Scary News, Little Pleasures

More scary news in the big world, even scarier than the last batch.

I am so lucky that I am able--on a lazy evening--to sit back and watch Trevor Nunn's Twelfth Night.

Not only was it fun in itself, but I was actually WORKING. I am teaching Shakespeare's play next week, and the plot--for a reader--is head spinning. Not so for a viewer.

I am lucky in another way. I can wander down my back steps and pick some scallions and cilantro. Then, since I have to attend a pot luck dinner/musical performance tonight, I get to make a dish that uses some of my bounty: Texas caviar. I've eaten this, but never made it: WHY? It's easy and good. In fact, Mr. FS urged me to make a ton, so he can eat the leftovers tomorrow.

Texas caviar is a frugal recipe: black-eyed peas are the caviar. Recipe from Pam Anderson.

Ingredients

* 2 (15.8 ounce) cans black-eyed peas, drained
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
* 2 fresh medium jalapenos, stemmed, seeded and minced
* 1 small onion, cut into small dice
* 1/2 yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into small dice
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
* 6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
* 6 tablespoons olive oil (not extra virgin)
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl; cover and refrigerate 2 hours or up to 2 days. Before serving, adjust seasonings to taste, adding extra vinegar, salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl.



EASY! I have a number of Pam Anderson's cookbooks. My favorite is Perfect Recipes for Having People Over.

I also love her book on losing weight. She lost 50 pounds, eating real food and without starving herself. I would use these recipes even if I weren't on a diet. Actually, I am not on a diet.

How lucky I am in my cilantro and scallions. And how wonderful Shakespeare is!

What is love? 'tis not hereafter;
Present mirth hath present laughter;
What's to come is still unsure:
In delay there lies no plenty;
Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty,
Youth's a stuff will not endure.