Wednesday 16/1/2013
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Diary and Notes
Somewhere in a seedy bar in Hades, Plato sits, eyes closed, contemplating something deep and meaningful. On the table in front of him is a glass of wine and a small, as yet untouched, square shaped, pastry.
The bar door swings open and - full of bravado - in storms Aristotle. He orders a pint of ouzo and then sits down opposite The Philosopher. He waits a minute, observing Plato, then very roughly pushes his shoulder and speaks.
Aristotle: What you up to?
Plato slowly opens his eyes and smiles.
Plato: Aah ‘tis you Aristotle.
Aristotle: I know it’s me. I was asking you what you were up to? Are you going to eat that pie or what?
Plato: Is this a pie Aristotle? Is it? Before you awakened me from my meditations I was in the process of contemplating the nature of the thing of which you speak, determining to which of the many inherent forms this article belongs.
Aristotle: What?
Plato: I was, in the simplistic terms to which you must be addressed, determining whether the said item was in fact a pie, or whether it should more correctly be referred to as a pasty.
Aristotle: Why don’t you just eat it? I’m sure once you give it a bite you’ll come to a decision. Anyway, what’s the difference?
Plato: The difference is fundamental. The question is, how can one know whether this is a pie or a pasty? It matters not to which form it should actually be attributed but whether one can divine such.
Aristotle: Are you bonkers or what? Look at it, the bloody thing’s square, not pasty shaped.
Plato: But how can I, just by looking, truly observe the shape. Will not my mind interpret my vision and thus corrupt the truth of which I desire. Can we, by observing, see?
Aristotle: It’s a damn sight better than not looking you old twit. If you want to know if it’s a pie or a pasty, then just look at the thing. Anyway, I am more interested in what it tastes like. What sort of filling is it Plato? I could really go a Greggs Steak Bake at the moment.
Plato: I believe that I requested a cheese and onion pasty but how can I know if it is actually a cheese and onion pasty?
Aristotle: Give it a bite, if you don’t, I will.
Plato: By tasting can you really know?
Aristotle takes a big swig of ouzo, then picks up the Greggs cheese and onion pasty and takes a bite. He then stands up and punches Plato in the face.
Plato: That really hurt, you bastard.
Aristotle: How do you know it hurt Plato, how do you bloody well know?
Today’s bizarre ramblings were brought on by a conversation I had with one of the other dads at Isis’s school. We were discussing what the difference between a pie and a pasty was and he, being an educated sort of a chap, made a reference to Aristotle. I can’t remember exactly what he said but it gave me the idea.
And if Plato is reading this from wherever he now is, please forgive me, you are my only true hero*.
*Excluding the late Keith Floyd of course.
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Menu
Ingredients*
| Sautéed Pork with Sage 300g Pork Shoulder 6 Sage Leaves 1 Clove Garlic 1 TBSP Olive Oil 2 tsp White Wine Vinegar Salt and Black Pepper Little Flat Leaf Parsley (Chopped) |
Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce 200g Spaghetti 1 Onion 1 Clove Garlic 1 TBSP Olive Oil 1 Can Tomatoes 150g Tomato Purée 2 tsp Pickled Capers Little Chilli Powder 2 tsp Tomato Ketchup 1 tsp White Wine Vinegar Little Sugar and Salt Parmesan Cheese |
Note: Today's dinner was a big hit with the kids. The pork is marinaded in a manner very similar to saltimbocca but as I didn't have any veal, nor any white wine I had to do this instead. A glass of Orvietto would have gone down a treat.
For dessert we had some excellent chocolate ice cream from Aldi. Much, much better than even the premium ranges from other supermarkets.
Preparation
Today’s Ratings:
Isis: Yum - I got a thumbs up - praise indeed.
Eve: Spaghetti - yum.
Olias: Spaghetti - Yum.
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JCBorresen@GMail.com