New World in my View
June 8th, 2010
Kibbles and bits, per usual, but this time with a giveaway! Of a book that I contributed to! Go team! Well, not really on the team part. But on the dinner part? Yes, GO TEAM!
1) The other day, I tasted Sam’s (white) grape juice and thought it tasted a little off. I wrote it off initially, because my allergies are HORRENDOUS right now, and this plus a recent cold means I’ve been stuffy/sickly for weeks on end. No, literally: WEEKS. Anyway, I gave it another taste this morning and, um, no. It was actually teetering towards flat-out rotten, and I’m fairly shocked she hasn’t been wasted, because that shit HAD to be well on its way to wine.
2) The June book for The Book Lushes is The Red Tent, and I’ve literally put off reading this bad boy for TEN YEARS. It’s … interesting. I’m enjoying, but not loving, it. Mostly, and you best believe I’ll be discussing this in the forums, I’m irritated by the writing style, but I can’t put my finger on why.
Also irritating? The fact that Diamant has to remind us somewhere in the range of every ten seconds that men and boys used to get it on with sheep and goats in the fields. Yes, Anita, we get it. I was shocked the first time, annoyed the second, and FULL-ON ROLLING MY EYES by the third. What a shame Christianity has already been sent up too many times, otherwise you’d have the next Satanic Verses on your hands! Or not.
The real point of this is that if you aren’t a member, you should be. Honestly, all the books we’ve picked have been good, if not great, and I’m really, really glad I read them, even if I didn’t like them. It made for a richer experience, too, to know that dozens, if not hundreds, of others were reading it at the same time. You can join and discuss at any time — although it is well into June, I haven’t fully formed my opinion on Olive yet, so that discussion is still happening.
(For those not playing along, the books thus far have been The Help, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Year of Magical Thinking, Olive Kitteridge and now, The Red Tent)
3) Dinner. OH DINNER. You guys! YOU GUYS. SUCCESS. We’re on Day Three of awesome fast dinners — the sausage pasta was a huge hit, as I mentioned, and since then, I’ve done two more meals that rocked and were fast and easy.
First, I made a Mexican rice mish-mash with lean ground meat of your choice (I used beef, but I would totally use ground turkey, chicken or buffalo), browned and then mixed with veggies of your choice (I used TJ’s fire-roasted corn and bell pepper mix, both frozen) and then mixed with rice (um, again, TJ’s chimichurri frozen rice mix — SO GOOD). I threw some taco seasoning on top of it all (cumin, chili powder, coriander, etc. or you can use a pre-mix) and stirred some low-fat cheese and salsa in and VOILA! Mexican mix! We ate this in either taco or burrito shells with light sour cream and jalapenos. So good. So fast — like, ten minutes, TOPS.
Tuesday, we had Greek cous cous and also, DELICIOUS. I used nap time to roast some veggies (onions and red peppers at 425 for 20 minutes), then boiled up some Israeli cous cous and mixed with the veggies and some pre-cooked grilled chicken (I love you, Trader Joe’s!). I made a quick Greek dressing with lemon juice, olive oil, lots of oregano, salt, pepper and feta and threw it on top, plus a little extra crumbled feta on each serving and again, dude, VOILA. I finished it all in a half-hour, and just heated it up a bit at dinnertime. The whole shebang was over and done with by 7 p.m. (Adam got home super-early.)
I feel like I’m winning some kind of BATTLE up in here. For the record, Sam ate the cous cous, but not the Mexican rice. Again, I made it a little too spicy for her delicate little tongue. Adam loved it, but requested that next time I make it with the tiny regular cous cous, as the Israeli version reminded him of spider eggs. However, he’s still gnawing on some leftovers as I type this, so whatever. Awesome.
4) This won’t make sense to many people, but longtime reader Suki? I owe you a thank you. For Kate, you know. And congratulations on your pregnancy! I think about you all the time! (See? This is how I draw you out.)
