Slowly bringing in and preparing the last of this summer's herbs. The oils in the air while doing this are intense. Even the cat is squinting.
Some of the remaining Basil and Rosemary I am infusing in Olive Oil. Sorted and stripped Oregano today until I smell like a pizzeria. The last of the sage will probably be used for this November's Turkey and Dressing.
No more fresh basil for Chicken Caprese... unless...what I have read recently is true. Saved a few sprigs to put in a wineglass filled with water. Supposedly it will re-root and can be planted inside for year-long fresh basil. Here's hoping. I don't mind the dried stuff in the winter for cooking...but Bruchetta and Caprese really need fresh florets.
We will see.
So finally finished de-boning that damned reptile I purchased earlier.
BLEAH. And that goes for the smell that cooked rattlesnake leaves in the kitchen as well. And the cat even had the good sense to turn his nose up at the meat. Wouldn't touch any of it.
Tried to cover up his food dish.
Finely chopped with red and green peppers and onions...mixed with a tomato base, copious amounts of chili peppers and powder...and I have to admit I am severely underwhelmed. It did remove all trace of the smokey chicken flavor of the rattlesnake, but did nothing in term of the texture. Seriously, I could have chopped rubber bands up finely and achieved the exact same results...hell, it might have been tastier. And the prep time (de-boning) would have been cut exponentially.
You live. You learn.
So much for Rattlesnake Chili.
So excited about next Tuesday's Democratic Debate! Begins at 8:30 PM and since there are only a handful...well it should be easier to get a grip on the players.
Thus far, after taking an oh-too-close look at all of them from both sides...and you cannot even IMAGINE how excruciating some of that was. There were times when I finished with a particular candidate (Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz) and felt like I needed to go in and take a very hot shower. And on nearly all of them when I reached the On Drugs: portion...well, I can't tell you how many times I muttered distractedly to myself
"They MUST be...and so is anyone who votes for them!"
Anyway, as I mentioned in a prior post, I am fairly certain that Bernie Sanders is my candidate...so I hope he gets the nod in the primaries. I will certainly be voting for him in May.
About the only serious offering the GOP has is Bush or Kasich. And sorry Jeb...the LAST thing this Country needs is another Bush in office...and after examining Kasich closer...no...possibly even hell no.
Trump...is a buffoon and completely unelectable by sentient beings.
Hillary is (thankfully) completely unelectable, as well...and even if she were not...we would face the same horrible gridlock for 4-8 more years as we have seen for the last 6 years...in short...we would be wasting our tax dollars at breakneck speed and absolutely NOTHING would get accomplished. And as I said with Jeb...I am done with Clintons in office, too. The LAST thing we need is Clinton in Office.
So yeah. I am thinking President Bernie Sanders.
A Democratic Socialist Jewish Guy from Brooklyn.
Oy Vey...
Your "Uncle Bernie".
Like Alf used to say:
"You could do worse."
I think he may actually be able to turn things in our political system around.
(Bernie...not Alf) Okay...maybe Alf, too.
I like the idea of spending our taxes on US.
I think that Universal Healthcare is something we ALL need.
I think we should invest (like every other civilized Nation in the world) in OUR people, their education, and OUR infrastructure.
And I am tired of Politicians depending on us to vote against our own best interests. Really, I am.
Anyway...
The Book of the Week is Harper Lee's: Go Set A Watchman
Not just a book to be read...but a book to be experienced! This is hands-down the BEST book I have read this year to date. Seen as a sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird, this was actually the original manuscript written but not published. Her publisher made the suggestion to pull all of the background sequences out and publish a different story...that story... now a classic...made history. This book went back into the Writer's Trunk and did not re-surface for over 55 years.
Go Set A Watchman is set 25 years in the future after Atticus' famous trial. It begins with Jean Louise (Scout) coming back home from New York for a visit to Maycomb during the heights of the Civil Rights Movement. Completely engaging as we watch Scout "grow up" and realize that sometimes the people we put on a pedestal and proclaim "gods" are, in fact, just human beings.
If you only read one book this year...make sure it is THIS one.
Absolutely 10/10 rating.
And...my French Wines arrive next week! So soon to have an Adventure in French Wines and Cheese...which has to be better than the Rattlesnake.
Just Saying.
