Tuesday, May 5, 2015

A to Z, Asparagus Season, Bowling.

SwordfishI enjoyed the A to Z Challenge once again, but although the posting part was fairly easy peasy, I found it very tiring to keep up with everyone’s blogs and make sure I returned their comments. In many ways this is the main function of the A to Z, to go out and meet new bloggers.  I didn’t achieve as much as some I just didn’t have the energy or time. As it was Matt complained I was glued to my computer. It was funny that a good friend and I both chose Xiphios or swordfish for X although we came at it from different angles.  She wanted to fish for it and I wanted to eat it.

Wednesday of last week, Matt, now being 80, had to go to a special education class for older drivers. He said it was totally boring. Pin_Animation1[1]However, he got his license OK so that is all that concerns us really. Thursday was the last of the Travel League bowling for this winter; it will start up again in September. Our Winter League also finishes this week and our banquet will be on the 11th. The Summer League starts on the Wednesday of that week, the 13th of May. In case you don’t know what I am rabbiting on about, it’s 5 pin bowling. We are not brilliant bowlers but we are very keen on the sport. We try to play twice a week, once on a league and once on our own.

I am writing this in advance and hoping the asparagus will be ready for picking by now. It is supposed to be ready by Sunday or Monday if the weather stays sunny and warm. During April I found a new asparagus recipe which I am waiting to try out. Obviously I want to share it with you all. Just as well I don’t live in China, I would be broke buying asparagus, or deprived, neither of which would I enjoy. Update: I got my first fresh asparagus of the season last night. It was delicious, so very sweet and tender.

Asparagus Shandong-Style (Liang Ban Lu-Sun)


Asparagus_shandong-style_250

Source: Saveur

A specialty of Shandong province, this dish is traditionally reserved for banquets because asparagus is so expensive in China. But in the United States, when the price comes down in summer, take advantage of this flavourful dish.

SERVES 2-4
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs. asparagus, trimmed and cut crosswise on the diagonal into 2" pieces
1 tbsp. Japanese reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. Asian sesame oil
2 drops red chile oil
½ tsp. toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add asparagus to pot and cook until tender-crisp and bright green, 1½–2 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain, then immediately plunge into a large bowl of ice water; set aside to cool, 2–3 minutes. Drain again, then transfer to paper towels, pat dry, and set aside.
2. Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, and chile oil in a medium bowl. Add asparagus and toss. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with sesame seeds.

Have a great weekend.

Jo_thumb[2]

22 comments:

  1. I just had to take my mom to get her license renewed...she's 88 but they didn't require a class. She failed the eye test and it was a scramble to get her in to see an eye doctor to sign off on the papers saying she can see. I've gotten asparagus a few times this spring but the last couple of trips to the grocery store, the asparagus stalks were just too thick. We like the skinny ones. Hoping they have them today.

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    1. JoJo: We see an optician every year (it's free) so are OK with vision tests. I love the thick asparagus as well as the thin. However, I only ever buy from the farm of course, then I don't have to snap the ends because it's just out of the field.

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  2. Last week in the local grocery asparagus was 4.99 a pound, too pricey for my wallet. I can eat a lot of asparagus in one sitting. I added them to our Easter menu at the last minute when they had them on special for 1.99 a pound.

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    1. That is expensive Denise, I must admit I am not sure what I am paying, I just buy a $10 bag. Fresh from the farm makes one hell of a difference though, I never realised until we found this place some years ago.

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  3. We don't have classes for older drivers here but over 80s have to have annual tests. Used to drive my Dad nuts but he always passed. I'm glad that Matt passed his, too.

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    1. Our 80's and up go every two years Helen. However, we believe they should be tested on actually handling a car if they are going to do anything at all. One friend said it was insulting when she went for her class.

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  4. Glad to hear Matt passed. I believe it's a good thing. So many seniors lose their vision and reflexes and can cause accidents hurting themselves and other. I know it's a pain and boring, but I believe it's necessary.

    I know when it's my time, I'll grumble and do it too...

    Oooo a Chinese asparagus dish. It looks delicious... Thanks for sharing, Jo.

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    1. I basically agree, but it's the kind of test Michael. They should check that the senior can handle a car properly. What they are doing is insufficient. Eye test they did anyway as well as a cognitive test but those two things only took a couple of minutes but he was there for two hours.

      I now have the asparagus so I can try this.

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  5. You will want to brain me again, Jo. When we bought our house, there was an asparagus patch that grew like a weed. The first year we were giving it to everyone we knew who liked it. (I hate it, so does my husband). The next couple of years, we would just mow it over. If only you'd lived next door to me, you could have saved the asparagus patch!

    My husband gets tired of the constant computer time too, and I can't really blame him. I can easily spend twelve hours a day on the darned thing and still not get everything done.

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    1. Definitely brain you again Liz. Makes me cry LOL. Used to have an asparagus bed in a house we lived in in England. Pity you both hate it, it is so very good for you apart from, in my opinion, tasting great.

      Well, it is your work after all. For me it's basically only for amusement - well banking and stuff of course.

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  6. Glad you got your asparagus finally!

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    1. Definitely Alex, a most important day in my year LOL

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  7. I love Asparagus but discovered I'm allergic to soy sauce!

    I loved reading all of your A-Z posts (smile).

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    1. I love asparagus and most days I just have some for lunch and sprinkle it with Butter Buds, lo cal. That's a pity Dixie, soy sauce is used in many oriental dishes isn't it?

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  8. Well, I opted out of A to Z this year. It's a lot of work and I have too much to do. I can say that I'm never bored.

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    1. It is a lot of work, but it can be great fun as well Shelly.

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  9. It is the commenting and looking at blogs that take time. I am glad he passed the test and happy you enjoy bowling. I can only do 5 pins. If I do 10 pin, the bowling ball is too heavy and I dislocate something (part of my joint disease). As for asparagus...I shall pass. My mom loves them so I may make this dish for my mom:)

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    1. You are right Birgit.

      We do 5 pin bowling, more difficult than 10 pin and, in our opinion, more fun. I hope your mom enjoys the asparagus dish. There will be lots more of them in the next few weeks, it's asparagus season after all.

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  10. Hello Jo. I'm glad you survived the A-Z. Yes, writing posts is easy, but the time it takes to comment is over the top and several have complained that people didn't return comments. Life is just too busy!

    Glad Matt got his licence, but I do worry about older drivers on busy roads. Glad you continue to enjoy your bowling!

    Delicious looking recipe as always!

    Denise :-)

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    1. If people are going to participate then they are kind of bound to return visits but as you say, many don't. I worry about younger drivers too. They do some damned stupid things and don't seem to consider speed limits have anything to do with them.

      As for bowling, we are not enjoying it at the moment. Bowling so very badly at the moment. Ah well.

      Got to try this recipe asap.

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  11. I love asparagus too but just eat it straight from the microwave. I'll have take note of your recipes this season Jo :)

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    1. I have never thought of cooking it in the microwave Pinky, how do you do that? The really fresh stuff I buy only takes 2 mins. in boiling water. I do have some super recipes Pinky.

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