Fall Flush

A heavy rain together with warm days and we've been enjoying the Fall flush of mushrooms -- shitake mushrooms. I came home after my writing class to see mushrooms spread out on every surface in the kitchen and have been drying them for later use.

A few days later -- there were more and I managed to remember to  get a picture.

A nice little harvest, but nothing like the earlier one. Still, with a few garlic chives ...

two fresh eggs and a bit of butter . . .

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some Cherokee Purple tomatoes on the side and I have a fine brunch.

  The winner of the drawing for a signed copy of THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS over at Poe's Deadly Daughters is Iil Gluckstern -- who needs to get in touch with me!

There'll be another chance to enter another drawing tomorrow~

Deep Dish Pizza and the First Rain of May

Monday is pizza night at our house. I love it. John makes the pizza; Claui makes the salad; and I wait for those magical words -- "Dinner's ready!" 

Last night it was something a little different -- Chicago-style Deep Dish pizza.  And the magic words were Justin calling --"I've poured you a glass of Prosecco..."

Whoopee! A wonderful way to celebrate the rain!

  We were awakened around five Monday morning by the welcome patter of raindrops and, mindful of my grandmother's teaching, I rolled out of bed and stepped out to the deck to get wet in the first rain of May -- thereby ensuring good health all year long. (I walked barefoot in the first snow of the season too -- I should be brimming with good health!)

But back to the pizza.  ( John combined these recipes from Recipesource and Food Network and here) 

One had spinach, broccoli, leeks, mushrooms, cheeses, and quite a lot of garlic  and olive oil (no tomato sauce though.)

Beautifully garnished . . .  

The other was more traditional -- Italian sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, and cheese.  Both were made in springform pans -- the kind you use for cheesecake. And, of course he makes his own crust -- this time with some cornmeal added  for extra strength.

I love Mondays!

Thai Green Curry and Panna Cotta

Justin and Claui cooked an amazing meal for my birthday dinner. They had made this Thai Green Curry for us back in January and I had immediately requested it for my birthday. 

There's not a recipe, as such but the essentials for this very large amount (it fed five of us with leftovers for probably five more) are 6 oz. (1 and 1/2 cans) of Maesri brand green curry paste and a 19 oz. can of Mae Ploy coconut milk -- both available at most Asian markets.

The various ingredients - red and yellow peppers, garlic and onions, chopped eggplant, boneless chicken breasts -- were sauteed in  separate batches and each seasoned to taste with the curry paste, some coconut milk, and a little chicken broth.

The sauteed elements were combined and the tiny corn on the cobs added along with more of the curry, coconut milk and broth. The snow peas went in last just to barely heat. They should remain crisp.
 

The whole glorious mess was served over basmati rice. There were condiments -- toasted almond slivers, lime slices, hot peppers in vinegar, chopped cilantro, and crispy fried chopped garlic.  On the side there was also a simple carrot/red cabbage slaw, seasoned with lime juice and hot sauce.

Yes, we like our food hot and spicy -- and after all there was plenty of champagne to cool us off.

For dessert Claui made a delectable panna cotta (From Ina Garten -- and there's a real recipe --just click the link.)  Cool and smooth and vanilla-y with a drift of lemon zest and a surround of strawberries blessed by a touch of sugar and basalmic vinegar. The perfect complement to the flavors of the curry.


How good was it? So good that we gobbled it up before I thought to take a picture -- this was taken from the recipe site.