Sometimes a small respite is nice, even from your favorite things, and for most of this weekend, I breaked from cooking. Friday we went for Mexican cuisine, and yesterday we decided to order a pie from Spring Garden Pizzeria. Janet chose pineapple and bacon as our toppings, and I thought they sounded way better than they actually were. I ordered the cheese browned a little, and that pizza was cooked just the way I like it. (Thanks for the advice, KB. You're a fine mentor.) We also ordered fried mushrooms. Spring Garden prepares their menu from fresh ingredients, and these mushrooms were terrific; big with a thin breading, cooked just right and served with ranch and horseradish sauces. I am gaining an appreciation for horseradish at this point in my life.
So we ate pizza and watched two movies: “Couples Retreat” and “Whip It.” Full of familiar actors, “Couples Retreat” was tolerable, though at times I felt my attention drifting away from the story of these married-awhile couples participating in a marriage-saving retreat in a tropical paradise. The location was beautiful, but the movie, generally, was not. Two tines out of four.
“Whip It,” on the other hand, was a little better. The quite pretty Ellen Page finds herself in the middle of a thriving roller-derby culture in Austin, Texas. Nothing can keep this girl from playing in the roller derby, not her lunatic mail-delivering, pageant-participating mother, not her sports-and-beer-fan father, not her age, not even the Oink Joint, where she works with her best friend. She skates past adversity with ease. Whatever. A decent flick; three tines of four.
We watched these movies, even though the Bobcats were on, even though the NCAA tournament was on, because sometimes you just have to compromise, ain't it the truth. Speaking of the truth, this morning I placed my Penzey's order. I will admit that I dropped a hundred, but good spices make good dishes. I am excited for my order's arrival. Penzey's includes a sample gratis in each order, so I am excited about that, too. Last time, they sent Poultry Seasoning, and I enjoyed it enough to order more this time. So until next time...
7 comments:
The pizza does look perfect- I'm glad my suggestion worked! :)
I might be just as excited for your Penzy's order as you are- what new and exciting things did you order? I suggested Scott and I head to Carytown next weekend if the weather is nice so I can pay them a visit and we can eat at Nacho Mama's on their patio and enjoy some margaritas... I am very exciting to stocking up on some new spices! :)
I'm with you on Couples Retreat... eh. Not seen Whip It, and it sounds much better.
Hope you're getting some bball time today! :)
Nacho Mama's is a good name for a restaurant. And I did get to watch a little bball finally.
Here's what I ordered:
1 10140 Adobo Seasoning 4 oz. bag
1 40336 Anise Seed Ground 1.1 oz. 1/4
cup jar
1 12331 Balti Seasoning 1.1 oz. 1/4
cup jar
1 41733 Aleppo Pepper .8 oz. 1/4 cup
jar
1 10661 Bouquet Garni 1 oz. bag
1 11442 Chili 3000 4 oz. bag
1 42143 Crushed Red Peppers Pakistani
4 oz. bag
1 42543 Coriander Ground 4 oz. bag
1 30946 Dill Weed 4 oz. bag
1 54045 Fennel Whole 4 oz. bag
1 12449 Garam Masala 4 oz. bag
1 31130 Gumbo File .8 oz. 1/4 cup jar
1 31343 Marjoram 4 oz. bag
1 44934 Horseradish Powder .7 oz. 1/4
cup jar
1 14030 Mural of Flavor .5 oz. 1/4 cup
jar
1 56115 Whole Malabar Indian Black
Peppercorns 1 lb. bag
1 47285 Onions Toasted Granulated 8
oz. bag
1 47685 Hungarian Half-Sharp Paprika 8
oz. bag
1 14685 Pasta Sprinkle 8 oz. bag
1 15040 Poultry Seasoning 4 oz. bag
1 26037 Buttermilk Ranch
I took a few of your recs. I think the only thing I forgot was cumin. I'd like to have one of everything, though. Wouldn't that be fun?
You will love the Aleppo- great flavor to those peppers. I loved reading through your order... I actually started jotting down some of what I want to get after looking over your list... I know, one of everything would be SUPER fun!!
Yea, whole cumin is great- I mean, it's awesome already ground, but when you grind it fresh... omg, the smell alone is just absolute heaven.
Horseradish powder... hmmm... didn't even know they had that... I also adore horseradish. Especially as a sauce drizzled on roasted or grilled veggies!
It's gonna be like Christmas morning when that package arrives!! Let me know what they give you for free- I don't get that when going to the store! :)
Now, you know I don't mind the spices already ground, but I suppose I will have to get a little grinder soon, or maybe a mortar and pestle would be more my speed. Which do you prefer?
I bet a mortar and pestle would serve you just fine... I just don't have one... things like star anise might be difficult to crush evenly w/ the pestle, but I don't actually know?
I think both would be ideal. :) Mortar and pestles are a bit expensive, you can get a cheap coffee grinder for spices for $10 at Target, so maybe start with that! :)
You can buy qualitiy whole (or ground, actually!) cumin at EarthFare in their bulk spice section located in the vitamin section. From southwestern to Mexican, to Indian, cumin is key.
I always intend to stop at EarthFare and look around, but I never make it there. Dan always told me I need to check it out. I am very interested in that spice section, thanks.
At the Friendly Center is a store called "The Extra Ingredient" and they have Le Creuset m & p for $28. Sounds expensive, but I think it's probably a lifetime investment. Might go down tomorrow even and look around. It is a great little shop.
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