Labels

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

A visit from another planet

When I came home from work yesterday I was greeted by something unusually green clinging onto the bookshelf. I kid you not, this dude (no, he's not a cricket but rather a mantis - relatively unknown to us Northern Europeans) was just short of 10cm (about 4 inches) tall and eyeing me up like he definitely thought he stood a chance (which he probably did - apparently they have blades for arms - WHAT?!). Ok fair enough, to a human the mantis is not dangerous in any sort of way (unless it is one of the madhouse sized bastards) - but Iain is under the strange impression that these little monsters are 'cute'. Ok look at the picture below and maybe you'll agree. Then look on the wikipedia entry (click here!!), scroll down to the first picture on the left hand side and then cry your eyes out. That creature was in my home yesterday. 







A heavenly evening at the Jayashankar's

True. I do enjoy cooking - but sometimes there's nothing better but to sit down at a ready set table and get served other people's wonderful creations. Last night Iain and I were spoiled rotten over at the Jayashankar-McAlister joint on Author Street, bolting down baked chicken with dijon mustard, mashed potatoes and fried (or baked - dunno, but delicious still!) law-breaking peaches. I cannot tell you the recipe as all I did to help was to remove the sizzling hot chicken from the oven (while Kartika was juggling a million other pots...) and it saddens me to report that we did not bring a camera... BUT do not despair as I have recreated this fantastic dish from memory using advance software technology. See below. And envy who I was yesterday evening.




Meal was preceded by two different sorts of chips (all good for us of course) and accompanied by Moose drool and a glass of Californian Merlot. Following the main course we all indulged in some very awesome (but apparently also very sexist!) 'quick coffee cake'. Yum. Then we all leaned back and enjoyed the entertainment of fat cat, hungry chicken and energy dog.  All in all, I had a pretty flavoursome and interesting day. Thanks guys!