And then he prayed, "God I am asking for two things before I die; don't refuse me-
1. Banish lies from my lips and liars from my presence.
2. Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little. If I am too full, I might get independent, saying, 'God? Who needs him?' If I am poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:7-9
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sundays are Special
Ryan and I have made it a habit to set aside Sunday as a special day. We usually wake up late, drink coffee together (I had a honey latte this morning, YUM!), and then we head to the Hollywood Farmer's Market to buy fixings for a special Sunday dinner and a few days worth of produce.
Today, at the market a new vendor dazzled us with his beautiful array of mushrooms.
He offered patrons more varieties of mushrooms than I have ever seen in my life. Chantrelles, morrels, weird ones that looked like martians with antennas. The variety of mushrooms was overwhelming, and even a little intimidating, but I was after one variety, the portobello, and in this array of eccentric shrooms, the portobello seemed as plain as Jane.
I searched his selection and the only mushroom I could not find was my beloved, portentous portobellos. Last week, Ryan and I searched high and low for them, scouring each vendors offerings, only to leave empty handed, and forced to put my special portobello fajita recipe on hold for a week in hopes of finding these treasures at this week's market. I feared that I would have to wait to try the much anticipated fajitas for another week.
After minutes of searching, I resolved to ask the vendor if he had any portobellos left, hoping that Ryan and my lazy morning had not cost us the joy of savoring these fungi. He informed me that he was not allowed to sell portobellos because three other vendors had monopoly over them at this market.
Sensing my disappointment and not wanting to turn away a customer, he took me aside and whispered his admittance to having a few perfectly plumb portobellos left from the early morning rush before his license to sell them was revoked. He said they were mine, if I wanted them. Upon my request, he beckoned his assistant to procure the portobellos. His assistant scurried to the back of the truck and emerged with a small brown paper bag. I checked the goods to make sure they were as plumb as promised and handed the vendor his dough.
As I made my way to the lettuce man in the next stall over, I eyed the rest of his magnificent display of fungi. Next week, I will buy an array of exotic mushrooms for a special bisque, but today I was content with my portobellos.
Tonight we sliced up our black market shrooms and put them into a fajita. They tasted out of this world delicious.
Try the recipe and let me know what you think (even Ryan loved the salsa and he hates tomatoes).
Portobello Fajitas
2 T olive oil
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 portobello mushrooms, stems removed and caps cut into strips
1 t chili powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 t cayenne (optional)
4 large tortillas, warmed (I like the Ezekial because they add a nice earthy flavor and are a whole source of protein).
Fresh tomato salsa (recipe to follow) or your own favorite salsa
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, cover, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring a few times, until tender, 1 to 3 minutes. Add the chili powder, salt, and cayenne (if using) and cook, stirring to coat the vegetables with the spices, for 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and keep warm.
2. Place the tortillas on a flat work surface and spread a large spoonful of the mushroom mixture across the lower third of each tortilla. Top each portion of filling with salsa. Roll up the fajitas to enclose the filling and serve at once.
Serves 4
Fresh Tomato Salsa
3 large ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped (This is a lot of work and you loose the nutrients of the tomatoes when you seed them. I threw a bunch of heirloom cherry tomatoes into a food processor, it was quick and easy, and the salsa came out great).
1 small, fresh hot red chile (optional), seeded and minced.
4 scallions, minced
1 garlic clove (or 4, that is how many I used, but we love garlic).
1 T fresh lime juice
1/4 c minced fresh cilantro leaves
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1. Combine the tomatoes, chile (if using), scallions, and garlic in a large bowl. Add the lime juice and cilantro, season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir to combine.
2. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour before serving. If not using right away, store in the refrigerator, where it will keep for 3 to 5 days. Bring back to room temperature before serving.
Makes about 2 1/2 cups
Ryan and I added black refried beans and jalapeno goat cheese to our fajitas. We also had guacamole (because I could not resist the fresh avocados at outrageous prices 4 for $1!) and Ryan's special rice pilaf on the side.
Bon Appetit!
Both recipes taken from Robin Robertson's Vegan Planet.
Today, at the market a new vendor dazzled us with his beautiful array of mushrooms.
He offered patrons more varieties of mushrooms than I have ever seen in my life. Chantrelles, morrels, weird ones that looked like martians with antennas. The variety of mushrooms was overwhelming, and even a little intimidating, but I was after one variety, the portobello, and in this array of eccentric shrooms, the portobello seemed as plain as Jane.
