For those just joining us, one of this year's resolutions is to select a new recipe every week, selecting one from each of our cookbooks until I have been through them all. Those of you who have been to our house know this is going to be a multi-year project, though if I am still working on it 5 years from now promise to donate a few books to the library.
For the first week of the year, I selected a recipe that sounded fabulous, looked great in the pictures, was in a really neat cookbook....and it was a flop. For this week, I selected a recipe from the boring old standby--the Better Homes and Garden New Cookbook complete with red plaid cover--just because I liked saying the name....and it was wonderful.
I can really thank Billy Crystal for this week's dining adventure. If you've ever seen "When Harry Met Sally" (and if you haven't, where exactly have you been since 1989?????) , you'll probably remember when Billy Crystal was trying to teach Meg Ryan how to talk in his Accent of the Day by having her repeat "waiter, there is too much pepper on my paprikash." Well, with that sort of recommendation, how was I going to pass up making "Chicken Paprikash," especially when it meant having a good reason to walk around the house saying "chicken paprikash?" And I am delighted to report that it was really good--Andy as the nonbiased voter agrees--so it now joins "Aesthetically-Challenged Chicken" in the Chateau S-G dining and entertaining repertoire.
A rose by any other name might smell as sweet, but "paprikash" is still more fun to say.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The REAL Difference Between Men & Women
For years I've wondered about the things that interest men--Home Depot and engines, guns, 59 different hammers and spending hours listening to the difference between different types of stereo cables. How can the sexes really be so entirely incomprehensible to each other?
Yesterday, I think I figured out the answer:
The Crayola box of 64 crayons WITH the built-in sharpener.
The 64 box was a very big thing at our house--for one thing, I don't think we were allowed to have it until second or third grade. I've never known if this was about learning the primary colors, sensory overload, or just to give us something to look forward to, but whatever the reason, the box of 64 was IT. I remember the year I was allowed to have the 48 box--not quite as good, but still a MAJOR step as this box contained silver and gold, and I was initiated into the world of metallics. But the 64 box...that was when all the colors in the world were poised in front of me with those perfect crayon points and that lovely smell of wax.
Later in life, I would enter a paint store and realize that my knowledge of 64 colors was, indeed, very VERY limited--especially since paint stores have concocted more than 64 shades of white alone--but at least I had 64 colors.
Yesterday Andy and I were discussing this wall in our house:
While I would call it a "plum" color, one could make the case for purple, maroon, dark pink, or even some sort of berry. But for Andy, this is part of the "dark red" category. Just as our living room is "brown" (picked acorn), the halls are "light brown" (mushroom upstairs and nutmeg downstairs), I think men are stuck at the box of 24 crayons their entire lives. Maybe from there they branch off & start learning what one really does with 32 different types of hammers...
Maybe I'll give Andy the 64 box for Valentine's Day......
Yesterday, I think I figured out the answer:
The Crayola box of 64 crayons WITH the built-in sharpener.
The 64 box was a very big thing at our house--for one thing, I don't think we were allowed to have it until second or third grade. I've never known if this was about learning the primary colors, sensory overload, or just to give us something to look forward to, but whatever the reason, the box of 64 was IT. I remember the year I was allowed to have the 48 box--not quite as good, but still a MAJOR step as this box contained silver and gold, and I was initiated into the world of metallics. But the 64 box...that was when all the colors in the world were poised in front of me with those perfect crayon points and that lovely smell of wax.
Later in life, I would enter a paint store and realize that my knowledge of 64 colors was, indeed, very VERY limited--especially since paint stores have concocted more than 64 shades of white alone--but at least I had 64 colors.
Yesterday Andy and I were discussing this wall in our house:
While I would call it a "plum" color, one could make the case for purple, maroon, dark pink, or even some sort of berry. But for Andy, this is part of the "dark red" category. Just as our living room is "brown" (picked acorn), the halls are "light brown" (mushroom upstairs and nutmeg downstairs), I think men are stuck at the box of 24 crayons their entire lives. Maybe from there they branch off & start learning what one really does with 32 different types of hammers...
Maybe I'll give Andy the 64 box for Valentine's Day......
