Mojito

Yes, dear. Of course I'll make you a Mojito. How could I not? Food is love. Recipes all over the net... I don't even remember how I made this one now, but I worked backward from a pretty clear mental picture of 'mint limeade for grownups'. I could create that now without a recipe.

I was more curious about the derivation of the name. A quick internet search gives theories including sex and magic, where a quick trip to Uncle Cecil at the Straight Dope acknowledges those two but says 'mojar' is to celebrate by drinking, so a little celebration in a glass. Enjoy, dear.

His and Hers Rice Bowls

A sort of Far East meets Southwest: Rice and beans with Thai basil and a sprig of lime. Hers: Smaller. More Dainty. His: bigger portion, and a heap of thai chilis. I cannot abide beans and rice without heat. I'd rather eat shoe leather with chilis than beans and rice without.

I'm a big fan of calling ahead for take out, and finding the best value item on a menu. At Ocean Garden here in Gloucester, it's the noodle soup for two, if you make it a meal for one. That's five bucks, and beats a sub on a rainy day. But it needs touching up first, I can't abide their broth... I think it's a classic case of downplaying the good stuff for white people. In this case a splash of soy, sesame oil, and oil chili for heat makes it more to my liking.

It's Miflard Time

Yes, it is. For those of you new to this forum, MIFLARD is the acronym of Make It Feel Like A Real Dinner'. Very important for socializing young boys, or making the best of leftovers.

The meal is the basic unit of family harmony and discipline. The first gesture of love an infant gets is 'have a suck on this' and the first boundary is a reprimand to be gentle. It's worth putting in the effort to make it special.

Carrot and celery sticks (or something a touch more elaborate for grownups, pictured), pickles, something extra to put a couple extra dishes on the table and give folks the feeling of choice.

Sweet, Salt, and Sour Wings

Ah, yeah... I'm hearing a Barry White bass line right now... or maybe 'Business Time', by Flight of the Conchords... you know you wanna just reach out and touch those, take them in your teeth, I know I do...

Ahem, excuse me.

Anyway, some poor guest of mine couldn't handle hot wings, so I made these instead. Homemade teriyaki type glaze with light soy, dark soy, sugar, garlic, light touch rice vinegar. Basted early and basted often, cooked to a crisp glaze. Jesus, I need a cold shower.

Flight Of Sliders

Three BFTLT's (that's Bacon Fried Turkey, ie turkey cold cuts fried in canola oil 'til brown and crisp, lettuce, and tomato.

Martin's wonderfully squishy potato flour hamburger rolls, plenty of mayo, fresh tomatoes. Good lunch at work... how can you go wrong?

Banksy

Swiss chard, just cut in the garden. Quick-fried with soy, a little ginger, a little garlic.