Brussels Sprouts, Fried Rice, And a Hot Computer

I'm not having a good day.

If my day were Brussels Sprouts it would look like this:

It all started yesterday.  I went happily off to do the shopping, but in a different store/town then I usually go to.  I had to pick up medicine for Sedi.  She's becoming incontinent (see prior post on carpets) and takes meds to help control it.

The store I went to, which I normally like, was out of half  the stuff on my list - including, if you can believe it, Coca Cola Light.  (Yes, I admit it, but I'm down to one a day!).

I decided to view it as an opportunity to be creative for the week.

This morning, big plans for the day, lots to accomplish, I've recovered from the shopping debacle and am busily working away on my computer when my nose finally got through to my brain.  I'd noticed it last night but just chalked it up to the fireplace, but now there was definitely a smell of something 'hot'.

After crawling around the floor, sniffing everything, spending a brief holiday in denial, I finally conceded defeat and admitted it: the smell was coming from my computer.

Now the decision: Do back-ups?  Take it apart and try to fix it? 

Naturally, being a methodical, careful person, I opt for taking it apart. 

Could be dirty. (see prior post on dogs)

I took the cover off and vacuumed.  Then I decided that just Hoovering was hardly adequate, so I took it out to the shop to have mon mari attack it with the air compressor. After the first blast sent us running for the door for air, we decided that, yes, it was dirty.

Once thoroughly blown out I took it inside, put it back together and turned it on.  It worked!  And, WOW, was it ever quiet.  Hmmm, maybe should have cleaned it sooner.

As long as it was working I decided to do some back-ups.  While the back-ups were running I went out and exercised, did a few chores, etc.  Finally decided it was time for lunch (4:00 pm) and put some soup on to heat.  Went to the computer to wrap up the whole process and discovered that the last bit had failed, making the whole thing useless.  After 30 minutes of slapping my head, banging my fist, and other, equally effective maneuvers, trying to force it into compliance, I gave it up for another, calmer day.

I went down to get my lunch and it was all over the cook top.  There was enough left for a taste in the pan, but the rest had boiled over. 

It's now 5:30 and I have accomplished nothing. 

I had a humorous, witty post to write, but my wit tends to get vicious rather than funny in the present mood...so I took it out on those defenseless little green orbs: Brussels Sprouts!  Some would say they deserve it!

Okay, that's better! 

How about some more Brussels Sprouts?

I went to the World's Healthiest Food site to learn more about these baby cabbage-like veggies and was overwhelmed! They are so loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants; well, just go read about them! The one paragraph that really jumped out, though, described a study in which a diet high in Brussels Sprouts showed a measured decrease in DNA damage. (DNA mutations are thought to allow cancerous growths.)

This first Weekend Herb Blogging of 2008 is back home with the lovely Kalyn of Kalyn's Kitchen. In her honor I'm submitting 2 recipes for the little green darlings:

Sautéed Sliced Brussels Sprouts and Shallots

12 - 15 medium Brussels sprouts
2 shallots, medium (1.5 - 2 oz each, 45gr)
1 tbs olive oil
2 tsp soy sauce

Peel and slice shallots. Slice off stem end of sprouts and remove any wilted or damaged leaves. Cut each sprout in half through the stem and, then slice each half in thirds, also through stem end. Heat oil in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and sauté until tender and starting to brown. Add sprouts and sauté until crisp-tender, about 7 minutes, stirring often. Add soy sauce, stir well to combine, reduce heat and sauté for 3 - 5 minutes longer. Serve.

And to go with the Red Sauced Shrimp:

Fried Rice with Brussels Sprouts

1/2 cup Basmati rice
1 cup chicken stock
1 - 2 green onions or 2 tbs regular onion, chopped
8 - 12 Brussels sprouts
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp olive oil
1 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs sherry
1 tbs sesame seeds

Cook rice in stock until done. Remove from heat and uncover. Trim Brussels sprouts, removing any damaged or discolored leaves and slicing off the root end. Set sprout on root end and cut into 3 or 4 slices. Slice green onions into 1/4" (.75cm) long pieces. Heat oils in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sprouts and sauté until crisp tender, turning once. They should start to brown. Add onions and sauté 5 minutes longer. Turn the heat up to medium high and add rice, soy sauce and sherry. Stir well to combine. Stir-fry for 3 - 5 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, stir once or twice and serve.

Oh, and the stat counter on my website quit working today, too.

Bon Weekend!

Comments

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

Um . . . I think maybe I need to get my compressed air out. Then I'll be getting those Brussels Sprouts out of the fridge for dinner in a couple of hours!
Tech is so wonderful when it does what you mean to tell it.
Yours look incredible girl.

[african vanieljea]

Sorry you had such a bad day but your sprouts recipes are gorgeous. I love sprouts, and strangely so does my daughter. Maybe because I have never gone the boil them until grey route. Good luck with your next back up and Happy New Year

[Lydia]

Sometimes when a day goes bad, you just have to give up, go to sleep, and wake up the next morning ready to try again! I'm sure I would have abused any Brussels sprout that crossed my line of vision on a day like yours!

