really</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">amazing on the grill and the calamari, cooked</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">exactly as instructed, were tender and lightly</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">charred and easily the centerpiece of the dish.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5996743030/" title="grilled tentacle by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/5996743030_ce808882d6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="grilled tentacle" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it was the kind of summer salad, that as i was</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">eating it, i was thinking about the next time</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i could make it. and it's the kind of dish, that</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">as i was writing this, larry came up and said,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>that was really good. i hope we can make it again.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it's the reason that i refuse to apologize for </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my love of the food network and my love of reality</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">tv. without either, i never would have found</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">aarti party. or, this salad. or, these recipes:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-will-stay-strong.html">spicy baked onions rings</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2009/11/finally-spaghetti-and-turkey-meatballs.html">spaghetti with turkey meatballs</a></span></div><div><a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2009/04/hot-kitchen-cool-cure.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">whole grain pasta with spinach and goat cheese</span></a></div><div><a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2009/02/power-of-suggestion.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">mediterranean squid stew with pearl onions, artichokes and olives</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2010/07/rosemary-focaccia.html">rosemary focaccia</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5996742768/" title="squid and nectarine salad by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5996742768_368228b888.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="squid and nectarine salad" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><b>grilled calamari and nectarine salad</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">adapted from <i>aarti party</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">as i said, i made a few changes to this recipe, but nothing major: i upped the number of nectarines from 1 to 2 and i used a good amount of garam masala compared to what was called for, in the marinade. a couple changes that i may make next time: i was not sure how necessary the lemon juice was (it's tossed with arugula), because i thought that the lime-garlic marinade was substantial enough to carry the dish. i'm including it below, so that you can make the decision. i also, loved (loved, loved) the tentacles and i may be 100% tentacles the next time around.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ok, when i just went to write up this recipe, it turns out that i may have left out the cumin. honestly, i don't remember putting it in, but i know that i read everything several times before i started cooking, so maybe i did? (i'm sure this is instilling a lot of trust.) i'm not putting it the ingredient list because i really don't think i used it, but if you want to add it in, use 1/2 teaspoon.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3 cloves garlic, peeled</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 juicy limes, halved</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for grilling</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 generous pinches tumeric</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/2 teaspoon garam masala</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2-3 pinches red chile flakes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">kosher salt and ground black pepper</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2 large firm, but ripe, nectarines, pitted and cut into 6ths</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 pound baby squid, cleaned (tubes and tentacles) and patted dry</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">4 really large handfuls arugula, washed and dried</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1/2 lemon, juiced</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">on cutting board, very finely chop garlic; sprinkle generously with kosher salt. let sit 5 minutes; using the back of your knife, mash the garlic to form a paste. place garlic in the bowl; juice the lime into the bowl. add the cumin (if using), tumeric, garam masala and red pepper flakes; whisk in the olive oil. season with salt and pepper. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">transfer 3 tablespoons garlic marinade to small mixing bowl; add squid, tossing to coat. set aside.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">heat grill pan over high heat. drizzle nectarines lightly with olive oil. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">place nectarines on grill; cook 1 minute on each side, or until grill marks appear. (for me, by the time i put all of the nectarines down, it was time to turn the first ones.) transfer nectarines to plate.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">make sure that the grill pan is still very, very hot. remove the squid from the marinade, letting the excess marinade drip off (discard any marinade remaining in that bowl). place squid on the grill, one piece at a time. cook 6 minutes, turning once. (if you are worried that the squid is overcooking as i was, here's 2 tricks, one from aarti, one from me. from aarti: if the squid sticks, it's not ready. give it 30 more seconds. from me: take one off the grill pan and taste it.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">remove the squid from the marinade. using a sharp knife, cut bodies into rings. toss hot tentacles and rings with the remaining garlic marinade. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">toss the arugula with the lemon juice. divide among plates; top with grilled nectarines, grilled squid and the marinade mixture, if desired. </span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-9790251142950073232011-07-24T17:39:00.000-04:002011-07-24T17:40:20.471-04:00snapshot: garlic scape butter<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5971579034/" title="garlic scape butter by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/5971579034_a39fb2eb90.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="garlic scape butter" /></a></span></span></span></div>in a new job,</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">whether you've started with a</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">brand new business or are doing</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the same thing in the same company</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in a different place, like me, you're</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">always trying to find your way.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and that has definitely been me.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i've noticed that, i'm a bit different -</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in several good ways, and some that</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i'm working on. like this: i'm quieter.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i'm still getting to know everyone and</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">they're still getting to know the real me.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">so, a few weeks ago, i think some people</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">had a shocking moment when i freaked out</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(freaked!) after realizing that garlic scapes</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">were available and that i could buy as many</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">as i wanted for a very reasonable price. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">it's true. when i was finished talking in a</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">run-on sentence about the <a href="http://www.tenaflyfarmersmarket.com/www.tenaflyfarmersmarket.com/Home.html">tenafly farmer's market</a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and <a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2009/06/farmers-market-find-garlic-scapes.html">garlic scape pesto</a> and looking everywhere for</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">more, i realized that i was not just having a conversation,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i was talking kind of loudly. and there was this,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">somehow, i had gone from sitting to standing.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(clearly, if people want to get to know me,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">they should wave an unusual piece of produce in</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">front of my face and watch what happens.)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">when i got the scapes home, though, they sat</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in the fridge for a while (ok, if you want the truth</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">there are still some in there. yes, i'm hanging my</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">head in shame.) i wanted to do something different</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">with them this time, but i could not figure out</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">what or how. then, i was driving home, thinking about</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">making garlic bread, and just like that:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">garlic scape butter (and in turn, garlic scape bread)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">popped into my head.