NYD

[muckefuck]

I did try to make the hoppin' john vegetarian, but at the last minute I panicked and tossed in a short section of smoked sausage from the fridge. I thought that after stewing for an hour it would be too waterlogged and insipid to keep, but it tasted fine so I cut it up, browned the pieces, and tossed them back in. I also intended to make it for lunch but got a late start so it was our dinner instead. I worried about the consistency, but in the end I think I got it just right. I also played with spicing a bit and I think Bittman's suggestion of fresh rosemary is a keeper.

The greens were more problematic. I didn't like the look of the chard, so I junked it and cooked up the last of the rapini instead. This didn't seem very Southern and I didn't want to reprise monshu's method of preparing the chard (i.e. with almonds and raisins) so I toasted some pecans and chopped them. I used only half and, stuck with what to do with the leftovers, just poured them into my fist and ate them.

Other than that, it was an uneventful day. Umm Ata'ullah came by around noon to serve as our first-footer and gift us with some precious black bun. (The Old Man just tried a piece and found it good.) I had notions of doing some reading, but getting to bed at 2:20 a.m. last night left me too bleary for that so instead I wasted a good portion of the day in front of the new idiot box. Besides, the comfy chair is monshu's second home these days and I'll not be the one to deprive him of that.

I also considered making some calls, but due to my poor planning with the food prep, the time didn't work out. I feel like my ongoing resolution to stay in touch better with good people is achieving nothing. I didn't even remember to wish innerdoggie a happy birthday!