Light Bulbs. Strokes. Guys and Dolls.

When we first came to this apartment, the whole place had regular light bulbs. Fine, except the one in the kitchen kept burning out before you could turn round. Eventually we wised up and started using CFLs, there and in most of the rest of the place. Much later we kind of discovered we could probably have got the super to change the bulbs so we didn’t have to buy them, however, we always have bought our own and continue to do so. We had a big bulb to go into the kitchen and when it went out after many years of sterling service, we tried to replace it. However, these days, neither of us are that stead on our pins and we couldn’t threat this large bulb into the holder. Had to call the assistant super (super had a stroke a week or so ago). He fitted the bulb but damn me, it wouldn’t work, they cost about $15 too, couldn’t take it back, had it too long. The assistant said they are now using LED lights, about which we know nothing, so we went and bought a new CFL and fitted it. Now I need to find out about LEDs which I saw were sold in the store as well. I think the CFLs are great, they last forever, but I assume, because of what he said, that LEDs are better. Anyone know?

I had forgotten to write about our superintendent having a stroke, I am pleased to say he is doing pretty well according to his wife. But a day or two after he went into the hospital, the assistant ended up in hospital as well. Poor woman was dealing with the building on her own. The super is carrying rather a lot of weight so I am not terribly surprised he had a stroke, it is apparently not his first. I am not sure if it was a stroke or a mini stroke (TIA) but he lost the use of his legs for a while although he is now able to walk again. I feel so sorry for his wife, she must have been going out of her mind when it happened and afterwards running this big building. Matt had lots of TIAs a few years ago so I know what it’s like.

Last night I had a sentimental evening, I watched Guys and Dolls which was popular when I was 18 or so. I particularly love the song Your Eyes are the Eyes of A Woman in Love; a band to whom a bunch of us used to dance would play that for me and my current boyfriend every time they saw us. We used to belong to a club which held dances at the weekends. The movie starred Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons and Frank Sinatra with Vivian Blaine. The idea was taken from the books of Damon Runyan all of which I read at the time. I loved them. One never hears of them these days. There was a second movie (or maybe it was the first) made from his books all about Apple Annie. Frank Sinatra was in that one too. I have forgotten the name at the moment. Marlon Brando was particularly gorgeous in those days.

Kevin Lynch of Closet Kitchen has come up with a good recipe. Saltimbocca is a traditional Italian recipe made with veal originally which is wrapped in prosciutto and flavoured with sage leaves, we have also made it with chicken. This recipe is made with shrimp and sounds pretty good.

Shrimp Saltimbocca

Servings: 8

Shrimp wrapped in prosciutto with sage leaves served with a tasty browned buttery, lemony sage dipping sauce.


ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, shelled and deveined
• * small sage leaves
• 3.5 ounces prosciutto, cut into 4-6 X 1 inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 6 sage leaves
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 3/4 cup dry white wine or chicken stock
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice (~1/2 lemon)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• salt and pepper to taste

directions

1. Wrap the shrimp up in the prosciutto along with one small sage leaf optionally skewering them either on sticks or with toothpicks to hold the prosciutto on.
2. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat, add the shrimp and cook, about 2-3 minutes per side and set aside.
3. Melt the butter in the pan, add the sage leaves and cook until the just start to change a darker color, and set aside on paper towels.
4. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about a minute.
5. Add the wine to the pan, deglaze, simmer until it has reduced by half, about 3-5 minutes, add the lemon juice and butter and remove from heat stirring in the butter as it melts.
6. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste, crumble the fried sage leaves and mix them in.
7. Serve the shrimp along with the dipping sauce and enjoy!

Have a great day

Earth Day

I do hope everyone realised it was Earth Day and planned to do something to celebrate it. Good Morning America had quite a lot of segments about greening the earth, apparently 50% of the water we use is for watering gardens and flowers and there were loads of suggestions about how we could change the plants we grow for something less thirsty. For tips click here where you will find how thirsty hydrangeas are, for instance, and how you can replace them with viburnums which, according to Sam Champion on GMA this morning, had a wonderful scent.

