Monday, this is? Bah.

[lagilman]

Random, random.

Much to my surprise, after a late, slow start, I managed about 2,100 new words yesterday. Funny, how remembering to feed the body actually helps the brain function.

This morning, despite it being the kind of Monday where even the cats are willing to sleep in, I got up, made it to the gym, stopped by the greengrocer for coffee and the week's munchables, and, wonders of wonders, remembered to upload my monthly post at BookView Cafe, wherein I Talk the Taboo -- money: specifically how I worked up the nerve, in this economy, to renovate my kitchen, and why.

And speaking of the kitchen....


1 lb ground lean sirloin
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup curried yogurt cheese (which, btw, is dead easy to make and delish)
fresh basil
1/2 onion
1/4 red cabbage, shredded

Saute the onion, then add the cabbage, cooking and stirring gently until it's wilted and softened. Remove to a bowl, then brown the meat in the same pan, with several shredded leaves of basil. Add the onion and cabbage back and cook again, then turn the heat off and add the tomato sauce and the yogurt, slowly stirring until well-blended. The meat and cabbage mixture should be wet, but not soupy. Add spices to taste -- I kept it simple and let the curry come forward.

Layer cooked rice on the bottom of a greased casserole pan, add in the filling, top with the remaining rice. Cover and cook @ 350 degrees for thirty minutes. Burning yourself on something adds to the authenticity, but I'd advise skipping that step.

Served with the wine from last night. The ripe-fruit sweetness went well with the curry.

This week's a crazed one, with much to do before vincam arrives mid-week. I'll be back when I can...

Comments

[wedschilde.livejournal.com]

we have a lau-lau...

which i think is our closest thing to a casserole.

i refuse to acknowledge aki (raw pork liver marinated/leeched in milk).

[matticrafts.livejournal.com]

I have two comments on that... raw? seethed in milk? Okay,now my brain hurts. A lot.

re: the actual post -- good on you on all fronts! Q: Must one call you by both first names on one's head, when one only used the first first name mentally for, um, a while?

[lagilman]

*snerk* People who knew me prior to 1989* get dispensation, although it will take you longer to get my attention, after 20 years of being "Laura Anne."






*when I entered a workplace that already had a Lara, a Laurie, a Lesley, and a Liselle.... and decided my full name was only reasonable self-defense.

[wedschilde.livejournal.com]

yep. raw. sliced. in milk.

i can eat a lot of things raw. not that one.

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

you are also helping keep the economy going too with your kitchen redo.

[(Anonymous)]

The recipe sounds nummy--and easy for a mostly non-cook like me.

Do you have a recipe for the yogurt cheese?

Cheers, Dayle

[lagilman]

so my contractor reassures me, yes.

[lagilman]

Take a clean cheesecloth (or a dry coffee filter) and place it over a shallow bowl, and fit it with a rubber band to keep it in place.

Take a cup of plain, nonfat yogurt, and place it on top of the cheesecloth/filter. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge overnight (longer if you want a denser consistency). Discard the liquids, then slowly stir in dry curry powder (I use a mix a friend made for me, but store-bought will do). Adjust to personal preference-- I like mine strong. Place in refrigerator for another 3-4 hours to make sure it firms up after blending. Store in fridge in a clean container with a lid. I actually have no idea how long it will keep, because mine is normally gone within two days.

[ilvack.livejournal.com]

I thought I'd share the news. My portion of Potato(e) Moon has just been sent away. I'm quite sure it's the worst thing I've ever written, and I can't wait to do it again.