I searched his selection and the only mushroom I could not find was my beloved, portentous portobellos. Last week, Ryan and I searched high and low for them, scouring each vendors offerings, only to leave empty handed, and forced to put my special portobello fajita recipe on hold for a week in hopes of finding these treasures at this week's market. I feared that I would have to wait to try the much anticipated fajitas for another week.
After minutes of searching, I resolved to ask the vendor if he had any portobellos left, hoping that Ryan and my lazy morning had not cost us the joy of savoring these fungi. He informed me that he was not allowed to sell portobellos because three other vendors had monopoly over them at this market.
Sensing my disappointment and not wanting to turn away a customer, he took me aside and whispered his admittance to having a few perfectly plumb portobellos left from the early morning rush before his license to sell them was revoked. He said they were mine, if I wanted them. Upon my request, he beckoned his assistant to procure the portobellos. His assistant scurried to the back of the truck and emerged with a small brown paper bag. I checked the goods to make sure they were as plumb as promised and handed the vendor his dough.
As I made my way to the lettuce man in the next stall over, I eyed the rest of his magnificent display of fungi. Next week, I will buy an array of exotic mushrooms for a special bisque, but today I was content with my portobellos.
Tonight we sliced up our black market shrooms and put them into a fajita. They tasted out of this world delicious.
Try the recipe and let me know what you think (even Ryan loved the salsa and he hates tomatoes).
Portobello Fajitas
2 T olive oil
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 portobello mushrooms, stems removed and caps cut into strips
1 t chili powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 t cayenne (optional)
4 large tortillas, warmed (I like the Ezekial because they add a nice earthy flavor and are a whole source of protein).
Fresh tomato salsa (recipe to follow) or your own favorite salsa
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, cover, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring a few times, until tender, 1 to 3 minutes. Add the chili powder, salt, and cayenne (if using) and cook, stirring to coat the vegetables with the spices, for 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and keep warm.
2. Place the tortillas on a flat work surface and spread a large spoonful of the mushroom mixture across the lower third of each tortilla. Top each portion of filling with salsa. Roll up the fajitas to enclose the filling and serve at once.
Serves 4
Fresh Tomato Salsa
3 large ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped (This is a lot of work and you loose the nutrients of the tomatoes when you seed them. I threw a bunch of heirloom cherry tomatoes into a food processor, it was quick and easy, and the salsa came out great).
1 small, fresh hot red chile (optional), seeded and minced.
4 scallions, minced
1 garlic clove (or 4, that is how many I used, but we love garlic).
1 T fresh lime juice
1/4 c minced fresh cilantro leaves
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1. Combine the tomatoes, chile (if using), scallions, and garlic in a large bowl. Add the lime juice and cilantro, season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir to combine.
2. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour before serving. If not using right away, store in the refrigerator, where it will keep for 3 to 5 days. Bring back to room temperature before serving.
Makes about 2 1/2 cups
Ryan and I added black refried beans and jalapeno goat cheese to our fajitas. We also had guacamole (because I could not resist the fresh avocados at outrageous prices 4 for $1!) and Ryan's special rice pilaf on the side.
Bon Appetit!
Both recipes taken from Robin Robertson's Vegan Planet.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Knowing God's Peace
Almost a month ago now, I took a job teaching high school special ed. Last week was my first full week. Overall the week went well with a few bumps and blow-ups, but I ended yesterday with excitement for what God has planned for the lives of my students these last nine weeks and for my heart transformation.
I began work on Monday and Tuesday with deep anxiety about the choice I made to take this job and my capability to handle it. The root of my anxiety is putting myself out there. "Putting myself out there" both literally, getting myself out of the comfort of my home, and figuratively, presenting myself and what knowledge I have to offer these students.
To work through my anxiety, I faced the problem. I walked into the classroom despite my feelings (and a strong desire to drive away and quit). I also prayed a verse from 1 Timothy "For you were not given a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and a sound mind." I prayed this throughout the day, in my sleep, and when the wave of anxiety hit every morning around 7. I also found a Rita Springer song that I listen to on the way to work that helps me pray for my own spirit and the spirit of this generation I am working with.
By Wednesday morning, I left the house at 7:20 with little anxiety and I had an excellent day with my students. Thursday was a little rougher and Friday left me energized.
