From Lisa's blog.

You are the gorgeous Cinderella, the belle of the
ball. You believe that dreams do come true,
and you wish your dreams will bring you your
Prince Charming to save you from the work that
has been unfairly placed on your shoulders.
Just call on that Fairy Godmother of yours to
help you live happily ever after!



A Royal Princess Quiz of a Disney Sort
brought to you by Quizilla

From Lisanne

1) My uncle once:
Brought me a purse from Caldor. That store is no longer around. He moved to America with his family and we were all in Caldor and he got my brother and I something. I still have the purse.

2) Never in my life:
Would I go skydiving. But I am curious. I thought never in my life I would go on a roller coaster, but I have. And I hated it. So one never knows.

3) When I was five:
I used to watch The Muppet show with my brother. Every Friday night at 7 we were parked in front of our television being entertained by Kermit and his band of stuffed misfits.

4) High school was:
So dramatic. Everything was such life or death. It's funny some never get away from that stage though. It was all about who had a crush on who, who said what. Blah blah blah. And I wanted to be on the high school newspaper and yearbook. But I wasn't in that clique, so couldn't be. Honestly my only refuge was class. I loved History and English the best.

5) I will never forget:
Being purposed too, my wedding, honeymoon and moving to our apartment.

6) I once met:
the father from the O.C. Niel and I were online for a comedy show and he walked past us. He's pretty short.

7) There's this girl I know who:
Loves food as much as me.

8) Once, at a bar:
I downed a fuzzy nipple. LOL.

9) By noon I'm usually:
Wondering why this day has not gone by faster.

10) Last night:
I did something in California.

11) If I only had:
The power to be invisible. So I can get on planes and travel. A cloack would be fun. I'd hide Niel in there and we'd be off!

12) Next time I go to church:
I don't go to church. I'm curious about it for the community aspect. But kind of feel churches are hypocritical. They pledge love but only for certain ways of living and I think that's wrong.

13) Terry Schiavo:
That was just horrible. I felt terrible for her.

14) What worries me most:
So many things. But health is at the top. I don't want someone who I care for or me to be ill or die. Without health there is nothing.

15) When I turn my head left, I see:
The little pics I have hanging in my haficle(half of a cubicle. I think I made it up actually.) I makes my work space interesting.

16) When I turn my head right, I see:
My coworker.

17) You know I'm lying when:
I'd don't do that very often, so I don't know how to answer that.

18) What I miss most about the eighties:
Oh God the music. I miss the music so!

19) If I were a character written by Shakespeare, I'd be:
I'd have to say "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It's very dreamy.

20) By this time next year:
Who knows!

21) A better name for me would be:
I used to want something WASPY sounding. But now I am used to my name.

22) I have a hard time understanding:
The self absorbed.

23) If I ever go back to school I'll:
I am actually. I am taking party planning. Want to do it right.

24) You know I like you if:
I'm nice to you.

25) If I won an award, the first person I'd thank would be:
Niel and my parents.

26) Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferraro:
Who is Slim Pickens?

27) Take my advice. Never:
Wish for what you can't have.

28) My ideal breakfast is:
There is so much to choose from. I do like the McDonald's Pancake sandwich but don't eat that too often. Thank God. I like Feta and tomatoes, or olive toast, and Feta with Tarragon.

29) A song I love but do not have is:
I'm not really sure! Too many to choose from!

30) If you visit my hometown, I suggest:
The Park it's amazing.

31) Tulips, character flaws, microchips & track stars:
Umm ... what?!? Is this about me or what I don't like in others. Tulips are one of my favorite flowers. I am impatient. I don't have any microchips and I liked Carl Lewis.

32) Why won't people:
Just get along!

33) If you spend the night at my house:
You'd be stuffed from all the food and tired from game playing and movie watching

34) I'd stop my wedding for:
I wouldn't stop my wedding!

35) The world could do without:
Hate. Violence.

36) I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than:
I really wouldn't rather do that.

37) My favorite blond is:
My friend Jennifer.

38) Paper clips are more useful than:
I would have to say staples are my useful than Paper clips. Staples keep papers together better. Paper clips can come off easier.

39) If I do anything well, it's:
Try to be the best person I can be.

