Sunday, April 15, 2012

Too Long

I've been gone too long and I missed my silly little blog and all six of my readers (okay, maybe seven--at least you are loyal).

So let's just go with today.

It's Titanic Day.  Not sure where to go with that but I would like to think that I am the reincarnation of the first guy who yelled ICEBURG.  I do try very hard to be a problem solver but, I've discovered that noticing the problem (or shall we way iceburg) does not always mean that you can stop the boat from slamming into it.

Onward.

There will be photos of two really cute baby sweaters.  For twins!!!  Twins!!  I love twins.

Remember this yarn from China

Well it knits up some kind of gorgeous and a little roll in a front load washing machine gave it just enough fullness to make me swoon.  It's drying in the bedroom right now and waiting for buttons so pictures will have to come another day.  There will be pearls and little bunnies.  Too cute.

In other news, we have had a lovely weekend which has climaxed with a really yummy dinner.

Are you ready?

This is one of those recipes where you really, really have to trust yourself.  It's a little spicy but not crazy hot and I think you'll like it.

First, cut up four russet potatoes into 1 inch (ish) chunks.  Toss them on a sheet pan with lots of salt and pepper.  Drizzle with olive oil, toss them around and pop them in a 425 oven for about an hour.  Halfway through, flip them over as best you can.

I came up with the rest when I was standing in Foodtown staring at the meat case trying to figure out what to make for dinner.  I ran into a guy I went to grade school with (he was buying bananas) and he said "Just stand there until something comes to you."

He was right.

So here we go (I really should have taken pictures because this is a sort of vague recipe).

4 links sweet Italian sausage
4 boneless skinless chicken thighs (if the store doesn't have them get your lazy ass off the couch and bone and skin them yourself) cut into chunks
2 cubanelle peppers
a bunch of cloves of garlic
1/2 a jar of sliced hot cherry peppers
some chicken broth
some white wine

Drizzle a little olive oil in your big skillet, poke the sausages with a fork and let them get some color on them.  Take them out of the pan as soon as they are starting to get brown (they will still be raw).  Slice the cubanelles long ways (take out the seeds) and toss them in the pan.  If you need more oil, feel free to add more oil.  Run as much garlic as you like through the garlic press and add it to the pan.

While this is cooking away, slice the somewhat raw sausage into coins and cut your chicken in cubes.

When it feels right, put the sausage in the pan.  As soon as it starts to brown, add the chicken.   Keep the heat sort of low at this point.

Now, I know it seems like you are wasting wine but it is worth it.  Once around the pan with a bottle of dry white wine and then once around the pan (maybe twice) with some chicken broth).  Bring it to a boil and let it simmer until the chicken is just about done.

Use a fork to add half the cherry peppers to the pan, then pour in some of the hot brine that they came in.  Let it simmer until everything is done and the potatoes are ridiculously crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside.

It's a party for your mouth and a perfect meal to listen to American Roots with.

P.S.  It's Joey Ramone day.  Can't belief it was that long ago.