Well then...
I'm staying up against my (theoretical) better judgment to watch the reunion episode of Make Me A Supermodel. I am that pathetic. Such a hateful show and so full of the hatefulness. And yet I can't stop watching. Tonight may change that. Of course, there's only one episode left after this.
How did I become so pitifully enamored of reality television?
Holly better win.
As could be predicted, as soon as classes ended, my bronchitis came back. I finally got more antibiotics today, because I had to spend almost a week telling myself, no, really, I feel fine, is it hot in here? I did a lot of cooking over the weekend before I had to give in to reality (but not as a failed supermodel wannabe, so things can always be worse).
Soda Bread: This was a huge risk for me, one some level, although if I'd have had to throw it away, no biggie. I am not baker. Dough scares me. I don't have a good feel for how to work with it. The one other time I tried making soda bread, it turned into a brick. I was quite surprised that it turned out not only edible but pretty darn good. It's heavy, of course, but not inedible, and it actually is great when it's been toasted under the broiler then slathered with butter.
Of course, what isn't great then?
I can't decide whether the raisins were a good idea or not. The ones on the surface of the loaf gets carbonized in the oven, and that's sort of nasty, but the raisins inside are moist and sweet.
It is a dilemma.
Hot and sour cabbage soup: An old standby and still one of my favorite soups to make.
Best brussels sprouts ever:
Lucy's Brussels Sprouts (I have no idea who Lucy is, I just found this recipe online)
Chop 2 pounds of sprouts into eighths (quarter them and then halve the quarters), which took some time but was worth it in terms of cooking speed. (I only ever buy enough brussels sprouts for two, maybe three, meals tops (leftovers), so that's what I got.)
In a large skillet, I sauteed four thinly sliced leeks (they were fairly small leeks, total yield was about 1 1/2 cups) and two chopped shallots in a couple teaspoons of olive oil. (I used one big leek and one shallot.)
Then the chopped sprouts went in, along with a sprig's worth of minced rosemary. (I used dried rosemary and just sprinkled it in the pan. Measuring isn't worth it. Also, I tossed in some red pepper flakes.)
When the started to get a little dry, I added about half a cup of chicken stock (there happened to be some around, otherwise I would have used water). (I've been using this stuff from Trader Joe's, stock concentrate in little pouches, and I love it, although it's incredibly lowbrow of me. I made a cup of hot vegetable stock, used half in this step and saved half for the end.)
Cover until soft.
At the very end, add 1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg and 1/2 cup of cream or half and half. Lastly add salt and pepper to taste. (I can't remember if I grated some nutmeg in or not. Maybe so, but I'm thinking not, because of the red pepper. Also, I never have cream or half and half in the house, ever, because I never use either except maybe occasionally in recipes. What I always have is sour cream, and I stirred a big blob of that into the half-cup of vegetable stock. I really liked how that turned out. Also, I salted and peppered with the rosemary and red pepper, because that's just how I do it. No biggie.)
I was having a thing for cruciferous vegetables, I guess. I also stewed some fresh green bean with tomatoes and leeks, but the beans weren't the greatest, so it was okay but nothing exceptional. Those leftovers might not get finished off.
This week, I read Michael Chabon's Gentlemen of the Road and am currently reading New England White by Stephen Carter. I actually have two (2) copies of The Emperor of Ocean Park somewhere around here, and haven't opened either. I tried to give one away to a friend who read it, loved it, and returned it. Maybe there's a message there somewhere.
It's nice to have an attention span back. It's been gone for quite a long time.
Got my taxes done today. Haven't had to do that for a few years now, and I had somebody do them for me while I sat there, but really, it was the least nerve-wracking way to go. All that tuition I've been paying? Part of that want to a deduction and I saved a significant chunk of change. I still owe money, which I expected, but nothing deadly. And then I'll get a bit of it back (that will just about cover my state tax bill, actually).
I start this post with supermodel drivel and end with tax discussion. Who are you and what have you done with me?
How did I become so pitifully enamored of reality television?
Holly better win.
As could be predicted, as soon as classes ended, my bronchitis came back. I finally got more antibiotics today, because I had to spend almost a week telling myself, no, really, I feel fine, is it hot in here? I did a lot of cooking over the weekend before I had to give in to reality (but not as a failed supermodel wannabe, so things can always be worse).
Soda Bread: This was a huge risk for me, one some level, although if I'd have had to throw it away, no biggie. I am not baker. Dough scares me. I don't have a good feel for how to work with it. The one other time I tried making soda bread, it turned into a brick. I was quite surprised that it turned out not only edible but pretty darn good. It's heavy, of course, but not inedible, and it actually is great when it's been toasted under the broiler then slathered with butter.
Of course, what isn't great then?
I can't decide whether the raisins were a good idea or not. The ones on the surface of the loaf gets carbonized in the oven, and that's sort of nasty, but the raisins inside are moist and sweet.
It is a dilemma.
Hot and sour cabbage soup: An old standby and still one of my favorite soups to make.
Best brussels sprouts ever:
Lucy's Brussels Sprouts (I have no idea who Lucy is, I just found this recipe online)
Chop 2 pounds of sprouts into eighths (quarter them and then halve the quarters), which took some time but was worth it in terms of cooking speed. (I only ever buy enough brussels sprouts for two, maybe three, meals tops (leftovers), so that's what I got.)
In a large skillet, I sauteed four thinly sliced leeks (they were fairly small leeks, total yield was about 1 1/2 cups) and two chopped shallots in a couple teaspoons of olive oil. (I used one big leek and one shallot.)
Then the chopped sprouts went in, along with a sprig's worth of minced rosemary. (I used dried rosemary and just sprinkled it in the pan. Measuring isn't worth it. Also, I tossed in some red pepper flakes.)
When the started to get a little dry, I added about half a cup of chicken stock (there happened to be some around, otherwise I would have used water). (I've been using this stuff from Trader Joe's, stock concentrate in little pouches, and I love it, although it's incredibly lowbrow of me. I made a cup of hot vegetable stock, used half in this step and saved half for the end.)
Cover until soft.
At the very end, add 1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg and 1/2 cup of cream or half and half. Lastly add salt and pepper to taste. (I can't remember if I grated some nutmeg in or not. Maybe so, but I'm thinking not, because of the red pepper. Also, I never have cream or half and half in the house, ever, because I never use either except maybe occasionally in recipes. What I always have is sour cream, and I stirred a big blob of that into the half-cup of vegetable stock. I really liked how that turned out. Also, I salted and peppered with the rosemary and red pepper, because that's just how I do it. No biggie.)
I was having a thing for cruciferous vegetables, I guess. I also stewed some fresh green bean with tomatoes and leeks, but the beans weren't the greatest, so it was okay but nothing exceptional. Those leftovers might not get finished off.
This week, I read Michael Chabon's Gentlemen of the Road and am currently reading New England White by Stephen Carter. I actually have two (2) copies of The Emperor of Ocean Park somewhere around here, and haven't opened either. I tried to give one away to a friend who read it, loved it, and returned it. Maybe there's a message there somewhere.
It's nice to have an attention span back. It's been gone for quite a long time.
Got my taxes done today. Haven't had to do that for a few years now, and I had somebody do them for me while I sat there, but really, it was the least nerve-wracking way to go. All that tuition I've been paying? Part of that want to a deduction and I saved a significant chunk of change. I still owe money, which I expected, but nothing deadly. And then I'll get a bit of it back (that will just about cover my state tax bill, actually).
I start this post with supermodel drivel and end with tax discussion. Who are you and what have you done with me?