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">when i got inside, i pulled my </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">made up ingredients</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">out of the fridge</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">before even taking my pocketbook </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">off my shoulder.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i cut <b>4 garlic scapes</b> into 2-inch pieces</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and placed them into the bowl of the food processor;</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i pulsed 5 or 10 times, until they were in tiny pieces,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">before adding <b>1/4 cup of pecorino romano,</b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>1/2 teaspoon black pepper, a couple generous pinches</b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>of smoked paprika</b> and <b>1 stick unsalted butter,</b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>cut into large chunks.</b> i let the food processor run</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">until everything was sort of smooth. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and i tasted it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">garlicky was an understatement. but, there was</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">no turning back at this point. i sprinkled in a touch</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">of <b>kosher salt</b>, whirled it around a few more times </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and decided that i was committed. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">so far, i've only spread it on lemon juice-drizzled,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">bread and grilled it until it was nice and melty, which </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i think is how this butter shines. i'm also sure i would</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">love it tossed with hot pasta, a bit of lemon and feta or</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">maybe used as a base for eggs, sunnyside-up. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i won't lie: it does need something </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to temper its intense flavor.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but, as it goes with anything you're overly devoted to,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i've come to love this butter with bite. that doesn't mean</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that if i made this again, or you were making it at home,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i'd be embarrassed to use only 3 garlic scapes.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that wouldn't make us wimps or shrinking violets.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">it would just make us a bit...less in-your-face.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and, that's ok.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5971023021/" title="butter, pecorino romano, black pepper, garlic scapes by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/5971023021_edce9d674a.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="butter, pecorino romano, black pepper, garlic scapes" /></a></span></span></span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-70295127924424850022011-07-15T17:20:00.012-04:002011-07-15T19:24:20.856-04:00pickled cherries (times two)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5941559454/" title="cherries by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/5941559454_471eeef5a0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="cherries" /></span></a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i have never been a cherry person.</span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">growing up, while all the other</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">kids were reaching for cherry</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ice pops,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">lollipops,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">candies,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i held back because i always</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">knew the sour apple or grape</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that i was hoping for was not</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in danger of disappearing.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(oddly enough,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i had a conversation with my</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">sister this week about her</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">similar dislike of cherry starbursts.)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">it wasn't until i was older</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that i really understood that cherries -</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">fleetingly available, expensive, messy to eat cherries -</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">are lovely and fruity and offer the</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">very best of summer.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i hold true to my original belief -</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i'm still not one for cherry flavored things.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but, apparently, i kind of love cherries.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">last week, i, as many people i know,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">came into a huge lot of cherries. i was torn</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">between eating them immediately or saving</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and playing. ultimately, thanks to my work</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">schedule, i opted for the latter.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">after a brief conversation with larry,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">he asked if cherries could be pickled.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">magic words. i recently told someone that</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">if i don't know what to do with a vegetable</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">lately, i pickle it or pesto it. i was not feeling</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">cherry pesto, and i was totally into making</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the already tart cherries, ultra tangy.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5941559536/" title="star anise by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/5941559536_544ed49833.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="star anise" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i researched recipes and decided on something</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i'm often guilty of - talking myself into making</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">something that i have a very good reason not to</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">make. (it requires a skill i don't think i can handle,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i can't find something that is vital to the recipe, but</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">make it anyway, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">or the worst</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- and the culprit this time - convincing</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">myself that an ingredient i don't care for will be</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">delicious when utilized in this particular capacity.)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i haven't had five spice powder for years.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the last time </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i tasted it,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the mixture had been used to jazz up a sauce</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">for chicken. i wasn't crazy about. it was the star anise.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i'm just not a licorice person - hence my major issue</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">with fennel, anise and several other things.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but since then, i've sampled it in other dishes that</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">had not been so bad: larry's pho from mo pho,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">a seafood dish on vacation, a dessert that's kind</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">of foggy in my memory.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">when i saw a recipe that involved star anise,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i remembered the richness of the pho and i</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">decided to take a chance.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5940999499/" title="holes by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/5940999499_cf2dfc8743.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="holes" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">pickling the cherries was easy. larry poked</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">holes in their flesh as i mixed together the</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">brine of cinnamon sticks, star anise, black</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">peppercorns, red wine vinegar and brown sugar.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">as it boiled, the house smelled delicious.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i poured the mixture over the cherries and let</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">them sit. an hour later, before leaving for</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the evening, i sampled one. it reminded me of</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">something. when we returned home, i had a second</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and it hit me: it tasted like medicine. and now</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i had a whole big batch of medicinal cherries.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5940999383/" title="cherries, pickling by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/5940999383_d656a7b1c1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="cherries, pickling" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">as i tried to go to sleep that night, my mind</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">wandered back and forth: why can't i sleep?