Crowded House

I went through my cd's the other night after I got home from watching the Saints beat the Vikes and found my Crowded House cd. I was looking for Sex Pistols, but I must have that on cassette tape only. . . . moot point. I've added it to my iTunes collection and now it is piping through my computer's speakers, along with Supertramp and many others.

Sunday was mostly fun : I had to work, but the championship games started late, so I was able to catch some of them. While at work, the tv was on in the break room, so I caught snippets of the Jets/Colts game. All the while, I was getting texts from a couple of friends wondering where I was . . . So, as soon as we closed, I headed for the local establishment and caught up with both of them, P and S. Seeing P was just bonus ~ hadn't talked in ages, and he hadn't responded to my texts the past few weeks.

In any case . . . S and I watched the game. P was sitting next to us. At the end of the game, S and I headed to my place. We were up late - mostly talking and listening to music. Finally, we crashed . . . . in the same bed . . . and we actually discussed whether or not too . . .you know . . . but I really wanted to not immediately hop into the sack, proverbially speaking, so we kept things PG rated. Mostly.

Exhausted the next day, though - very little sleep. But . . . it is now tuesday, and I've prepared one of the fillings for tha hand-made ravioli that I'm making for C tomorrow night. Him and his dog are coming over! (a little nervous, though)

The filling is a simple mushroom mix :

8oz baby bellas, finelt diced
1 red onion, finely diced
~ 6 garlic cloves, finely diced

spices :
rosemary
oregano
a hint of dill
black pepper
bay leaf

saute` ingredients in olive oil over medium heat until onions are clear, about 5 to 10 minutes.

And hand-made ravioli is very simple :

1 part semolina flour
1 part water

white flour

Mix water to semolina flour, adding slowly and mixing. Form dough into ball and place into a bowl, covering with a damp cloth. Take an egg-sized piece [I know, it seems wrong for a vegan to utilze an egg, even if it is only for literary comparision] Roll out on a flat surface covered in white flour to prevent sticking.

Using a ravioli maker, place rolled out sheet of pasta on bottom part. Add spoonfuls of filling to each spot. Cover with second sheet of rolled out pasta. Use rolling pin to impress edges and then flip out of ravioli maker. Viola!

Very simple . . .

The other filling, other than soy cheese, that I'm thinking about is soy chorizo with onions and olives. But, we'll see. . . .

in any case . . .

slainte . . .

Mulu :>)

Honky Tonk

I went to work today from 9 to 5 (sounds like that should be a song . . . hm.m.m.m.m) And the plan was to then go to the gym, workout, come home and get ready to go out with C. to see this band - the Honky Tonk Experience - play at a local establishment. Well, all of that happened. But last night I started some kind of sinus/head cold thing, so I've been not feeling the greatest today. Most of me was wanting to cancel, and stay home. But . . . after work, I did go to the gym. I didn't do weights, but I swam a little over a mile and a quarter. Came home. Showered. And, with the sore nose/difficult breathing, tiredly awaited C. to pick me up.

Well, after me, we drove to a friend's of his to pick him up. And two other couples were to meet us out ~ one was celebrating her 50th! Seats were scarce; C & I ended up sitting at this table with some people he had met before while his friend sat at another table with folks he kinda knew, too. This establishment was very family oriented - down to the seating. I had checked it out on-line earlier, though, so I knew there would be something I could eat there.

The main offering is 'Bama style BBQ. C ordered the pulled pork. (What exactly is pulled meat? And people think what I eat is weird!!) I ordered the portobello 'burger'/sandwich. [It's become such a staple at meateries . . . ]

Well. In a nut shell. That was the best portabello 'burger/sandwich' I've ever had. The menu says they saute` it for 24 hours - and it's more than just a basalmic vinegar ~ it didn't have that tang . . . I'm half tempted to write to Bon Appetite's foodie column to get the recipe . . .

But . . . it's now 1:26am. I need to go to bed. That was a fantabulous portabello! great band - heard some songs I haven't heard for 15 - 20 years! C put his hand on my back, gentle (appropriate) touches. He dropped me off. Came in for a few - that turned into almost an hour! Some kissing. some playing with the dog (who is now in his crate, sleeping b/c mommy hasn't gone to bed yet)

I suggested that C come by on wednesday. That I could cook dinner. That he could bring his baby, his dog, to meet mine.

So . . .

We'll see.

But the question is : vegan {tofu} lasgana? or a 'meat' and potatoes type meal? Grill in the winter? Decisions . . . .

I'll let ya'll know.

in any case . . .

slainte . . .

Mulu

Redux

I'm going to change this a little: not so much focused on food, but still containing food, but more babbling nonsense.

I headed out this morning to get some cat food and makings for goulash. I FINALLY made it home! But, I got a TON of errands accomplished: gas in the car; bones for the dog; food for the cat; and groceries for me!

Now, I'm going to try an make hungarian goulash, vegan style, of course, so I'll let you know how it goes. But I probably won't make it until tuesday or so. And I need to make lasgana very soon, but I'm hoping the someone will accept my offer to cook for him, first. But, it's been about two weeks and no phone call, so I'm losing hope on that one.

This afternoon, I'm headed deep into the enemy territory of my high school alma mater to watch the playoff games with C. He's taken me to dinner twice - a perfect gentleman. And, he's as into his dog as I am into mine! One of the things I picked up at the grocery store was avacoados - 2 for $1. So, I might make some guacamole to bring with me.

One interesting thing about the goulash - it calls for worchester sauce. Which contains anchovies. So, looking at the other ingredients on the label, I picked up molasses, clove, I have garlic and vinegar, and I'm going to try to make my own. I'll do a little research online first, but . . .

Well, that's it for now . .

in any case . . .

slainte . . .

Mulu