Beware the Ids of March [sic]

[bironic]

I wasn't sure how a Saturday could start better than a good night's sleep topped off with a dream about having dubcon sex with vampire David Bowie.

Turns out the answer is by following up with a walk to check out the winter farmers market (it was okay; I bought a radish and some garlic-roasted nuts), taking advantage of the one-day 50-degree break in the weather to go on a long-for-me bike ride, and stopping on the way back at Trader Joe's to pick up a few treats like pea shoots and dried apricots.

Later, when my quads work again, there will be cooking. Am going to try these steamed gyoza and either spinach or pistachio muffins (maybe these or these) for St. Patrick's day/six-month anniversary at work on Monday. Trader Joe's had shelled pistachios, which would make the latter easier. Maybe this time I will not overmix the batter and actually achieve non-dense muffins.

...Hi, this is me trying to post more. Should talk about how fabulous Top of the Lake was.

Comments

[katie-m.livejournal.com]

There are CROCUSES COMING UP IN MY BACK YARD. (Okay, I think they're crocuses. They could be some other early bulby thing. But the point is: GREEN.)

[bironic.livejournal.com]

\FLOWERS/

I can tell spring is coming because the dog park has mud instead of ice.

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

Wow, you win the dream Olympics for sure!

Those dumplings sound great.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Hi! Hope you're feeling better in the arm.

I have never made gyoza or dumplings or ravioli, but I had all the filling ingredients left over from a stir fry and just picked up the wonton wrappers on the way home last night. Should be a fun experiment.

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

How'd they turn out?

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Yum; would make again.



Details: A little underseasoned, probably because I didn't have/use garlic chili paste, but a soy sauce/lemon juice drizzle on top solved that problem. Also turned out understuffed after all that, but I just mixed them with the leftover filling and ate them together.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Have fun cooking! Want my advice on making dumplings and mixing muffins, or shall I just cheer you on? :D

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Advice!

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Dumplings: I find it easiest to dampen the wrapper before adding the filling. So: hold single wrapper in one hand, run wet fingertip along margins, add a scoop of filling in the middle, and pinch to seal. Also, skimp on the filling. What looks like enough is too much, and overstuffed dumplings asplode.

Muffins: do you know the Muffin Method? 2 bowls. Mix wet ingredients in one, mix dry in another (don't bother creaming the butter and sugar, just melt the butter and stir it into the wet.) Then pour the wet ingredients atop the dry, as this will lessen how many strokes you'll need to mix the batter.

We should cook together and discuss character tormenting and David Bowie's Area. :D

[bironic.livejournal.com]

I approve of this plan.

And thank you for the tips! My arms thank you for the creaming tip especially, as I don't have any electric aids there.

...That sounds especially filthy in the context of the David Bowie thing.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

p.s. Thanks again, both batches came out delicious.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Yay cooking! Everythign looks so gorgeous!

[blackmare.livejournal.com]

I've been dreaming about ridiculous terrifying steam-train rollercoasters, and tornadoes.

Can we trade? I'll totally trade.