40) And by the way:
Play if you like

This test pretty much nailed me although Autumn is my favorite season.

Your Element is Water Your power colors: blue and aqua Your energy: deep Your season: winter Like the ocean, you evoke deep feelings and passion. You have an emotional, sensitive, and spiritual soul. A bit mysterious, you tend to be quiet when you are working out a problem. You need your alone time, so that you can think and dream. What Element Are You? Find the Love of Your Life (and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

I found this over at Cheeky Professor's blog. It's a list by the The National Education Association. It's a list of the top 100 books for kids. I think it’s a pretty interesting list though I think some good ones are missing. I'm going to keep this list around as a blue print for my someday kid or kids. But I am sure Niel and I will add to it. We are verocious readers and children's genre is my favorite. I am going to have such fun someday going to the library or bookstore with my kids. The ones in bold I have read.

Top 100

1. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White (9-12 years)
2. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (4-8 years)
3. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years)
4. The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years)
5. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (4-8 years)
6. Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch (4-8 years)
7. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (All ages) -- although now I have issues with this one
8. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (Baby-Preschool)
9. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (Young Adult)
10. The Mitten by Jan Brett (4-8 years)
11. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (Baby-Preschool)
12. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (9-12 years)
13. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (9-12 years)
14. Where the Sidewalk Ends: the Poems and Drawing of Shel Silverstein by Shel Silverstein (All ages) --I have half of Silverstein's poems memorized. One of my favorites is "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out," and yes, I still know it by heart.
15. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (9-12 years)
16. Stellaluna by Janell Cannon (4-8 years)
17. Oh, The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years) --She gave me a copy of this when I graduated my MA program (where we met) and was headed to my doc program.
18. Strega Nona by Tomie De Paola (4-8 years)
19. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst (4-8 years)
20. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? by Bill Martin, Jr. (Baby-Preschool)
21. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (9-12 years)
22. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams (4-8 years) --One of the saddest stories I've read
23. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (9-12 years) --I love Madeleine L'Engle's work.
24. Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (9-12 years)
25. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years)
26. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka (4-8 years)
27. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by John Archambault (4-8 years)
28. Little House on the Prarie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (9-12 years) I love this series! LOVE!
29. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (9-12 years)
30. The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne (4-8 years)
31. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (9-12 years)
32. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (9-12 years)
33. Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks (9-12 years)
34. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell (9-12 years)
35. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (9-12 years)
36. The BFG by Roald Dahl (9-12 years)
37. The Giver by Lois Lowry (9-12 years)
38. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff (4-8 years)
39. James and the Giant Peach: A Children's Story by Roald Dahl (9-12 years)
40. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (9-12 years)
41. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor (9-12 years)
42. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien (Young Adult)
43. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years) --
44. Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner (9-12 years)
45. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (9-12 years)
46. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O'Brien (9-12 years)
47. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (All ages)
48. The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister (Baby-Preschool)
49. Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman (4-8 years)
50. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (9-12 years)
51. Corduroy by Don Freeman (Baby-Preschool)
52. Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg (4-8 years)
53. Math Curse by Jon Scieszka (4-8 years)
54. Matilda by Roald Dahl (9-12 years)
55. Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls (Young Adult)
56. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (9-12 years) --Yes, but Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret was better.
57. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary (9-12 years)
58. The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White (9-12 years)
59. Are You My Mother? by Philip D. Eastman (4-8 years)
60. The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis (9-12 years) Love this!!
61. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (4-8 years)
62. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years)
63. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (9-12 years)
64. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (Baby-Preschool)
65. The Napping House by Audrey Wood (4-8 years)
66. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig (4-8 years)
67. The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (4-8 years)
68. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (9-12 years)
69. The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (All ages)
70. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (9-12 years) Ok I'm obsessed with the book and movies
71. Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years)
72. Basil of Baker Street, by Eve Titus (4-8 years)
73. The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper (4-8 years)
74. The Cay by Theodore Taylor (Young Adult)
75. Curious George by Hans Augusto Rey (4-8 years)
76. Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox (4-8 years)
77. Arthur series by Marc Tolon Brown (4-8 years)
78. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson (9-12 years)
79. Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes (4-8 years)
80. Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder (9-12 years)
81. The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (4-8 years)
82. The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown (Baby-Preschool)
83. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar (9-12 years)
84. Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish (4-8 years)
85. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (9-12 years)
86. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein (9-12 years)
87. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater (9-12 years)
88. My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (9-12 years)
89. Stuart Little by E. B. White (9-12 years)
90. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (9-12 years)
91. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (9-12 years)
92. The Art Lesson by Tomie De Paola (4-8 years)
93. Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina (4-8 years)
94. Clifford, the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell (4-8 years)
95. Heidi by Johanna Spyri (All ages)
96. Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (4-8 years)
97. The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare (Young Adult)
98. The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (9-12 years)
99. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney (Baby-Preschool)
100. The Paper Bag Princess by Robert N. Munsch (4-8 years)