5) Speaking of books, here we go! A Taste of True Blood is coming out on June 21 and I’ve got two copies to give away. Honestly, my chapter aside, there’s some crazy-ass analysis up in this thing, and it includes pieces by writers who are much smarter and more thoughtful than me. (My chapter is about how Bill Compton used to be hot, but now he’s … well, not. I never said I was an intellectual, okay?)
So! I’ll pick a winner at random, but I realize that some of you might not be into this, so if you want to comment AND you want to be entered, just write BOOK ME! somewhere in the comment, and I’ll include you in the, um, drawing. Which will happen electronically using one of those random generator things, which means that no one of the younger generations will even know what a drawing is.
I’ll be closing comments Thursday at 5 p.m. EST, and announcing a winner sometime Friday. Woot.
(Sadly, residents of the United States and Canada are the only ones who are eligible. Sorry, international friends!)
Happy trails! Happy Wednesday!
*KIng Britt and Sister Gertrude Morgan, from the True Blood soundtrack.
Entry Filed under: Book Lushes,Food follies!,General jackassery,I Love Television,True Blood,Uncategorized
55 Comments Add your own
1. The Tutugirl | June 8th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
I made this tonight, and thought of your dinner dilemma, so I figured I’d share a few posts late: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Curried-Quinoa-Salad-with-Mango-232544
Its delicious straight out of the fridge or sitting on the counter for a few hours, so definitely something you can make during naptime.
2. Steph the WonderWorrier | June 8th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Ahhh BOOK ME! (If your contest is open to Canadians, that is)(since I’m a Canuck, eh?).
Glad you’re sharing your meal successes with us, it’s good to have these fast-but-delicious-ideas saved up!
3. Amie | June 8th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Sookie!! I can’t ever read anything about Sookie without saying it in the Bill voice. BOOK ME!
4. Amy K | June 8th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Ooh, BOOK ME, pretty please! I’ve only seen the first season of True Blood so far, but season two is in our Netflix queue and should be here later this month. I’m still firmly in the Bill camp because Eric’s Wee Head Syndrome (thanks for giving it a name, Jonna) irks me. Stellan Skarsgard doesn’t seem to have the pinhead problem, though, and is one of my age-inappropriate crushes (mostly for his voice).
5. Cassidy | June 8th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
BOOK ME! Love the show.
Enjoy your blog … I have an 18 month old at home, so it’s always fun to read bloggers going through similar things. I’m usually a lurker though … all it took was a True Blood book to draw me to comment. Haha.
6. Jess | June 8th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
This post reminded me that we have one of those plastic jars of Moroccan couscous that’s been in the cabinet forever, and I’ve been wanting to cook with it. So, I just went to look at it and it says best if used by January 2009. Do I really have to throw it out and buy a new one? I guess I wouldn’t have thought that dry couscous could go bad. Hmph.
7. Shawnissiwa | June 8th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Thank you so much for your post about dinners. I couldn’t stop reading all the comments/suggestions. A problem has been solved that I didn’t even realize was a problem. If that makes any sense.
I would like to add a little discovery that I encountered in my kitchen a few days ago. Frozen spinach (thawed of course), saute’d asparagus (or any other veggies you like), a little garlic and feta cheese mixed up. Put that in a baking dish, pie pan or whatever bake-able receptacle you choose and then crack an egg on top and bake until the egg cooked to your desire. It was amazing, like spinach pie with out all of the buttery and flaky goodness nor the calories that are involved.
I agree with Amie about Sookie, I can’t even think of her name without cringing and hearing Bill say Sook-eh. Oh yeah and BOOK ME, yo!
8. Summer | June 8th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Book Me!
Compton is still hot, just not Stephen Moyer. I think Eric is going to be the stud of the hour this season.
9. Terri | June 8th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
BOOK ME please! I just found you today and would love to read more. Esp an”about page’ I agree Bill was hot but now… eh. On the other hand Jason Stackhouse…yowsah!
