Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Monday Morning, Books, Bowling, Cauliflower Rice,

I occasionally have a bad night and can't get to sleep. Sunday night I was still tossing and turning at 2:30 a.m. - finally got to sleep. At 7:30 am I was awoken by a friggin' lawnmower. 7:30 for goodness sake. This is a residential building with a lot of older folks living here, why do they have to come and wake us up that early. To say I was teed off was to put it mildly.

As most of you know, Matt watches Good Morning America. I sort of watch it peripherally whilst I am doing other things. This morning I heard a book promotion for Into the Water by Paula Hawkins and was so intrigued, immediately went to my library's web page to order it. Much to my surprise, there were already 103 people waiting for it. However, they do have 25 copies so it may not take too long, I hope. It looks as though she has already got a best seller, The Girl on the Train, maybe I should try that first whilst I am waiting. I have just finished reading Echoes in Death by J.D. Robb, the stories with Eve Dallas as the cop. I love this series of books. Having written this, I checked on the first Paula Hawkins novel and it is available so have ordered it. Made me start thinking - what exactly makes a best seller? I have friends who have written excellent books some of which have sold a bit and others have kind of stagnated. These authors put their heart and souls into these books and it is such a shame if they don't get read by many people. (Later) I now have The Girl on the Train to read.

Bowling was pretty awful Monday, I only got one strike all afternoon. Matt got two or three and managed to beat me at every game. Turns out our friends, whom we met originally on Thursday bowling, haven't had a strike in the last two weeks!!!

Monday evening I made the Cooking Light version of Kung Pao Chicken so I decided to try it with
Cauliflower Rice. I tried to grind up a whole cauliflower at once, I learned that didn't work, will not make that mistake again. Anyway, once you have the cauliflower you can cook it easily in the microwave. You put it in a microwave safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap, heat for 2 minutes, stir and heat another 2 minutes. It is 10 calories a cup as opposed to rice which is 108. It is not exactly the same as rice obviously, but not bad at all. We both enjoyed it although it really retains its heat. You have to be careful.

Now, this recipe is, without doubt, one of my very favourite asparagus recipes. Although I got this from Closet Cooking it seems there are many sources for this recipe. You can serve it as is or use dipping sauces with the crispy spears.

Crispy Baked Asparagus Fries

1 lb asparagus, trimmed
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
salt and pepper to taste
Alternatively used chopped almonds instead of parmesan

1. Dredge the asparagus in the flour, dip them in the egg and then into a mixture of the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan, salt and pepper.

2. Place the asparagus on a wire rack on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 425F oven until golden brown, about 7-13 minutes.

Servings: 2

Source: Closet Cooking

Author Notes
Asparagus coated in panko bread crumbs and parmesan and baked until golden brown and crispy.


Have a great day
 

24 comments:

  1. The cauliflower rice looks nice. I will make them some time.
    Thanks for sharing

    Click Here to see what Mrs. Dash Says

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    1. It was nice DeeDee. I highly recommend it.

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  2. The Girl on the Train flunked my 50-page rule - if I hate it by page 50, I don't finish it. I did not like the book at all nor did I like Gone Girl - also flunked - and they were both best sellers. If you read it, I'll be curious to see what you think.

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    1. Well, I am about to start reading it Denise so we will see what I think. Don't know Gone Girl. GMA were really enthusiastic about Into the Water.

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    2. Just read about the first character which is enough to put you off - an alcoholic loser. However, will persevere a little longer Denise.

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    3. I do not read books with alcoholic main characters. That woman totally turned me off.

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    4. Turned me off too Denise but I might read a bit further and see how it progresses.

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  3. Must be nice to have your book promoted on Good Morning America.
    Not a fan of cauliflower, so I'll stick with real rice.

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    1. I am sure it must be Alex. Mind you, your books have done well I believe.

      This isn't a bit like eating cauliflower. I defy you to tell the difference if you are eating it with something that has a sauce. For me it has the benefit of being so low in calories.

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  4. Jo, kung pao chicken is a favorite in our house. At the time we are staying away from rice and such to help us lose some weight.

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    1. In that case Stephen, my Kung Pao is perfect for you especially with the cauliflower rice.

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  5. So many things factor into a best seller - great Publishers Weekly review, how much $$$ the publisher can throw at marketing, how well the book is written, and how well it resonates with readers. Plus a good dose of blind luck.

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    1. It seems such a shame Diane because some of our blogging friends write some super books but they don't get anywhere.

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  6. I love crispy asparagus 'fries'. If I can get them this week, I'll make them. If your apt complex has a list of rules and regs, that will probably tell you what time the quiet hours are. If there aren't any, then the town would have a noise ordinance.

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    1. Yes, I think I will make them when I get my next batch JoJo. Something I hadn't thought of JoJo, I will look into noise laws.

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  7. Those "fries" look delicious.

    As a writer who has never been a best seller, I often think I am missing a magical something and need to keep working at it. A really hot seller does exactly what happened with you-- you heard about it only peripherally listening and ran to buy. That writer is hitting the nail on the head.

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    1. They are delicious, Liz.

      Diane seems to have hit the nails on the head with best sellers. It was her first book though which brought her to the attention of the world I gather. I have just started reading it and am a bit iffy about it. Maybe you should send a copy of your latest book to Robyn on GMA!!

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  8. They're nuts for mowing here too. As I type, though later in the day, some monkey is out there mowing for the billionth time because we must have grass that turns brown and looks like shit.

    103 people waiting. Wow, wow.

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    1. Mowing as such doesn't worry me, but at that time of the morning it's ridiculous Ivy. With all the workmen there isn't all that much grass here now anyway. Yes, you are right about that it does look like shit when it is over cut.

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    2. Yes, I agree about the time. It's nuts. No reason for it.

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  9. What I love to hear is how many people still love to read that 103 people are waiting just for this one book. I hope it's good. Did you ever read The Book Thief? I really love the film but everyone who has read the book thought the book was excellent but the movie was just meh.

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    1. The name is familiar Birgit, I honestly can't remember whether I read it or not. I guess so many people liked the first book by this author. As you may have read, Denise didn't and I am not sure yet but doubtful

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  10. I loved The Girl On The Train and will read her latest book when I have read my backlog! I've read The Book Thief and like Birgit thought it was really excellent. My husband and I both liked the film too.
    That's Purrfect

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    1. It's a very English book isn't it Patricia. I used to do a similar trip from Medway Towns up to London every day so I can identify with it. However, Rachel is a most unsympathetic character. Not too sure about Morgan either but haven't read that far. Will have to get hold of the Book Thief.

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