Bowling, Red Lobster, Tsnunami,

We waited in for my new steam cleaner which came quite early and then went bowling. The first game Matt won hands down, but I am delighted to say I got a really good score on the second game and totally thrashed him on the last one. I was also showing around the picture of that Chocolate Wave cake I mentioned the other day. Everyone agreed it looked delicious but I am not sure anyone thought they should eat it because of all those calories - with one exception, the younger owner of the alley. He can get away with murder when it comes to eating - but then he is always on the move and, as his dad says, quite a bit younger than the rest of us.

Talking about the Red Lobster's Chocolate cake, a friend in the bowling alley said she had heard, on Facebook, that the Red Lobster was closing. I found something tonight which says the rumour is false. I wonder where these rumours come from? I am quite pleased it isn't closing. We don't go there a lot, but we lunch there twice a season with our Travel League.

Having got my steamer I checked on line about using it and find that if one has already been treated by professionals, one shouldn't use it without consulting them because of any chemicals they may have used which could become toxic if steamed or could be rendered ineffective, so I will have to wait to talk to them before I use it. I gather some of their people are coming to see us next Friday to see why their 2 visits didn't work. They all appear to think it's our fault. The fact that there are little visitors crawling under our front door.......! I am quite pleased with the steamer though, it has lots of nozzles and can be used for all kinds of cleaning jobs apart from the purpose for which I bought it. I meant to include this picture. I am now up since 4 a.m. having managed 4 hours sleep and another 4 or 5 bites. This is not an actual bug but a seed off my multigrain bread. However, this is more or less what bed bugs look like and approximately the right size. They are almost impossible to find.

I was just looking for a recipe for today's blog when I came across this piece of staggering information on How To Geek. The tallest recorded megatsunami in modern times hit Lituya Bay, Alaska in 1958; it destroyed vegetation up to 1,722 feet (525 meters) above the height of the bay and the wave that traveled across the bay was reported to have a crest on the order of 98 feet (30 meters) in height. I don't remember ever hearing about this, but how terrifying.

This to me, is a good old English dish. In this case it is all made easy for you by buying McCormick products. This is the kind of thing which, many years ago, we could buy in the fish and chip shops in the UK although not usually with beer in the batter, you had to do that at home. I confess the picture makes me feel quite hungry. Nope, I am not being paid to carry this recipe. Wish I was really. Help pay for all this bug stuff.

Beer Battered Cod

McCormick® Beer Batter Seafood Batter Mix, combined with the extra kick from OLD BAY, gives seafood a great taste and extremely crisp texture.

Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients

vegetable oil, for frying
1 cup McCormick® Beer Batter Seafood Batter Mix
1 tablespoon OLD BAY® Seasoning
2/3 cup beer or water
1 1/2 pounds cod fillets, cut into serving-size pieces

Directions

Pour oil into deep fryer or large heavy skillet, filling no more than 1/3 full. Heat to 375°F on medium heat.

Mix Batter Mix and Old Bay in medium bowl. Add beer or water; stir until smooth. Dip fish into batter. Shake off excess.

Fry fish, a few pieces at a time, 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown, turning once to brown evenly. Drain on paper towels.

Cooking tip

Substitute pollock, halibut or tilapia for the cod. Prepare as directed above. Use peeled and deveined shrimp in place of the cod.

Have a great day