God is teaching me to lean on Him for my strength and to walk forth with confidence in life's circumstances. I am learning to trust that God loves me and has the best in mind for me. Allowing myself to believe in these truths has invited peace into my heart and mind because despite what happens during the day God is with me and He loves me.
By the way, if anyone is wondering how I am doing with keeping my commitment to maintaining my joie de vivre, I am doing fabulous. I went out several nights last week to have fun! I did not take any work home with me and I left every day by 3:30. I am really proud of myself.
I began work on Monday and Tuesday with deep anxiety about the choice I made to take this job and my capability to handle it. The root of my anxiety is putting myself out there. "Putting myself out there" both literally, getting myself out of the comfort of my home, and figuratively, presenting myself and what knowledge I have to offer these students.
To work through my anxiety, I faced the problem. I walked into the classroom despite my feelings (and a strong desire to drive away and quit). I also prayed a verse from 1 Timothy "For you were not given a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and a sound mind." I prayed this throughout the day, in my sleep, and when the wave of anxiety hit every morning around 7. I also found a Rita Springer song that I listen to on the way to work that helps me pray for my own spirit and the spirit of this generation I am working with.
By Wednesday morning, I left the house at 7:20 with little anxiety and I had an excellent day with my students. Thursday was a little rougher and Friday left me energized.
God is teaching me to lean on Him for my strength and to walk forth with confidence in life's circumstances. I am learning to trust that God loves me and has the best in mind for me. Allowing myself to believe in these truths has invited peace into my heart and mind because despite what happens during the day God is with me and He loves me.
By the way, if anyone is wondering how I am doing with keeping my commitment to maintaining my joie de vivre, I am doing fabulous. I went out several nights last week to have fun! I did not take any work home with me and I left every day by 3:30. I am really proud of myself.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
All of my posts are made of words...mostly because I reflect on what I want to say while I am running, so I don't have a camera to capture what I see and write about. I will be adding images as much as possible.
I realized part of my vision for this blog is to stay connected with friends, but also to share and inspire green living...I will be posting new things I am doing and learning about green living soon.
I am starting a vegetable and herb garden!!! More on this later.
I realized part of my vision for this blog is to stay connected with friends, but also to share and inspire green living...I will be posting new things I am doing and learning about green living soon.
I am starting a vegetable and herb garden!!! More on this later.
Simple Pleasures
1. Sleeping in and waking up next to my husband on a week day.
2. Smells of fresh jasmine and the hot sun on a clear LA day.
3. A fried egg, Irish soda bread, and hot coffee with Ryan.
4. The peace of knowing God has a plan for me and I am working it out each day.
5. Sitting and talking to Ryan's grandma, while a light breeze and the bright sun streaming in the windows.
6. Seeing her joy in Ryan.
7. Cooking dinner with butter.
8. Talking to my mom on the telephone about life.
9. Eating dinner with Ryan (doing just about anything with Ryan constitutes as a simple pleasure).
10. Laying down for a catnap in Ryan's arms before we go our separate ways for the evening.
11. Going for a run in the late evening, the tangerine sun on its way down.
12. Running a different route.
13. Breathing hard and stretching my legs.
14. Children playing in the park with their dads.
15. Sprouting spring flowers.
16. Eating a bowl of fresh, chilled strawberries.
17. Manicured toe nails.
2. Smells of fresh jasmine and the hot sun on a clear LA day.
3. A fried egg, Irish soda bread, and hot coffee with Ryan.
4. The peace of knowing God has a plan for me and I am working it out each day.
5. Sitting and talking to Ryan's grandma, while a light breeze and the bright sun streaming in the windows.
6. Seeing her joy in Ryan.
7. Cooking dinner with butter.
8. Talking to my mom on the telephone about life.
9. Eating dinner with Ryan (doing just about anything with Ryan constitutes as a simple pleasure).
10. Laying down for a catnap in Ryan's arms before we go our separate ways for the evening.
11. Going for a run in the late evening, the tangerine sun on its way down.
12. Running a different route.
13. Breathing hard and stretching my legs.
14. Children playing in the park with their dads.
15. Sprouting spring flowers.
16. Eating a bowl of fresh, chilled strawberries.
17. Manicured toe nails.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Energy Paradox
Yesterday, I felt tired and lazy after work. I came home and ate a piece of the vegan chocolate-peanut butter brownies Ryan made to celebrate my return from Washington. I felt the need to lay down, but the pull to go out for a run.