This weekend I will get on a plane and travel cross country to Southern California. I'll be visiting my grandma who's getting over pneumonia and is in her mid eighties. We hadn't seen one another since my wedding and that is far too long. I am looking forward to seeing her but not how frail she is. I hope to spend as much time as I can with her and my cousins and favorite aunt. And maybe meet a bloggy friend or two.

I still have not gotten over my grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins all moving to California. And that was ten years ago. I still get teary after we speak on the phone and I have to say goodbye. The last time I visited I cried on the plane all the way home. I loved seeing my extended family every day when they lived in New York. To me its odd to even describe them as extended. They are just my family. It's strange that most Americans don't spend more time with their family immediate or extended. Of course I am speaking generally and do not know if ALL of America is like what I see and hear about. Have we been that influenced by television shows that make most families appear like lunatics that we forget the importance of it? I don't know. I know some families are quirkier than others and some people don't even speak to theirs for terrible reasons, but if there isn't a terrible reason why not embrace your family, immediate or extended?

I am also having a difficult time knowing that Niel is unable to come with me. Work responsibilities. I know it's only a short time and we'll both be fine. Heck we both encourage one another to do our own thing. And that Niel and I have been apart from one another before, but it's still difficult each time. I've probably mentioned this story before, but one time Niel was going to go away a few days after one of our anniversaries and I was glum. And I should have known better not to have expressed that in earshot of this person who has their head up their ass as well as their head in the clouds, because they replied "But you'll spend your anniversary together." Well duh! Thanks for clearing that up. Without your explanation I would have no idea! Anyway I don't think this person values family. The point is that I'll miss Niel tremendously while knowing my visit with my family will be short. I'm a major worry wart. Can you tell?

So while I am gone I asked Niel to put some fun posts up, as I don't know if I will have computer access. Hope everyone has a great week and when I return I hope to have stories of my little trip. As well as some stories of a potluck picnic-birthday I recently attended and Father's Day.

 



Please go check out Enid's new site. She is a wonderful photographer and artist. You go Enid!

Song Stuck In My Head: "Love's Divine" by Seal

A nice light Summery meal that I always enjoy eating is Tabouli, Hummus and Falafel. I grew up eating Tabouli and Hummus but Falafel I only heard about and got the opportunity to eat while I was in college. The three go hand in hand in many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries and their popularity is growing in Western countries.

What are your favorite Summer meals?

 


Song Stuck In My Head: "Thong Song" By Sisqo(I have no idea why)

Sometimes a home made pizza is just as good as the store brought. Especially if the home made pizza has lots of cheese(both mozzarella and ricotta) on it. What do you like on your pizza? Besides lots of cheese I like Pepperoni!

 


Song Stuck In My Head: "Hot, Hot, Hot" by Buster Pointdexter

Happy 1st Day of Summer everyone! Time for running through sprinklers, watching fireworks, feasting on grilled meats, seeing new sites or revisiting old ones, eating drippy ice cream cones, and slurping watermelon! Admittedly I've been doing a little bit of that already. Summer is finally here after a long Winter and practically no Spring.

Hopefully Niel and I will take a quick trip or two, explore the city, pick some fruit and just enjoy the weather.

What plans do you have for Summer?


