Weekend Update

I had a fantastic weekend. (Well, minus forgetting responsibilities and other things.) The Pedant was visiting me for the weekend, and even in preparation for his visit, it was a great weekend. Good food, good-ish baseball, good dinner, good alcohol, good rain (not!), good friends, good movies. Although I am tired and must get back to reality, I am worn out from fun.

To start with, Friday evening ritual dinner was at Stoner's and it was good. I came there post tooth fairy, so I hung out cooking with Stoner and Preppy. Stoner made a delicious salad, and a fantastic eggplant parm, and if I may toot my own horn, I made a great pasta primavera. I sauteed carrots, garlic, broccoli, asparagus, and mushrooms with some non-stick spray, added in some veggie broth and whole wheat pasta and topped it off with some EVOO and sun dried tomatoes. There were also make your own ice cream sandwiches and good breads and cheeses. Yum-o!

The Pedant already explained a bit about the dinner on Saturday, and I will begin the blogging on the baseball. I'm a Mets fan, mostly because I have little choice. I hate the Yankees, and my parents grew up in formerly Dodger-turned-Mets territory. Therefore, Go Mets! So The Pedant and I shelled out a big 2 bucks for seats and enjoyed the game. Especially the part where the Mets get cocky and stupid. They never let their fans down! Especially the Cow Bell Man. But not the annoying guy behind me who kept hitting the seat with a metal bat. But The Pedant got me a hat!

Sunday was rainy and gross, but The Pedant and I managed to make it out in the rain to meet Stoner and Preppy for a great lunch. With delicious baklavah. Yum! After dropping off The Pedant at his train, I went to hang out again with Stoner and Preppy for cards, movies (HP4!) and ice cream.

Taste Mystery!

On Monday, you shall hear the story of the ball game the Sherbs and I went to. Who won, what we ate, and whether or not the Mets' starting pitcher meant to bean the heck out of that guy.

But today's post is about a mystery corn soup. Last night, the Sherbs and I went to Pisticci, and I had their corn soup. It was fabulous, but like no corn soup I had ever had before. The corn was pureed to liquidity, and instead of being a cream base, the soup was based on a chicken stock.

I want to replicate this soup, if for no other reason than to try to see if it works just as well with onion and leeks for more texture. But I can't find a recipe anywhere. I am especially disappointed that Food Network, which has a search icon in my Mozilla, has let me down.

The search continues.

Play Food!

I'm going to baseball with the Sherbs this weekend. Metropolitans/Nationals, or Mets/Nats. It gives us both a mediocre team to root for.

Anyway, we're already looking forward to the baseball park food. The Sherbs was worried that there might not be something for her, but I think there is, according to the Mets website (my favs highlighted):

There is a wide variety of food and beverages at concession stands throughout the stadium. This includes New York style Sicilian pizza available on all levels, as well as onion rings and ice cream desserts; Nathan's Famous hot dogs and fries; and Daruma of Tokyo behind home plate on the Field Level.

Hot Corner
Features the newly renovated Mama's of Corona, which offers a menu of gourmet sandwiches, fresh garden salads, antipasto and Italian pastries. Mama's is located on the third base side on the Field Level.

Family Food Court
Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins offer coffee, hot latte, and ice cream treats. Subway sandwich shop has heroes made fresh to order. B&B Sandwich offers a delicious Philly Cheesesteak style sandwich on a Kaiser roll. Kosher offerings include hot dogs and non-dairy delights. The Family Food court is located in the right field corner on the Field Level.

Note also the kosher alternatives. I ♥ NY.

I Thought it was About America's National Pastimes In Japan, But No, It's Ethnography

Sherbs has, knowing that I have some minor interest in Japanese society and culture, sent me an article from the New York times about a guy who came to Japan to preserve their folktales. My interest is piqued, as it seems he took down some ghost stories. I've liked Japanese ghost stories since I started collecting Narumi Kakinouchi comics about embittered little vampire girls.

Of course, I must apologize to Sherbs for initially thinking that she sent me an article about the Matsuzaka beer controversy. Because, as we all know, Sherbs loves both baseball and beer with a passion.