The Phantom e-mailed that temperatures where he is range from 1 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit. Insanity. We're headed to Disneyland soon and the weather is supposed to be sunny and in the high 60's. Which everyone thinks is "awesome weather" for this time of year in Southern California. These people are insane. I just don't do cold weather. Yes, I will bundle up and go skiing and deal with the cold, but when it comes to every day life? I dislike the cold. I'd rather it rain. I hate being nice and warm in my house, then have to bundle up to go outside to get in the car, wait for the ice on my windshield to defrost, freeze going from car to the office, and then have to peel off layers because the office is like an oven. Repeat as necessary throughout the day. I realize that my complaining about it being cold and 70 degrees probably makes those of you in 1 degree weather want to smack me (or at least drop me head first into the four foot of ice and snow on your front lawn), but I'm just telling you how I feel. And besides. We pay extra for the weather to not be that cold on a regular basis. I think there should be some sort of law. If it gets below freezing here, the cost of everything should go down 5 percent.
I'm drinking lots of coffee and tea (I'd be drinking hot cocoa if there were less calories...dang that holiday weight gain) and craving chilis and hot soups and stews. Sandwiches and pasta dishes must be hot, and when I crave a salad, it's usually spinach with a warm bacon dressing. I don't want chicken as much as I want pot roasts and legs of lamb. I don't crave cheeseburgers as much as I crave burritos. Casseroles over Chinese food. Veal parmigiana over sushi. Macaroni and cheese over macaroni salad. Forget pudding and jello based desserts, give me molten lava cakes and warm apple pie. I realize that in about three months these cravings will be reversed...but in the meantime, just give me food that's hot and sticks to my ribs.
I took an extended break from my blog but now find I'm eager to get back in the groove. I recieved six cookbooks for Christmas (ahem, not counting the few that I bought for myself) so I have a little goal to try to cook something from them first before I head back to my cookbook stash. I'm thinking soups and stews might be what I look for first.
The above is my quick and easy Mortadella Sandwich. I usually put much more mortadella in the sandwich and melt everything together a bit more, but I was short on time and short on mortadella. Didn't matter, still hit the spot!
The sandwich looks delicious, and while I'm bundling up and cursing your "cold" weather, when I lived in Spain I had exactly the same complaints!
Posted by: emiglia | January 11, 2011 at 02:15 AM
Nice post. I love it. Waiting your new posts. Thank you...
Posted by: Devremülkler | January 11, 2011 at 01:21 PM
That looks delicious, kind of like a Monte Cristo sandwich. Now I have to procure some mortadella. I have to try this stuff.
Posted by: Chris | January 13, 2011 at 09:33 AM
Emiglia - But I'd much rather be bundled up enjoying the cold in Spain :)
Chris - Do try to find the imported mortadella if you can. Around here it's about $12 a pound but worth it, especially if trying it for the first time. But then...you might be like us, hooked on the expensive stuff!
Posted by: Mrs. L | January 13, 2011 at 09:48 AM
Oh yeah, that is perfect for this time of year. Making me tummy grumbly. ;-)
Posted by: Livin Local | January 13, 2011 at 11:51 AM
Thank you for your excellent post. With the summer right around the corner we are constantly looking for new and updated information centered around the grilling community. There are so many great grilling recipes and grilling tips out there in today's market, it is great to know that there are still people taking the time to grill and enjoy the great taste of food on the grill. Thank you again.
Posted by: Barbecue Pork Recipe | May 09, 2011 at 03:33 PM