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">why did i think the star anise was a good idea?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">why didn't i just go with a flavor profile</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that i knew i liked? wasn't pickling cherries</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">risky enough? i will never be able to wake</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">up in the morning. i should have made them spicy!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the next night, i surveyed the chiles at the market.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i was not feeling jalapenos or serranos - and if i</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">had been, i have a stockpile in a pot on our deck (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5940999315/in/photostream">yay</a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5940999315/in/photostream">for keeping something alive!</a>) - nor, was i into</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the other options. as i placed the habanero</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">into a bag, i was pretty sure i was crazy and</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">seriously sadistic when it came to these cherries.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5941564154/" title="white wine vinegar, habanero, cinnamon stick, kosher salt, palm sugar by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6005/5941564154_7edc4f8ef3.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="white wine vinegar, habanero, cinnamon stick, kosher salt, palm sugar" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">at home, i tossed together the habanero, now</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">halved, cinnamon sticks, white</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">wine vinegar, palm sugar, left over</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">from the <a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2011/05/homemade-sriracha.html">sriracha</a>, and salt. i boiled the mixture</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">together and poked the cherries</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(smarter this time - i used only a portion of my</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">remaining quantity). this time i notice that</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">when you poke holes in the cherries,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">they make a mess. when the mixture</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">had boiled for a couple minutes and cooled</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">slightly, i poured it on top of the fruits</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and while i was scared of the spice, i already</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">knew this batch was a winner.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5941004201/" title="cherry splatters by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/5941004201_62b2d04517.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="cherry splatters" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the other ones? they're ok.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in fact, i can see how someone who</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">is not me would really enjoy them.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but, the spicy cherries? they're the ones</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i regret not making more of - and sadly,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that's now what's on my mind late at night</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">when i really should be asleep.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5941003999/" title="cooling down by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5941003999_515fe200d3.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="cooling down" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">pickled cherries (times two)</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i'm including both recipes because i know that just because the first version is not my favorite, it doesn't mean it can't be yours. in both recipes, i poked the cherries about four times with a fork, a trick i learned from the internet. this makes it easier for the brine to infiltrate the cherries and helps the cherries to release their own juices into the brine.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">star anise, black peppercorn and brown sugar pickled cherries</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">adapted from </span></span><a href="http://www.shesimmers.com/2010/06/pickled-cherries-with-five-spice-blend.html"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">shesimmers.com</span></span></i></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i played around a lot with this recipe, changing the peppercorns, opting for brown sugar (and less of it) and eliminating the bay leaf and the fennel seeds, just to name a few. i also halved the amount of cherries, used two-thirds of the vinegar and did not reduce the brine.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 cups red wine vinegar</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons granulated brown sugar</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 cinnamon sticks or 1 large cinnamon stick, broken into 3 pieces</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 pieces star anise</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 tablespoon kosher salt</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 teaspoon black peppercorns</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 1/4 pounds cherries</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in small saucepot, combine vinegar, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise and kosher salt. rub the peppercorns between your hands as you add the to the pot. over high heat, bring to a boil; reduce heat and let simmer 5 minutes. remove from heat; let cool 10 minutes.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">meanwhile, using fork, poke cherries 4 times. place in bowl. pour slightly cooled brine mixture over cherries, pressing on cherries to make sure they're all under the brine. let sit at room temperature 2 hours. cover bowl tightly or transfer to a cleaned glass jar with lids. chill in fridge.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">habanero, cinnamon and palm sugar pickled cherries</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i will not lie - these are spicy. but, they were nowhere near as spicy as i feared they would be when i opted to use the habanero. i used one very long cinnamon stick, which i think is equivilant to about 3 normal size cinnamon sticks. this is the same amount i used for the first cherries, but because i used a lot less vinegar, the cinnamon was significantly more prominent. and, opted for palm sugar, because i had it in the fridge, but i'm sure you could use whichever sugar you have in the house. oh, and one last thing, i used two cups of cherries, but i'm pretty sure i could have used at least 1/2 cup more, if not a full cup for the amount of brine i had.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">these cherries were great in a salad with arugula, pickled onions and goat cheese.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 1/3 cups white wine vinegar</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 cinnamon sticks or 1 very long cinnamon stick, broken into three pieces</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 habanero pepper, halved</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup palm sugar</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 tablespoon kosher salt</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 packed cups cherries</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">in small saucepot, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); ">combine vinegar, cinnamon sticks, habanero pepper, palm sugar and kosher salt. bring to a boil over high heat; reduce to heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. let cool 10 minutes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">meanwhile, using fork, poke each cherry 4 times. place cherries in a medium bowl. top with slightly cooled brine mixture, shaking slightly to make sure all the cherries are under the brine. let sit at least 2 hours at room temperature. transfer to a clean glass jar or cover bowl tightly. store in fridge.</span></span></span></div></span></div></span>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-21828580025532613692011-07-10T21:17:00.001-04:002011-07-10T21:51:57.971-04:00orecchiette with arugula-caper pesto, roasted tomatoes and pistachio breadcrumbs<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5924024617/" title="little ears by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5924024617_812b3833be.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="little ears" /></a></span></span></span></div>there are times that i</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">think - even as </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">i'm</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "> cooking,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">even as i'm taking pictures -</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that this is not a recipe worth</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">sharing with you. it's too</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">traditional, too thrown together</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">on a weeknight, too convoluted, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">too unphotogenic, too...uninteresting.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but, i continue to cook the ingredients.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i continue to take pictures.