So I decided to pick up some Shiitake mushrooms for my april ingredient. After looking up many recipes and considering the contents of our kitchen, I thought I’d try to make something a little creative: Shiitake mushroom cream sauce and meatballs over orzo. The orzo turned out great…but for some reason I couldn’t get the cream sauce to thicken. Normally I do pretty well with this sort of thing, but I was trying to use up some left over heavy cream, and perhaps that inhibited my usual thickening method in some manner. Sadly, I am no molecular gastronomist.
The dish tasted fine, although it needed a little more salt. In case you’re wondering, the meatballs were cooked in butter and parsley til browned on the outside, then added to the cream sauce at the last minute. As you can tell when you look closer, the sauce itself was too runny and fell to the bottom of the bowl.
Oh well, you can’t win them all. It wasn’t awful, just not finely tuned as a tasty monthly ingredient meal should be…
In case you’re wondering, this is a part of a year-long series I am doing on the use of novel ingredients in my cooking. My other previous ingredients include rutabagas, habanero peppers, gelatin and chayotes. Feel free to suggest other ingredients for future use.
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Last week my wife and I fell upon a gem of a place in Fairmount park. Everything was a fresh, vibrant green.
The water fountain below, inscribed with “For the good of the public,this will be here forever.” Notice the water fountain no longer exists…
Water still exists elsewhere, however.
In response to my previous post on politics, I received a most intriguing response from my good friend Jeff. It reminded me of our many conversations during our cross-country road trips almost two years ago.
Jeff’s Comments:
[In relation to my suggestion that we should investigate political issues to a deeper extent] “i’m interested in personality. …i suppose you can’t debate personality, but by showing an interest in the personalities of who is in charge, it can at least help you understand why they’re doing the things you do… any books you would recommend on key political personalities? … of course, it may be a little more difficult than that: i think politics, as you’re using the term, is complicated by a misplaced passion for “issues” instead of for people … the people in power may have money and prestige, but the poor … their ‘politics’ is very different. To solve their ‘issue,’ you gotta invest time in being with them, listening to them, offering them a hand from below (‘cause you wouldn’t want to ‘reach down’ in a condescending way) … and i think that would be time better spent than time spent doing research on healthcare or immigration …”
“It’s funny too that you’ve turned nostalgic … wishing for a return of the good ‘ol days, when men were men, and political debates were for dinner tables …”
My Response:
I’m not sure I really wish for the “good ol’ days,” in a sense. I merely wish that politics wouldn’t be something only religious and philosophy types discussed. In all honesty, both groups have their heads in the clouds too often, and sadly the practical people are often left out of the discussion. I’m more suggesting bringing traditional American pragmatism to the political realm. Sure, there are underlying philosophical debates, often ones that cannot truly be reconciled. Yet laws are still passed, decrees still made. And those laws contain very specific rules and values, often agreed upon arbitrarily, by people with no real problem solving skills whatsoever.
While I’m on the subject of disagreeing with [Jeff], I both agree and disagree with your “issues” versus “people.” Issues arrive as a result of people. Healthcare is an issue because 1. there are millions of people in this country who need it and 2. millions of people who go into debt trying to afford it. So to say an issue is a standalone, faceless cause is remiss. And to interact with those faces, to help them is important. But whether you like it or not, the rich and powerful are the best equipped to make and institute sweeping change. The Magna Carta, accepted begrudgingly by the king at the time, was only possible as a result of his approval. We like to think that Revolutions occur at the will of the masses. Yet behind any large group of people are those with power. It is the way society maintains its order. So to focus on issues and candidates is not insensitive, nor does it neglect those who need face-to-face interaction. The reason people need to focus on “issues” such as healthcare is that currently, society just ignores them. We do our good deeds. If we’re lucky we get to know other people and truly care about them on equal levels of humanity. Yet we fail to see the sweeping decisions made by our government that may either help or hinder the situations of the very people we’re trying to help. We simply bemoan politics and relegate it to another realm, as if our little actions alone will change the world. More times than not, especially practically, decisions must be made about the “issues” to really make a difference. I know that this stance flies in the face of all the cute and fuzzy social activism of micro-loans, inner-city teachers and helping out at the local soup kitchen. I’m not criticizing those things. But they are interdependent on the rich and powerful who make decisions whether to help or to hinder the propagation of greater social good. And since we do vote, time spent understanding specific issues is not time wasted. We need Mother Teresas, Catherine Drexels, Nelson Mandelas, George Bushes and Barack Obamas. Dislike whom you choose, but communal ignorance on political issues is a grave mistake in a holistic approach to corporate social change.
