Food Fact

Here's an interesting food fact: Out of the estimated 30,000 types of edible plants thought to exist on earth, only 11 (corn, rice wheat, potatoes, sorghum, cassava, millet, beans, barley, rye and oats) account for 93% of all that human's eat. And every one of them was first cultivated by our Neolithic ancestors (source: "At Home" by Bill Bryson

How To Eat Food Ethically

...in a world ruled by entropy.

This food is the gift of the whole universe,
Each morsel is a sacrifice of life,
May I be worthy to receive it.
May the energy in this food,
Give me the strength,
To transform my unwholesome qualities
into wholesome ones.

~ Buddhist Grace

Today's Sermon

Prayer After Eating

I have taken in the light
that quickened eye and leaf.
May my brain be bright with praise
of what I eat, in the brief blaze
of motion and of thought.
May I be worthy of my meat.

~ Wendell Berry, 1934 -

明けましておめでとう

My longtime neighbor, Takako, hosted a traditional Osechi New Year's celebration this evening. She invited neighbors and we all brought with us items to make the evening even more eclectic! There were hors d'oeuvres of rice crackers and bree, and fresh steamed shrimp. The official evening started with saki downed from youngest to oldest (I arrived just in time to step into my slot!). Then Homemade soup and Chung & Fu Yeow brought shrimp and pork dumplings. I brought Australian wines.

Then the Osechi lacquer boxes where opened to reveal all manner of goodies! From roast duck, to cow's tongue, from candied kumquats to fish roe in many forms, Sushi's, rice rolls, things dried, roasted, pickled and candied! Osechi dishes are prepared before new year's day and eaten 1st through 3rd of January (Called Sanganichi) so that women do not have to cook and can enjoy the celebration with family and guests. All the dishes are displayed in beautiful lacquered boxes and consumed cold. And Takako presented the empty boxes to her guests as souvenirs of the evening.

And finally there was Isamu's apple blueberry pie! So let's call it a Japanese fusion celebration! I can't think of a better way to celebrate the first day of the new year.

Today's Sermon #46

Sunday Brunch

brunch
Originally uploaded by Randuwa

A Summer Squash & Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

1 pkg Chicken tenders
1 med. Zucchini
1 med. Yellow Squash
1 C. frozen White Corn
2 leafy Celery tops
1 heaping Tbl sp fresh Parsley
1 heaping Tbl sp fresh Spearmint
1 heaping Tbl sp fresh Orange Mint
1 heaping Tbl sp fresh Basil
1 tsp fresh Chives
butter
salt
pepper

Dressing
1 lg Lemon
1 lg Lime
1 Tbl sp course Dijon Mustard
3/4 C extra virgin Olive Oil

Sautee cubed chicken in butter until lightly browned, reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes (until tender)

Cube Zucchini and Yellow Squash. Bring pan with salted water to boil and blanch both for 2 minutes, pour into collander containing corn and mix, let stand for a minute to drain thoroughly.

Chop herbs and celery tops. Combine with vegetables in serving bowl. Add chicken when cooking time is complete, and mix all.

Dressing

Combine juice from lemon and lime with mustard and stir, add olive oil and shake to mix. You may wish to add a little pepper and salt, as well.

Toss dressing on salad and chill for 1 hour before serving. Bon Appetit!

Midnight Snack?

bp
Originally uploaded by Randuwa.

While researching an answer for a crossword puzzle, I happened upon this interesting little lost recipe.

"In 1968, Ladies Home Journal offered fearless eaters a recipe for a Siamese Sandwich, which combined peanut butter with mayonnaise, shrimp, raisins, apple, celery, onion, powdered ginger and lime or lemon rind."

Yum Yum! And I'm not even pregnant!

What's for Dinner?

bonappetit
Originally uploaded by Randuwa.

Glad you asked. After watching the food channel for an hour or so this morning, I got the bug to cook. So we have a zuchinni egg-drop soup to start, the main course being lightly breaded and brown tilapia glazed with a wine reduction made with kalamata olives and capers. The salad is baby spinach with sweet red peppers and madarin orange slices served with a champaign vinagrette dressing. The meal is complete with a side of dill creamed cucumbers. And the only thing missing? You! So call the next time you're in town. Bon Appetit!