kayb

That'd do it. I'm good to go.

Still holding out on that one. May not last much longer. Damn whoever it was suggested I could use muffin tins and not need mini-tart pans...

Sad. Wasn't a huge fan, didn't watch his show, but his book was hysterical. Depression is an ugly thing. Hope he's at peace now.

Is there popcorn?

Some days, you want traditional. Hash browns, eggs, bacon, biscuits, sorghum molasses with butter. Orange juice and coffee.

Happy anniversary. BTW, do you weigh 9,000 pounds? I would. But Gawdamighty, those are gorgeous meals.

Now that one, I had to get. It intrigues me.

Be still, my heart. Possibly my favorite fish.

Day three holdout.

This one looks fascinating: Feast: Food of the Islamic World, looks fascinating. Amazon link: clickety NYT story, if you're a subscriber: Clickety It ain't cheap. I may ask the library.

I love Deep Run Roots, the stories and the recipes. Have cooked several from it. The Blue Que sauce rocks; I made a big batch and canned it in half-pint jars. It's marvelous on a pork steak. I like Rick Bragg's writing. This one goes on the list. One I go back to time and again is Shirley Corriher's "Cookwise." It's the cookbook I credit with starting my collection of cookbooks, which up until then had consisted mostly of Betty Crocker and local church and civic club recipe collections.

Bunch of enablers. Still holding out.

Ain't gonna do it. Ain't gonna DO it. Though Mini-Pies is tempting me. But it would require mini-tart pans, which I do not have and do not plan to need.

@Nicolai -- I would break a fast with you and your friends ANYTIME! That looks marvelous! I am attempting to recreate what was possibly the best pasta salad I've ever had (for lunch, by a commercial catering company; surely I can get close). Reports later.

I had, yesterday, some of the brisket from Aldi I'd pulled from the freezer, rubbed down with pastrami rub, and smoked last weekend. It was a little disappointing...gristly and a lot of fat on the slices I cut...but had a good flavor. With some Jarlsberg Swiss and some honey spicy mustard to dip. No bread. Some pickles on the side.

The absolute best shrimp and grits I ever ate in the world are at Mr. B's Bistro on Royal in NOLA. The recipe is here. At the restaurant, they call the sauce "red-eye gravy." It is NOT red-eye gravy. It is, however, wonderful. I have been known to serve it with ratatouille for a dinner party.

Yes, the appetite's back. Pear and blue cheese Dutch baby, topped with Greek yogurt and honey.

I toss cubes in a mixture of honey and miso, and roast. I also like the par-cooking in the microwave, sliced thin, and then using to roll up around a cheese or meat filling, like manicotti. Then cover with marinara sauce and bake.

My appetite seems to have returned, for which I'm grateful. I actually ate three meals today. Small ones, but meals. I still want bland, so dinner was potatoes in cheese sauce, with leftover smoked sausages from last Monday. With lima beans, followed by salted caramel gelato. Hit the spot. Unphotogenic, so no photos.

A week, max.

I'm en route back. Should hit normal by midweek.

Dog. Gramercy Tavern. Japanese Soul Cooking. Country Inns and B&Bs. I'm swearing off.

I'm somewhat ashamed of my garden; the grass and weed crop is about the best one out there, though everything else is growing luxuriantly as well. Between the incessant rain and being sick, I've not gotten out into it to weed or to stick the pole beans. Perhaps one day when I get that done.... I do have baby tomatoes.

Only way to effectively eat crawfish is from a paper tray, leaning over a newspaper-covered picnic table. Snap the little critters in half behind the head, getting your thumbnail under the first pair of legs to break them, too. Bite the tail meat gently and drag it out of the shell. Then suck the tomalley out of the head, and toss the remains. Take a swig of beer, and repeat.

Prednisone has completely taken away my appetite. I'll cook again...someday, I guess.