Monday, June 1, 2015

Jeopardy, Rain, Solar Impulse Plane.

I learnt a phrase, which I thought was funny, on Jeopardy last Friday. Restaurant speak “nervous pudding” – Jello. Priceless. I have mentioned this is a programme I rarely, if ever, miss. I tried out for it a couple of times, but then I heard if you do get through, you have to pay for all of the trips to the various qualifying rounds which I would imagine, with hotel fees, etc. would amount to quite a bit of money and then, even if you get to be on the show, you might still only win $1,000 if you are beaten by the others. Not a gamble we could afford to take certainly. Maybe when I was a working girl, but not now.

It’s June. We finally had rain this weekend, I just am not sure we had enough for the farmers, or in fact for all the plants which have been suffering from a lack of water. We have all been feeling sorry for Texas and the dreadful floods, but I heard that they too have been suffering drought conditions in some areas. That to me is almost inconceivable. Some people are suffering weather extremes -  wanting the furnace one day and the air conditioner the next. It seems things are totally screwed up with the weather lately. The rain we got came with full on thunderstorms and loud crashes. Not a lot of lightening though. Saw a couple of flashes maybe. It wasn’t one of those good rains which consistently falls for several hours though, so I am not sure how much good it did. In fact we did have some more on Saturday night and Sunday morning so that will have helped. In the end it rained most of Sunday.

Interesting story on the news about a solar impulse plane which is being flown on trials now. It is presently flying across the Sea of Japan on its way to Hawaii which is the longest leg of it’s journey in an attempt to circumnavigate the world.  The pilot can only take a 20 minute sleep at a time. It has huge wings which carry the solar panels, much bigger than any existing plane, but it weighs less than an SUV. They have to be particularly careful about the weather.

Asparagus and Smoked Chicken Salad With Ginger Dressing

 New York Times.
  • Yield 4 servings
Asparagus takes easily to many kinds of seasonings, so after you’ve tired of having it plain with butter or homemade mayonnaise, try this spicy dressing laced with ginger and chiles. Adding smoked chicken is a nice way to make a more substantial first course or light lunch. You can purchase smoked chicken at better butcher shops or online, but equally good is grilled chicken at room temperature, or cold poached chicken. I sometimes substitute lightly smoked ham or smoked slab bacon, simmered until tender.
Ingredients
For the vinaigrette:
  • 1 large shallot, finely diced, about 2 tablespoons
  • 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt to taste
  • Generous pinch of cayenne
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
For the salad:
  • 1 pound asparagus
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 serrano chile, thinly sliced (optional)
  • ½ cup roasted peanuts, crushed
  • ¾ pound smoked chicken, sliced
  • 1 large lime, halved
  • Basil, mint and cilantro leaves, about 1/2 cup total
Preparation

  1. To make the vinaigrette, put shallots in a small bowl. Add vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and cayenne and let steep for 5 minutes. Add ginger and garlic, then whisk in sesame oil and vegetable oil. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  2. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Snap off the tough end of each asparagus spear, then cut each spear into 2-inch lengths. Cut thicker pieces in half lengthwise as necessary so all cut pieces are approximately the same size. Place asparagus pieces into boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Drain and cool under running water. Blot dry.
  3. To make the salad, put asparagus in a salad bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add chile, if using, and crushed peanuts. Dress with half the vinaigrette and toss to coat.
  4. Arrange dressed asparagus on a platter or on individual plates. Tear chicken slices into strips and scatter over asparagus. Drizzle a little more vinaigrette over the salad and give it a good squeeze of lime. Garnish with basil, mint and cilantro leaves and serve immediately.
Have a great day
 

34 comments:

  1. Sounds fascinating. And thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  2. 20 minutes of sleep at a time? Yeah I could never fly that plane (for that and so many other reasons!). Yesterday started out warm and humid but within a half hour in the late afternoon the temps plummeted so much I had to wear a jacket to take the dogs out. Supposed to have more rain but so far we've only had a couple of sprinkles. We need it really bad.

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    1. Well it obviously takes longer to fly the Pacific than a regular plane. I didn't go outside yesterday, but having had rain for two days, it was pretty chilly. Sorry you didn't get any rain. Matt figures it's still not enough for the farmers though.

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  3. That would be interesting about the solar plane. I would like to see it. I don't like to fly so I wouldn't like to fly on it. I used to watch Jeopardy growing up; hadn't watched it for a bit. Caught a program of it about 2 weeks ago; I was amazed I knew some of the answers :)

    betty

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    1. I don't think the plane is ready for passengers yet anyway.

      I love Jeopardy and it takes a lot for me to miss it Betty

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  4. Scaredy custard is a similar one :-) David was on Fifteen to One in the late 80s and we have a photo of him with the show's host William G Stewart on our dresser. In those days contestants didn't wine huge amounts of money but he got his expenses paid. He came 2nd in the knockout, lost his nerve on a mythology question, even though he knew the answer!

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    1. Haven't heard scaredy custard.

      Don't know the programme. Pity he lost his nerve. I can imagine that happening though. I see people on Jeopardy ring in and then suddenly get brain freeze or something. You don't have Jeopardy on English TV any more do you Sue?