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and usually, when it's all over and larry's</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">doing the dishes, i think yep, that was fine,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but, that was a dinner that was just for us:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">no one will ever know about it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but, other times, i take a bite,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">still agreeing with my original</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">sentiment - that it's boring, simple,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">fussy - but, also:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">worth sharing.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and still, after all that, i almost</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">didn't write about this dish.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">it's pasta with pesto, after all.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5924587748/" title="arugula and caper pesto by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5924587748_38fddee12f.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="arugula and caper pesto" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5924024719/" title="orecchiette, roasted tomatoes, olives, arugula-caper pesto by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/5924024719_8d2f3f09bb.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="orecchiette, roasted tomatoes, olives, arugula-caper pesto" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">but, it was really good.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the arugula pesto, which should</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">have been bitter, was rounded out</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">with briny capers and roasted pistachios.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the kalamata olives added pockets of</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">saltiness and the roasted tomatoes </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">were bursting with garlicky sweetness. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">they all came together thanks to the</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">toasted panko, pistachio and lemon zest</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">topping, which was sprinkled on</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">before serving.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and, i think, as i'm telling you about it,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that this pasta sounds both </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">expected and complicated.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but it's neither and it came together</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">quite quickly.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5924025165/" title="pistachios by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/5924025165_ef08bd33af.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="pistachios" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5924025463/" title="pistachio by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/5924025463_e64e37321c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="pistachio" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5924588178/" title="pistachios, garlic, pecorino romano by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/5924588178_81be74498d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="pistachios, garlic, pecorino romano" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5924025041/" title="capers by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6011/5924025041_31f7aab05d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="capers" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">here's how:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i tossed some pistachios and panko</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">into the food processor, whirled them</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">around for a bit and then set them into</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">a pan over medium heat. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">while one eye watched the</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">breadcrumbs, i pulsed the rest of the</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">nuts with garlic and cheese, pulsed in</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">arugula and capers and smoothed the</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">whole thing out with droplets of olive oil.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and, if we hadn't had a near oven fire - thanks</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to a drippy packet of roasted garlic over the weekend -</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">here's what i would have done first:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i would have placed grape tomatoes in a dish,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">with cloves of skin-on garlic,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">olive oil, salt and pepper. i would have given</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">everything a good shake and then popped</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">them in the oven for about 4o minutes,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">until their skins had burst,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the juice at the bottom was bubbly</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and the garlic was tender.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but, we did have an incident that involved</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">a lot of smoke and so, instead, of starting with</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that, i waited until larry came home from work</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and very kindly gave the oven floor a scrub.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5924588570/" title="grape tomatoes, garlic by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/5924588570_dc94d5b0d6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="grape tomatoes, garlic" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5924025613/" title="roasted grape tomatoes and garlic by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/5924025613_64aa2d80ed.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="roasted grape tomatoes and garlic" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">while they cooked, the breadcrumbs sat,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the flavors of the pesto melded together and</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the pasta cooked. once they were out of the oven,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">everything came together in less than five minutes.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">so that was it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">kind of traditional.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">kind of seemingly fussy.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">kind of enjoyable.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">hope you don't mind me sharing.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5924024533/" title="pistachio, panko, lemon zest topping by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6017/5924024533_4be35813a1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="pistachio, panko, lemon zest topping" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">orecchiette</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "> with arugula-caper pesto, roasted tomatoes and pistachio breadcrumbs</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">there are a couple items of note in this recipe. first, the pistachios that i used were already roasted, so i was pretty careful when i toasted them with the breadcrumbs. however, if they had not been, i would have toasted the 1/3 cup i used for the pesto. secondly, i used the saltiness of the capers to mellow the bitterness of arugula (i didn't want a repeat version of <a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2009/06/were-ok-were-fine.html">this one</a>). but, because i had a lot of arugula, i tossed some leaves into the pasta before mixing. this definitely ups the bitter quotient, so if that's not for you, don't feel that you need to add the extra arugula. and as with all pestos, feel free to mix and match the nuts or hard cheeses that you use.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 cups grape tomatoes</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5 large cloves garlic, (3 cloves unpeeled), divided</span></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup, plus 1/3 cup shelled pistachios, divided</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 lemon</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">olive oil (1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon, plus about 1/3 cup for pesto)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/3 cup grated pecorino romano</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 packed cups baby arugula, plus one or two extra handfuls, divided</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 tablespoons caper brine</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 tablespoons capers</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 box (16 ounces) orecchiette</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">heat oven to 375Ëšf. in small dish (i used an 8 x 8 ceramic dish), combine tomatoes, unpeeled garlic, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste. shake to coat tomatoes and garlic. bake 35-40 minutes, or until tomato skins have split and garlic is soft. when cool enough to handle, peel garlic (the cloves should slip out of their skin) and coarsely chop or mash; set aside.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in bowl of food processor, combine 1/4 cup pistachios and panko; pulse 10 times, or until pistachios are ground into tiny pebbles. in small skillet over medium heat, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil. add breadcrumb mixture and cook 3-4 minutes, or until golden and fragrant, stirring often. transfer mixture to a bowl; season with salt and pepper. using a grater, zest lemon over breadcrumbs; stir to combine and set aside.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">wipe out bowl of food processor. in bowl, combine remaining peeled garlic, pecorino romano cheese and remaining pistachios; pulse 5 times or until coarsely combined. add 2 cups arugula arugula and capers; pulse again to combine. with motor running, very slowly drizzle in oil, until the mixture is a lighter shade of green, smooth and fluid (this usually takes about 1/3 cup, but could take up to 1/2 cup). set aside.