Day 64

To laugh often and much.

To win the respect if intelligent people

and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation

of honest critics

and endure the betrayal

Of false friends;

To appreciate beauty,

to find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better,

whether by a healthy child

a garden patch

or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life

has breathed easier

because you have lived.

That is to have success.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 63

This is a combination of three different recipes.
But be warned: lentils may make your butt sing!

LENTIL CURRY
Saute in ghee, or oil or oil and butter
1/2  cup each chopped onion, celery and carrots
2 inches of ginger, peeled and minced
3 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
Add 3 cups water (chicken or veggie broth)
Stir in
1 package dried green lentils
(red gets very mushy) washed and looked over
(sometimes there are little sticks or stones)
Then go crazy with spices:
curry powder
garam masala
turmeric
coriander
fennel
cloves
mustard (I use a teaspoon of whole grain mustard with figs)
cumin
cardamon
cayenne
 red chili flakes
cinnamon
 salt and pepper
Add whatever you want
Start small amounts and then taste and adjust
Honey, blue agave nectar or brown sugar can be added also
Bring to boil, then simmer till lentils are soft
Maybe one hour
Add extra liquid if needed
A splash or red or white wine is nice, too
Can be served with shredded coconut.

Day 62

Nothing is more beautiful than potential.

The problem with people who have no vices

is that generally you can be pretty sure

they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues.

Elizabeth Taylor

Never interrupt when you are being flattered.

 Mind your own business.

Remember that not getting what you want

is sometimes a stroke of luck.

Learn the rules then break some.

Talk slowly but think quickly.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.

Read between the lines.

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Day 61

BARBECUE SAUCE

I have a crush on Jamie Oliver, the 35 year old English food master.

He's just too adorable and I love his simple, wholesome approach to cooking.

This is his recipe tweaked a bit - good for ribs, lamb or chicken.

He suggests placing your choice onto a grill to blacken

after taking it out of the oven.

My oven is a bit hot and the ribs were dark enough for me.

Crushed with a pestle and mortar or in a coffee grinder

1 huge teaspoon cumin seeds

2 huge teaspoons fennel seeds

5 cloves

Chop well

4-5 cloves garlic

Bunch fresh thyme leaves

Bunch fresh rosemary leaves

Zest of 1 orange (save juice)

Salt and pepper

Add to seeds in bowl

With 4 huge teaspoons paprika

6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

8 tablespoons oil

1/2 cup catsup

2 huge tablespoons brown sugar

Mix well

Rub all over a 3 pound chicken, or 7 pound leg of lamb, or 4 pounds pork ribs.

(slash the lamb evenly 1/4 inch deep)

Place in a snug fitting pan, top with any leftover sauce, and loose fitting foil.

Bake chicken 1 hour 20 minutes

Lamb 1 hour (for pink)

Ribs 1 hour 20-30 minutes.

Can be charred on a barbecue till crusty and blackened if desired

Basted with any juices leftover in pan.

Day 60

BUMPER STICKERS

Don’t suffer from insanity, enjoy every minute of it.

If ignorance is bliss, you must be orgasmic.

The more people I meet, the more I like my dog.

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Wanted: meaningful overnight relationship.

The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

Indecision is the key to flexibility.

There is no substitute for genuine lack of preparation.

Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.

Someone who thinks logically is a nice contrast to the real world.

The other line always moves faster…until you get in it.

Friends may come and go but enemies accumulate.

Day 59

Inspired by Gabriele Corcos - a little complicated, but so rich and delicious.
This is without a doubt, the very best lasagna we have ever tasted.

LASAGNA ALLA BOLOGNESE
Make two separate sauces:
BOLOGNESE SAUCE
First prepare a soffritto (onion mixture)
Saute in oil in a large pot until soft
1 chopped red onion
3 carrots, chopped
3 celerys, chopped
Optional:
3 bacons, chopped
or 3 oz pancetta, chopped
Place in a blender with
2 cans (28 oz) whole or chopped tomatoes
Meanwhile in same pot brown
2 pounds of ground beef, turkey, and/or pork
(drain off excess oil)
Pour in up to
1 cup red wine to deglaze
Cook till evaporated, scraping brown bits of the bottom
Return tomato mixture to pot
Season with
Garlic powder
Cayenne or red pepper flakes
Fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper
Simmer on low for 2 hours
Take off heat, add 1 cup milk. Stir and let sit.
BESCIAMELLA SAUCE
This is a white sauce. I added left over ricotta and some white wine.
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
Make a roux:
Melt butter, add flour and cook till slightly brown
Add 2 cups milk to boil
Whisking constantly.
Add wine if desired and any little bits of cheese.
Season with grated nutmeg
Salt and pepper.
Simmer on low for 5 minutes.
Should be the consistency of thick cream.
ASSEMBLE:
Oil baking dish(es)
Ladle a small amount of the meat sauce on bottom.
Cover with
1 layer no-boil lasagna noodles (1 - 2 boxes)
Cover with  a layer of meat sauce (must cover noodles or they will not cook)
Ladle on some besciamella sauce
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan (and/or mix with mozzarella)
Repeat 2 or 3 times
Ending with grated cheese.
Bake about 40 minutes 375 till very hot and bubbly
Let sit at least 5 minutes before serving.
Super rich, super delizioso.
Tastes even better the next day warmed up.
Invite many friends.
Freezes well.
Ciao.

Day 58

MAXINE SAYS:

Don't believe everything you think!

Never go to bed angry...stay up and plot your revenge.

Why don't you slip into something a little more comfortable...like a coma.

Well aren't you the most adorable black hole of need.

Shhhh...that's the sound of nobody caring what you think.

Did you eat an extra bowl of stupid this morning?

I don't know what your problem is but I bet it's hard to pronounce.

Don't make me use UPPERCASE.

If you have something to say, raise your hand and place it over your mouth.

You're not yourself today...I noticed the improvement immediately.

Would you like some cheese to go with that whine.

Don't let your mind wander...it's too small to be let out on it's own.

Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.