PS

Anyone see the photo on the front page of the NYT Dining section today? The one of the older woman in overalls going in for a bite of deep-fried butter on a stick? I haven't felt so vicariously, viscerally ill in quite some time.In tandem with last month's press on 7-11's new mashed potato vending machine and my own recent viewing of an all-in-one pancake maker (insert bag o' dough; press button; place plate at foot of conveyor belt), I feel we're really seeing industrialization gone too far. Lest you think I'm a Luddite, I'm not - although I've already abandoned pinterest and still don't get the hoo-ha about Blu-ray - but these items certainly demonstrate the unsavory lengths we'll take our desire for convenience, our quest for immediacy, and our frightening willingness to eat really gross stuff. Fried butter? No wonder health in America is so unimpressive!

Cod, cantaloupe, quinoa, coconut

Somewhere between saying goodbye to my mom and getting the kids to bed, I lost my sense of humor. I opened a bottle of Chablis in hopes of finding some bit of it, but so far, no dice. Nonetheless, I did turn out a good dinner, and the alliterative aspect of it, per the post title above, is charming. Quinoa with lemon zest, fennel and sultanas, cod roasted with shaved fennel, olives, more lemon, garlic, salt and fennel fronds, and the best cantaloupe we've enjoyed this summer.

I love quinoa, love that each grain looks like a tiny Saturn, love that it's so good for you and is so versatile. And while I don't often buy cod because the poor fish is being fished to death, literally, I saw some rated yellow at Whole Foods today and decided to splurge a bit. I love cod, and this did it justice, although it's unfortunate that the one time I over-salt anything happened to such a delicate meal.

The cantaloupe was ridiculous, and T and I ate a whole half. We're now trying to finagle some room for the magnificent coconut cream pie that's waiting for us in the fridge.

Did y'all hear about the John Sununu-Soledad O'Brien confrontation over Medicaire? She won, and when did he become such a wing-nut? Is NH considering disowning him? When did facts become opinions?

Bill and Real Time return on Friday! Two days hence! Yay!!

Coconut Cream Pie

I woke up with a major hankering for some coconut cream pie so one is in the works. The crust is baked and cooling, and I've made and set aside the sweetened coconut. We have to bring Mom to the airport soon, unfortunately, and will then head by the market to get the rest of the items I need for the pastry cream. Mmm... Last night, I felt my first twinge of excitement about fall's pending arrival. I've grown mighty tired of squash and eggplant and, by and large, have been fairly disappointed in this summer's tomatoes and watermelons. Boo. A hearty stew sounds marvelous, and I love the idea of my big Staub bubbling away on the stove with something savory and big. It has really been gruesomely hot the past few months, and I'll eagerly welcome days and nights in the 70s.

The watermelon carving winners are being announced soon, so I'll keep you posted!