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
New Year Resolutions
Dear publisher of Museum Cafes & Arts Cookbook:
Your cookbook is so lovely with all the pictures of famous paintings that I decided to start the 2008 New Recipe Each Week Experiment off with your Pork Loin Chops with Apple-Tarragon Chutney recipe. The fact that I don't like cooked apples in any way, shape, or form might have been a tip-off for a more realistic person, so I accept full responsibility for starting the year with something that I didn't have a chance of liking. That was definitely my fault--I guess some part of me keeps thinking that, as an American, I must have some sort of genetic disposition to like apple pie. The CD of soothing music to cook to is a very nice touch, but I may point out that if you had included some very pertinent information, such as cooking times or the word "meanwhile," I might not have needed quite as much "soothing." Not that I'm criticizing--only one of us has published a cookbook and we both know which one of us that is--but a slight hint as to how long it might take to cook the pork chops, or a time frame for cooking 4 cups of liquid down to 1 cup, well, that might have been helpful, though I think I'm as up for surprises as the next person. To show that we bear no grudge, my husband will be fixing your Sauteed Duck Breasts with Swiss Chard and Ginger-Braised Celery later this week. I will have the soothing music CD queued up for him.
Sincerely,
Toni
PS. Even though I didn't actually like your recipe, it did smell fabulous and if you ever decide to market that scent as a candle, I think you might really have something.
Your cookbook is so lovely with all the pictures of famous paintings that I decided to start the 2008 New Recipe Each Week Experiment off with your Pork Loin Chops with Apple-Tarragon Chutney recipe. The fact that I don't like cooked apples in any way, shape, or form might have been a tip-off for a more realistic person, so I accept full responsibility for starting the year with something that I didn't have a chance of liking. That was definitely my fault--I guess some part of me keeps thinking that, as an American, I must have some sort of genetic disposition to like apple pie. The CD of soothing music to cook to is a very nice touch, but I may point out that if you had included some very pertinent information, such as cooking times or the word "meanwhile," I might not have needed quite as much "soothing." Not that I'm criticizing--only one of us has published a cookbook and we both know which one of us that is--but a slight hint as to how long it might take to cook the pork chops, or a time frame for cooking 4 cups of liquid down to 1 cup, well, that might have been helpful, though I think I'm as up for surprises as the next person. To show that we bear no grudge, my husband will be fixing your Sauteed Duck Breasts with Swiss Chard and Ginger-Braised Celery later this week. I will have the soothing music CD queued up for him.
Sincerely,
Toni
PS. Even though I didn't actually like your recipe, it did smell fabulous and if you ever decide to market that scent as a candle, I think you might really have something.
Monday, January 7, 2008
In Preparation
See, we have learned something from the "month of not buying anything new:" PLAN AHEAD. Had I really thought about the timing of our last adventure, I am positive I would have purchased stamps and I would not still be sending Christmas cards TODAY. I don't think lying about being Catholic just to call them "Twelfth Night" cards is very much in keeping with the spirit of the holiday....
First item: What will be allowed and what won't?
It's hard to draw up a definite list, but we're kind of going with "the rule of syllables." If there is a polysyllabic unknown substance in the ingredient list, it's out.
Second item: Emergency workday lunches
We both work full time, and since I am in outside sales I am not always near home or my office at lunchtime, and my previous "healthy" options have been soup & a bagel or one of the sandwich shops. All would still be good except that I know the soup is from cans--large cans, granted, but cans all the same--and without being able to check the ingredient list, I'm going to guess there are a few polysyllabics contained therein. The second problem is the sandwich bread. The major chains that "bake" their own bread generally receive loaves of frozen bread dough, which again makes me suspicious of polysyllabics.
Third item: Digiorno frozen pizza
OK, not really a question on this one--serious polysyllabics, but the spinach & mushroom pizza really is fabulous and we're going to miss it. :(
Fourth item: Lunch meetings
Another part of sales is weekly lunch meetings that are currently held at a restaurant that was difficult enough when just trying to find a lunch option under 900 calories. Healthy and recognizable???? Is that even a category in American restaurants?
Fifth item: diet soda
This is one of our favorite things, and alas, will not be allowed. Whatever aspartame is, it certainly did not exist in nature.
Sixth item: canned goods
Since we both work full time, daily trips to the store are not an option--or not an option I am willing to consider, let us say. So, we will be checking tomato sauce, green beans, soups, broths, coconut milk (for the fabulous mulligatawny to be found on the Better Homes & Garden's website--the regular one, not the easy one), tomatillos, diced green chilies, and all our other pantry favorites.