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">before tomatoes are finished roasting, bring a large pot of water to a boil; cook pasta according to the directions on the box, reserving 1 1/2 cups hot pasta water 2 minutes before draining pasta. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">place the same pot you cooked the pasta in over medium heat; add about half the water and half the pesto. stir to combine. if the sauce seems overly watery, add a bit more pesto. if using, add the arugula leaves. add the pasta, the kalamata olives, the cooked tomatoes, the roasted garlic and any juices from the baking dish; toss gently to combine, adding additional pesto, if desired, and more of the pasta cooking water if the mixture seems too dry. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">divide pasta among plates or bowls; sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture.</span></span></span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-12566390989196158512011-06-12T18:13:00.004-04:002011-06-12T19:21:30.287-04:00salt and vinegar potatoes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5825793323/" title="grilled salt and vinegar potatoes by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/5825793323_119ee1027a.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="grilled salt and vinegar potatoes" /></a></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">sometimes i see a recipe and i'm</span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">instantly angry at myself for not</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">thinking of it first. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">that's how i felt over a year ago</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">when i saw</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">grilled salt & vinegar potatoes</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">on <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/">101 cookbooks</a>, just under</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">a year ago. it just seemed so</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">obvious - but really was it?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">i'm embarrassed to admit it,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">but even though, at the magazine,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">we constantly infused potatoes </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">with everything from garlic and rosemary</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">to lemon, before mashing,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">i never made the leap to slices.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">or to liquid infusing.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">or to recreating a potato chip.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">but, i'm getting ahead of myself.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">i like salt and vinegar potato chips.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">when it comes to potato chips are</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">they my absolute? no. but, i enjoy</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">the occasional puckered torture. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">when i saw this recipe, it just seemed</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">so smart. and, as is my new,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">lease on life - pretty easy.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">(not to say that i'm always taking</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">the simple way out. for some reason,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">that i cannot explain, i spent most of last</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">week preparing fish tacos -</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">just for larry and i - for days.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">on sunday, i shopped for the ingredients.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">monday, before meeting my family</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">for dinner, i pickled the red onions.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">tuesday, when i got home from work,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">i broiled tomatillos, an onion, cloves</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">of garlic and a jalapeno</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">before throwing them into the</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">food processor with lime, cilantro and</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">scallions for salsa. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">the next night (taco night), </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">i made a lime crema, then</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">marinated and cooked the fish.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">so that's ok, but sometimes chopping an onion</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">and garlic and opening a can of tomatoes</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">for a crazy quick marinara</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">is just too much.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">it's ok - i don't always understand me either.)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5825793993/" title="potatoes, vinegar by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/5825793993_c6360b931f.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="potatoes, vinegar" /></span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">anyway, the potatoes. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">they looked very fast and hard to mess up.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">it was a very hot night and</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">i loved that they could be mostly prepped ahead</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">of time and then, only cooked for only 10 minutes on the</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">grill. and, i loved that the recipe</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">was made from very simple ingredients:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">waxy potatoes,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">white vinegar,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">olive oil,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">salt and pepper.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5826350630/" title="sliced potatoes by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/5826350630_9ffd099afe.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="sliced potatoes" /></span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5825793709/" title="sliced potatoes in white vinegar by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/5825793709_10ac96fece.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="sliced potatoes in white vinegar" /></span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">and here's what you have to do.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">you slice the potatoes pretty thin,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">and place them into a saucepot, already</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">filled with 2 whopping cups of vinegar.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">once that mixture has been brought to</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">a boil, let them briefly simmer </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">and then turn off the heat.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">after that? you walk away for 30 minutes to</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">cook something else. or if you're like me,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">decide that all this hard work has earned</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">you the right to watch an episode of gilmore</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">girls that you've probably seen before.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">when the time is up,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">you drain the potatoes. again, if you're like me,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">this is when you freak out, thinking that it is such</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">a waste to just throw out all that vinegar. but</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">then you remember that it's all potato starchy</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">and that if you're going to use it, this is probably</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">your only chance. so, you drain the potatoes over</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">a bowl, pour the vinegar back into the saucepot</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">and bring the whole thing to a boil. you're not</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">sure what you're going to do with the reduced</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">mixture - or with a house that smells of vinegar -</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">but at least you were not wasteful.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">so then, you toss the potatoes with</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">olive oil, salt and pepper, taking care not to</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">crush them (and again, if you're like me,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">this is the part you will be most afraid of,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">but, i promise, you will be ok.) </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5826350402/" title="par cooked potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5074/5826350402_73977d0047.