Thoughts

Jimmy Carter has done more in his post-Leader of the Free World days than most. Impressive! Inspiring! #Democratactuallycaringforothersperpartyideals example. Meanwhile, is W still clearing brush in Crawford? Ctrl-Z is, quite possibly, the most valuable thing my husband, a MS in Computer Science, has ever taught me. Amazing! Life-saving!

It takes a long, damn time to make a 2x roux recipe. Like quadruple the time a regular recipe takes. Like, I'm SO hot and tired and still don't have my chicken in my gumbo yet. Presumed efficiency bites me.

Just how long can Nutmeg (cat) spend cleaning his bottom? It's not that big. And, it's not like he doesn't also have a full body plus limbs to tend to. Hmm.

Springtime in DC

I have a huge surprise for you: my children talk incessantly, and it's way too much. Oh wait, I've mentioned that before. Heh. By and large, spring makes everything and everywhere prettier than it was. The colors are richer, brighter, more alive. New buds everywhere give the impression of a true sentient awakening in our non-animal kin. You realize just how much has been going on all these cold months; though things may seem dormant or dead, stuck in the deepest of torpor, such is not the case for many a being. Many cities have been thoughtfully landscaped and tended over the years, but D.C. must surely be one of the most beautiful during this season of rebirth.

Pinquitos RB&R, strawberry muffins

Recently, I ordered some cassoulet beans from Rancho Gordo, a Napa-based company that specializes in heirloom beans as well as spices, grains and a few other, top-quality goods. The cassoulet beans were part of a bean-bundle in which I also received some pinquitos, small pinky-red beans often used for chili and barbeque.

They stay pretty firm during cooking, even when simmered for hours. I'd started soaking a pound on Monday so by last night figured I'd best get them cooking. Red beans and rice sounded wonderful, and the pinquitos seemed much more light and springy than the usual red kidneys I use. I replaced all but one link of andouille with liquid smoke and the end result was an absolutely delicious, definitely lightened, super-comforting, lots-of-leftovers meal.

This morning, Oliver insisted we make muffins as our freezer stash was empty. Following my strawberry haul last Saturday, I had but one pint left so we used half of those and made strawberry muffins with vanilla and brown butter. To.die.for.

I find photographing muffins an ever-difficult job so know that in person, these are less dense and puck-y than they appear. Have I mentioned that it is beautiful here, and I love spring, and I'm so happy it's here?