04 July 2007
Okay, internets, I think I'm getting an idea of what you like. Tea? Yes. Cheese? Yes. Indian food? Not so much. Or perhaps you just don't have an opinion on it. I'd never had anything remotely curry-flavoured before I studied in Scotland; it's just not a cuisine in high demand in the Midwestern suburbs, much less something people prepare at home. But the flavours are second to none, and it's very fun trying to recreate them in my own kitchen.
So, what about pet animals? Do you like them?
Beany spends most of her time in window jambs (if that's what that part is called; it's not the sill) -- preferably belly-up. It's quite quaint -- she sits in the kitchen window when I'm in the backyard and talks to me or naps; I've always liked seeing nice little cats in windows, and it's even better when it's one's own.
And here's my new pet hawk, Jeff:
Okay, so he's not actually my pet hawk. Although I don't think Minnie's ever managed to look at me that lovingly (nor has she ever fetched me a stick). I'm pretty sure this is one of the youngsters belonging to the pair of red-tailed hawks that nested in my neighbourhood this spring. They're called Phillip and Meredith, if you were wondering. Yes, I do think it's funny to give people names to animals.
If you've ever wondered how I came to be the person I am, here are some clues. I sent the hawk pictures to my parents today, along with my plan (fake! fake plan!) to put out Beany on a string in order to lure the hawk in.
Said my dad: "I like the Beany on a string idea, but you should have a grocery bag ready to capture the hawk in. It sure would make a swell pet to sit out on your front porch. Let me know if you catch him."
And my mom: "I think you should try it. Put Beany out on a long string and then s-l-o-w-l-y pull her back to the door so the hawk follows and then SNATCH him quickly. You should put on gloves though so his talons don't scratch you. Make sure to pull all the curtains once you have him inside or he will break his neck flying against the windows."
She's a practical one, my mom. Always thinking ahead.
You know us mom-types, always prepared for every situation. This entry TOTALLY. CRACKED. ME. UP. I am a long time reader and would comment more but for some reason your site takes forever to load. So I lurk via bloglines. I love your photos and your tales. I love Minnesota, my cousin lives there and I try and visit once a year as I love MN in the spring. She lives in New Brighton and so in my mind you live near there when I imagine you and now Jeff.
Jeff. Coolest Hawk name ever.
posted by pam at July 4, 2007 06:49 AM
If it's any consolation to you, I have not been able to stop thinking about Indian food since your first post about your Matar Paneer. Darn you and your suggestive posting!
Sadly, I have yet to fulfill the craving...must do something about that!
posted by jean at July 4, 2007 07:38 AM
Loving your incredibly cute tummy-warming cat and your cool dude hawk. I'm recovering from 2 days of being bed ridden and not wanting to eat anything (a definite sign of illness for me!) and the avocado chapatis are inspiring me. I feel better already! I fully endorse your campaign to bring more Indian food to the midwest. Anna as cultural envoy!
posted by Cara at July 4, 2007 09:53 AM
You have a "pet" hawk!! Cool. I have 2 "pet" black crows called Itchy and Scratchy. :*)
Beany is so cute. He reminded me of this picture. http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/07/03/i-is-rly-rylaxes/
posted by feli at July 4, 2007 12:35 PM
Pam! We live on a street in the Twin Cities where on one side of the street people live in Fridley and on the other side people live in New Brighton. Just a hop skip and jump from Anna.
posted by Momma at July 4, 2007 12:37 PM
Admittedly, I've never tried Indian food--besides sweet corn, but I suppose that's a different sort of Indian food. I am very interested to try it, but I think I may have to search out a restaurant...none that I know of in my area...perhaps the next time I visit Chicago (or Minneapolis?). Nick refuses to house curry in his home. (Apparently he had a poor olfactory experience with in years past.)
And isn't it funny that a post specifically not about Indian food should generate such a reply when I'm generally pretty quiet? Yes, I think so.
posted by Laura at July 4, 2007 01:26 PM
Oooo...a neighborhood hawk. How cool is that?
posted by sara at July 4, 2007 02:21 PM
That is exactly the kind of humor I grew up with, and my husband did, too -- perhaps that's why we were attracted to each other. Our kids used to confuse people when, as tiny tots, they would come out with some deadpan sick humor.