Your Turn:
Now you’ve heard what we think. What do you think?
Politics.
Perhaps it is the circles I inhabit, but politics is one of those realms of life that nobody wants to discuss anymore. Sure, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, John Stewart, Steven Colbert and very specific groups of commentators and entertainers are willing to tell us what to think. But where has the dinnertime political discussion gone? Who goes out anymore to the local pub to discuss the newest health care bill, and its effect on our lives?
“Nobody.”
Sadly, if you’re interested in thoughtful discussion, you are more likely to be critiquing the local athletic team’s roster than the voting record of the candidates you put into office. We get all of our “informed opinions” from the catch phrases of the Associated Press and sound bites of Fox News. For instance, what do you know about the latest health care bill? Not what you think of it, what can you tell me about the bill itself? Did you read any parts of it? Or did you at least read a detailed overview of its primary parts?
“I don’t care,” you say.
Shame on you. I keep hearing that nobody cares about politics anymore. Sure, there are plenty of reasons to hate the current political scene. I don’t even need to provide support for these reasons. You know what they are. Yet, whether you like it or not, you are (likely) a citizen of a democratic republic, responsible for voting into office all of the politicians for your area.
“But I…”
You’re too busy, right? Yes, Facebook, Lost, The Office, Fringe, the Phillies and all of your other time spent doing “fun” things demonstrates excellent wisdom in the utilization of your time. You’re just one person, right? There is an element of truth here. And yet there is power in numbers. There is ownership and accountability when our elected officials have to face a truly informed public audience.
“What do I do?”
Well, why not try reading up on the politics of a topic about which you are passionate? Read multiple viewpoints, look at the current laws and legislative decisions surrounding this topic. Simply look up the basics of the legislation. Become a student of a specific topic. Then, don’t stop there. Think about what you are learning. Apply your moral convictions to the situation. Learn about tough decisions our country has made in the past. Finally, refine your thoughts by discussing the topic with someone else who has gone through a similar process.
“Sounds hard.”
I am certain that the issues at hand are well beyond the scope of a simple blog post, yet I am curious as to what people think about the situation. And I am more than willing to get together and have a thoughtful discussion with you.
“What are you interested in?”
Energy policy, Healthcare, Immigration Policy, Educational policy, Regulation of large companies, and lots of other stuff.
Our country, despite its many flaws, is an excellent place to live. Don’t let it deteriorate through your indifference.
I just thought I would entitle this post something deep…something ruggedly pensive and wholeheartedly honest. Basically, as I sit back and look into my actions, thoughts and motives of the previous few weeks, there is no escaping my own subliminal materialism.
So in the past month or so I have been enjoying the fun of day-to-day stock investing, pondering home purchases and looking up the type of camera and lenses I would buy if I were to fall upon a money tree. In the most simple sense, these are innocent actions - the basic behavior you would expect from any man in his mid-twenties, recently married and eagerly expectant of a successful career as a growing professional.
Yet, if I am to probe further, to exercise piercing introspection, I fall into the same quantum well as the local two-year-old: “me, me, me!” And I don’t contain the energy to get out on my own. It is a simple yet unappreciated fact that we humans are selfish. When I think about the future, I am concerned for my welfare - the house I want, the vacations I desire. Sadly, this insatiable appetite for self-advancement fails to capture my heart’s deep longing for purpose in a seemingly random and chaotic world.
It took only a few hours of solitude and the droning sounds of The Master’s golf commentators to bring me back to reality. Why should I concern myself so heavily with my own uncertain material success? What level of control do I actually have? Why do I want so many things when there is an entire world of people in need out there?
There is no snippet-friendly answer to these questions nor evening news sound bite. No trite or sarcastic comment will adequately describe the situation. I do know, however, that ultimately I am in need of a faith in something beyond myself: a faith through which I am capable of looking beyond my own selfish interests, a faith capable of empowering me to act outside “Jaristan,” a faith founded in an act of pure selflessness.
Then perhaps I may one day be changed from “me, me, me” to “you, you, you.”
24…yes, I am now 24. No longer flying through my early twenties, I find myself mired in the middle twenties, married, working on a Ph.D, wondering where all of the time has gone and what time ahead has in store. I was a young teenager just days ago.
