Welcome winter.
When I got up to go to yoga this morning, I checked the weather. 18 degrees. It's not much compared to other parts of the country, but still -- COLD!
I tried to spare my flip-flop clad feet from the air by jogging out to my car as quickly as I could, but I didn't anticipate the amount of time I'd need to scrape my windows -- all covered in ice. (My $1 IKEA squeegee came in handy). It was so surprising, I had to take a few quick shots:
In the car, I could see my breath and the windshield wiper fluid was, of course, frozen. I had to roll down my window to see to the left side of my car. Bizarre.
Later, I was reluctant to leave the warm yoga studio, but I got myself out of there and went to buy some gas. The bucket of window washing fluid was frozen.
While I was pumping gas, I heard a strange noise, looked up, and saw a gas station attendant shoveling giant piles of ice out of the car wash. And there were giant icicles hanging on the entrance sign! Cracked me up.
Stay warm, everyone.
Crispy Tortilla Eggs with Avocado and Lime
So delicious!
This is the perfect quick dish -- I made it in less than 15 minutes. When it's 25 degrees outside (in Central Texas, no less), there is nothing like some homey, easy-to-make breakfast food to tame your hunger and help you forget about the chilly weather.
A few tips:
The recipe is easily adapted to serve more or less people -- just change the number of eggs. For my single serving, I still fried two tortillas. (Who could resist?)
Stale tortillas are key -- they will crisp better than fresh ones.
I used salsa from a jar, light sour cream, avocado, and jack cheese. Forgot the lime, but it was still delish!
Sorry to neglect the blog. I need to update more often, and hope to do so whenever I have the chance this year -- even if it's just a quick one.
My brother and I pledged to go "meat free" in January. He initially encouraged me to try it for December, but then he planned a trip to Austin and I warned him that vegetarians can't eat at the Salt Lick, Maria's Taco Express, or many other fine establishments in this Texas city. So we postponed til the New Year.
Here's an update on how it's going so far.
January 1, 2010: Day 1
I completely forget about my pledge and eat bacon at New Year's Day brunch (so delicious!). Damn. I pledge to go meat free an extra day, because of my slip-up.
January 4, 2010: Day 3
I forget about my pledge, yet again, and have soup for lunch. Chicken gumbo. Damn.
January 5, 2010: Day 3
Hit the web for recipes and then do a big trip to the grocery store to stock up on meat-free items.
Tool numero uno:The Ultimatest Grocery List.
The vegetarian version is excellent, even if you aren't a vegetarian! Lots of produce and yummy grains.
Tool numero dos: Recipes.
I get a weekly email from American Public Media's Splendid Kitchen and Tori Ritchie's Tuesday Recipe.
Tool numero tres: Patience.
I hate shopping in a grocery store I don't know, but I think I've finally figured out the H-E-B near work.
I attempted to "whip up" a few things last night. Problem is, while I can follow a recipe, it takes me forever. Prep time: 16 minutes. OR SO THEY CLAIM! I need to remember to DOUBLE the amount of time stated on the recipe, because that's how long it will take me.
Let's start with Emeril's Black Bean Cakes!
Sounds delicious right?
First off, the prep is NOT 16 minutes. It's more like 30. When they put "two cans of rinsed black beans," I don't think they are factoring the can-opening and bean-rinsing into the recipe. Silly chefs.
First you saute some onions, then chop some parsley, rinse those dang beans, make an elaborate creole spice mixture, and on and on. The first problem: the bean mixture looks like poop.
Second problem: you have to shape this stuff into patties. Mm. Kinda gross. Then you fry 'em up. I don't know what I did wrong, but the patties looked like they were made of something besides beans, and the patties kind of fell apart in the pan. Whoops. I'm sparing you the pictures, and instead showing you my jar of cumin: mmmm, cumin.
They looked gross, but tasted delicious, especially with salsa and sour cream! Give it a try. Hope you have better luck than me.
Then, I couldn't help myself, and followed up with Chocolate Chip Meringues.
Delicious! Easy! Fast! (Even without a handmixer!) Highly recommended.
That's all for now. Happy 2010!
Welcome winter.
