I presume everyone is is sitting down for this announcement... This evening's meal has gone astray. I know. I know. I am optimistic each and every one of you can come to terms with this catastrophic news. I had anticipated that perhaps all would feel this way, so please be patient and allow me to explain. Tonight the Lone Foodie was not alone. (insert gasp here!) In addition to cooking for two, I absolutely did not adhere to my food budget. I completely understand your astonishment as this type of occurence is rather infrequent. I look forward to your forgiveness. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to entertain a guest in my new apartment. Those opportunites are few and far between, so, as you can imagine, no expense was spared. Even E.V. was delighted with company. Speaking of my new apartment, here is my living room..
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| I can assure you the microscopic television off to the right was not a "rescue" from the back of an airplane seat from a tired old 747. Its price was conducive to my furniture budget and at least I can watch Breaking Bad...so I have little to no complaints. Well, maybe one or two, but I'll save those for another time.... Getting back to my living room... the table on which the TV resides was a great CraigsList find..and I refinished the dilapidated top with some craft paper, decoupage and glitter. Yes, I said it...glitter. And I'd say it again and again. I am NOT ashamed! Sometimes glitter can be so underrated, you've just got to trust me on this one :-) That deal allowed me to splurge on my first real couch in about ten years. Disclaimer (and truth be told): It was not really a deal of sorts, and if we want to discuss splurging, it would have to be the coffee table. I believe that cost more than my bed and I'm sure it's way more comfortable. Have faith in me on that assessment. No wonder I spend my days lurching about! Hahahah... So when one does entertain guests...there are appetizers and such prior to getting down to business! Business being the real deal...the real meal!!! Fortunately I made a sandwich last evening, resulting in leftover items enabling me to assemble a cheese tray for  Accompanying the tray were some roasted shrimp served in miniature cups with cocktail sauce. Regrettably the only photo is of them right after the roasting part and not in the little cups. Too may photo opportunities, too little time and too little memory space on my camera. But they were pretty yummy!  Once appetizers were polished off, we went forward to the main course. I was on the fence about 'proceeding' to the main course...but that just sounded so formal, and this was not, to say the least. So here you have it, ladies and gentleman, the piece de resistance!  The filet was generously peppered and pan seared on each side for 1.5 minutes and then roasted in the oven for about 8 minutes. If I'm going to be candid about the steak..it could have been a little more rare, but, then again, I prefer my beef to still be mooing when it is plated. Duchess potatoes are a dream. Not necessarily in the fact they are tastefully stupendous, but preparation and baking is such a convenience! Basically you make mashed potatoes, adding an egg (and with these I added horseradish), place the mixture into a pastry bag with a tip, subsequently making little potato flowers which are baked. When tackling the brussels sprouts I felt they deserved their very own paragraph simply because I feel they are a very neglected vegetable. Thinking back to my childhood and my view of brussels sprouts, I have very terrible memories. The frozen ones that were boiled, and were mushy and stunk to high heaven (absolutely zero offense, Mom...you were the best cook in Trout Run...just not when it came to brussels sprouts and you'd make me sit at the table until they were eaten, and by that point they were cold and even worse than when they were hot, and I'd have to gag them down and then try to pretend I "ate" them and stuff them in a napkin, only you were smarter and just knew that was my ulterior motive, :-)) Getting back to my point....I feel people perceive them as an inferior vegetable, yet when roasted, are absolute heaven. Slice them in half, toss with some olive oil and pepper and roast at 430 for 8-10 minutes...you have near perfection. To reach ultimate perfection, mix equal parts of honey, dijon mustard, some garlic, a little melted butter, and even some cayenne. Toss with the roasted sprouts and they are to die for. Soooooooo marvelous. Now that I have done my part for the advocacy of brussels sprouts (I'm sure there is some sort of organization devoted to ensuring that brussels sprouts get a moment in the spotlight and any second now, they'll be beating down my door to present me with the "Brussels Sprouts Supporter of the Year" award. I'll bet they give out huge trophies for that sort of thing, too. I am lacking mantle space, but heck, who wouldn't be happy with a trophy! And, I bet it has a huge brussels sprout on top...as large as the Green Giant! Typically I end, or begin, my evenings with super-sweet pea E.V....but sadly she is in her usual spot under the bed. That makes me ever more super-sad considering it's Friday night, and I was hoping we could party like rock stars. Hahaha. That term is being used rather loosely considering I am neither a rock star, nor do I party. I have enough wrinkles as it is, and am not considering taking on any more at this point. As I digress....shall I get back to the ending. I found a bunch of photos when I moved. This one is rather special, and I recall the time in which it was taken . It is a priceless photo.  As always, thank you for joining me...even though, this evening, I became a Walking Contradiction. Stay tuned for tomorrow...The Lone Foodie already has a single meal planned and is so super excited. It's going to be awesome! Well, maybe not that awesome...but pretty darn good! :-) |
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