The Verdict on the Dish

So...I made the Baked Mediterranean Vegetables tonight. I haven't eaten it, but Doogie says it is yummy. It made the house smell wonderful, that I know.

I know it's inconceivable that I, the lady with the candy drawer, just watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory for the first time tonight. It was outstanding! Why haven't I watched this masterpiece sooner? I want to drink soda that makes me fly, burping to land, all the while quoting classic lines from literary giants and sporting a killer purple velvet jacket. However, before moving into the Chocolate Factory, one would definitely have to consider the creep factor of the oompa loompas.

Once, in high school, a friend who shall remain nameless called this sea-hag girl a deranged oompa loompa. Isn't that a little redundant? Much like the scenario this morning in the car:

Radio: The first documented bear attack in Kentucky happened this past weekend at Red River Gorge in southeastern Kentucky. The hiker was taken to a nearby hospital where he suffered only minor injuries. The black bear is still on the loose.

Doug: Still on the loose? It's supposed to be on the loose! It's a black bear in the mountains.

I'll be heading for the mountains this weekend, friends. I have one goal: to take a picture of the "Welcome to Dwarf, Center of the Universe" sign. You can't really appreciate it until you see it. Right at the mouth of the holler, that's right, the holler. Check this shiz out, Dwarf Baptist Church on googlemaps:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=dwarf+kentucky+cornett+road&sll=37.335474,-83.133354&sspn=0.001431,0.003484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cornett+Road+Combs+Branch,+Bulan,+Perry,+Kentucky+41722&ll=37.334064,-83.129575&spn=0.005724,0.013937&t=h&z=17&layer=tc&cbll=37.335057,-83.130219&panoid=0qj5-ZLWjTrdTtUxrT-t-A&cbp=12,124.61,,0,5

Yes sir, big time!

Time for bed, but before I go, a recipe that I shall try tomorrow:

Vegetable and Corn Chowder

Ingredients:
1 T vegetable oil
1 red onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 3/4 cups diced potatoes
2 T all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1 1/4 cups vegetable stock
1/2 cup broccoli florets
3 cups corn
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
salt and pepper

1. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and potato and saute over low heat, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes.

2. Stir in the flour and cook (like gravy!), stirring for 30 seconds. Gradually stir in the milk and stock.

3. Add the broccoli and corn. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until veggies are tender.

4. Add 1/2 cup of cheese and stir until it melts.

DONE and DONE!