I can give up Digiorno spinach & mushroom pizzas, microwave popcorn, and diet soda, but would a month without mulligatawny really be worth it???????
First item: What will be allowed and what won't?
It's hard to draw up a definite list, but we're kind of going with "the rule of syllables." If there is a polysyllabic unknown substance in the ingredient list, it's out.
Second item: Emergency workday lunches
We both work full time, and since I am in outside sales I am not always near home or my office at lunchtime, and my previous "healthy" options have been soup & a bagel or one of the sandwich shops. All would still be good except that I know the soup is from cans--large cans, granted, but cans all the same--and without being able to check the ingredient list, I'm going to guess there are a few polysyllabics contained therein. The second problem is the sandwich bread. The major chains that "bake" their own bread generally receive loaves of frozen bread dough, which again makes me suspicious of polysyllabics.
Third item: Digiorno frozen pizza
OK, not really a question on this one--serious polysyllabics, but the spinach & mushroom pizza really is fabulous and we're going to miss it. :(
Fourth item: Lunch meetings
Another part of sales is weekly lunch meetings that are currently held at a restaurant that was difficult enough when just trying to find a lunch option under 900 calories. Healthy and recognizable???? Is that even a category in American restaurants?
Fifth item: diet soda
This is one of our favorite things, and alas, will not be allowed. Whatever aspartame is, it certainly did not exist in nature.
Sixth item: canned goods
Since we both work full time, daily trips to the store are not an option--or not an option I am willing to consider, let us say. So, we will be checking tomato sauce, green beans, soups, broths, coconut milk (for the fabulous mulligatawny to be found on the Better Homes & Garden's website--the regular one, not the easy one), tomatillos, diced green chilies, and all our other pantry favorites.
I can give up Digiorno spinach & mushroom pizzas, microwave popcorn, and diet soda, but would a month without mulligatawny really be worth it???????
Sunday, January 6, 2008
I am about to be banned from listening to NPR
We have NPR to thank for the idea of the can't-buy-anything-new month, though thankfully I am enough of a realist to have not insisted on a full year. Now I have a new project:
Friday NPR had an interview with Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food. He made several points that I tried to convey to people when I worked for the American Diabetes Association--eat foods in or close to their natural state, shop the perimeter of the supermarket--staying away from the "canyons of processed food" in the center of the store, and cook your own meals as often as you can. As Mr. Pollan says, "Don't eat anything that your great-great grandmother would not recognize as food."
Since I grew up in cattle ranching country, it is possible that my great-great grandmother would not have recognized anything that wasn't beef accompanied by gravy as food, but we're going to choose to be a little less literal with this one.
Starting February 1, this is our new project. Nothing processed, nothing that has unrecognizable things listed as ingredients--basically eating foods as they would have been found 100 years ago. Sort of a "Supersize Me" in reverse. We want to see what changes, if any, we'll notice by eliminating all processed foods.
I think I'll miss microwave popcorn the most....
Friday NPR had an interview with Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food. He made several points that I tried to convey to people when I worked for the American Diabetes Association--eat foods in or close to their natural state, shop the perimeter of the supermarket--staying away from the "canyons of processed food" in the center of the store, and cook your own meals as often as you can. As Mr. Pollan says, "Don't eat anything that your great-great grandmother would not recognize as food."
Since I grew up in cattle ranching country, it is possible that my great-great grandmother would not have recognized anything that wasn't beef accompanied by gravy as food, but we're going to choose to be a little less literal with this one.
Starting February 1, this is our new project. Nothing processed, nothing that has unrecognizable things listed as ingredients--basically eating foods as they would have been found 100 years ago. Sort of a "Supersize Me" in reverse. We want to see what changes, if any, we'll notice by eliminating all processed foods.
I think I'll miss microwave popcorn the most....
Thursday, January 3, 2008
A Little Work Humor
I realize these might not be funny to everyone, but if you work in the IT/IS world and have EVER had to work with Qwest, these are hysterical:
In response to a question about an authorized person on an account:
And the latest:
Trust me--if you worked in telecommunications, these would be really funny. :)
And now you can appreciate why I never talk about my work on the blog....
In response to a question about an authorized person on an account:
Hi Noel,
Yes I will look into this asap. Do you know Jesus's last name? Also, would you please let me know when you spoke to him.
