The Definition of Distractible

Today, I am the very definition of distractible.


Picture my brain as a ball in a giant Plinko machine - bouncing around a shiny field of pins with no discernible path.


Here are some of the things that I'm interested in today:

• Diaspora*Alpha - a new social networking site that's been in beta for, like, ever. I finally got my invitation today. It's lovely and simple and seems like a cleaner version of Google+. I'm not sure what value it will have for me but I love trying new, shiny social media sites so that's cool.
• Food52 - My new favorite food site. Part social network, part foodie blog, part recipe exchange - there's a lot of user generated content here but the site is slick and the users have a lovely sophistication that means you're not going to end up with 25 variations on tuna-noodle casserole. Plus they have contests!
• This could win the prize for Best.YouTube.Video.Ever. (unless you have no idea who Dr Who is and then it's just a randomly silly video)

• Food. Food. Food. Food. The seasons are changing and it's cold and all I want to do is eat. At this rate, I'm going to weigh 1000 lbs by spring.
• And on that note, I have a couple of recipe ideas that I've shared at the bottom of this post.
• The new Gmail "look". Really...why? Change for change's sake is stupid. I checked it out. There's no significant difference in functionality that warrants screwing with something we're all happy with.
• Wisconsin's brand new concealed carry law. Woot! As of yesterday, for a mere $50 and four hours of "training" I too can carry a gun around with me wherever I go. Legally. So, you know, the next time someone pisses me off in traffic, people better watch out.
• When this law passed, Wisconsin was one of two states left that banned concealed carry. This mortifies and astounds me. And now we're part of the majority. Oh...and today the Wisconsin Assembly passed a bill that makes it okay for homeowners to use deadly force. Where the hell do the politicians think we live? Texas? (no offense to my Texan friends but, you know, your state is sort of "wild west".)
• NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) I wanted to do it this year for the first time but my time must be spent prepping for the awesome trunk show coming up on the 19th (damn priorities). So, all my scribbling friends are rubbing salt in my proverbial wounds every time they post their word count online. Of course, I wish them all no writers block and the ability to leave the editing until the very end. 

Here's the deal.. I could keep this up all day. As my thoughts fly around like so many bees I realize that this was probably a bad day to try to write a coherent blog post. However, it does demonstrate my distractible nature and, perhaps, provided a little entertainment for this afternoon.

So, without further ado, here are the promised recipes. Have a great, focused Wednesday evening everyone!

- Alex

Sesame Tilapia
(I stole this recipe from a diet cookbook but it's pretty basic so hopefully no one will sue me.)

2 Tilapia filets
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 cloves of crushed garlic
Raw sesame seeds

Line the broiler with aluminum foil. Curl the edges of the foil up making a "bowl" to hold the liquid marinade. Spray the foil with cooking spray. Place the filets on the foil lined broiling pan.

Whisk together well all the ingredients except for the sesame seeds. Pour over the fish. Coat the top of the fish with the raw sesame seeds. Place under broiler and cook for approximately 12 minutes or until the fish flakes with a fork.

Gluten-free "Lasagna"
The idea for this came from my desire to have a lasagna but no noodles.

Polenta - the easiest thing to do is buy prepared polenta in the tube shape but you could make it from scratch.
Mozzarella cheese
Ricotta cheese
Parmesan cheese
Tomato sauce (jarred spaghetti sauce is fine)
Vegetables and meat as desired (I like Italian sausage, red bell peppers, onions, spinach, etc)

So...it's easy. Just cut the polenta into thin (1/4" thick) slices and place on the bottom of a greased baking dish. Then layer the cheeses, sauce and any meats/veggies you're going to add. Place another layer of polenta, then more cheese, sauce, meats/veggies. Continue until the baking dish is nearly filled. End with a layer of polenta topped with sauce and Parmesan cheese only.

Bake at 350 until bubbly - about 40 minutes.

Alex's Favorite Autumn Cocktail
(I stole this recipe from a local fancy restaurant. Hopefully they won't sue me.)

Spiced rum (Captain Morgan's or make your own. Don't use Sailor Jerry's as it has too much vanilla in it)
Apple cider
A healthy splash of ginger beer

Can be served over ice or warm. If you're going to serve it warm, warm up the cider by itself then add the rum and a good splash of ginger beer before serving.