It's getting hot in here

The local forecast is already making me anxious about the next few days meals, and as a result I spent the morning being a "crabby patty".

I realized that dish is most certainly not on the menu, so I managed to shake it off and plan the next week with Mary's pragmatic and attentive help. We set out to the grocery to stock up on fresh goodness for the next few, and managed to get out again alive, and with some bank account still intact. We did some quick math though, and figured that we're still saving money over our previous dining habits. Given the recent investments in staple items, which we're actually using over time (I used to let things disappear into the backs of cabinets, long forgotten), it was a tough first hit last week. We both acknowledged feeling better and agreed to stick to this. M is already sleeping better and feeling more energetic. I think a boost in exercise will offer me the same, and I got my bike back from the shop - whisper quiet now, with it's new bottom bracket - so I'll soon follow suit.

Before we started she was vexed about meal planning and I sat her down with a stack of back issues of Martha Stewart FOOD and told her to rip out whatever looked appetizing. Perhaps that was kind of mean, given all the delicious prospects generally contained therein, many of which centered on things we're no longer consuming for the next several weeks. I put my eyebrows up on a few suggestions - combinations of ingredients I'd never considered - but we stashed the recipes she chose, and today was the day to give them all a second look. One of our personal goals during this diet has been to promote as much variety as possible, especially given the bounty of local produce, in our garden and at market. To that end we're trying not to rely too heavily on any particular ingredients, and not to repeat meals, other than as lunch the next day. It's tough, and I feel I'm lacking in ideas and skills. Sometimes it helps me to go back for try two on an experiment. Here's Saturday's very late lunch, which doubled as a stealth dinner at the movies.

Quinoa Chick Pea Fritter Scramble, with Broccoli and Tahini dressing

So after yesterday - where I "corrected" Thursday's mistake - we worked from one of the recipes M culled. This was the one dish I really tried to discourage, since I still have some mental blocks against fruit with other foods. I learned early on to eat fruit on its own and I have a hard time turning that edict off. Thankfully I did and Mary's Fruited Pilaf wishes came true. We paired it with a house favorite and this is the resulting meal... with extra love, for my lady.

Wild Rice Pilaf with Grapes and Cherries, and Beet Apple Carrot Slaw

For those of you wiping drool off your keyboards, or savoring the memory of the nibble at lunchtime show-and-tell, I promise to start including recipes. At the moment though, it's too bleeding hot. So you'll have to wait, I hope with smoothie in hand, until the next installment. I will try to get us all caught up from beginning to end, and if anyone's interested in suggesting recipes, or swapping, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at crouchinglentil@me.com.