In the past few months, I simply haven’t known where to start. My posts on here have focused on pictures, cooking, and a smattering of quotes. I have spent little time communicating my thoughts and feelings as I have in the past. Such a change may be the result of any number of factors, but I believe it to have been a backwards slide. Others appear to agree - overall traffic to my site has fallen during that time. While I care little about overall readership of this blog itself, a remedy for my emotional, spiritual and rational silence is in order:
In an introspective spirit, I repeatedly face the simple fact that life’s glorious and simple, fleeting moments often pass by with little or no consideration. And my life, much like your life, is full of celebration-worthy events. So today I hope to revive the joys of sharing with you the small and large moments of the preceding days, a cornucopia of joyous tidbits for your vicarious consumption.
I had the opportunity to visit my sister and brother-in-law in the DC metro area over Easter weekend. Simply put - it was a priceless time. They are truly loving, kind and generous.
My parents were able to join us for the trip. I too often take my most excellent family for granted. I am truly loved. For those family members who sent me Birthday cards, e-mails, texts, gave me calls or gave a shout-out, thank you so much. You are all dearly appreciated and loved. Keep caring for each other.
The cherry blossoms were out in their near-peak glory. And, while the Cherry Blossom Festival itself is not nearly as exciting as I had hoped, my time in our nation’s capital gave me a sense of patriotic pride. Regardless of what you think of America it is a most excellent place to live. Our complaints are many country’s luxuries - a fact quickly lost amongst debates over partisan topics.
I had the privilege of showing a boy the art of photography, and practicing my deteriorating Spanish skills.
Airplanes flew just over my head.
The president showed up to the baseball game. Thanks to my camera equipment, I got a nice little pat down. They also had snipers…
My favorite team won the ballgame.
My wife bought me my favorite ice cream in the world: cake batter swirl.
And some time ago, a man named Jesus actually died, and actually became alive again. It is in this Immanuel (God with us) where I find a true source of unconditional joy. It is in this event where true hope is discovered.
My lab's work has made the Inquirer...
A while ago my sister recommended that I browse a collection of bread-like recipes on the blog The Knead for Bread (www.thekneadforbread.com). I stole their recipe for cinnamon buns.
The recipe was somewhat time intensive because I had to soften our brown sugar first. So, if you ever go to make these things, make sure your brown sugar is already soft. Then they’re quite easy.
On another note, you can safely decrease the amount of butter used to decrease the overall fat content of the buns with little to no effect on the taste itself.
Lastly, it makes a bunch. So the next time I make these, I’ll make sure someone is coming over…
At the suggestion of my culinarily gifted friend Dave, I picked up two Rutabagas.
And I wanted to make something that featured the rutabagas themselves, so a simple roasting method was in order. But first, I learned that I had to peel them.
After the peeling process, which was relatively easy, I then cut them into chunks. If you have never worked with rutabagas before, they are surprisingly solid - make sure you have a good sharp chef’s knife or santoku knife around or you’re an emergency room visit waiting to happen.
In order to determine how to flavor the rutabagas, I referred to my favorite food book, The Flavor Bible. From the flavor suggestions, I decided on two different roasting blends:
1: Rutabaga, potatoes, carrots, onions, olive oil, lots of thyme and a decent dose of lemon juice.
2: Rutabaga, carrots, apples, nutmeg and a dash of cinnamon (and some canola oil)
About fifty minutes later, at 400 and then bumped up to 450, we had two very distinct sides. The thyme, potato and onion was probably my favorite:
The apple and nutmeg mixture was not bad, but it needed some raisins (I intended to include them but forgot) and small apple chunks to really maximize coordinated flavors:
All in all, I would highly recommend these dishes, and rutabagas in general. Thanks for the tip, Dave!
Writer’s block has been eating into my blog and random writing habits lately. While I could spend time lamenting, I’d rather think of it as a slight paradigm shift in my lingual consumption/production. In other words, I have found myself reading more and writing less.
So what am I reading? This week I read “The American University in a Postsecular Age.” It is a book discussing the complex relationship of faith in the university setting in the current decade, where pluralism and religion are in somewhat of a scholastic post-modern resurgence. I am enjoying the collection of essays as they pertain to both students and professors, as I find myself at a bit of an impasse between the two.
Next week I intend to read “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.” In case you haven’t kept up with popular books in the past few years, it’s by our current president. I am eager to hear his thoughts - I am sure it will prompt a response on here.
My “in the hole” book (for you baseball fans who are rejoicing in the start of spring training) is a collection of topics covering the life of Alan Turing, a brilliant scientist who lived mainly in the first half of the 20th century. It should be interesting, as he was one of the greatest minds of his time, was a homosexual in the day when it was a less public thing and is suspected to have either committed suicide or been poisoned.
Ingredient of the Month: Habanero Pepper
Spicy! Caution - do not handle with your bare hands.
What did it make? Jerk Chicken.
Hmm…