Drunken Monkey
Posted by: pahsta on: November 18, 2008
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One of my favorite specialty beers is the Drunken Monkey from the Heartland Brewery. It’s a wheat beer + banana liqueur. Sadly, if I spent all my time at the Heartland, I would be forced to live next to Scratchy, the homeless guy who masturbates in front of the Oxford library. So Devon re-created it using a standard wheat beer and 99 Bananas. Add a little less than a jigger of liqueur and swirl it a bit in the glass. This version is a bit stronger than the one at the Heartland, and Devon says it’s too sweet for him to choke down, but that just means more Drunken Monkey for me.
And less Scratchy.
Witches need soap, too
Posted by: pahsta on: November 11, 2008
Altar-tools soap
I’m having lots of fun with the new soap molds I bought online. I’ve also made soap in the shape of the Venus of Willendorf and pentacles. My next project will be Norse runes you can wash with.
Punkin Chunkin ‘08
Posted by: pahsta on: November 6, 2008
Size matters.
This gnome is not to be trifled with.
The World Championship Punkin Chunkin competition in Delaware was everything it promised to be. People fired pumpkins out of cannons and catapaults across a large field. One pumpkin shot straight backward into the parking lot, and a few broke world records. The event, which John called “a thinly veiled excuse to build siege weapons,” gave us the opportunity to try tasty faire food like pulled pork sandwiches and a fried-cheese-and-tomato-sauce sandwich that is still resting comfortably in my stomach. A lot of squash met their messy end this day, I tell you.
Yes we can!
Posted by: pahsta on: November 5, 2008
- In: Food
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Last night, I fell asleep in a better world than the one I’d woken up in.
Devon and I spent the evening at the Democratic election-watch party in the Sheraton in NYC, waiting for the moment we could celebrate Barack Obama’s victory. Despite the projected win, we were too familiar with dirty tricks to throw ourselves into it fully. Even as Obama took the stage to speak, I couldn’t quite believe he’d won. But he did it! We did it!
I’m not politically naïve. In four years, we will still have poor people living in boxes on the street; people will still go without health insurance; some children will still be woefully undereducated. Life will still be hard. But I want to bask in the euphoria of knowing we can change. A lot of cynical people have invested a lot of money in getting us to believe that things will always be the way they are. It’s easier for them if no one tries too hard. Well, ppffffft on that.
On the train this morning, I couldn’t quite decide whether to laugh or cry. So, this is what hope feels like.
“What treasure are you hunting?”
Posted by: pahsta on: November 4, 2008
"There's always time for love, Dr. Jones."
Indy takes a bathroom break
The culinary highlight of the Resistor Halloween party was the dry ice Max brought to add to the alcohol. Nothing like getting drunk off of scotch fumes. Devon went as Indiana Jones, and I went as a treasure hunter — a costume that prompted a co-worker to ask, “What treasure are you hunting?”
Morning vodka
Posted by: pahsta on: November 3, 2008
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I accidentally added basil vodka to the smoothies this morning. It actually wasn’t bad, and I can totally pretend I meant to do it. And it was healthy, because basil is an herb and herbs are healthy.
I’m not as think as you drunk I am.
Drink it! It’s good for you
Posted by: pahsta on: October 31, 2008
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Strawberry smoothie (photo taken by Molly from AllRecipes.com)
I saved a little time by washing and hulling the strawberries the night before. The sudden appearance of winter has meant we’ve been a little slow in prying ourselves out of bed, and I’ll look for any excuse to linger a bit longer. I subbed plain soy yogurt for the regular yogurt, since I’m just the kind of heartless, evil bitch who would force soy yogurt down an innocent man’s throat.
Strawberry Smoothie
(from AllRecipes.com)
8 strawberries, hulled
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 cubes ice, crushed
In a blender, combine strawberries, milk, yogurt, sugar and vanilla. Toss in the ice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into glasses and serve.
Fetchin’ etchin’
Posted by: pahsta on: October 30, 2008
Etched vase
This vase originally came from a lovely bouquet Devon sent to me at work awhile back. I’m working on my stencil etching because I want to use the technique to make Yule ornaments this year. The supposedly reusable stencil tore after the first use, which made me cranky, but I’m pretty happy with the results.
Fire! Fire!
Posted by: pahsta on: October 29, 2008
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Ground Jalapeno Peppers
Sometimes, a spice mill just isn’t cool enough. That’s why Devon is building an electric spice mill powered by a hand drill. He tested it out by drying and grinding these jalapeno peppers. He cut off the stems and ends of the fresh peppers, diced them and let them dry in a 200 F oven for about three hours.
Rule #1: Don’t touch your face after grinding hot peppers unless you dig pain.
Berry good muffins
Posted by: pahsta on: October 27, 2008
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Mixed-Berry Muffins
The streusel topping is what makes these muffins almost like dessert. You could skip it if you’re pressed for time, but it adds a nice flavor and texture, so don’t be a lazy punk. The recipe is from the Betty Crocker Cookbook. I flip through it often because it’s full of recipes with ingredients I usually have on hand. The recipe below is for Blueberry Muffins, but I used a berry blend because that’s what I had in the freezer.
Blueberry Muffins
Streusel topping (optional), recipe below
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup blueberries, fresh, canned (drained) or frozen
Heat oven to 400 F. Grease bottoms of 12 medium-sized muffin cups with shortening. (I used cooking spray.)
Make streusel topping; set aside.
Beat milk, oil and egg in large bowl with fork or wire wisk. Stir in flour, sugar, baking powder and salt all at once just until flour is moistened. (Batter will be lumpy.) Fold in blueberries. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Sprinkle each with about 1 tablespoon topping.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand about five minutes, then remove from pan to wire rack.
Streusel Topping
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons stick butter
Mix flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or crisscrossing two knives until crumbly. (The two knives method works, but it’s a pain in the ass. I bought a pastry blender, which is designed for tasks like this and consists of a handle with several curved, dull blades. You can find one for about $7 on Amazon or at any kitchen-supply store.)