Thanks,
Jan
If Jesus can't get authorization, it's hard to imagine who could!And the latest:
Sorry, but we have no control and nothing to do with static imps here
Take Care.
Anne.
For those who were wondering how Voice Over IP really works, it's all done with uncontrolled imps with static cling.Trust me--if you worked in telecommunications, these would be really funny. :)
And now you can appreciate why I never talk about my work on the blog....
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
Last night we bid goodbye to 2007, and while somewhat tempted to say "Good Riddance" to a year filled with battles with an ex-wife, an unsuccessful attempt to keep a lawn in a desert, and an impending layoff, we do take a moment to reflect on some of the highlights....
* Learning that neckless mice are actually voles and not simply mice who play football.
* Andy traveling in & out of the country as a female impersonator.
* Being led, albeit unwillingly, into a realm known as "artistic" knitting.
* Developing a new appreciation for being able to buy epoxy.
* Learning that even Walmart is fun after a month of no spending
* Proving once again that imaginative New Year's Resolutions are easier to keep.
For the past 5-6 years, I have found a new thing to do each year as part of my New Year's Resolutions. While I applaud those who seek to lose weight or exercise more, that type of resolution means little in my life. What works for me is to find something new to do each year. One year was to see a "tourist" attraction in my own state every-other month. One year was to host a monthly "soup night" open house. Every year should bring something new & interesting to your life--even if it's as simple as finding a new author or learning a new cuisine.
Last year's resolutions were:
1. To read 10 books--NOT counting audio books.
2. To finish 35 projects (and last night I finished number 75! Smokin'!)
3. To make one new recipe each week (granted, I've done this one for 4 years now, but it's such fun that it has become a regular feature)
4. To learn a new knitting technique (see the adventures in beading as part of the Mystery Stole experience. Note: I did not say I had to be successful...)
5. To swim 2000 laps (alas, I did not hit this one, but the laps I did get in were beneficial, so I can't really say it was a loss)
6. To write at least one blog entry per month. (Score! And I only missed one day during the no-spending month! Can one earn extra-credit on New Year's resolutions?)
This year's resolutions:
1. To continue the "new recipe every week" program, but to select one from every cookbook we own until I have gone through them--granted, this will probably take more than one year,
2. To write at least one blog entry per month--I know better than to try for daily
3. To read 10 books
4. To finish 30 projects--the catch is that everything I make in 2008 has to be from The Stash. No new fabric or yarn until 2009! I must remember that this sounded like a really good idea in 2007.....
And we're off to a happy 2008!!!!!
* Learning that neckless mice are actually voles and not simply mice who play football.
* Andy traveling in & out of the country as a female impersonator.
* Being led, albeit unwillingly, into a realm known as "artistic" knitting.
* Developing a new appreciation for being able to buy epoxy.
* Learning that even Walmart is fun after a month of no spending
* Proving once again that imaginative New Year's Resolutions are easier to keep.
For the past 5-6 years, I have found a new thing to do each year as part of my New Year's Resolutions. While I applaud those who seek to lose weight or exercise more, that type of resolution means little in my life. What works for me is to find something new to do each year. One year was to see a "tourist" attraction in my own state every-other month. One year was to host a monthly "soup night" open house. Every year should bring something new & interesting to your life--even if it's as simple as finding a new author or learning a new cuisine.
Last year's resolutions were:
1. To read 10 books--NOT counting audio books.
2. To finish 35 projects (and last night I finished number 75! Smokin'!)
3. To make one new recipe each week (granted, I've done this one for 4 years now, but it's such fun that it has become a regular feature)
4. To learn a new knitting technique (see the adventures in beading as part of the Mystery Stole experience. Note: I did not say I had to be successful...)
5. To swim 2000 laps (alas, I did not hit this one, but the laps I did get in were beneficial, so I can't really say it was a loss)
6. To write at least one blog entry per month. (Score! And I only missed one day during the no-spending month! Can one earn extra-credit on New Year's resolutions?)
This year's resolutions:
1. To continue the "new recipe every week" program, but to select one from every cookbook we own until I have gone through them--granted, this will probably take more than one year,
2. To write at least one blog entry per month--I know better than to try for daily
3. To read 10 books
4. To finish 30 projects--the catch is that everything I make in 2008 has to be from The Stash. No new fabric or yarn until 2009! I must remember that this sounded like a really good idea in 2007.....
And we're off to a happy 2008!!!!!
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