Pic from watermelon.org

Song Stuck In My Head: "Blue Orchid" by The White Stripes

Cornmeal is a very versatile ingredient. It can adapt to any dish and is used in a many different cultures for all types of meals. My mother would make a dish her mother had made for her as a little girl called Mamalika. My grandmother learned about this Cornmeal dish when she lived in Romania. You add equal parts yellow Cornmeal to water and also a bit of salt for flavoring. If we wanted the Mamalika saltier we would add Feta cheese to it and some sour cream. Until I realized that Cornmeal is used to enhance many different dishes, Mamalika was the only dish I knew of with Cornmeal. The second time I tried Cornmeal was when I had Empanadas(also can be made of wheat). And oh did that open up my palate. The crispy flavorful dough surrounding the flavorful filling. However finding this current way to eat Cornmeal was purely by accident. I was in the supermarket recently when I saw Polenta(cornmeal)in casing, in the dairy aisle. It was flavored with Basil and Garlic. The instructions said it needed to be baked or fried before being eaten. I was curious to try it. I heated it up a pan, added some olive oil and and then lightly fried the Polenta which I had cut in one inch slices while waiting for the pan to heat up. Then I added some premade Marinara sauce on top of it and topped it off with grated Parmesan. Niel and I ate it for dinner with some fresh sausage Niel had purchased from Whole Foods. I would really recommend trying fresh sausage once in your life time. We could totally could taste the quality and all the spices. Which were garlic, sun dried tomato and oregano. The two went very well together.

 


 


 


Here is a link for some Polenta Recipes.

Song Stuck In My Head: "What Do I Get?" by The Buzzcocks

Happy Father's Day!!!!

I had some left over brown rice and I didn't want to just toss it out. So I scoured my fridge and I realized I had the ingredients to make some Pork Fried Rice. I broiled a pork chop and added BBQ Sauce to it. While the pork was broiling I cooked the rice in a wok added a whisked egg, some soy sauce, sesame sauce, chopped carrots and peas. I then diced up the pork after it had cooked and threw it in the wok. This is my second attempt and I still cannot get the taste or the texture to be like of take out Fried Rice, but it was still pretty tasty. Anyone know how to make the rice taste and texture like it does in a Chinese take out place or restaurant?

 

This post is for Tammy:)

I've mentioned before that I'm a bit of a collector. And posted about my Nesting dolls dolls(we had one in my home when I was younger) in my November 4, 2004 post, and most recently my Egghead collection in my October 26, 2004 post.

Today's post is about my pen collection. They are all different shapes and sizes.

Niel gave me a Peep pen for Easter because I love Peeps. The Peep pen reminds me of popping those smooshy piles of pure sugar in my mouth during the holidays.

The Minnie Wedding pen Niel got for me during our honeymoon. It takes me back to that time. Even though during most of it I had sever food poisoning.

The Tinkerbell pen we brought on our most recent Disney adventure. Tink is my favorite Disney character.

The green wavy pen I enjoy the feel of. I like twirling it between my fingers. I think I brought it at drug store.

The Choco Cat pens were also gifts from Niel. He knows my love of Choco.

The grasshopper pen punches and is also from Niel. He thought I'd get a kick out the purple puncher. And I do.

The pink pen next to it has a bubble gum fragrance to it. And came home with the grasshopper.

The celestial pen I purchased from some greeting store. I've always had a thing for the sun, moon and stars.

The flowery pen was from Leslie and is just so cheery.

 


What do you collect?

Song Stuck In My Head: "99 Reasons" by Jay Z

What is the answer to a hot Spring night! Decaf iced coffee and a shared sweet in an air conditioned environment of course! What have you been doing to cool off?

 


Song Stuck In My Head: "Beverly Hills" by Weezer (THANKS NIEL!)

There are only a few cookbooks in which I wish to make every single one of the recipes and all of Donna Hay's cookbooks apply. The dishes are adventurous and yet easy to make. And the pictures are inviting. Among Ms. Hay's many titles are author, and editor in Australia. I recommend getting your hands on any of her books or magazine.

 

Picture from donnahay.com

Happy Flag Day!

Song Stuck In My Head: "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel

The Strand is a New York City institution. The stores' motto is "Over 18 miles of books." And when you walk inside any of its locations, you automatically believe it. I get dizzy just trying to take all those books in. One can find any subject they are looking for. Or one of its three locations should. From Gardening to Medicine. The Strand is also very reasonably priced. The main one being on 12th Street and Broadway. I recently purchased some nostalgic items just to have on hand. To Kill A Mockingbird and A Catcher In The Rye were my favorite books in high school. They are still two of my favorites. And a childhood favorite Arabian Nights. This book reminds me of those weekend afternoon movies about genies, women in flowy colorful attire and carpets that flew. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit The Strand I suggest you consider it.

