Thursday, May 28, 2015

Storm Warning, Whale Eye Sockets, Bowling.

We were under storm watch for a few hours this afternoon (Wed) and I saw something I liked “When thunder roars, go indoors” good advice I thought. n fact the severe weather seems to have passed by and we still do not have any rain. Pity Texas can’t share some of theirs with us and California. According to the forecast Oklahoma and Texas are still in for more problems.

Most of you will have read,  yesterday, that the whale eye sockets
sold for about £170 at the auction in London. Now I want to know who bought them and why. I could, possibly, understand a museum, but why my cousin had them in the first place I cannot imagine. Most of the things went for similar prices to those estimated by the auction house, but apparently one lot, estimated around £150 actually went up to £2,200 and as far as I could see from the list, there was not much in it at all. It contained mugs, maybe there was something special there which hadn't been noticed by the auction house, but that doesn't usually happen.

Wednesday is bowling of course and I am pleased I had some good games, not brilliant, but above my average which means it has gone up a tad. Matt, on the other hand, only had one good game, one moderate and one lousy. Guess what happened to his average!  At the beginning of a season, one's average jumps around all over the place anyway until it finally settles down to a regular average which doesn't change much week too week.

One of my favourite TV chefs is Mario Batali. This is his recipe for asparagus.


Grilled Asparagus with Pepper Zabaglione

3 large egg yolks1 large egg
3 Tbs vin santo or other lightly sweet dessert wine
2 Tbs unsalted butter, softened
1 Tbs heavy cream
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt
2 lbs large asparagus
2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbs freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1. Light a grill or heat a grill pan. In a heatproof medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the egg and vin santo. Set the bowl over a medium saucepan of simmering water and vigorously whisk the eggs over moderate heat until the sauce holds firm peaks, about 5 minutes. Remove the bowl of sauce from the heat.
2. In a small bowl, mix the butter with the heavy cream and pepper. Whisk the cream mixture into the sauce, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated. Season the zabaglione with salt and keep warm.
3. In a large bowl, toss the asparagus with the olive oil and season with salt. Grill the asparagus over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until charred all over and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the asparagus to plates.
4. Set the bowl of sauce over the saucepan of simmering water and whisk over low heat until thick and just heated through, about 1 minute. Spoon the sauce over the asparagus, sprinkle with the Parmigiano-Reggiano and serve.

Servings: 6

Author: Mario Batali


Have a great day.

19 comments:

  1. Years ago I read a biography of some eccentric millionaire who had a whale penis mounted on a wall. In light of that, I'd rather have the relative with the eye socket.

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    1. I think the whale penis is more fun actually Denise. Not that I would want either you understand.

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  2. I'm glad that the estate sale went so well. I meant to ask, who gets the proceeds? The heirs? Charity? We are pretty starved for rain as well. We've gotten a lot of cloudy days recently, with 'possible rain', but nothing has fallen. It's hard to believe that we are in a drought after all that snow but we are. The fire danger is very high. Of course it's 100x worse out west.

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    1. Heirs I understand JoJo. Mostly to another cousin I gather, he was never married but he and she were close friends. I know the cousin in Oz also gets something too.

      They keep forecasting rain and or storms and we keep not getting it.

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  3. That slogan is good advice. So often people don't take appropriate action when storms are threatening. Pity you didn't get any rain but I guess you didn't mind missing a fierce storm.

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    1. It is isn't it Helen? It worries me on behalf of the farmers though. Partcularly the asparagus farmer of course.

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  4. A whale's eye socked has got to be the oddest thing I've ever heard of anyone collecting...

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    1. I thought so too Alex, but then Denise just topped it with a whale penis.

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  5. It is interesting what people collect and then interesting what people will buy at estate sales.

    I think that is good advice about thunder and coming into the house or under protection of a sturdy building. While I like a good storm (as long as there's no damage) we have to have a healthy respect of weather and realize we are out of our element out there in thunder and lightening.

    betty

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    1. Yes and of course do NOT shelter under a tree. Some people don't seem to have got that into their heads, especially on a golf course.

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  6. Hmmm, those grilled asparagus with cheese are such a good idea.

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    1. Looks good doesn't it Vanessa? Anything from Mario Batali seems good.

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  7. Wouldn't a whale's eye socket smell terrible? Or are they dried out? The whale penis owner must be trying to compensate for the lack something I think. Dead animal body parts don't appeal to me at all.

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    1. I'm assuming dried out Pinky. Pinky the psychologist LOL. Nor me Pinky, nor me.

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  8. Good for you Mary, I'm afraid I have never done the road trip. I'll be here.

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  9. I'm not in the market currently for whale penises or eye sockets, but who knows what I might suddenly have a yearning for if I should win the lottery tomorrow. Right now, I'll just settle for a stoat's eyelash. :)

    Mmm. Asparagus. That recipe sounds delectable, and not too complicated. Definitely worth adding to the menu in the next few days.

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    1. You just don't know Kern, you may have a yen for them later on. No stoat's eyelashes I'm afraid

      I agree, sounds a good recipe. Not tried it yet.

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  10. I never thought someone would collect whale eye sockets. It rained here hard for about 15 min. and then that was that. I would have liked more.

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    1. Nor me Birgit, I cannot imagine why he had them. A museum, maybe, but a private owner???

      15 mins. not worth having is it? Not been anything here yet.

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