Month: January 2008

This is the second time in not so many months that I’ve gotten this bright red notice when I log into my credit card account. I actually really appreciate that Citibank is on the ball, but it’s a bit embarrassing running down a list of recent charges and admitting ‘yes, that was me’ to each one.

Import Japanese video game? Yes, yes, I ordered that.

$1.99 from iTunes? Um, yup, bought an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.

Newegg.com? Okay, so I bought another video game. Jeez.

Perhaps it’s time to lay off the ‘Place Order’ button. I may need to stay away from the Internets altogether in my free time. Of course that would mean no updates here, so I can’t very well do that. Am I the only one that gets these calls? Do I really make more online purchases than the average cardholder?

It has been awhile since I’ve added new items to my regular cooking repertoire. Well, I guess I tried the Brussels sprouts, but I’m talkin’ main dishes here. Meals.

I need some inspiration. I don’t get Food Network and PBS is showing ‘Viewers Favorites’ today so there won’t be any Mark Bittman or Everyday Food to study.

In my head, I picture something noodly or rice-based or chock full of beans. I don’t know. Something new and delicious. Sans exotic ingredients.

I know it’s a broad request. Maybe a nice go-to recipe of someone else would fit the bill. A lunch or dinner you’ve got down pat.

I gotta say I am really enjoying all the feedback. So many great ideas for Brussels sprouts. Before that it was the book suggestions.

Generally I think the mission statement for my blog is something like this:

“Keep people far and near updated on the Annie Jo goings on”

Since a lot of friends and family live far away, it’s an attempt to connect. But I like the addition of this ‘forth’ to my ‘back’ (or vice-versa?), so please keep it coming.

It turned out delicious. I made the no-knead special.

The first time I tried this, it was brilliant. The second time I made the recipe, the dough was terribly sticky and I later realized that I had measured the water incorrectly, putting too much in. The bread was good, but a dish towel was nearly lost in the process. This third time around I added some walnuts and it produced quite a tasty loaf.

I say, give this bread a try if you haven’t already. If anybody is wondering, I use a 2 quart Pyrex glass bowl with a lid (fairly inexpensive at Target if I remember correctly). I will also mention that I get my yeast from Costco because it’s about $3 for a huge sack of it that lasts for months.

Today’s lunch menu featured roasted brussels sprouts.  I can’t remember ever eating the vegetable before, but we all know of their less than stellar reputation.  I cut them in half, put them in a hot oven with olive oil, salt and pepper and waited for a nice crisp brown exterior.

Honestly I was frightened of eating them.  They were decent.  Some were better than others (the smaller ones).  I bought a bag of them so I had no choice in which individual sprouts came home with me.  I might try selecting them with care and giving them another go.  It takes me awhile to warm to new things, anyway.

Anybody else have experience with the infamous sprout?

After ignoring my poor little scoot for quite some time, I ventured out to the garage and wheeled it into the daylight.  About eight strenuous kickstarts later, the engine was up and running.  I was really just planning on letting it warm up to make sure winter hadn’t sucked all the life out of it, but the somewhat warm day lured me into a short ride.

So all is well on two wheels here and the temperature has dropped back down.  It seemed winter had left, the snow is just about melted, but snow is now back in the forecast.  I will be glad to make good use of my cold weather winter loot.