10. shriek house | June 9th, 2010 at 12:43 am
You know, I think this is the first time I’ve ever been HAPPY to be unable to eat wheat, because COUS COUS SPIDER EGGS??? That is the stuff of nightmares, right there. I’m thinking Adam should maybe not open his mouth unless it is also dispensing Valium along with his SPIDER EGGS, ZOMG.
11. Heather | June 9th, 2010 at 12:49 am
BOOK ME!!!! I’m so glad you’re having at least some success getting your tot to eat as mine has decided the breakfast is the only meal of the day and shall last all day. Anything involving foods one would not find at breakfast is strictly forbidden and breakfast meats are out as well. So basically I throw a couple handfuls of cereal on the floor and call it a day. I only wish my husband were as easy to solve. Le sigh.
12. Margaret | June 9th, 2010 at 5:04 am
Book me! As a reader of the books I was never a Bill fan and I have to say that the TV series just confirms that feeling. Can’t wait for season 3!
13. Jeanne | June 9th, 2010 at 5:49 am
Oooohh, BOOK ME please! I love True Blood (and the book series too)!
Thanks for the dinner updates (and for soliciting advise that I can use myself). I’m so tired of eating bland food due to my daughter’s aversion to anything spicy. Even regular black pepper can make her turn her nose up at food. Sadly, she’s 8 now so my hopes that this is just a phase are being crushed.
14. Swistle | June 9th, 2010 at 6:38 am
I am so glad to have these recipe ideas! I clearly need to branch out. ROASTING things! Cous cous, whatever that is but “spider eggs” is not fully selling it to me.
BOOK ME!
15. Sam | June 9th, 2010 at 7:16 am
I seriously think I can’t WAIT for Sunday night. It feels like waiting for Christmas.
The Red Tent is one of my favorite books. I’ve read it many times over, and weirdly, I don’t remember that many references to sheep/man shenanigans. I’m going to have to check out the forums to see what people are saying – I slogged through Olive Kitteredge and am still not sure what I think!
16. Suki | June 9th, 2010 at 7:21 am
OK, you successfully drew me out
In my defense, I’m the world’s most anti-social outgoing person and an inveterate blog lurker.
I am so, so happy that you and Kate (so hard for me not to call her Katie and blow her cool, grownup cover) found eachother! I would read your blog entries and think that you two would make such great friends, so it makes me really happy that it has worked out that way- even if you did break her heart by moving away
Thanks for being excited for me and my pregnancy- I’m super excited too! While I love teh internets, sometimes it feels like it brings out the worst in people. But when it brings friends together, and lets “strangers” celebrate eachother’s joys? That is just amazingly awesome to me. As is your use of songs as blog titles, especially since you range from Peter Gabriel to Jay-Z
17. Christine | June 9th, 2010 at 7:35 am
1. BOOK ME.
and
2. I love these dinner updates, if only because I feel like we’ve been having some successful quicky dinner in the house too. I even got my husband into one of my favorite Thai dishes, so it’s a win! (Beef Kra Pow – or Basil Beef – yum and super easy, although definitely too spicy for Sam: Thin sliced beef, we used flank; a sliced onion; two sliced red sweet peppers; chopped red chili – we used four thai ones, use what you like; and about three minced garlic cloves: Saute the meat until it starts to brown, add the onions and red pepper on high, until everything reaches a nice stage of caramelized, then add the chopped garlic and chili. After it gets fragrant hit it with about a T. of fish sauce, a little less black soy sauce – the sweet stuff, or use a T. of oyster sauce, and lots and lots of Thai basil. Done. Serve over rice.)
We did black bean quesadillas yesterday, with greek yogurt in lieu of sour cream, and mango salsa.
Wins all around. (And sorry I hijacked your comments with another recipe, but it was sooo good.)
18. jen | June 9th, 2010 at 8:23 am
1. Book me please!
2. I’m a long time lurker, and just wanted to say I enjoy your website so much! Thanks for writing!
19. Andrea | June 9th, 2010 at 8:27 am
Book Me! I’ve been eyeballing buying the book this past week and trying to figure out a way to watch the new episodes of True Blood since I don’t have HBO.
