May 4, 2012

Walking around near Prospect Park after striking out trying to get Avengers tix. Ah well. A (long) stroll with sausages from our favorite butcher at the end was just as satisfying.

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May 3, 2012

Yummy, tasty grits: I promise they tasted much more satisfying than they look.

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May 2, 2012

Orange

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May 1, 2012

There is just something wrong about this.

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April 30, 2012

It was recently called to my attention that I have been a horrible, neglectful, dog mom.

I have 999999999999 pictures of my dachshund on my phone, but to find my old man Nembu, I had to scroll back 6+ months.

Terrible business.

To my credit, he is an exceptionally hard animal to photograph well and has decided that in his advanced age, my grumpy old man doesn’t have to even appear to play along.

This happens when I get the camera out and actually get him to settle down.

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Or this happens

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And when I do get him, he looks like this.

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Or this.

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This is the saddest animal I have ever seen. He’s so pitiful, it hurts to look directly at him.

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And this dog? Camera ready at all times, and patient.

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April 29, 2012

Washington Square arch.

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April 28, 2012

So much science, my head nearly exploded at the American Museum of Natural History

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Spring Peas and Bacon with Lentils and Miso

This dish takes the great springtime combo of peas + bacon and adds an unexpected umami hit from miso. The miso isn’t pungent here, it’s more of a supporting character, so don’t worry about it tasting weird. The Europe-meets-Asia flavors mesh quite well.

Spring Peas and Bacon with Lentils and Miso

3/4 cup beluga (or French green) lentils
1 cup vegetable stock
1 cup water
2 cups fresh or frozen peas
2 ounces slab bacon, cut into batons
2 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 tsp. butter
1 tsp. white miso

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the lentils, stock and water. Bring up to a boil, cover, knock the heat back and let simmer 20 – 25 mins. or until tender.

Meanwhile, crisp the bacon over medium heat, drain and reserve.

Put the pan back on the stove and add the garlic. Let the garlic go until it is just beginning to smell fragrant and add the peas. Cook until the garlic is golden brown & delicious and the peas are starting to color. Salt & pepper to taste.

When the lentils are cooked, toss in a medium bowl with the miso. Salt & pepper to taste.

Add the peas & garlic and bacon. Toss to combine & serve.

Serves 2 for a hearty dinner or 2 + 1 lunch for a light dinner.

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April 27, 2012

Follow the white pebbly brick road.

Taken out front of an elementary school on our walk back from the train.

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April 26, 2012

Current obsession: Trader Joe’s sour cream & onion corn poufs.

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