Rhinestone Armadillo

More food

More food?  Yes, I always like more food.

• Tuna Bean Panzanella from Martha Stewart.  Sometimes I like her recipes, sometimes I don't.  Note-if you make this, rinse the beans first.  I didn't, and I wished I had.
• Potato soup with chives
• Brownies

• Rainbow salad (radishes, clementines, celery, walnuts, raisins, cucumbers.....dressing---mayo (just a smidge) + lowfat mayo  + vinegar + a sprinkle of sugar + salt & pepper)

Help me-what is this mystery herb?

Hey-do any of you recognize the herb on the bottom?  I thought it might be tarragon, but it has an almost licorice-like flavor.  I don't remember tarragon having that taste to it.

Check out this week's Bountiful Baskets "add on" option---all these herbs for $12.00. 

Basil, chives, mint, tarragon (??), sage, rosemary, thyme, dill, and marjoram.

Isn't that amazing?  Fresh, gorgeous, cheap herbs.  Heaven.

I spent a lot of time drying herbs this past weekend.  I put my oven on the lowest setting and place the trays in and leave the door open.

I thought I was watching them like a hawk, but I burned the rosemary.  Grrrr. However, of all the herbs, that was the most expendable one since I have a large rosemary bush.

I grind them all up with my mortar and pestle then store them in tightly capped glass jars.  I love having my herb cabinet full!

Seafood Schmeefood

I've been craving seafood lately.  Check out my fun shell bowl I found at a thrift store! 

• Dilled salmon with tiny peppers and goat cheese and red onion
• (faux) crab pasta salad
• broccoli
• rye bread

Vanessa has been telling me for years that THESE are good, but I didn't believe her.  I always told her they were the 'boogers of the sea'.  I finally gave in and tried them.  She walked me through her EXACT steps to eat them:

1. Put them in a bowl with the oil.
2. Squeeze a whole lemon on top.
3. Shake Red Devil sauce on it (that's stuff's GOOD, Vanessa).
4. Stir, then eat them on Saltines.

I've been craving those now, and mussels, and clams, and fish.  The other day, I ate canned smoked oysters for lunch, mussels for a snack, then more mussels for dinner.  My throat started feeling tight and I got bizarrely sleepy.  I fell asleep while it was still light outside.  Good grief.  Maybe I need to lay off the shellfish for a while.