Need to Eat

... at these places! Places in Pittsburgh that I haven't been to an need to visit. 

Bona Terra in Sharpsburg.

Spice Island Tea House in Oakland.

Soba in Shadyside.

Harris Grill in Shadyside, haven't been there since they reopened. 

That's it for now. I'll keep adding. 

So sleepy.

What is wrong with me? Oh so very many things. But mostly I am tired all the time. I never stop being tired. I could sleep forever and sometimes it feels like I do. Maybe I need to eat better and workout. That would probably help. I'l start that... tomorrow.

Shortbread from Smitten Kitchen

Made this delicious shortbread. So simple and perfect.

Shortbread from Smitten Kitchen.

Welcome 2009!

So I welcomed the new year with a puke bucket and Dick Clark. Yes I have the flu. I had the startings of a head cold on Tuesday but the last few hours have convinced me that it is indeed the stomach flu. It is one thing to be throwing up on New Year's because you drank too much but this is unfair. The worst of it was I had gone to bed early cause I didn't feel good, way before midnight kids, and when I woke up sick to my stomach at 11:30 my whole family was also already sound asleep in their beds. No joke- my whole family decided not to ring in the new year. It was like I moved into the old folks home. Watching Dick Clark didn't help. Seriously he is old, he has done a good job, Dick retire, spend your new years on a beach in the Bahamas sipping a Pina Colada you deserve it! I don't think Dick Clark reads my blog but that's my thought on that. So now it is ridiculously early in 2009 and I wish I could sleep but instead me and my puke bucket are watching an Alicia Silverstone marathon.

Maybe I'll think about my New Year's resolutions.

Tomato Bolognese as 2008 fades away.

It is New Year's Eve and I ended up with no plans. I have been in relaxation mode for a few days now and the thought of putting on a bra and mascara was more than I could handle. So I opted for a new year's meal with the people I love most. My parents, sister, and Baby Love.

I had never made my own sauce before but a clip on the Food Network made me willing to try it. My recipe is adapted from Anne Burrell.

Tomato Bolognese

Ingredients:

1 large onion roughly diced
2 large carrots, peeled, ½ inch dice
3 stalks of celery, 1 inch dice
4 cloves of garlic roughly chopped
olive oil
2 pounds ground beef
18 ounces tomato paste
1 ½ cups red wine (I used a strong shiraz)
water
1 bunch of thyme
1 large can crushed tomatoes
salt
pepper

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: At least 2 hours

Directions:

1. In a food processor puree onions, carrots, celery and garlic into a thick paste.
2. Heat 2 to 3 tbsp. of olive oil in a large stock pot at medium heat.
3. Add pureed vegetables, stirring frequently until moisture has evaporated and vegetables begin to brown, season generously with salt and a little pepper. This takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Once browned remove vegetables from the pan and add ground beef season generously with salt and garlic powder about ½ teaspoon. Again taking time to brown the meat, 15 to 20 minutes. After beef has cooked through about 15 minutes add vegetables and continue browning for another 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Add tomato paste, stirring and allow to cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Add red wine stirring the wine will be absorbed quickly allow to cook for another 5 minutes.
7. Add water into the pan until it is about an inch and a half above the meat. (More water can be added later if the sauce appears to become too thick, as water will evaporate.)
8. Bring to a simmer add crushed tomatoes and bunch of thyme. Let simmer on low heat stirring occasionally. Sample and season as needed. Let simmer for 1 to 2 hours. More if time allows. Adding water as needed.
9. Serve with pasta and enjoy!

My father is fairly picky about his sauce so his nose was in the pot tasting every few minutes. The project that started as mine quickly became ours and in the end turned out wonderfully. Well worth the time and effort. Plus you get and abundance of sauce which can easily be frozen and served later.

Happy New Year!

End of the semester

I think I have survived. The semester that is. I am quite proud of myself for my accomplishment. I really want to pop a bottle of champagne and celebrate with someone but I am just too tired or maybe too alone. 

It has been quite the semester:

• Starting with a topsy start to the school year at work, with difficulties with co-workers and space issues. 
  
• Then I was sick again and again, every week it was something, more doctor's visits and antibiotics in the last 12 weeks then the last 12 years of my life. 
  
• Let's not forget every weekend a blessed event of marriage to attend. 
  
• Or all the babies that needed to come into the world. 
  
• We probably shouldn't even begin to discuss that at the start of the semester I had a roommate and now I don't. Thankfully I know a little bit more about what divorce might feel like and why I never want to go through it. But I must admit that the whole experience did re-ignite some trust issues.
• We can't even discuss my love life. 

But somehow despite all of the craziness I think I may have pulled a 4.0 and actually learned something. I worked hard. I am proud of me. 

She's left on a jet plane.

... and she won't be back again for 2 whole months. my sister that is. She has gone to the United Arab Emirates to visit a boy. A boy who may possibly be taking her away from the United States for 2 years. I just don't know what I would do if that happens. So right now I am just hoping it's 2 months and not 2 years. This is not some mail order bride scheme, or my parents attempt to rid themselves of my sometimes worrisome middle sister. No this is my sister falling for a boy a few months before he was scheduled to leave on a government contract for 3 years. They have been apart for 6 months and now she is flying on a plane to be with him for the holidays. Him not us. 

If there is one lesson I have really learned in the last few years it is that my family will always be there for me. Lovers and friends come and go but my family is always there. I just really wish that "there" wasn't halfway across the world. I like to be able to pick up the phone and talk to my sister whenever I want. But I will have to get over it and be happy for the opportunity she has been given. It does make me wonder how much longer I will live in the steel city when my family is just too far away.