Menus December 12, 2012

It was perhaps inevitable that a idea loving word nerd would eventually find herself embroiled in this....
A quote war.
The first salvo is fired with all engines blazing by Mario Andretti-

"If everything seems under control,
you aren't going fast enough."

 This apt summary of what it is to race around a track or race toward Christmas is ever so gently deflected by no other than Gandi:


"There is more to life than
increasing its speed."

But.....it's not like Gandi ever compiled a Christmas list, is it? Or went shopping much. Or spent much time cooking dinner for a nearly-grouchy-with-hunger family. So, the last shot belongs to Jeremy Clarkson, the BBC's top gearhead:



"Speed has never killed anyone.
Suddenly becoming stationary, that's
what gets you."

 How about the slow pokes and the speed demons negotiate a truce? How about, for the next 12 days, I find ideas for dinner at home that aren't just this fast-

but this fast-

because if we can put something on the table in 20 minutes or less that will nourish the body and sustain the soul and support the budget, then maybe when we have a chance to do this-

 We'll realize that we have all the time in the world to enjoy it, nice and slow.
Because, you know, we were so impossibly clever and speedy about dinner.
So here we go, my friends.
Every recipe I've curated for us this week has been gathered from collections of recipes that promise 15 minutes start to finish, and a short list of ingredients. Now, whether they really take 15 minutes, or whether the nearly famished family will eat them, we shall see as we go.
Let's start, shall we?

Wednesday: Greek chicken cutlets .
And do you know what would stir up beautifully in the 15 minutes it will take this to cook? A bowl of couscous or a pot of rice.

Thursday: Chicken fried rice.
We leave today for San Antonio- a rather exciting research trip for me, since San Antonio, besides being a birthplace of all things chili, is one of those cities that invites you to eat your way from one end to another and then back again.
You, however, have the option of stirring any leftover chicken from last night up into a nice, healthy little one dish meal. Ask yourself as you heat the frying pan how many veggies you've had today. If your answer is "Do french fries count?" Then think about throwing a handful of frozen broccoli or carrots or peas into the microwave to thaw, then adding them to the rice.

Friday: Pan seared steak and spinach 
Looks yummy, doesn't it? Cook up a little extra, and tomorrow's dinner will be even faster.

Saturday: Burritos
Take that leftover steak, slice it nice and thin and warm it up either in the microwave or in a pan with a little olive oil and chili powder. Then put it on some tortillas with lettuce, tomato, cheese and whatever else you like, and feel like the dinner magician you are.

Sunday: seared tuna steaks
I haven't put fish on the menu for a long time, which is strange, because as one gets busier, all that omega 3 proteiney strength-sustaining goodness becomes more important than ever. And just in case there are leftovers, what do you think about trying this creamy tuna and noodle yumminess?



Look at this, and guess what it is. The department of obvious clues offers this hint: it's music. The department of curiosity offers the question "but which music?"
Guessed yet?

turn your computer upside down for the answer.
Stop! Do not really do that!!!

Handel's Messiah,
 Some of the most glorious music of the season. And this season is, in so many ways, not only filled with music, but is itself like music.
Look again at those crazy wild notes followed by measure after measure of resting. Then more crazy, then more rest. Amazing!
And it all fits together and fills all available space with beauty.
That's what I hope for you this week. That you'll find the rhythm of this season. Clamor and quiet, intensity and calm, activity and rest, giving and receiving.
I hope that you'll find a way to ease into the the quick, quick, quick, slow rhythm of these days.
And I hope that you'll realize (maybe to your own surprise) that the beautiful music you're dancing to is coming from deep inside your own amazing soul.