Tag Archives: mint

Pasta with Peas, Lemon and Mint

Sometimes I forget about the joys of pure, unadulterated, simple carbs.  No talk of protein, fiber, the glycemic index, or–even worse–gluten, just starchy goodness.  I love wholesome, hearty brown grains as much as humanly possible (pretty sure), but there’s no substitute.  You know what I’m talking about–apples are good, oranges are good, but they’re not the same.  Let’s stop pretending.

Also, it’s spring.  It’s time to reawaken those taste buds with bright, delicate flavors like lemon, and peas, and what’s that–fresh mint?

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Israeli Couscous with Cantaloupe, Pancetta and Ricotta Salata

Things that have gone through my brain today:

-I can’t believe Insane Clown Posse have a spokeswoman (my only takeaway from that article).

-Moreover, I think I kind of want that job?

-Furthermore, no, I don’t.

-If I made it to 26 without getting a tattoo, it’s probably not meant to be.  GOODBYE WAYWARD YOUTH.

-My lunch is really delicious.

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Mint Chocolate Macarons

Olympic events I would surely medal in:

-Greco accidental Facebook liking/frantic Roman Facebook unliking.
-Synchronized inappropriate “you too!” reflexes.  Enjoy your flight as well, taxi driver.

-Floor exercise: power napping, no-pillow division.
-Accidentally flushing contact lenses down the sink, 100m relay.
-Women’s half-middleweight making the same joke twice in one night and hoping nobody notices.

We all have our strengths, right?

Also, you know how photographers always make medalists bite their medals?  “Good job, you are literally the best on the planet, now is the part where we break your tooth.”  I think it’s about time we started handing out cookies for Olympian photo ops.  My first nomination is these: crunchy-shelled, nutty, chewy, filled with rich dark chocolate, spiked with cool mint.  So, so good, especially chilled.

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Zucchini and Feta Pancakes

Normally, if a recipe doesn’t work out, I just send it off on a Viking funeral (figuratively, rest assured) and graciously let it go.  It happens, sometimes even with trusted sources; cooking is a combination of art and science, and I’m comfortable with that.  There are dozens of food-related ideas swirling in my brain-sphere at any given moment, and when something doesn’t pan out, I’m happy to move on.

I wasn’t even that into you, coconut rum cake.  Whatever.  Onto the pyre you go.

I’m always happy to move on, but the exception remains in these zucchini-feta pancakes.  I dutifully followed my beloved Moosewood Cookbook‘s guidance.

Step 1: I grated, chopped, whipped and folded as instructed.

Step 2: I ended up with goo that stuck to the pan and was never going to form itself into cohesive pancake units no matter how hard I tried.

Step 3: I ate that mess anyway.  It was a delicious, sad mess.

Step 4: So, I thought about what might have gone wrong and set out to fix it.

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Green Goddess Dip

I imagine this is ranch dip after it has had a good talking-to from RuPaul.  ”No no no NO.  You get out of that plastic Dixie cup; you are too fabulous for this.  Get yourself some fresh herbs–all the herbs–and anchovies.  You heard me!  Now go werk.

I have never seen her show.  Is it obvious?  Should I do something about that?

It’s the “goddess” part.  It sparks the ol’ imagination.

Anyway, green goddess dressing was REALLY created in San Francisco in the 1920s to honor the actor  George Arliss and his play, which happened to be called…  The Green Goddess.

Still, it’s really fantastic: lots of green, fresh herbs, plus anchovy, for savory depth.  It’s a multidimensional showoff.

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Strawberry-Cucumber Tabouli

Wow…  It’s been a “keep your head down and roll with it” kind of week.

Oh, hey, mechanic.  You think I should get rid of my car because you’re sick of getting my money, or you just pity me at this point?  Oooookay.  Bless your heart.

Yo, work?  I’ll be covering for five people for a couple of days?  Alrighty then.

Hey, used car salespeople.  You’re generally no more tolerable than the last time I interacted with y’all?  Oooookay.

Hello, computer.  Your cord thingy is broken  and you can’t suck electricity juice from the wall anymore?  Ooookay.  Fine.

One step at a time.  That’s how we do this…  One step at a time, and before you know it, you’re back.  In my case that means making something that isn’t scrambled eggs for dinner… again.  Something more like this.  It’s got crunchy texture, lots of fresh seasonal produce and a sweet-and-salty tang.

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