I finally convinced myself to go for a run and it felt amazing. I listened to the Beatles' Sergeant Pepper's, though not the most upbeat workout music, the run was exhilarating. My heart racing and legs burning. I focused on holding in my abs, so even my abs burned at the end.
After stretching out my muscles on the Ave 64 Church lawn, I felt I had been reborn.
Isn't it weird how doing something that exerts energy when you feel like you have no energy left can make you feel more energetic than more tired? I know there is science to explain this, but I just enjoy the mystery.
Go out and do something you love or for someone you love, even if you don't feel like it. I promise the doing will change how you feel.
I finally convinced myself to go for a run and it felt amazing. I listened to the Beatles' Sergeant Pepper's, though not the most upbeat workout music, the run was exhilarating. My heart racing and legs burning. I focused on holding in my abs, so even my abs burned at the end.
After stretching out my muscles on the Ave 64 Church lawn, I felt I had been reborn.
Isn't it weird how doing something that exerts energy when you feel like you have no energy left can make you feel more energetic than more tired? I know there is science to explain this, but I just enjoy the mystery.
Go out and do something you love or for someone you love, even if you don't feel like it. I promise the doing will change how you feel.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Holding on to my Joie de Vivre
Experience the Joy of Discovery!
1. Fill my interim classroom with joyful things: fresh flowers, music, fun pictures of Ryan and I.
2. Be ready and willing to make lots of mistakes. Recover quickly.
3. Office hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:30-3:30
Thursday 7:30-5:00
Saturday-Sunday CLOSED
Thursdays will be my afternoon to plan for the upcoming week and get materials together.
4. I will not take work home with me under any circumstances.
5. I will only grade two assignments per week to put into the grade book (for a total of 20).
6. Saturday and Sunday are dedicated to Ryan and I. We will do fun things together (i.e., farmer's market, hike, paint, write, work out, and cook extravagently. I will rest.
7. I will continue to work out at least 4 days per week.
8. I will start a garden.
9. I will not take myself too seriously. Laugh daily.
1. Fill my interim classroom with joyful things: fresh flowers, music, fun pictures of Ryan and I.
2. Be ready and willing to make lots of mistakes. Recover quickly.
3. Office hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:30-3:30
Thursday 7:30-5:00
Saturday-Sunday CLOSED
Thursdays will be my afternoon to plan for the upcoming week and get materials together.
4. I will not take work home with me under any circumstances.
5. I will only grade two assignments per week to put into the grade book (for a total of 20).
6. Saturday and Sunday are dedicated to Ryan and I. We will do fun things together (i.e., farmer's market, hike, paint, write, work out, and cook extravagently. I will rest.
7. I will continue to work out at least 4 days per week.
8. I will start a garden.
9. I will not take myself too seriously. Laugh daily.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Life Update
Well people, I got a job (another long term substituting assignment).
This job will take me through the end of the Burbank Unified school year which ends on May 27th. As of Tuesday, I am a special ed (RSP and SDC) teacher for science (biology/geology) and basic math teacher. Not my dream job. In fact, for the last twelve or so hours since I officially accepted the position, I have had regrets and fears. I have wanted to run in fear, resending my decision. I took the job for several reasons.
Number one: It will significantly increase our income and will help to pay off at least half of my student loans!
Number two: I have no shortage of confidence that I can do the job and do it well.
Number three: I feel for the students. Their regular teacher was out for the entire month of February and combined weeks in the first semester, so they have seen a lot of substitutes this year. This is difficult for regular ed students, but especially difficult for students with behavioral issues and learning disabilities. Consistency is key with this group.
Number four: I have compassion and Christ. I don't want to over-spiritualize or judge, but many substitutes (and regular teachers) have little patience and lack of care for special needs students. In my experience in other special ed classrooms, I have demonstrated my ability to have patience with these sometimes difficult students.
Number five: I know this opportunity came from God (again not wanting to over-spiritualize). If you refer to a blog I wrote in August, you will remember me preaching on God's perfect provision demonstrated through his feeding of the five thousand. I came across that study on Monday morning as I was doing my quiet time and I confessed to God that I was afraid to pray for his provision like I had during the summer because I knew he would provide, and consequently, I would have to work. I admitted that I did not want to have the stress or responsibility that came along with a full time position. I also admitted that I wanted to grow out of my perfectionism and constant worry that I am not good enough. I told got that I want to be able to have a job and have peace. God's response: "You must learn to have peace under pressure when you are experiencing pressure."
