Singapore Noodles Nigella

Do you hate recipe reviews that claim a recipe's fabulousness then proceed to share all the substitutions the home cook made thus creating in fact a new recipe versus the one being reviewed? Well, that's exactly what this review is like--sometimes I run out of time, energy or options (maybe you do too?), but the recipe can still be delicious. I kept enough from the original to know I'll make it again and that it's worth sharing!

I first discovered Nigella's cooking while wandering the library during my daughter's story hour. I pushed my son in his stroller to keep the peace while perusing the culinary aisle. I had heard of and seen Nigella Lawson on the Food Network, but I'd never read her books nor tried her recipes. Nigella Express, 130 Recipes for Good Food, Fast jumped out as I needed speed given the aforementioned two young children.

I read, tabbed recipes, and cooked--the recipes are indeed fast and good, and the most recent successful try is Seared Salmon with Singapore Noodles which my husband and I decided we could eat every night for a week at least.

The curry powder (paste, see below) and aromatics add fantastic flavor to both noodles and salmon, rice noodles are chewy and fun, and the salmon is an excellent, rich protein counterpart to the lighter noodles.

As promised, I made a *few* substitutions due to time and options at the store, yet the dish was still incredibly tasty: 

• no shrimp (forgot)
• no sprouts (store did not have oddly)
• canned salmon instead of fresh (fresh looked old)
• Madras curry paste instead of powder (only option)
• fresh garlic instead of infused oil (though I will say garlic oil can be a true time saver, and I will have on hand for future).

I used the canned salmon to make little cakes using breadcrumbs, an egg, the curry, sugar and salt in the recipe plus a bunch of cilantro. Because I eye-balled the breadcrumbs and egg, the cakes were a little crumbly but totally serviceable alongside the noodles.

Other recipes I love from this book include: Spaghettini with Shrimp and Chili, Moonblush Tomatoes, Mirin Glazed Salmon and New Orleans Cole Slaw. Take a gander and let me (and Nigella!) know what you think!

xo,
ginashares

A problem with "No problem"

The response "no problem" is such an unsatisfying phrase to hear back when you thank or apologize to someone. It is so very common to hear in my workplace, and I stumble into the words at times myself because "no problem" is easy and ubiquitous. Maybe you do to? 

Luckily alternative, cheery answers abound such as you're welcome, my pleasure, please don't worry, think nothing of it, I am happy to help. "No problem" implies that there was indeed, somehow, a problem and seems ungracious to my ears. I for one am working these words out of my daily speak and wonder if others might consider doing so as well!

The All Purpose Metro Slouch

The Metro Slouch from Athleta is one of the all round best pants for casual wear. Sporty but not too sporty for the less sporty among us. Comfortable but not too comfy so as to look sloppy. Form fitting but not tight. Tailored enough to wear as pants with real shoes, not just athletic wear. I first discovered the miraculous versatility of these pants when on a work trip to Las Vegas. I wore the pants on the airplane--work appropriate due to the comfortable but not sloppy aspect. I wore them for a walk around the hotel campus to stretch after arrival. But the true brilliance of these pants became apparent when dressing for a casual dinner: dissatisfied with the pants I'd planned to wear, I busted out the Metro Slouch, pulled the ankle cord, added silver pointy-toed heels and a cute jacket. At a work event! In Vegas! Perfection! I now never travel without them. See what you think!

g.

Cook Needs Apron

I cook a fair amount and also perform household laundry duty, and I am in a never ending quest to increase the first and decrease the latter. I have been on the hunt for the perfect apron for some time--not too cute, not too flimsy or stiff, good coverage, interesting, a little but not too chef-like (do I sound like Goldilocks?). This past holiday, on my Christmas list to my parents: I need an apron. My father, a master of product research, found Butcher+Baker. 

Enter my Build-Your-Own-Women's Bibb Apron, now my go-to for these reasons:

• The apron fabric, pockets and straps are customizable. For fabric I chose gray with turquoise straps. The fabric is a nice weight--stiff enough to hold it's shape and still easy to move when wearing. If I were to order another, I would select a contrasting fabric for the pocket(s), see below.
• The "field pocket" at the waist is VERY COOL (you can choose not to have this, but as I said, very cool). I have no idea what to store in the pockets, or on the also very cool carabiner, but I'm glad I have them.
• The criss cross strap option might be my favorite feature: it is much more comfortable for me to have straps that go over the shoulder, crossing in the back, then wrapping at the waist vs a traditional loop resting against the back of the neck.
• If I had to choose something to change: the criss cross straps, while veray comfortable, make hanging the apron a bit cumbersome. Perhaps a little tag on the inside of the bib for hanging could be handy.
• Although my apron was a gift, I think the $55 price tag represents an excellent value. This apron is now on my gift list for birthdays and holidays.

sharing,

g.

TO VITAMIX OR NOT TO VITAMIX

So we have been in desperate need of a blender for y.e.a.r.s. No ice crushing happening here. We have a food processor and mixer, but have you tried to make a smoothie in a food processor? Does. not. work.

Yet, I've struggled with the Vitamix commitment... It's another appliance that will not have a home behind doors, but rather sit on my counter. It is BIG. It is a serious investment, which prompts endless research and analysis paralysis. My Vitamin-owning friends say theirs are LOUD. Did I mention the size? Do I even like smoothies? Would I use it? As it turns out, yes and yes. A recent change to my diet (VB6!), the new quieter and lower profile 750 series plus a sale at a favorite retailer prompted the investment. I use it every day, it's insanely powerful and fast, I love the pre-set control options and it's so easy to clean. And, the decision, questions, research are over. Lots of ice crushing happening in the Jaeckel household now.