Insane?

I have joined NaBloPoMo and will blog once a day, EVERY DAY, in the month of November.

Yes, you read me right.

Since MB only has a weekly videos, that leaves approximately 26 days to fill with other MB news. Good thing I just got his Everything Vegetarian book, and will start working through it this month. Then there is my "where I would take MB for dinner" theme. Expect that one to be a recurring one.

Why am I doing this? Why would anyone with a full-time job, a double commuting life that includes hour long drives and flights, a geriatric dog and book contracts commit to write everyday and make that a public commitment? Here's the thing: life is bloody hard sometimes, and I am betting that something challenging and demanding like NaBloPoMo will help me keep my head above water. So in the midst of professional and existential cruxes, I am adding one sure thing to the mix.

Because whatever else happens, you gotta eat. And you'll know all about it, starting November 1st.

Stay tuned! And a happy Halloween!

MB, brussels spouts and bacon - I am in heaven

I haven't watched one of MB's video is months, months!

And my re-introduction to him today is by way of two of my favorite foods : brussels spouts and bacon. It is a tragedy that the man I share my life and kitchen with is 1) a vegetarian, and 2) a brussels spouts hater. My love of these two ingredients is therefore a rarely satisfied, very guilty pleasure, which of course makes today's MB video even more akin to pornography. The very best and most titillating kind of pornography.

I could smell the bacon sizzling in his pan, and I heard the shreds of brussels sprouts arrange themselves in the tightness of that crowded skillet. The clincher, the money shot as it were, was the dash of balsamic MB poured over the sweltering dish. Do you know what happens when vinegar hits a hot oily pan? The astringents of the vinegar pierce your nose first and then the sweet smell lodges on your tongue, in anticipation of what you'll taste when the dish is done.

I have 4 tomatoes and 2 apples in my fridge right now, so there's no chance of actually eating this dish tonight. But that doesn't matter, because today's video is 3 and a half minutes of heaven,

And if I smoked, I'd probably want a cigarette now.

We are lame, we know.

I think about posting, but somehow that doesn't make it happen. However I have been cooking up a storm lately and will post about some of those meals soon. I must admit, I haven't been watching Mark's videos on the NYT website of late. They just aren't popping up as much. I did watch one yesterday about nori chips, which I plan to attempt soon.

With harvest in full swing, there have been many meals of just me and les filles. The husband returns home in the wee hours of the night while we all sleep. He and I actually chatted for ten minutes last night! I am hoping that he might make it home in time for a late dinner this evening - what to cook? Something with sweet potatoes from our CSA I suspect.