 

Picture from Virtual Tourist

Song Stuck In My Head: "Let's Get It Started" By The Black Eyed Peas

I found a new recipe for waffles. The waffles have a touch of cinnamon in it and the syrup is made from scratch and flavored with fresh bananas. I think it can also be eaten for dessert, since it is a bit rich.

 

Carmalized Banana Waffles Recipe Adapted from Jennifer Donovan's "Brunch"

Waffle Recipe

1.25 cups of all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp of salt
2 tsp superfine sugar
1 generous cup of milk
3 oz. melted butter

Caramalized Bananas
3.5 oz butter cut into pieces
3 tbs corn syrup
3 large ripe bananas sliced thickly
1 tsp of cinammon

Mix all the ingredients for the waffles till smooth and spoon 2 large tablespoons of the mixture into a preheated waffle maker. To make the caramalized bananas, melt the butter, the corn syrup and add cinammon in a pan over low heat and stir till combines and slightly darkened. Mix gently to coat with the bananas and serve warm.

I forgot to mention I have two more articles in the issue of All Things Girl. If you can take a looky, please read here and here! Have a great weekend!

Songs Stuck In My Head: "Don't Phunk With My Heart" by the Black Eyed Peas.

Last Wednesday after work my friend Isabel and I continued our eating through New York get togethers. This time we tried The Delta Grill on 9th Avenue. Another coworker had recommended the place to me. Isabel and I both tried the Fried Cheese Grits smothered in chicken Creole and for our side dishes we ordered Fried Sweet Potatoes and Hushpuppies. The grits weren't cheesy enough for me. But I'm a big cheese lover. And I've had better Hushpuppies at Bubba Gump Shrimp. The ones at Delta were dry and not very flavorful. Bubba Gump Shrimp's are moist, and have cheese and seafood in it. Delta seemed to be more focused on ambiance(string lights and Americana decor) and food presentation(like a painting on your plate) rather than the taste of the food. Which is surprising because 9th Avenue has really stupendous eateries. It's too bad because I would have gone back to try their Fried Green Tomatoes, Deep Fried Shrimp Po' Boys and Muffuletta.

 

Pic from Delta website

Please also take a look at the newest wreathe I made.

Song Stuck In My Head: "Cigaro" by System of a Down

In an effort to accomplish my 101 list and cook atleast one recipe from each of my gazillion cook books, I made three recipes from Nigella Lawson's Nigella Bites a gift from Enid for my birthday). The recipes are, Thai Yellow Pumpkin and Seafood Curry, Masala Omelet, and Asian-Spiced Kedegree.

I was happy to be able to successfully make one Asian dish. Let alone two. I was on an Asian cuisine kick last year but became disenchanted with making Asian food after I failed at two recipes. But I became inspired to try again after looking through the book. I told my coworker about the Thai Yellow Pumpkin and Seafood Curry dish and she replied it sounded so healthy. I guess it does. But I chose this recipe because I love seafood and curry. And I thought it would be delicious. It was.

 


 


 


THAI YELLOW PUMPKIN SEAFOOD CURRY
400ml tin coconut milk
1-2 tablespoons yellow (or red)
Thai curry paste
350ml fish stock (I use boiling water and a slug of Benedicta Touch of Taste Concentrated Fish Bouillon; cubes would do)
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons palm sugar or caster sugar
3 lemongrass stalks, each cut into three and bruised with the flat of a knife
3 lime leaves, de-stalked and cut into strips
half teaspoon turmeric
1 kg pumpkin (or butternut squash), peeled and cut into large-bite-sized chunks 500g salmon fillet, preferably organic, skinned and cut into large-bite-sized chunks
500g peeled raw prawns
Bak choi or any other green vegetables of your choice
juice of half to one lime, to taste
Coriander, to serve

