Beans and Pork Fancy Style

A while back a friend took me to a Chinese restaurant in Auckland where we were treated to the most beautiful bean dish ever.

I've thought about it a lot since and today I decided to stop thinking and start cooking.  So after some googling I found a recipe that sounded similar then added my twist on it.

Basically it's beans with fried marinated chicken mince - as well as chilli, garlic, soy and ginger.

I also found pork strips at the supermarket today and marinated them in garlic, soy, onion, sesame seeds and ginger before baking them for 40 odd minutes.

The result?

Delicious!!  The pork was like pork belly, all tasty and slightly chewy and the beans were crisp and flavoursome.

I could eat this every day ...

It's not easy being friendly.

Dear World,

Please be nicer.  

When I pass you on the street and say 'hi' or 'morning' please don't stare ahead with a stony expression on your face.  The wind might change and you'll forever look like there's a stick placed firmly up your backside.  Instead why don't you say 'hi' back.

When you walk into our local cafe and I happen to look up from my furious typing and smile at you please don't look at me like I've grown a second head.  If I have grown a second head please do tell me though.  But if I haven't why not smile back.  It won't hurt.  Trust me.

If you're in the supermarket and we happen to nearly crash into each other when rounding the corner at the same time don't give me the killer death ray stare.  Join me in a 'whoopsie' with a sheepish smile.  Gosh, why not make a silly joke.  I'll laugh with you.  Promise.

Dear World, in day to day life when you meet a stranger like myself why not give me a grin.  Let friendly words escape your lips.  Make an effort.  It won't kill you.  It might even make you feel a little bit awesome.

That's all.

Love,

From,

Me.

Birds of a Feather.

Jesus Is Just Alright With Me

I love bread.

And I love wine.

And you know who else loved bread and wine?  Jesus.

Yep the big J-meister was a man after my own heart.  Because if my last supper was to be anything it'd be bread and wine.  But not the bad stuff that tastes like cardboard and smells like vinegar.  It'd be the good stuff.  I'd ask for a fancy bottle of pinot noir and for freshly baked french bread.

I'm into freshly baked bread, I try and do it myself a fair bit.  In fact I've found a marvellous recipe for baguette online, unfortunately my stupid oven is too small to cook a long baguette so I turn it into a loaf.

It's seriously good.  I especially love it when dipped in a balsamic reduction and good olive oil.  I don't suppose Jesus had that at his last supper.  Poor Jesus.  

Hmmm, it makes me think about The Rapture which was meant to happen a week or so ago and then didn't. The guy who predicted it must feel like a right twerp.  Anyway if the Rapture was to happen I'd try and bribe my way into heaven by giving J-dawg pinot noir from Otago, my own fresh baked bread and balsamic reduction and good olive oil from Waiheke to dip it in.

And I reckon if I did that I would be just alright with Jesus.