[Kalyn]

Boo for computer problems. I am clueless when it comes to that sort of thing (thank you Bradley from the bottom of my heart!) However, hooray for brussels sprouts. Love the idea of just a touch of soy sauce with brussels sprouts, just inspired.

BTW, "down to one a day?" That's amazing. I am always making (and breaking) a resolution to drink less Diet Coke.

[Coffee & Vanilla]

Sautéed Sliced Brussels Sprouts and Shallots sounds delicious. I will have to try them this way next time :)
Have a wonderful day, Margot

[Cindy]

Brussel sprouts are one of my favorite roasted veggies, but I have not really spread my wings and tried other methods of cooking them. The sprouts with shallots looks wonderful. Too bad about the computer. I hate it when things go wrong. I am helpless, hopeless when it comes to this thing. It's a love/hate relationship.

[Zoomie]

Both of these recipes look good enough to elevate a crummy day! Hope yours soon improves! Poor you! My good friend Ron would have said "ODTAA" (One Damn Thing After Another).

[Cakespy]

This is all so very yummy! I adore brussels sprouts and am always looking for new ways to make them. This looks like a wonderful method. The shallots look nice with them, almost carmelized - y.

[Wendy]

Hope tomorrow is a better day, Katie!

[Katie]

Thanks, Tanna! It was, um, a blast.

AV, thanks, I have always liked sprouts - strangely, my mother never did.

Lydia, I find a glass of wine or two before bed helps with the persepective...if not with the actual work!

Kalyn, it hasn't been easy - and when I'm in the U.S. visiting (where it is cheaper) I tend to immediatly revert to 3 a day...

Margot, I've been cutting them this year and I really like the result - they cook through faster before getting too done and bitter.

Cindy, I know what you mean with the computers.... Really, I do! I like the flavor of 'fried' or roasted sprouts much better than the old boiled or steamed method!

Zoomie, your friend is spot on! I have great hopes for this day... But then I always do...

Thanks, Cakespy! And thanks for visiting...I love all of your cupcakes and goodies...

Wendy, as they say, couldn't be much worse... but so far, so good!

[Maryann]

Just think how wonderful a good day will seem :)

[Helene]

Bad days are followed by good ones for sure!!
Your Brussels sprouts look amazing! Want to share a bite!!

[Deb]

Poop on bad days! Just think how fun tomorrow will be! A couple of years ago, I got up one day, turned on my computer and nothing much happened. Long story short, my hard drive fried itself, and it did not even give me a smell warning! I lost everything because I kept putting off backing up. Now I back up fairly often!
What is on those brussel sprouts in your leading photo?
It took me a long time to like brussels. Hubby just adores them steamed with olive oil drizzeled on them. But since I have got on the band wagon, I like mine with a little personality. So I will be using all of your recipes on these guys! They sound marvelous!
Have a great day Katie:)

[Ulrike aka ostwestwind]

I changed sides since they alter the taste of light and invented zero, now I am on P...

It's the week of brussel sprouts...

[Nora]

Oh those days are so frustrating. Taking it out on brussel sprouts is the humane way, I should do that instead of taking it out on my man. I'm sure that he would appreciate it. ;-)

[Kevin]

The brussels sprouts with fried shallots look really good! The fried rice with brussels sprouts sounds pretty interesting.

[Katie]

Maryann, yeah, this one is sooo much better...even a hint of sunshine!

Helene, happy to! It stopped raining, things are bound to improve!

Deb, the 'red' Sprouts have that rare and delicate 'red' rosemary and a 'red' cheese sauce. Looks awful, doesn't it?

Ulrike, I drink P... in the U.S. and I really prefer the coca light in Spain - amazing how the taste differs from place to place.

Nora, so would mine - if I every remembered to confine my frustration to the sprouts ;-(

Kevin, those little green orbs are a lot more flexible than I thought...

[Sorina]

It looks delicious, I'm going to try it, thanks for sharing! Why don't more people talk about the food?!

[Truffle]

I hope things have started looking up. Your sprouts look exceptionally good!

[Michelle Laffler]

Computers. They're a love-hate thing for me. :)

These sprouts look wonderful. We're definitely going to have to give them a try... soon!

[sugarlaws]

both recipes are lovely! and i envy you being down to one diet coke a day -- that should be my new year's resolution!

[Jeni]

Katie, no matter how difficult your day, you still find a way to put humor into describing it. You have a great attitude! And poor Sedi, and poor you for having to clean up after her!

I hope you don't mind if I tagged you, but I couldn't resist as I thought you would have some very interesting books to share with us. :-)

Buon anno/Bonne annee!

[swirlingnotions]

Well, selfishly, I'm glad we got your Brussels sprouts recipes out of it ;-). Happy 2008, Katie!

[Toni]

Katie, I know just how you feel! My day started poorly, too. This time it wasn't the computer, thank goodness! But there have been days when I have stopped just short of throwing the thing through the window!

But then to wind up with Brussel sprouts that look this good? Wow! Great way to cover up Brussel sprout abuse! ;-)

[Lynn]

Oh, so sorry about the computer frustration! That's what kick boxing was invented for, I think.

I've never had a brussel sprout I liked, but I could be persuaded to try yours. (That's saying a lot!)