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="par cooked potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper" /></span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5825793433/" title="grilled potatoes by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/5825793433_98f5f9769c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="grilled potatoes" /></span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">next you'll throw the slices </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">(actually, maybe you'd </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">be better off carefully placing them - </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">i'm sad to say i lost a couple)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">on the grill. cover and cook for</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">a few minutes before flipping</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">and repeating. and then,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">sprinkle with salt. or if you're like me,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">sprinkle them with </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">the sriracha salt you had to make</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">(but actually had no plans to actually use).</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">oh, and i almost forgot.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">serve that reduced down vinegar on the side,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">for dipping. maybe you'll be the only one</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">who feels like you need that extra kick.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">maybe you'll be the only one who wants</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">to add a little torture. but, at least you</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">weren't wasteful.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5826349972/" title="potatoes (way better than the burgers) by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5826349972_2871eb8fe1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="potatoes (way better than the burgers)" /></span></span></a></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">salt and vinegar potatoes</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">adapted from </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">101 cookbooks</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">i really enjoyed these potatoes - they were a great side dish to a pretty bad main course (we're not talking about that, though) and they were fun. i think i probably could have simmered them for an extra minute or two and maybe grilled them for a minute less. but, nonetheless, they were good. and we enjoyed them.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2 cups white vinegar</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1 pound waxy potatoes</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1 tablespoon olive oil</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1 teaspoon flaky sea salt or kosher salt</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2011/06/sriracha-salt.html">sriracha salt</a> or additional salt of your choosing</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">pour vinegar into medium saucepot. using sharp knife, cut potatoes into 1/4" slices, adding them to the vinegar as you cut, to prevent them from browning. make sure that the potatoes are completely submerged in the vinegar.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">set saucepot on stove; bring to a boil. reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, or until they are just fork tender. turn off heat and let potatoes sit 30 minutes. drain potatoes. (as i said above, at this point, i drained about a cup of vinegar into a bowl, returned it to the saucepot and boiled for about 15 minutes, or until reduced and slightly thicker. i used it as a very (obviously) vinegary dipping sauce. not necessary, but i liked the extra tang it gave to the potatoes.)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">place potatoes in bowl; add olive oil, salt and pepper. toss to coat. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">heat grill to medium-high. grill potatoes covered, 6-10 minutes, turning once, or until golden brown and marked on both sides. remove from grill; sprinkle with salt or sriracha salt.</span></span></span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-72247476669328248842011-06-07T21:17:00.006-04:002011-06-07T21:47:52.983-04:00sriracha salt<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5809913647/" title="sriracha salt close-up by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/5809913647_a7633cc911.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="sriracha salt close-up" /></a></span></span></span></div>i box myself in. a lot.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">i made the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2011/05/homemade-sriracha.html">sriracha</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "> because</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">we like sriracha. because i wanted</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to make something instead of buying</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">it in the store. i made it as an experiment.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but, if i'm being honest, bottles of sriracha</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that we buy spend a long time in the fridge</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">before they're finished.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but, then. i did it anyway.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i made a huge quantity of a sauce</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that says it's best used within one month.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i'll admit, i tend to ignore those time frames,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">often viewing them more as suggestions,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">than an absolute rule. but still - i was nervous.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i had a lot of sriracha.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">so, i searched out recipes.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i found two that were intriguing - one</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">for a cheddar bread that is swirled with</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">sriracha and a second that didn't even involve</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">an oven or a stove: sriracha salt.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i haven't made the bread yet.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5810479182/" title="kosher salt by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5314/5810479182_cceeb64044.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="kosher salt" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">but, the next morning, while </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">larry</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "> was</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">making the coffee, i pulled out a baking sheet,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">parchment paper and salt. larry and erin, who</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">had spent the night, looked at each other.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">they clearly were worried. i think they were</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">imagining an elaborate sunday morning breakfast</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that they would not actually get to eat until</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">well into the afternoon.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i promised them that it wouldn't be bad</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and that it would be over quickly. i begged</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">larry to keep making the coffee.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5810479096/" title="sriracha by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/5810479096_f08d711f17.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="sriracha" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">i placed the salt in the bowl and from there,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">erin took over. she added sriracha, stirred</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">it into the salt and then spread it onto</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the parchment-lined baking sheet with</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">much more patience than i would ever have.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5810479022/" title="wet sriracha salt by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/5810479022_fb59ddfcd0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="wet sriracha salt" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5810478938/" title="drying out by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/5810478938_f0d017670e.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="drying out" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">and that was it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i placed it on the side of the kitchen,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">stirring it probably three times over three days.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the first two times, i worked to break up a few</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">of the clumps that had formed. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">when the salt was completely dry,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i transferred it to an air tight container.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">have i used the salt? </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">once - in three weeks. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the irony is not lost on me.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5809913723/" title="sriracha salt by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5232/5809913723_de0f3d04d9.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="sriracha salt" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">sriracha</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "> salt</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">adapted from </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the sriracha cookbook </span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">via</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> epicurious.com</span></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">i loved the idea of this and if you don't mind the fact that you'll have a sheet pan sitting out in your kitchen for a couple days, it's a fun recipe to try. i wish that the sriracha flavor was more pronounced. every once in a while, when weirdly tempted to try it, i get a spicy grain. But otherwise, the infusion is, what i would call, mild. the grains are, however, quite a pretty pink color.