Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Einstein the Parrot, Steaks, Bowling, Road Works,

Sorry no blog yesterday, life caught up with me.

One of the bowling alley owners breeds birds and he recommended this to me. I hope you enjoy it too.



We had our expensive steaks for dinner on Saturday. I didn't do anything special to them and I got no complaints about the meat being tough so I guess if we want a good fillet, I will have to go to the Victoria St. Market. Actually, it wasn't a whole heap more expensive I decided.

About the only thing good you could say about my bowling on Monday was that I broke 100 on every game and gradually went up each time but never got a very high score. I don't think I have ever bowled so many gutter balls. Matt had a really good game at the end. Last time we will be able to bowl on a Monday until September. From now on it is Wednesday and Thursday. Even thought the league finishes in August, Matt and I will still bowl on a Wednesday and Thursday until the Winter league begins again.

After bowling on Monday we went to the asparagus farm. Had to try yet another route. Our original route, they have a bridge up for 2 years, now the new route we tried for a couple of weeks or so they have closed part of to put in a roundabout. They have gone nuts about roundabouts in this area lately. Used not to be any when we first came here, now they seem to be all over the place.  Persuaded a bowling friend to try farm fresh asparagus so got some for her. She won't get it til Thursday but it will still be better than the stuff from the store.

I know I am fanatical about asparagus, but I am almost as fanatical about Hearts of Palm. I love them although they are not cheap to buy. This is a delicious salad and having recalled it I think I will get some Hearts of Palm when shopping today and make it for supper tonight. I am also getting a rotisserie chicken to have tonight and then to turn the rest into Leftover Chicken Pie filling.

Asparagus Salad with Hearts of Palm and Cherry Tomatoes

1 bunch of asparagus, steamed
1 can of hearts of palm
1/2 pint of cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 green onions, sliced
1 small shallot, diced
1/2 lemon, juiced
1.5 Tbs red wine vinegar
1.5 Tbs white wine vinegar
1 tsp gluten free Dijon mustard
6 Tbs olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook asparagus til al dente. Chill in ice bath or cold water. Chop into bite sized pieces cut diagonally. Place in large bowl. Cut each stalk of hearts of palm into 4 pieces and then each into 1 inch pieces at a diagonal.  Add to bowl.  Add your halved cherry tomatoes.  Add in sliced green onions.  Add in chopped shallots.

2. In a separate bowl, add in vinegars, mustard and a pinch of salt. Slowly pour in olive oil and whisk to emulsify.  Add in pepper and adjust ingredients to desired taste. Pour dressing over salad and mix.  Add lemon juice as desired.

3. Serve into bowls and enjoy!

Note: This recipe would go great with some anchovies on top!  Also, if you can find jarred hearts of palm, please use those instead of canned!  Unless labeled, cans can be lined with BPA (toxic!!).  But some brands, like Native Forest, guarantee that their cans are BPA free so do some research before buying your canned foods.  Can also substitute hearts of palm with artichoke hearts!

Servings: 3

Source: Food for Rabbits

Have a great day
 

16 comments:

  1. Sounds that you had a great time:)

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  2. I hate roundabouts. Seems the traffic guys go crazy about putting them in. Just had one guy on the radio saying how they make driving so much safer. Yeah, maybe fewer deaths and injuries (though we never had any deaths at the intersections before the roundabouts), but way more accidents. Everyone I know has had at least one fender-bender or close call.

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    1. I don't hate them Denise, we have been using them in the UK forever and they do decrease accidents except most North Americans don't have a clue how to use them. It's merely that I figure here they have gone nuts about installing them.

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  3. That parrot was amazing. Even if he's just repeating what he's trained to do, that's quite the vocabulary.

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    1. I do so agree Diane. There are more videos of Einstein using more sounds/words I believe. The best talkers of all are supposed to be the Mynah birds.

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  4. That parrot is great! Hardly any errors like I used to see on Johnny Carson with other parrots. Einstein seems more intelligent than many people. Sorry to hear your bowling wasn't great but glad you could bowl because I know it can be difficult at times, for you. You must have made this recipe since it has 2 veggies you love

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    1. Wasn't it great Birgit? As for difficulty, something you have to conquer.

      Unbelievably I haven't made it, but I am hoping to remedy that tonight.

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  5. I think our bowling alleys have bumpers you can put down to keep the balls from going in the gutter, for little kids.

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    1. We have them here too JoJo. Unfortunately, they are not much use to someone who can bowl. The bumper bars run out just before the pins which is when my ball decides to leave the alley.

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  6. Loved Einstein. Much sympathy about the roadworks. Like you, no matter what route we take, we seem to find a new road blockage every time we go out.

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    1. Me too Helen. I know, talk about frustrating. Not only that, summer is kind of here so they will be doing more roadworks. They say we have 7 months winter and 5 months roadworks.

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  7. Birds are very special I think. I always see a bird fluttering around during funerals. I know you'll think I'm weird but I always suspect birds carry souls. That parrot is actually smarter than some adults I know!

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    1. There is no doubt that some ancient theologies would agree with you Pinky. Yup, a very smart bird.

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  8. I don't know hearts of palm. You sure inspired me though with asparagus. I forgot to tell you, even Tim is enjoying them.

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    1. I am surprised you don't know Hearts of Palm Ivy, they are delicious - IMHOP - they really worked in the salad. Glad Tim is also enjoyed the asparagus.

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