Apparently car companies are now producing cars which are run on hydrogen; much greener than a regular combustion engine. They showed one from General Motors this morning and the only by-product is a few drips of water. In the New York State area they are looking for people to test drive their vehicle. Not in my area unfortunately, I would be only too glad to help. The engine looks so much cleaner too and it doesn't have many parts. No oil either. Only trouble with this is the fuel companies won't be too happy, they have had us by the short and curlies for so long and with gas prices in North America climbing rapidly this summer, everything is going to get so expensive for us. I am complaining about $60 at the gas pumps, imagine what truckers are having to pay - in the region of $600 and then imagine what that does to the cost of food.

It is easy for people to say "follow the 100 mile rule" in other words don't eat anything which is produced more than 100 miles from where you live. During a Canadian winter, this would be impossible. Nothing grows in the snow. Now, when the weather is getting better, it will be possible to buy locally. The markets will be full of local produce. In lots of other countries which are not buried beneath a blanket of white stuff, this is an excellent rule and one which is being followed in a lot of European countries.

GMA have tips on making your life more green and busting some myths. They are promoting CFLs or compact fluorescent bulbs which are much better for the environment than regular light bulbs as they use a lot less electricity to run. They contain mercury and need to be disposed of properly, but they last forever, I know this from our own usage. One friend complained about the quality of the light they give, yes, when you switch them on the light is not too good, but after a short space of time, they give off perfectly normal light. We have been using these bulbs for over a year now. Matt bought some beer the other day and got a freebie CFL with the box. Another tip is to turn off your computer, these days, it doesn't hurt to switch your computer on and off. Modern computers are designed to be switched on and off about 40,000 times. A third tip, saving paper by banking on line. People are worried about security, but actually statistics show that banking on line with the encrypted software used by banks, is much more secure than regular banking. Plus any frauds are shown up very quickly. If you would like to read these tips click here so anything you can do to help improve your carbon footprint is good.

Another feature on GMA this morning was Walking with Dinosaurs which is a travelling show which comes to local arenas. These critters are a blend of art and science and are incredibly lifelike. They had a baby one wandering around the set this morning, I say baby meaning relatively of course, the majority of these are life size and absolutely huge. The Brachyosauras being the biggest at 36 ft. tall and 56 ft. long. The anchors on GMA said it was even a little frightening to have the one on the set. They are operated by actors inside them; their eyes blink and tear, their skin is very lifelike and took hours to create. Again if you want to read more about them click here, I found it fascinating I must say. Who said dragons didn't exist!!!

Well here's a salad we picked up from Chatelaine Magazine quite a few years ago and only made once for some reason. I didn't even know I still had the recipe, it was very good.

Warm Tomato & Feta Salad
Serves: 2

8 med tomatoes
1 to 2 tbs olive oil
1 head romaine lettuce
2 whole grn onions thin sliced
1/3 c olive oil
2 tbs balsamic/red wine vinega
1 tsp dried oregano
generous pinches salt and
fresh ground black pepper
1 c crumbled feta cheese
1/2 c finely chopped fresh basil
or parsley (optional)

Preheat barbecue to medium-high and grease grill. Place whole tomatoes on grill over hot coals. Brush lightly with olive oil and turn frequently until tomatoes are well grilled and hot, about 10 to 12 mins. Tomato skins will break during barbecuing. Meanwhile, shred lettuce and place on a serving platter. Sprinkle with green onions. Then in a small bowl whisk 1/3 C olive oil with vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Set aside until ready to use. When tomatoes are hot, remove to a cutting board. Coarsely chop or wedge. Scatter over lettuce. Immediately sprinkle feta over warm tomatoes so it melts slightly. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with basil. Toss and serve immediately.

Have a great day.