h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm sure it would work fine without the nuts. I was originally considering putting in some finely sliced celery for a bit of texture, but in the end - as the result of various domestic complications - I somehow mislaid it. I reckon the flavour would go well with curry powder.

I'll have to give it a try soon. I've actually not been cooking much. What with the warm weather and K working overtime again, we've been eating out or ordering in four or five nights a week. It'll be good to try out some new ideas for meals we don't need to cook (or at least not for very long, or in the oven). My appetite tends to wane this time of year... does that happen to any of you?

Aside from restaurant food, we've been gorging ourselves on cottage cheese and fruit salad. Jaysus, is pineapple good this time of year!

Today's "linner": spaghetti squash in a sort of Provencal-ish "sauce".

one spaghetti squash, halved, seeded, and cooked (I microwaved for 20 min)
a handful of cocktail tomatoes, cut into quarters
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
one can black olives, diced
one medium onion, chopped
three or four cloves garlic, minced
fresh basil, parsley, thyme and rosemary
freshly ground pepper and sea salt
about four ounces crumbled feta cheese
sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese

saute the onion, garlic and herbs in a little olive oil for a few minutes. Add tomato, pepper and olives. Saute till tomatoes are tender. Add about 1/4 cup red wine, the salt and pepper. Use a fork to shred the squash into strands. Saute for three or four minutes more. Top with crumbed feta and grated Parmesan cheeses. Serve promptly.

What a good idea! I noticed the other week that Asda are selling spaghetti squash. (Walmart-owned inexpensive megastore chain). I shall have to time my visit to miss their forthcoming strike action.

Union activity at Walmart! How is that?

Probably very cool. I shudder any time I hear the name of the place. Of course, K got two gift cards from work for Xmas, both for Wal-Mart. He'd indicated he wasn't comfortable going, until I explained that the cards are already paid for so we'd actually be doing a greater disservice by not using them (as long as we don't exceed their face value).

This was the first time I'd ever eaten spaghetti squash. I really liked it- and K must have, because he took the left over stuff for lunch today.

I've added the cauliflower omelette-thingy I mentioned recently to http://flamingpiecafe.blogspot.com

Sounds delicious! I can't wait to try it out- most likely at the weekend. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

Hell if I can remember my login info for your blog site. But I just wanted to add that "Ege Bamyasi" is a album. I've never tried canned okra, but I saw some at the Turkish grocery last weekend... is it any good? To the best of my knowledge, I've only ever had it fresh or frozen. And I love it.

Canned okra sounds like A Bad Idea to me. Anyway - Asian shops always have plenty of it fresh. I make a simple dry curry with it...mustard and cumin seeds...a little turmeric...onions, garlic, ginger, green chilli...add the bhindi/okra sliced into 1cm pieces and stir a bit...add a chopped tomato...cook until the oil re-emerges.

Sounds awesome!!

I'm thinking of making some gumbo, and using either vegan chorizo or some tempeh in place of the meat.

The recipes are coming thick and fast now. Here's my latest: http://flamingpiecafe.blogspot.com/ Plus some italic Italian musings.

Sounds yummy! Though the differences between UKnian/USAnian names sometimes mean I've no idea what I'd be shopping for were I to try... so can you clarify for me what you mean by "broadbeans", as I'm not familiar with the term but may recognize the bean.

Apologies for the continued stream of typos in my postings, too. It may just be that because the keyboard *looks* smaller and occupies a lot less space, it's creating an optical illusion in which my fingers wind up pressing all the wrong keys.

I'm guessing 'fava beans' would be the most likely USAnian term.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MV017

Beware of things labelled 'ergonomic'....and never trust an ergonomist!

Regards,

Edward the Bonobo, BSc, MErgS

Ah, fava beans! I have some of those in the pantry- are dried ones OK if you soak 'em first? What about canned? The only canned veg I use is beans- the brand we get locally here is pretty good, and not heavily salted.

Noooo! They have to be fresh! (frozen at a pinch). They're very common over here, in season. Use lots of beans and little pasta and don't overdo it with the ricotta (and don't stir it in - leave it crumbled).

Dried fava beans are good for ful medames.

Or felafel.

I won't be able to find anu fresh beans around here. They only sell dried or canned. Oh, well. It sounds fantastic anyway!!

I usually use chick peas (garbanzos) to make felafel. I may have to try using fava beans next time.

Well I'm off to buy a spaghetti squash...this very second!

Ooooh! Let me know how you like it (however you prepare it- I can use more ideas, 'cause I LURRRRRVE squash!). I will attempt to hunt down live beans over this weekend if at all possible- it may mean a wild, wild goose chase...

Bugger. They didn't have any. However...I made an ace Thai green curry instead (recipe to follow)

Don't think I've ever eatn any of the 'squash's' and haven't heard of the spegetti one before, couple of times I've almost bought em but always chickened-out as I'd not ever cooked with em before I must try be more adventerous