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup kosher salt</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5 teaspoons sriracha</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in bowl, stir together salt and sriracha. on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spread into as thin of a layer as possible. let sit, stirring once or twice, for one to two days, or until completely dry. when i stirred, i broke up the small clumps that had formed. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">store in a small airtight container.</span></span></span></div></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9041351281105806200.post-67022769898634053262011-05-24T10:42:00.012-04:002011-05-26T10:49:55.976-04:00grilled scallions and scallion vinaigrette (with a sunny side up egg)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5754602567/" title="scallions, eggs, bread by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/5754602567_727a228242.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="scallions, eggs, bread" /></a></span></span></span></div>since changing jobs,</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i've imagined all the things</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">that i'm going to do, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">all the things that i'm going</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">to cook,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">all the things that i'm</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">going to see and change</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">about my life.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i thought maybe i'd</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">finally get around to </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">making <a href="http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/4401342/ns/today-food/t/zuni-roast-chicken-bread-salad/">zuni chicken</a> - and being</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">the kind of person who remembers</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">to buy chickens two days ahead</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">of time -</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and rick bayless' <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/foodies/recipes/oaxaca-black-mole-with-braised-chicken-plantain-tamal-and-grilled-nopales">27-ingredient</a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.bravotv.com/foodies/recipes/oaxaca-black-mole-with-braised-chicken-plantain-tamal-and-grilled-nopales">mole</a>. i thought that i'd just make</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">quick breads and muffins on the</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">weekends and spend my days</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">making stock. maybe i'd finally</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">start canning.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and, i did do some things</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">that are new, determined to</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">somehow show my appreciation</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">that i've regained several hours</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">each week.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i made a torte for</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">dinner (a torte! on a</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">weeknight!) and even added</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">the two tablespoons of mint</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">that i usually would have left</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">out because, ew, mint. i figured,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i'm trying to be a different</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">person in many other ways,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">why can't i make myself be the kind</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">of person who likes mint?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">it was ok. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">but, still, i tried.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5675762903/" title="not quite summer by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5675762903_b51838fc7d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="not quite summer" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5675763873/" title="sun by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5675763873_34d8a0f101.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="sun" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5675763453/" title="tractor by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5675763453_6927824d69.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="tractor" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i stopped myself from insisting</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">that we go grocery shopping,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">like we normally do on sundays</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and instead, went to the beach</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">to walk along the boardwalk on</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">a surprisingly beautiful day.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5754603179/" title="crazy sky by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/5754603179_1d74c83b11.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="crazy sky" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and when we walked outside</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">to catch a dinner reservation,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i took the time to wait as larry</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">ran back in the house to get the</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">camera, so that i could snap a few</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">pictures of the gorgeous sunset.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">but, i've remembered something.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i love cooking, probably more than a lot</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">of people i know. i love devoting time</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">to making crazy things that most people</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">would rather buy. i love serving food</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">to my family and my friends. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">but - sometimes. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i'm not a cooking robot with one button</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">always set to cook. i want to be like other</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">bloggers i read and those on twitter who</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">cook from friday night to sunday night,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">but i'm not. i still have a job that requires</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">energy, i still have a family that i want to</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">see, errands that i have to run, pictures</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">that have to be hung on the walls of the</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">house that we've lived in for a year and season</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">finales that i want to watch sometime near</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">when they originally aired.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">these things - these are things i've</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">struggled with. i've always felt like if</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i was truly as passionate about food</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">as i claim to be, i would want to live</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">my life in the kitchen, always. but, i'm coming</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">to understand that there are different</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">ways to love cooking and ingredients</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and technique. and sometimes, that</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">means embracing the most simple of</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">recipes and appreciating them for what</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">they offer, too.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5754614541/" title="ears of corn by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/5754614541_9e931866b8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="ears of corn" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i've let myself buy store-made turkey</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">sausages, that larry tossed onto the grill</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">along with ears of corn. and last night,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">when i got out of work way later than</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i was supposed to, i embraced</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">the quick sandwiches that i made with</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">peppadews, shallots, capers, feta,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">oil-packed tuna and lemon, instead</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">of the more elaborate dinner i had planned.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5754602943/" title="scallions by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/5754602943_97b1f957cc.