Monday, April 16, 2018

Spring? Book, Roads,

April 14 and the park outside our windows is white once more. They did forecast it, but you never know. Well now I do. I always say the worst snow storm I ever remember was in April. At least this fall is not as bad as that one. I looked out of the bedroom window and this sight amused me.

Anyone for tennis? The nets look so lonely in all that whiteness.

Just finished Many Waters which is one of the Wrinkle in Time series. Bit slow going at first but in the end, I enjoyed it. The basic concept is the Noah's Ark story.  I think I have only one more book in that series to read. I have enjoyed all the stories.

Of course we are hoping the roads will be clear tomorrow to go bowling. They aren't too snow covered at the moment but they are certainly not clear.

Tried a new dessert sold by our local grocery chain. It was a chocolate cheese cake although the texture was more like a mousse. It was good. I bought two but Matt decided to stay with his plain cheese cake so one more more me next weekend. It's the only time, basically, that I allow myself a dessert.

Asparagus, at least farm fresh asparagus, is not yet available in our neck of the woods, but here's another recipe for when it is.

Garlic Balsamic Baby Potatoes With Asparagus

1 1/2 lb (650g) baby potatoes, cut into quarters
1/2 lb (220g) asparagus, trimmed
4 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbs olive oil
4 Tbs balsamic vinegar
A generous pinch of salt and pepper

1. In a small bowl, infuse minced garlic into 3 tablespoons olive oil. In the meantime, boil salted water in a large pot and pre-cook potatoes for 8 minutes. After 5 minutes, add the asparagus and cook for the 3 minutes remaining with potatoes. Then drain and set aside.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the infused olive oil (without the garlic) and stir in potatoes. Stir with a wooden spoon to coat potatoes in infused olive oil. Cook potatoes until golden, about 5 minutes. Remove potatoes from the skillet and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil with garlic and cook asparagus, tossing regularly for 3 minutes. Return potatoes back to the skillet. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat fully and cook for 4 or 5 more.

4. Season with extra balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips
You can switch asparagus in favor of green beans.

Infuse oil with garlic for a little longer, like 15mn, if you have time.

If you make this recipe with regular potatoes instead, pre-boil a little longer and cook for 5 minutes more in the skillet.

Serve with grilled chicken, pork chops or steak, it’s delicious!

Source: Eat Well 101

Have a great day
 

18 comments:

  1. Hope the roads clear but the snow is rather beautiful.

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    1. Roads round us look OK but the bowling alley have cancelled for today Alex. Yes, it is beautiful, especially if you don't have to shovel it.

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  2. The snow looks lovely to me as we don't get any snow at my place.. must be a big challenge for you.

    www.volatilespirits.com

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    1. Not really a challenge for us Anupama as luckily living in an apartment building they do all the work.

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  3. Hi Jo - sure hope the roads clear themselves ... I thought it was going to be a lot worse. Still cheesecake isn't too bad a food to indulge yourself with ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Not bad round our way but a lot of places have closed down today Hilary. Supposed to get more snow this week. Not good for the asparagus LOL

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  4. I was lucky but 300,000 lost power around here. Lucky in the sense that I did not have house guests showing up because I have a whole house generator.

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    1. Good thing to have Denise. In NC we got one too after the hurricanes. Practically never had to use it as they (electric company) seemed to learn how to cope after the first one we experienced.

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  5. I like the idea of a mouse one.

    Since I've lived here, it's always snowed in April.

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    1. You got me really puzzled with mouse! Then I realised it was mousse.

      Not often in April Ivy.

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  6. One of my friends lives in Ottawa and shared a pic of snapped power poles in the City. I hope everyone stays warm and out of the weather. It's cold and rainy here too.

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    1. As far as I know, nothing like that JoJo although we did have a power outage this afternoon.

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  7. Wow. My in-laws in Arkansas has sleet last week, which is just unheard of for that area. It's been chilly winter.

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    1. We are supposed to get snow in one amount or another all week Diane. The asparagus won't like it LOL

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  8. The cool autumn is late to start here. Perhaps our seasons are arriving later all over the world. We are predicted to have a cold winter this year. Not as cold as yours though.

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    1. A friend near Sidney was saying how high the temps have been there Pinky. I hope you don't get a winter like ours LOL.

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  9. Winter doesn’t want to let go does it? We just have to go with the flow

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    1. Nothing we can do about it is there Birgit? As you say, go with the flow.

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