20. -R- | June 9th, 2010 at 8:34 am
I don’t watch True Blood, but I am really curious to see how the Glee book comes out.
B managed to find a cup of at least day old milk, and I think he may have drank some before I got to him, so you’re not alone in letting your kid taste grossness.
21. Brooke | June 9th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Book me!
22. Amy (the blogger formerly known as Assertagirl) | June 9th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Hey, as a Canadian, I’m just happy to be included. So often we’re not! I can’t wait for this Sunday night. True Blood is back! Hooray! (I’m a member of the Book Lushes but haven’t joined in yet. Next month. I swear.)
23. Bethany | June 9th, 2010 at 8:55 am
Oooh, BOOK ME! I am so far behind on True Blood and have anxiously been waiting for season two on Netflix for MONTHS.
24. Suzanne | June 9th, 2010 at 9:08 am
BOOK ME! If I win I’m giving it to my husband as a father’s day present because a) He loves True Blood at least as much as I do and b) He didn’t get me anything for mother’s day so I don’t care if he hates books. Uh, and this is going to sound crazy internet-stalker-ish but any chance you want to SIGN those books?
Also, I am dying to join the Book Lushes but I can barely finish the book for my in-person book club in a month. Any chance you just want to pick the same book? Your choices are The Swan Thieves or our new non-fiction about a midwife in Africa. No?
25. Dina | June 9th, 2010 at 9:39 am
BOOK ME!
I can’t wait for Sunday night.
Love the dinner updates. We’ve had some successes this week, including pizza on the grill. I don’t know why this never occurred to me before, since I make dough all the time. Some sauce, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, olives and basil, and it was a real winner…even my 16-month-old loved it.
26. Steph | June 9th, 2010 at 9:48 am
I really wish we had a Trader Joe’s. Everyone has one but us. I actually thought it was a liquor store for the longest time!! Someone talked about buying wine there for a conference I went to and I just assumed it was a big discount liquor store!!
27. Rich Steeves | June 9th, 2010 at 10:16 am
I agree that Bill has been slowly emasculated on the show, and is nowhere near as alluring as Eric at this point.
and… BOOK ME!
28. Emily H. | June 9th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Book me!
29. Smart Pop Books — A&hellip | June 9th, 2010 at 10:26 am
[...] one of the anthology’s contributors, Jonna Rubin, is giving away two copies on her blog Jonniker. (Check back later today for her Q&A!) You have until 5 p.m. ET tomorrow for this [...]
30. Caitlin | June 9th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Ahhh CONGRATS! That is so awesome, Jonna!
I can’t wait to read it! Book me! BOOOOOK MEEEEE! Book’meh (Say it like Bill does Sookie.)
31. jonniker | June 9th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
SUKI! You’re here! You’re HERE! It’s so funny, as I originally knew that’s where Kate came from, but THEN I got to “know” you through her and oh man. Suki. Big hugs.
(I’m an introverted extrovert TOO)
32. ali v | June 9th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Book me!
I just finished the first season in a matter of days. I actually couldn’t wait for netflix to send the last 6 episodes so I purchased them via itunes. There was much eye rolling on the part of my husband (who would probably enjoy it if he watched it but would then have to admit that he watches vampire movies).
33. Gina B. | June 9th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
I’ve never seen the show, but have full intentions of renting it and watching it in a single weekend soon. Reading the books and loving them, so BOOK ME!
34. SwingCheese | June 9th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Book me! Please! I’ve just started reading the Sookie books, but I haven’t seen True Blood yet (on the Netflix queue, though.) I’m all atwitter up in here for sexy vampires!!
35. Tili S. | June 9th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
bbbbBOOK ME!
36. jonniker | June 9th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Oh and Suzanne, I totally would, but they books are being sent directly from the publisher to you, so no sign, alas. If you don’t win and end up wanting a copy, we can work something out that way — just pop me an e-mail.