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="scallions" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and, that's why i was drawn to <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Seared-Scallions-with-Poached-Eggs-365152">this recipe</a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">from the may issue of bon appetit.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">it looked so simple, but so lovely.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and, i'll admit, even though i'm a little</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">embarrassed by it, i was intrigued</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">by the idea of microwave-poaching</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">the eggs. i'm not sure why i even considered </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">it - i'm a good egg poacher. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">(lest you take me as insanely sure of myself, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">let me explain - </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i'm a pretty poor producer of</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">runny sunnyside up eggs, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">eggs over easy, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">pretty-looking hard-cooked eggs, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">or even, fluffy scrambled eggs.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">but, i can poach eggs, and i wave that flag, proudly.)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">however, a lot of people struggle </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">with poaching eggs and i thought, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">hey, if this mug in the microwave version works, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">maybe it could be poached eggs</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">for everyone. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5755148148/" title="scallion vinaigrette by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/5755148148_327069f922.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="scallion vinaigrette" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">so, i chopped up two scallions, which</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i whisked together with lemon juice and the really</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">exceptional <a href="http://www.temeculaoliveoil.com/index.php/">olive oil</a> that we hadn't used since</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">we bought it on <a href="http://notlazy-rustic.blogspot.com/2010/09/there-and-back-again.html">our trip</a> to temecula last year.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5754602771/" title="grilling by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5754602771_ba1e459a52.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="grilling" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5754602711/" title="grilled scallions by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5189/5754602711_6c7b1c0170.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="grilled scallions" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i tossed the rest of the scallions on the grill</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and placed slices of a baguette under the broiler.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and, then, i cracked an egg into a mug filled with</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">1/2 cup water. i microwaved for 1 minute, just like</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">the recipe said. when it beeped, i checked the egg,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">which was clearly still liquidy. i gave it 25 seconds</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">more and tried to gently pour the egg onto a slotted</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">spoon, before watching the white, still liquid, start</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">to slither out. i gave the mixture 25 seconds more.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">again, still liquid, but i could see that the yellow</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">was more than set. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">there was egg in the sink.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i had an egg ready to go in another mug</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">of water. for some reason, the egg shells</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">were on the counter. the scallions - charred</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and on plates - were getting</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">cold and i was cursing. without thinking, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i turned the grill pan back on, and tossed fresh</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">eggs over the ridges, watching the whites run,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and continuing to curse. but, then, the whites</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">set and i gently lifted the bottom to make sure</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">it wasn't sticking. this "quick" dinner was</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">actually going to be ok.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i arranged the scallions on two plates.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i smeared a bit of ricotta over the toasted</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">bread and placed them next to the scallions.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">when the eggs were ready, i carefully removed</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">them from the impractical cooking device and</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">used them to top the bread. and then i drizzled</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">both plates with a bit of the vinaigrette.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">even, after all the cursing, they looked quite pretty.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">pretty enough that i </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">insisted that we go outside,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">so that larry could hold the plate </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">while i snapped pictures,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">ignoring the neighbor's dog </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">barking up a storm at his</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">crazy new neighbors </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">who step outside in the evening</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">to take pictures of their dinner.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and, while as usual with eggs, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i could take or leave</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">the surprisingly set whites </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">surrounding a runny yolk,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i loved the seared scallions and the really simple</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">vinaigrette. i think that i </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">would enjoy them even more,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">under a thick piece of pan-roasted fish.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">but, that?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">that would have been too complicated.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30802483@N02/5754602567/" title="scallions, eggs, bread by Brooke Herman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/5754602567_727a228242.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="scallions, eggs, bread" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">grilled scallions and and scallion vinaigrette (with a sunny side up egg)</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">adapted from </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">bon appetit magazine</span></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">i think the stars of this recipe are the grilled scallions and the vinaigrette. the eggs were fine, but i think we all know how to make an egg. even though i coped by cooking the eggs on the griddle, feel free to make them in a pan, poach them or, i would think, even scrambled and served over toast would be nice. besides cooking the eggs on the griddle, i made a few changes: i increased the quantity of chopped scallions in the vinaigrette from one to two and used half a lemon, instead of just 1 teaspoon of juice.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">also, i chose to toss a few pieces of a baguette under the broil for a couple of minutes (checking on them occasionally), until just golden and firm and then smeared them with fresh ricotta that we had in the fridge. the eggs sat nicely on top - but that's your choice.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">2 bunches scallions</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">1/2 large juicy lemon, juiced</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">eggs, cooked to your liking (how many? i ate one, larry ate two - your choice)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">toasted baguettes slices topped with ricotta cheese (if you like that kind of thing)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">using sharp knife, thinly slice 2 scallions; run your knife over the sliced scallions a couple times to chop a bit smaller. place in bowl; whisk in olive oil and lemon juice. season gently with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. set aside.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">place remaining scallions on a plate; drizzle with remaining olive oil and toss to coat. season gently with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. heat a grill pan (or skillet) over medium-high heat. place scallions on hot pan and cook 5 minutes, or until tender and slightly charred, flipping occasionally. divide scallions between two plates.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">place eggs and bread (if using) on plates, if desired. drizzle with scallion vinaigrette.</span></span></span></div>brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279945536481194008noreply@blogger.com0