Sure enough, Monday afternoon, I got a call from Burbank's district office offering me the position. Of course, once I confessed my fears and asked for God to change me, he provided an opportunity.
Number six: As you may have noted earlier, science, math, and special ed are not my areas of expertise. I feel that this is the perfect climate for me to relinquish control of what I know and trust myself to do the best job I possibly can without feeling the intense pressure of having to do it perfectly. It also gives me opportunity to rely on God's grace. Though others have shown tremendous grace to me during my other long term positions as an English teacher, in this position, I will be forced to give myself grace and rely on God.
Number seven: Opportunity for growth. I am determined to grow, specifically in trusting God to sustain me and trusting that he has given me what I need to be successful in all circumstances. I also want to grow out of perfectionism. In my other assignments, I planned for hours upon hours for each class. For this job, I want to prepare well, but I plan to set boundaries for myself, so that this job does not take over my life.
****My guidelines for maintaining my joie de vivre will be published soon.****
This job will take me through the end of the Burbank Unified school year which ends on May 27th. As of Tuesday, I am a special ed (RSP and SDC) teacher for science (biology/geology) and basic math teacher. Not my dream job. In fact, for the last twelve or so hours since I officially accepted the position, I have had regrets and fears. I have wanted to run in fear, resending my decision. I took the job for several reasons.
Number one: It will significantly increase our income and will help to pay off at least half of my student loans!
Number two: I have no shortage of confidence that I can do the job and do it well.
Number three: I feel for the students. Their regular teacher was out for the entire month of February and combined weeks in the first semester, so they have seen a lot of substitutes this year. This is difficult for regular ed students, but especially difficult for students with behavioral issues and learning disabilities. Consistency is key with this group.
Number four: I have compassion and Christ. I don't want to over-spiritualize or judge, but many substitutes (and regular teachers) have little patience and lack of care for special needs students. In my experience in other special ed classrooms, I have demonstrated my ability to have patience with these sometimes difficult students.
Number five: I know this opportunity came from God (again not wanting to over-spiritualize). If you refer to a blog I wrote in August, you will remember me preaching on God's perfect provision demonstrated through his feeding of the five thousand. I came across that study on Monday morning as I was doing my quiet time and I confessed to God that I was afraid to pray for his provision like I had during the summer because I knew he would provide, and consequently, I would have to work. I admitted that I did not want to have the stress or responsibility that came along with a full time position. I also admitted that I wanted to grow out of my perfectionism and constant worry that I am not good enough. I told got that I want to be able to have a job and have peace. God's response: "You must learn to have peace under pressure when you are experiencing pressure."
Sure enough, Monday afternoon, I got a call from Burbank's district office offering me the position. Of course, once I confessed my fears and asked for God to change me, he provided an opportunity.
Number six: As you may have noted earlier, science, math, and special ed are not my areas of expertise. I feel that this is the perfect climate for me to relinquish control of what I know and trust myself to do the best job I possibly can without feeling the intense pressure of having to do it perfectly. It also gives me opportunity to rely on God's grace. Though others have shown tremendous grace to me during my other long term positions as an English teacher, in this position, I will be forced to give myself grace and rely on God.
Number seven: Opportunity for growth. I am determined to grow, specifically in trusting God to sustain me and trusting that he has given me what I need to be successful in all circumstances. I also want to grow out of perfectionism. In my other assignments, I planned for hours upon hours for each class. For this job, I want to prepare well, but I plan to set boundaries for myself, so that this job does not take over my life.
****My guidelines for maintaining my joie de vivre will be published soon.****
Monday, March 1, 2010
Food is Divine and Left-overs are a Godsend.
The meal I made for date night was amazing! Well, that is what Ryan told me anyway (I had difficulty tasting any of it, because of nasal congestion). I can say first hand that there is nothing like homemade bread. As my olfactory glands have revived in the last 24 hours, I have enjoyed its flavorful richness.
I had second thoughts about even attempting to make bread, as I traveled to three stores before finding active yeast, and then spent fifteen minutes strenuously mixing the dough and kneading it. I almost hoped the bread would come out flat and tasteless so I would be less compelled to attempt this process again.
