Eh.
I took the day off from work today, thinking Ernie and I could go for a drive, go exploring, do something fun, anything to get myself out of this funk. As I was finishing my breakfast and starting to look at Google maps for ideas, I heard him in the next room....throwing up. God damn it. And I must admit, I am feeling sort of sick to my stomach too. This is not the day I had planned.
Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.
Although, now that I think of it, maybe this is why Ernie was grumpy last night and didn't like the couscous I made. Ernie and I usually pretty much agree on food so I was surprised that I really liked it and he didn't. It was a test run for a house concert. I might try it again with a few changes...perhaps add some currants? My arugula had gone bad so it was missing that....would have added a little more bite. Anyway...IIII loved it.
Green Couscous
from Yotam Ottolenghi's "Plenty"
1 cup couscous
3/4 cup boiling water or vegetable stock
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup unsalted pistachios, toasted and coarsely chopped
3 scallions, finely sliced
1 fresh green chile, such as jalapeno, finely sliced
1 1/2 cups arugula leaves, chopped
Place couscous in a large bowl and add boiling water or stock. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let stand for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium heat and add onion; cook, stirring, until golden and soft. Add salt and cumin; stir to combine. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Uncover couscous and stir in herb paste, using a fork to fluff. Add onion mixture, pistachios, scallions, chile, and arugula; gently mix to combine. Serve at room temperature.
Herb Paste
1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
6 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed
Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth, scraping down the sides and adding more oil as necessary.
Here you have my messy plate....salmon with just salt, pepper and olive oil, done in a cast iron pan, and the green couscous on the side.
Tonight might be more along the lines of chicken soup.