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  5. That pilot will be really tired when he lands.
    If you have to pay for travel, then I don't think it would be worth it either.

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    1. I agree Alex he will.

      Well unless you are the champion, you can only win $1,000 or $2,000 at most.

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  6. Enjoy the climate. It is really good to hear about the solar plane. Technology is growing fast....

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    1. It is John, quite incredible to be able to fuel a plane with solar power. Takes too long at the moment though.

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  7. I had no idea Jeopardy was that cheap. Come on, at least pay for the accommodations. And as someone who's terrified of flying, that's a very cool idea but I would not be stepping foot on that plane, because the weather changes VERY quickly...

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    1. Well, that's what I was told. When you think of the hundreds, if not thousands, who apply every year, it might be cost prohibitive for them. Maybe they pay once you get on the show. It is only a test flight after all, long way to go yet.

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  8. That recipe looks delicious! Have heard that the solar plane had to land in Japan. But it's a start and I'm sure it will improve by leaps and bounds. This, after all, is the technology in its infancy.

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    1. I hadn't heard that except from you Pam and another commenter on here. As you say, it's a start with an infant technology.

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  9. Wait...I'd have to pay?
    The solar plane must be amazing--image what would be seen between 20 min. naps. But, even so, I would love to be there.

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    1. So I am told Susan.

      Appears the plane landed in Japan instead of doing the whole flight. Not heard the news yet.

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  10. I had no idea one had to pay for all those qualifying rounds-they can keep it. The solar plane sounds neat but I would not want to be the pilot and, since I am phobic of heights, it would never happen anyway. Yes, Yesterday was a very rainy day

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    1. I was surprised too Birgit. For us we would have to make it to the nearest next qualifying round in the States. Last time it was in Boston I think.

      I hear the pilot had to land in Japan after all.

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  11. Hi Jo .. just heard they had to land in Japan - the plane is safe ... and now to see if another 5 day slot of good weather can be had ...

    No I'd not pay to go all over the place with all the stress just to answer a few questions ... I'd rather stay sane, and somewhat healthier in the bank balance.

    I'm still eating asparagus - rather often - but it's always good ... I've taken to having it with a good quality lemon mayonnaise - I really should make my own, but I don't at the moment - and then I sprinkle a breadcrumb mix of garlic and rosemary is one type, or chilli and coriander is another ... like an asparagus dip ... they last as I savour each mouthful.

    I'm hoping summer turns up on Wednesday - meant to down here .. I shall enjoy the asparagus though .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Someone else heard the same Hilary, haven't heard anything myself. From your comment, they are going to try again?

      You can, of course, win a heck of a lot of money on Jeopardy if you are good enough. But it does cost you to get there.

      Sounds a good way to eat it Hilary. Last night I made a kind of pork chop casserole with lots of onions and asparagus.

      I hope summer comes on Wednesday for you. It's left us for a while, pretty chilly outside.

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  12. What a trip on that plane! Brave pilot... Love this recipe and will have to give it a try, after all the weddings are over! I like to watch Jeopardy, but not a lot...

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    1. I think he must be pretty brave Lisa. Love the show.

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  13. That's interesting about the plane. I write science fiction so I'm always interested in these kind of stories.

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    1. It is an interesting experiment isn't it Susan. Not sure I would want to attempt the Pacific in it yet though.

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  14. You would have been great on Jeopardy with your vast general knowledge Jo. Scotto beats me when we play along because of his reflexes. I'm too slow.

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    1. That's my problem these days Pinky, I'm too slow. I know the answer but just can't get to it in time. But I love to try and am always chuffed when I get an answer and they don't.

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  15. Jeopardy is one of my favorites too. I could never qualify, hubby, though, he's good enough, but we couldn't afford the costs either. We finally got a good day of rain too, the garden needs it.

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    1. It's hard to get past the first round, there are so many people trying out. But too expensive.

      We got two days so we did well.

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  16. Hi Jo,

    Good grief, Jeopardy is still on! I wish we had that show over here. Of course, the host is Canadian, eh.

    That plane had to stop over in Japan due to poor weather. At least he can get a bit more sleep for now.

    Gary

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    1. It surely is Gary and I am a devoted watcher. It used to be on in England many years ago but I guess it didn't appeal to the British public. Yup, Alex is from Sudbury, ON.

      He is planning to take off again when the weather gets better, rather he than I.

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  17. Hi JO. I was especially interested in that solar impulse plane when I saw it on the news, as we have just turned off all grid electricity to our beach house and now rely completely on solar for everything! No more power bills and we actually get paid to provide power. A win-win situation.

    Thanks for the recipe too!

    Denise :-)

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    1. Denise, the asparagus farm has a field which they leave alone for 20 years after picking the asparagus from it. Tim Barrie, our farmer, wanted to turn the field into a solar panel field, but was never given permission. He, himself, has solar panels all over his place. I remember when we were in Greece. gotta be 50 years or more ago and they were installing solar panels. I think the world has been very slow using them.

      It does look a good recipe. Gotta try it soon. I have so many to try, I might run out of asparagus season before I get to them all.

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