I am glad the hard work paid off and that we have two loaves of whole grain herb bread to show for it! YUM! I did not have whole wheat flour (it was whole wheat pastry flour), so instead I used a mixture of unbleached all purpose flour, wheat germ, and flaxseed, then I added fresh chopped parsley and dill along with dried thyme and marjoram (a spice I have never used before). The results were heavenly.
The bread came out crisp on the outside, hollow sounding on the inside, but soft and dense to taste. A wonderful compliment to our portobello and green bean ragout and artichoke parfait.
Though this meal took a tremendous amount of effort; both Ryan and I chopping and stirring away. It has yielded delicious left-overs.
For the first year of our marriage, I detested left-overs. For one, I have heard that bad bacteria grows in left-overs, so I tried to keep a safe distance and only cook what was necessary for the night's dinner. This is a good strategy, but it becomes tedious to reduce recipes (at the cost of flavor sometimes) and it takes the same amount of work to cook less without the added convenience of instant lunch or dinner the following day.
I especially love the instant lunch part, because I tire of packing my lunch for work after cooking dinner. Now, I often make an extra large salad for dinner that yields enough left-overs for a tasty lunch the following day.
In the recent weeks, I have become a friend of my slow cooker. I love it! Last week I made lentil sloppy joes for dinner. Though they had a nice flavor, the lentils overcooked a little, so the slop was a bit dry. This however did not stop Ryan or I from re-inventing the tremendous amount of leftovers (I think the recipe made six servings).
The night following the dry lentil sloppy joes, Ryan made his famous date infused basmati rice which is always moist. This rice has spicy notes of garlic and onion combined with sweet hints from the Medjool dates. The freshly chopped parsley also adds to its unique and satisfying flavor. While Ryan whipped up his rice, I heated the dry slop on the stove, adding water, hoping to give it back some life, and it did!
Wow! The combination of the date pilaf and lentils was surprisingly delicious. We opened a bottle of cabernet-sauvignon to add a little elegance and both of us felt like royalty at this modest feast of left overs. Ryan commented that the rice and the lentils paired perfectly, one was incomplete without the other.
I had second thoughts about even attempting to make bread, as I traveled to three stores before finding active yeast, and then spent fifteen minutes strenuously mixing the dough and kneading it. I almost hoped the bread would come out flat and tasteless so I would be less compelled to attempt this process again.
I am glad the hard work paid off and that we have two loaves of whole grain herb bread to show for it! YUM! I did not have whole wheat flour (it was whole wheat pastry flour), so instead I used a mixture of unbleached all purpose flour, wheat germ, and flaxseed, then I added fresh chopped parsley and dill along with dried thyme and marjoram (a spice I have never used before). The results were heavenly.
The bread came out crisp on the outside, hollow sounding on the inside, but soft and dense to taste. A wonderful compliment to our portobello and green bean ragout and artichoke parfait.
Though this meal took a tremendous amount of effort; both Ryan and I chopping and stirring away. It has yielded delicious left-overs.
For the first year of our marriage, I detested left-overs. For one, I have heard that bad bacteria grows in left-overs, so I tried to keep a safe distance and only cook what was necessary for the night's dinner. This is a good strategy, but it becomes tedious to reduce recipes (at the cost of flavor sometimes) and it takes the same amount of work to cook less without the added convenience of instant lunch or dinner the following day.
I especially love the instant lunch part, because I tire of packing my lunch for work after cooking dinner. Now, I often make an extra large salad for dinner that yields enough left-overs for a tasty lunch the following day.
In the recent weeks, I have become a friend of my slow cooker. I love it! Last week I made lentil sloppy joes for dinner. Though they had a nice flavor, the lentils overcooked a little, so the slop was a bit dry. This however did not stop Ryan or I from re-inventing the tremendous amount of leftovers (I think the recipe made six servings).
The night following the dry lentil sloppy joes, Ryan made his famous date infused basmati rice which is always moist. This rice has spicy notes of garlic and onion combined with sweet hints from the Medjool dates. The freshly chopped parsley also adds to its unique and satisfying flavor. While Ryan whipped up his rice, I heated the dry slop on the stove, adding water, hoping to give it back some life, and it did!
Wow! The combination of the date pilaf and lentils was surprisingly delicious. We opened a bottle of cabernet-sauvignon to add a little elegance and both of us felt like royalty at this modest feast of left overs. Ryan commented that the rice and the lentils paired perfectly, one was incomplete without the other.
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