BTW I too loved the post about Indian food.
And those pictures are the best! Lucky you to have such an adorable cat and a "pet" hawk! (We have a chipmunk missing a tail -- his name is Stumpy.)
posted by anne at July 4, 2007 04:55 PM
I love your parents' responses, just hilarious! Beany is such a doll in that first picture!
posted by geek+nerd at July 4, 2007 05:40 PM
Perhaps Beany is trying to lure the hawk for you, with the promise of his delicious underbelly meats. Maybe, if you open the window, the hawk will fly in on his own accord. You'll have to be fast, though, or he may fly out again, with Beany!
posted by Sarah at July 4, 2007 05:53 PM
Hi, Anna:
My husband and I are big Indian-food-lovers over here by M'haha Falls. Several years ago he bought an Indian cookbook that looks fabulous but I have never made anything from it (and he has maybe made one thing).
There's something we love about going OUT for Indian food...
We have a Bengali friend whose wife makes "tuna frisbees" (for lack of a better term this is what my husband coined them) they are FANTASTIC.
Have you see the bald eagle that lives high above Highway 36 in Maplewood? I never gave him a name, but he is quite a sight up there looking down on all those cars.
Jeanie
posted by Jeanie at July 4, 2007 06:38 PM
Please, do continue with your love for Indian food. I myself live and have lived in Scotland for the past 6 years and it is true that Indian food is such a part of the culture, it really is like nowhere else in the world (except India, obviously;).
Your avocado chapatis look amazing; it's totally something I'm going to try and make next time I make Sag Paneer or Alo Gobi... In fact I found out the other day that paneer is really easy to make from scratch at home. I would thoroughly recommend it if you would like to give it a try (also I don't know how easy it is to find paneer cheese in the States). But again, I am the sort of person who loves to know how to make and cook everything from scratch - not everyone's cup of tea but from the cookery explorations you've displayed on your blog; I'd say you were game;)
Oh yes, and because I love your blog and you always give me lots of inspiration food-wise; I would like to share a French family recipe for Grape and Pear jam. I hope you will enjoy it:)
Grape and Pear Jam
Makes 5 jars of about 350g
• 2 kg ripe but firm pears
• 1,5 kg red grapes
• Juice from one lemon
• 1 kg vegan sugar + same weight as “grape juice”
Peel the pears and cut into squares. Put in a bowl with 1 kg vegan sugar. Let marinate 2-3 hours until the sugar has dissolved.
Wash the grapes and remove from stem. Put the grapes in a casserole and make them burst on high heat. Press the juice out of the grapes and filter.
Weigh the grape juice and put it, together with the same weight of sugar and the lemon juice in a casserole. Cook until the mixture turns “syrupy”. Add the pears and bring to a boil.
Cook for 30 min while stirring and skimming the jam.
Put in sterilized jars.
Enjoy on buttered baguettes.
All the best,
Christina
posted by Christina at July 4, 2007 07:57 PM
I enjoy all of your blog. Food, animals, decorating and etc. Keep up the excellent work.
Carole W.
posted by Carole W. at July 4, 2007 08:35 PM
Hi there,
I've been a lurker at your blog for some time now, and I have recently added you to my favs at my blog. I just wanted to pop over and let you know and make sure this was ok with you. I'm so afraid of making some weird internet breach of etiquette! I love your blog and all of your beautiful photos. Especially the food!
Happy 4th,
Kelly
GardenPinkie
posted by Kelly at July 5, 2007 03:26 AM
Hi Anna
I just came upon your blog via Chocolate a Chuva
Love the look of your site: lovely photos!
posted by Carson at July 5, 2007 06:31 AM
The Hawk is amazing! It's actually kinda terrifying.. I'd be scared if a bird of prey was looking at me so inquisitively.
Your parents sound absolutely hilarious!
posted by Shannon at July 5, 2007 04:30 PM
guinea pigs all the way.
and chana dall and gobi aloo.
(but not the guinea pig in the food, i am a vegetarian you know)
oh and a paratha rather than a naan bread
posted by hazeljoy at July 5, 2007 05:32 PM