Attack of the Fruit Flies

It seems some of my activities (or presumably of the roommate or her many cats) has brought on the undesirable and untenable infestation of fruit flies. They have successfully occupied the kitchen and are running regular sorties in the living room and I have caught long rang spy missions deep in my bedroom. For years we have suspected that the fruit fly population was preparing an attack on this humble abode, but this unprovoked and relentless assault on the dignity of this home is simply unacceptable.

Naturally, I have engaged in Total War vesus their population with complete and utter annihilation of the fruit flies as the only acceptable outcome. Even so, chemical and conventional means to eliminate this flying menace is falling short. This is a war we can't afford to lose.

Hungarian Goulash

Ingredients (see link for original)

• 1/3 cup grapeseed oil
• 1.5 onions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into small cubes
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 cup water
• 3 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tsp coriander
• green onions

Procedures

1. Sautee onion in grapeseed oil
2. Remove onions

3. Season meat in bowl with paprika, salt, black pepper, coriander and a little water.

4. Brown meat in pan

5. Add onions, garlic, water, and green onions to meat.

6. Reduce heat, cover and allow to cook until tender (30 minutes to 2+ hours, I did about an hour)

I also made some pasta to go with it though in retrospect rice would probably be more appropriate.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hungarian-goulash-i/detail.aspx


Verdict: Good, though you may want to cook it longer to increase tenderness depending on the cut of meat you chose.

Comic-con in Austin

I ventured to my second 'nerd' convention this weekend with my roommate-- I still feel like I don't quite measure up to level of nerdiness requisite for these types of events, but I am trying. I am sure it may as well come in time, however. I dressed in my typical polo/jeans combo, so naturally I stood out in a crowd of shamelessly decked out Darth Vaders, Links, and anime-guy-with-a-big-sword. As usual, I failed to take any pictures. Maybe I will steal some of someone else's blog? No one follows mine anyway, so no one will ever know right? Well for now I can post a picture from the "Fan Days in Dallas" I went to some time ago...this insanely clever and well received Darth Vader rendition captivated the minds of everyone in attendance:

"bon appetit"

Oh and my roommate also wore her Battlestar Galactica costume (she just finally got it together this weekend). The double tank tops are awesome. Anyway-- once I run it by her, I'll post a picture or two of her wearing it. Edit: or not, she says no. Just imagine a 5'1" girl dressed like Starbuck and you'll get the idea.

Gluten-free, Paleo Coconut Flour Soda Bread

Here is my attempt at a "paleo" irish soda bread. Now I won't even get into the brutal incompatibility of any type of bread with paleolithic eating...


Ingredients


1 cup coconut flour

2 tsp xantham gum

¼ tsp sea salt

1 egg

2 tbsp agave nectar

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

¼ cup grapeseed oil

1 banana

⅓ cup water

pinch of caraway seeds

Directions

1. Mix coconut flour, anthem gum, sea salt

2. Add egg, agave nectar, apple cider vinegar, grapeseed oil, banana, and water

3. Mix until starts sticking together and you can form a loaf, knead.

4. Grease pan with grapeseed oil, and add dough

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

The loaf after I shamelessly ate some before remembering to take a picture...

Verdict: I wasn't a huge fan-- it reminded me a little of bread pudding and didn't rise much (though it is a soda bread). My roommate said she enjoyed it though. (She tends to be far pickier than me). I probably will try this again sometime using more eggs-- and perhaps almond flour instead of coconut flour.