Skim the thick creamy top off the tin of coconut milk and put it, over medium heat, into a large saucepan or casserole with the curry paste. Let it sizzle and, using a fork, whisk or wooden spoon, beat milk and paste together until combined. Still beating gently, add the rest of the coconut milk, fish stock, fish sauce, sugar, lemongrass, lime leaves and turmeric. Bring to a boil and then add the pumpkin. Cook on a fast simmer until the pumpkin is tender, about 15 minutes, although different sorts of pumpkins can vary enormously in the time they take to cook; some squash take as little as 5 minutes. As I mentioned, you can cook the curry up till this part in advance, maybe leaving the pumpkin with a tiny bit of bite to it (it will soften and cook as the pan cools). Either way, when you're about 5 minutes away from wanting to eat, get ready to cook the seafood. So, to the robustly simmering pan, add the salmon and prawns (if you're using the prawns from frozen they'll need to go in before the salmon). When the Salmon and prawns have cooked through, which shouldn't take more than 3-4 minutes, stir in any green veg you're using - sliced, chopped or shredded as suits - and tamp down with a wooden spoon. When the Bak Choi is wilted, squeeze in the juice of half a lime, stir and taste and then add the juice of the remaining half if you feel it needs it. Take the pan off the heat or decant the curry into a large bowl, and sprinkle over the coriander; the point is that the coriander goes in just before serving. Serve with more chopped coriander for people to add to their own bowls as they eat, and some plain Thai or Basmati rice. Serves 4 -6

In a never ending quest to ever have a variety of options to serve for breakfast. I decided on Masala omelet. Even though Niel and I have acid reflux. I still love spicy foods and with help from some acid reducing medications we can occasionally have spicy meals. I think I would also try to make this for lunch and dinner. To me its seems appropriate for any meal.

 


 


MASALA OMELET
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 spring onion sliced finely
1-2 chilies to taste, red or green
1 clove garlic, microplaned or finely chopped
quarter tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
2 eggs, beaten
freshly chopped coriander for sprinkling over
chapatis to eat with, if you feel like it

Preheat the grill.
Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan 20-27cm in diameter and fry the spring onion, chilli and turmeric until soft. Add the other spices and fry for another minute stirring occasional, then add the beaten eggs, swirling the pan to help the eggs set underneath. When the omelet is nearly set, flash it under a hot grill to finish it off, and serve with fresh coriander and chapattis.
Serves 1

This was also a breakfast item but I made it for dinner and unfortunately I must have done something wrong because I did not enjoy it. Oddly enough Niel did. I say oddly enough because Niel is happiest with the foods he knows. A meat and potatoes and pasta man. He said he liked the Kedegree because it was salty. I also am a salt fiend but the dish just did not do it for me. Maybe it will for you.

ASIAN-SPICED KEDGEREE
500ml cold water for poaching the fish
2 lime leaves torn into pieces
4 salmon fillets (approx 3cm thick) preferably organic, skinned (about 750g in total)
45g unsalted butter
1 tsp oil
1 onion chopped finely
half tsp ground coriander
half tsp ground cumin
half tsp tumeric
225g basmati rice
3 hard-boiled eggs quartered
3 tbspns chopped coriander, plus more for sprinkling
juice and zest of a lime plus more lime segments to serve
Fish sauce (nam pla) to taste

