Sunday, September 7, 2014

Let's go Buffalo (Wings)


I can't remember exactly how many $.10 cent wings I would down, at the Inn Between in my college town of Geneseo, NY on Tues. (or was it Thurs.), I do know that if I got 'hot' or 'suicidal', the pitchers of beer were hardly enough to douse the flames of eternal buffalo wing love ...   I would down them until it hurt, something like $2.00 worth (20) comes to mind.

Many years later (lets call it shy of 30, wow slash ouch) I'm reticent to discuss the effect that amount of deep fried chicken skin and fat, has on my digestive system.   Not because I wouldn't like to, or because I pull punches when talking about the more unsavory aspects of my gastrointestinal tract ... its because I'm going meat-free lately and looking for better options.

Enter Frank's Hot Sauce ...

I could put this on a piece of tree branch, and chew on.  Seriously, wear gloves lest you find yourself gnawing on your own finger, thinking "hmm, this doesn't taste too bad, with some Frank's".

Here's a recipe I found online, for Buffalo Cauliflower "Wings" that came out really good!

Are you ready for some football?   Find some celery, and bleu cheese and a friend that likes spice ... and enjoy!

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Ingredients
Cauliflower - 1 large head, pieces fairly large (1+ inches)
Milk - 1 cup
Flour - 1/2 cup
Panko Bread Crumbs - 1/4 cup
Garlic powder - 1 tbs
Black pepper - 1 teasp.

Franks Hot sauce and 1 tbs melted butter in a bowl (to toss)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 deg
Cut Cauliflower into large flowerets (1-2")
Combine milk, flour, bread crumbs, garlic powder and pepper in bowl
(note:  add milk slowly, and stop when the batter seems about pancake batter consistency, you don't want it too thin.  If less than a cup, then that's ok.)

Dredge Cauliflower pieces in batter and place them on a foil-lined cookie sheet (important, it'll stick)

Bake for 18 min. turning once.

Meanwhile, combine butter and Frank's in a large bowl  (I melt the butter in microwave)

Coat cauliflower in sauce, and bake 2-3 more minutes to set the sauce (I like it wet, so don't dry them out by baking too long, after tossing in the sauce)

Serve with Blue Cheese dressing (Marie's) and Celery sticks.

I like them wet and glistening with Frank's and Butter, Yum!

Friday, September 5, 2014

Take care of yourself


... because no well else will."

end-quote, who says this?  Who does this?   Everyone. Noone.

What does it mean, though?  To take care of yourself.

Let's state with what it isn't:
  1. Its not:  Putting others first
    Ouch!   That hits the 'givers' right in the loin chops.  This is a weird paradox, to be sure.  Leads to Martyr Syndrome.
  2. Its not:  Partying until you puke
    Ouch!   Food, drink slovenly, stupor.   Minimialist, easing your digestion and keeping the chemical balances from food and drink, so your brain and body feel ok.
  3. Its not:  Doing nothing
    Ouch!   Relaxing, lazy-boy, lounging, sleeping more.   It's about restoring vitality to your soul, through movement.
So I guess I've inter strewn some positive reinforcement in saying what taking care of yourself is not, from my perspective.

Negative mirrors reflect truths.   Changes, revealed ... easier.


Thursday, September 4, 2014

One right form, for the Story


So I posted a quote, which I read from Betsy Lerner's "The Forest for the Trees" book, an editor's Advice to Writers which reads

There is only one right form for a story, and if you fail to find that form the story will not tell itself.

Not knowing what that means, or even having an inkling, I write this up on my whiteboard to ponder, become my own muse and contemplate what my answer to this would be.   I'm a hack of a writer.  I have no idea what "form" means for a story, 1st person, 3rd person, poem or prose ... I'm clueless, so I figure I need to have some time to mull over the possibilities.

One day, I walk in, after my cleaning girl (my daughter, Grace) has finished cleaning, apparently she has inspiration to fill in the answer, and fills the rest of the board with this:

"I think of every life as a story and one author, God.   Each day, year, week, hour, minute and second we learn what's right and what's wrong. Each page that you're turning is supposed to be the BEST and each minute you are in the story all about you.    Make it about others, too. "

So a tear came, as I thought how profound this girl of 9 is.  The right form for the story is self relative, but also includes others.   It's told from the perspective of our creator who watches down on us, and we self-regulate our actions, learning right and wrong as we go.

It seems from this explanation, writing can commence.  Sure there'll be blunders in grammer, syntax and the like, but the right form for the story... the right perspective and voice has been found.

I love you Grace.