Perhaps I Should Have Partied Instead







21/4/2005

Back to noshblog site (click here)


Diary and Notes

Six months! Hasn't time just flown by. I am now (if you work on months) half way through my NoshBlog challenge. As I have spent all day marking essays on the life and works of Apollonius of Perge, I didn't even bother to throw a party or cook anything special - plus it's still pork chop and scone week so that's what's for dinner. I could have a really good moan to celebrate, that might be in keeping with such an auspicious day. Now, who to have a go at?

After reading about 40 essays on some dead Greek mathematician he would be a prime candidate - only he's dead and wont be reading my blog.

"There's an election on - you could have a go at the governmet." No, too easy.

"How about the opposition, Michael Howard - he's been stirring up racism for the last two months, that normally gets you going." But I'm not in the mood - and he wont win anyway, his opportunism and pandering to the lowest common denominator will scare of the people and attract only a hard core of right wing bigots.

"Americans, talk about fast food." Why? Why can't I just be nice for a day, be kind even to those who normally make me boil with rage. That's what I'll do, I'll spread love and compassion via the web in the form of a wish for all the living creatures of the universe to be happy and well.

"All the creatures, are you sure? What about Robert Kilroy Silk head of Veritas?" (Surely the name is a joke).

I did say living creatures didn't I - souless, blood sucking undead parasites, covered in make up to trick people into thinking they live and breathe shall retain my scorn even today.

Metta, as the Theravadins would say.

*****************************************************


And if you think I was exaggerating how much of a deliberate con the dried fruit was yesterday I checked the packet again: It has a large line which reads:

With Raspberry
flavoured Cranberry
and Mango

 Notice how the line break cunningly lures you into believing there are raspberries in the product. This is a deliberate deception and someone should be hanged.


Cake Blog

Muesli Scones: I know it sounds like an odd thing but they are pretty good. Cover them in cream or butter and make sure you have loads of jam - this will prevent any feelings of "My god, I'm eating something healthy."


Menu

  • Fusili with Pepperoni and Sun Dried Tomatoes

  • Pork Chop with Black Olive Tapenade and Asparagus



    Ingredients*

    Fusili with Pepperoni and Sun Dried Tomatoes
    75g Fusili
    1/4 tsp Fennel Seeds
    1 Green Chilli (Seeded)
    5 Sun Dried Tomatoes
    Olive Oil
    25g Pepperoni
    Few Celery Leaves
    Parmesan Cheese
    		 Pork Chop with Black Olive Tapenade
    1 Pork Chop
    10 Black Olives
    1 Clove Garlic
    1 tsp Minced Basil (or Pesto)
    1/2 tsp Pickled Peppercorns
    Few Fresh Thyme Leaves
    6 Large Asparagus Spears
    Knob Butter
    Salt and Pepper
    		 Muesli Scones
    100g Flour
    1/2tsp Baking Powder
    50g Muesli
    2 Tbsp Sugar
    25g Butter
    50ml Milk
    1 Egg



    Preparation

  • Place the tomatoes in water for 20 minutes to plump up before beginning. Boil the fusili. While it cooks warm some olive oil in a frying pan and add the fennel seeds. Leave to infuse for 2 minutes then add the chopped chilli, sun dried tomatoes and chopped pepperoni. When the fusili is cooked, drain and add to the frying pan. Stir in some chopped celery leaves, season and serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Make the tapenade by mincing the garlic, olives, peppercorns, basil and thyme together. Spread over the pork chop (both sides) then wrap the chop in cling film and leave in the fridge for 2 hours. When it's time to cook, allow the chop to come to room temperature before cooking (20 minutes or so). Steam the asparagus for 10 minutes and blanch in cold water to keep it green. Cook the chop in a really hot pan (no oil) for 4 minutes per side then remove and leave somewhere warm. Add the asparagus to the pan and fry for a minute to soak up and pork juice then serve buttered on the side.
  • Scones: Put the muesli in a bowl and pour over the milk. Mix and leave to soak in for 20 mins. Mix the flour and baking powder then rub in the butter. Add the muesli, sugar, milk & egg and mix, the scone mix should be quite thick and you can add more flour if it's too runny. Back the scones for 15 minutes at 220c.

    *****************************************************





    *All quantities are very approximate and for a single person





    JCBorresen@GMail.com