Preheat the oven to 220C/gas mark 7. This is just because the easiest way to poach the salmon for this is to do it in the oven. So: pour the water into a roasting dish, add the lime leaves and then the salmon. Cover the dish with foil, put in the oven and cook for about 15 minutes, by which time the salmon should be cooked till tender. Remove the dish from the oven and drain the liquid off into a jug. Keep the fish warm, just by replacing the foil on the dish.
Melt the butter in a wide heavy saucepan that has a tight-fitting lid, and add the oil to stop the butter burning. Soften the onion in the pan and add the spices, then keep cooking till the onion is slightly translucent and suffused with the soft perfume of the spices. Add the rice and stir with a wooden spoon so that it's all well coated. There's not enough onion to give a heavy coating: just make sure the rice is fragrantly slicked.
Pour in the reserved liquid from the jug - about 500ml - and stir before covering with a lid and cooking gently for about 15 minutes. If your stove is vociferous you may need a heat-diffuser.
At the end of the cooking time, when the rice is tender and has lost all chalkiness, turn off the heat, remove the lid, cover with a tea towel and then replace the lid. This will help absorb any extra moisture from the rice. It also is the best way to let the rice stand without getting claggy or cold, which is useful when you've got a few friends and a few dishes to keep your eye on.
Just before you want to eat, drain off any extra liquid that's collected in the dish with the salmon, then flake the fish with a fork. Add to it the rice, eggs, coriander, lime juice and a drop or two of fish sauce. Stir gently to mix - I use a couple of wooden paddles or spatulas - and taste to see if you want any more lime juice or fish sauce. Sprinkle over the zest from the two juiced halves of the lime and serve. I love it served just as it is in the roasting dish, but if you want to, and I often do (consistency is a requirement of a recipe but not a cook) decant into a large plate surrounded with lime segments before you add the lime zest, then add the zest and a small handful of freshly chopped coriander.
This is one of those rare dishes that manages to be comforting and light at the same time. And - should you have leftovers, which I wouldn't bank on - it's heavenly eaten, as all leftovers demand to be, standing up, straight from the fridge. Serves 6

Another good site for Nigella Lawson recipes is the BBC's website Channel 4.

Today would have been Frank Lloyd Wright's 138th birthday. Thank you Mr. Wright for making architecture unique.

Song Stuck In My Head: "Lost In Hollywood" by System of A Down

Sometimes when there is extra to spare it is nice just to order out. Fortunately we have a good variety of restaurants and take out places in our neighborhood. Polish, Irish, Indian, Spanish, Mexican, Japanese, Italian and Chinese. Thankfully most of the places also have good food. Niel and I both had really good Chinese take out restaurants in our old neighborhoods and are happy to have one just as good down the block from us. I especially enjoy Crab Rangoon and Egg Drop Soup from our new Chinese restaurant. What is your favorite take out?

 


Song Stuck In My Head: "Radio Gaga" by Electric Six(resung)

I used some of the Basil I am growing to enhance the marinara sauce I made the other day. I felt very old world being able to go to my window sill and pluck a few pieces of Basil. I also have parsley growing, but it isn't ready yet to be picked. The baked spaghetti the sauce was used for came out very flavorful with the fresh Basil.

 


 


Baked Spaghetti
1 Package of Spaghetti
1 regular jar of premade Marinara Sauce(either your own or store brand)
1 lb of veal
One medium chopped onion
3 cloves of chopped garlic
Salt for flavoring Spaghetti water
A Tablespoon of Italian seasonings
1 lb of mozzarella shredded
half a cup of grated Parmesan

Boil Spaghetti in salted water until done. Spaghetti will have a bit of a bite to it.
While the pasta is cooking. Cook onion and garlic and add the veal. Cook on medium heat till meat is no longer pink. Once the meat is about cooked through, heat the Marinara sauce. Add any flavorings to the sauce you like. I used dried Italian seasonings plus the fresh basil. Once the meat is cooked through, Spaghetti is boiled fully and marinara is heated begin to layer in a casserole dish. I put a bit of marinara on the bottom, then added a little spaghetti, some marinara sauce, the veal, and then some of the cheeses. I repeat the process till I reach the top and I bake it in a preheated 375 oven for about 45 minutes.

Song Stuck In My Head: "Opportunities" by The Pet Shop Boys

It was funny when we were in Albany in March, how many southern dishes we were able to find. Such as Jambalaya and biscuits with gravy. The first time I tried Jambalaya was also the first time I visited Florida. I was twenty one and on one of my first dates with Niel. He had tried Jambalaya previously, during a visit to New Orleans and recommended I try it. I really enjoyed it. And I really haven't had good Jambalaya since. And in Albany it was my first time trying biscuits with gravy and it was quite good. I'm going to try to find a recipe for the gravy so I can make some.

 

Pic from Americanfolk.com

Song Stuck In My Head: "Cut You Up" by Peter Murphy

I went to a grocery store in my neighborhood that sold Irish breakfast sausages, which I wrote about in my March 17 post, and this time purchased Irish bacon. The texture reminds me of Canadian bacon, but is much saltier sort of like country ham. Just my kind of breakfast meat.

 


 


Song Stuck In My Head: "Thanks for all the fish" from Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy