Sometimes I like to fantasize that I’m actually as competent as everyone seems to think I am.
Alpha’s Graduation
Alpha child officially graduated from high school today!
Hot day, graduation was moved to morning to avoid 90+° F in the afternoon. (92° as I write this, expected to top out around 94° in a couple of hours.)
Afterwards, lunch with the grandparents at the Emerald Rose.
I’m very proud of Alpha. I’m also very proud of myself and @mom that we successfully launched a tiny human to adulthood.
Heatwave
I think this is the earliest that I’ve ever put air conditioners in the windows. Most years we make it until July. We used to go entire years without putting them in.
MFA
Being an adult means that you have the power to eat dessert for dinner, but the wisdom and self-control not to.
Lottery
Ralph, who is not religious, is so down on his luck he decides to pray for some good luck. He prays to god that he win the lottery.
The drawing comes, and passes, and he doesn’t win.
By the end of the week things just continue to get worse, his car has been repossessed and he faces eviction from his mom’s basement, so he prays on the lottery again. But nothing.
Finally, after even his dog bails, Ralph prays again: “God, please, I’ll believe
in anything you say, just let me win the lottery this once!”
A voice booms out from the clouds. “Ralph, just meet me halfway and buy a freakin’ ticket!”
Life, in brief
Life is the hardest teacher. It gives you the test, and then gives you the lesson.
Real Genius
Kent: You’re all just a bunch of degenerates!
Chris Knight: We are? What about that time I found you naked with that bowl of Jello?
Kent: You did not!
Chris Knight: This is true.
Kent: I was hot and I was hungry.
The real genius of this movie was the dialog. It’s so ridiculous that it almost sounds true.
Saint Patrick’s Day, COVID-19 Edition
We’re just over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Most years past we would simply go to Meghan’s mother’s house, and she would put on a traditional dinner: boiled corned beef, boiled potatoes, and boiled cabbage.
Last Year Was Different
Last year we ate a sad dinner on our own, as I had never made corned beef and cabbage before. I tried it in the slow cooker. It didn’t turn out very well. Lesson learned.
This Year Is Different
Due to the wonders of science and concentrated efforts, the world has vaccines in record time and we see the light at the end of the figurative tunnel. My mother-in-law has been vaccinated and graciously agreed to come to our house. And I’m taking another stab at making traditional Irish-American dinner.
Recipe
Taken from How To Make Corned Beef:
Stovetop method: For a 5 pound brined corned beef brisket. Place the corned beef in a Dutch oven. Sprinkle with one tablespoon of pickling spice blend and pour in 4 cups beef broth. Add potatoes, carrots, and cabbage. Bring to a boil on high heat. Reduce heat, cover and cook for about 3 1/2 hours. Add water if necessary to keep brisket covered. Slice across the grain.
The Aftermath
I don’t mind saying, it was delicious. But it might have been a side-effect of having company for the first time in a very, very long time.
We made two exceptions from tradition: I added garlic mashed potatoes, and we didn’t have Irish coffee after dinner.
Korean Beef Rice Bowls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Brown the hamburger and garlic in a pan. Break it up into crumbles as it browns.
- While the hamburger is cooking, whisk the sauce ingredients (brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, red pepper, black pepper)
- When the hamburger is browned, drain off the fat and mix in the garlic. Simmer for a minute.
- Pour in the sauce. Simmer for another couple of minutes. Mix in the scallions and serve.
Notes
Serve over rice with a side of broccoli to round out a complete meal
This recipe was an instant hit. I have to make a double batch if I want leftovers for the next day.
Adapted from therecipecritic.com
Lentil Soup
When I was a kid I disliked soups and stews, and hated even the idea of lentil soup. (which, as a child, I somehow equated with Barbara Streisand – probably due to the publicity of her movie Yentl.) Fortunately I became more open-minded as an adult, and found that I absolutely love lentil soup. It’s very healthy for you, to boot.
The red lentils in this recipe break down and make a very creamy soup. Green and brown lentils may be substituted, but black lentils don’t work out well.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Rinse lentils under cold water, until water runs clear (about 1 minute)
- Sauté carrots and onion until softened (about 5 minutes)
- Add garlic, curry powder, cumin, thyme, and saltCook until fragrant (about a minute)
- Stir in lentils, tomato sauce, and broth
- Bring to a simmer and cover
- Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Remove from heat, and (optionally) add baby spinach
Alternatives
You can try other vegetables as substitutes or additions, including sweet potatoes, butternut squash, mushrooms, celery, or whatever you have on hand.
Adapted from The Absolute Best Lentil Soup.