37. agirlandaboy | June 9th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Simon once accidentally made something similar to your Mexican rice dish, but we ended up calling it “meat slop”–that is, after he tried to pass it off to me as a “traditional Polish dish.” Yeah right. So “meat slop” it is, and it ain’t pretty but it sure is delish.
38. bacioni | June 9th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I’m glad to know I’m not alone at being irritated by the writing style/book in general (The Red Tent). I had heard so many good things about the book I couldn’t wait to read it and…blah…disappointing. I thought I had missed something.
I don’t watch True Blood but YAY for your book! Feel free to gift someone else in case my number comes up in your drawing.
39. Shana | June 9th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Oh, good Lord. DAMN YOU, TRUE BLOOD! I, confirmed pop-culture-scoffer, eschewer of all things reality and all things fad, say BOOK ME. Jonna, I blame you. I hadn’t even considered watching the damn thing until you went on about it, and…just…frick, man.
(I looked away, looked back, and realized that I have a fake pansy-swear, two “damns,” and a taking of the Lord’s name in vain in there. Let us just say that a) yes, profanity is evidently a facet of both my soul and my feminism, and b) that is how much the sucking-in bugs. Well played, ma’am! [I ain't goin' near your book club, lest I never get anything done ever again.])
40. Belly Girl | June 9th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
When I read the summary of the book on that site you linked to the other day, I was all “ohhhh I want to read the chapter on the Bill descention of hotness” and now I know that you wrote it, I want to read it even more! BOOK ME!
41. Morrigan | June 9th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
The book is currently sitting in my Amazon basket waiting to be purchased and sent to Canada, but I figure I’ll try my luck and say BOOK ME! After all, it’s not like you think I only read vampire books . . . right?
42. JulieG | June 9th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Book me, please! And more easy supper tips from all, please.
43. velocibadgergirl | June 9th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
The concept of this book fascinates me, but since I’ve never seen True Blood I should probably wait and try to win the Glee book
44. april | June 9th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Book ME!
And I just got a weird comment on my BookLushes profile from a spammer … boy oh boy, you’re little ole book club has got to great heights when people start spamming it! 
45. Suki | June 9th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Big hugs back!! And thanks for being such a good friend to Kate- she’s good people who deserves good friends. I’m jealous I never got to see an S & J playdate in person- the cute in that room must been unbelievable!
Oh, and to continue the “i’ve never met you, but…” theme, I totally had a dream with you in it the other night. I’ve never taken any sort of hallucenogics(because dude, I can barely handle this reality, much less some alternate one), but I feel like the craziest trip can’t hold a candle to pregnancy dreams
46. Sara | June 9th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Book Me! I loooove TrueBlood but don’t have HBO! eek!
The food comments were awesome and totally gave me some great ideas for summer.
Oh, and I got spam on Booklushes too…
47. Megan | June 10th, 2010 at 8:54 am
Book Me! I have so many friends who loooove True Blood and this would be a wonderful gift! I’ve only seen a few episodes but it makes me very excited when the characters’ eyes get all big and craycray. I’m sure that’s a very insightful view of the show!
48. Liana | June 10th, 2010 at 11:09 am
OMG – BOOK ME! My husband and I just recently got a weekend sans kids and decided to try out True Blood. (I had gotten the first season for Christmas). We were sort of like WTF on the first episode but were quickly drawn in, and now…both full out OBSESSED. We are already trying to plan a Season 2 weekend (twelve hours of True Blood in one weekend CAN BE DONE people) ASAP!
Also, I love your recipe ideas! And your blog!
49. Li | June 10th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Book me!
and your dnner updates are super helpful as Michael often gets home at NINE FREAKING O’CLOCK and having something other than salad and a baked potato to serve at that hour is a really good thing for both of us. When you meet him, I am sure he will say thank you.
50. Wendy | June 10th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
BOOK ME!
Your Mexican rice mish mash sounds great.
51. Vicki | June 10th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Oh, Book Me! I’ve been anxiously awaiting both the book and the start of season 3. So excited.
52. Heather | June 10th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
BOOK ME! please.
53. Erin | June 10th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
BOOK ME, please.
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