Pass the peas, please

Thanks to a certain smooth criminal, I recently acquired a new tablecloth and napkins. This inspired me to set the table. The table is set for four, even though tonight's dinner plans are for a party of three. I've requested that the third party bring a guest, so that we might use my table settings as there are.

Growing up, my brother and I would fight to the death over the honor of setting the dinner table. I usually won because I was older. Also, I was better at it. This set-up is a little ornate for me, but it's autumn, and the world is densely colored and cluttered.

And yes, those are Little Black Dress water glasses.

Tonight's menu: salad and french fries.

(Health-wise, these two dishes cancel each other out. It's true!!!)

I played with making oven fries a couple weeks ago and they were superb. I got about 2 pounds of mixed finger-sized potatoes from the potato guy at the Union Square Green Market. They were all different colors, and when cut into strips and roasted with just a little olive oil and salt, they were not only amazingly tasty but quite beautiful. I set the oven at around 400 degrees, but think I'll turn it down a bit this time. Put out ketchup and dijon mustard for dipping.

And for the salad? We'll just have to see what hits us when we're at the market. Pears will be involved. For sure.

We'll grab a baguette from Bread Alone, maybe splurge on some nice cheese, stop by the Trader Joe's Wine Shop on our way home...

Et voilá! Dinner.

Bon Apétit!

And one final request:

In the words of my mother circa 1995

"Eat with the table manners you would use if you were having dinner with President Clinton."

Oatmeal and the Opera

It's good to be back. Since I made the pot of lentil soup in June, a lot has happened. Rather than bore you with the gory details, emotional rollercoasters, triumphs, failures and changes, I will instead share with you what I had for breakfast this morning: oatmeal.

Attention recessionistas and recess-hommes: just because you're broke doesn't mean you have to live cheap.

Apples and Cinnamon Oatmeal

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Quick oats

1/2 small apple

honey

cinnamon

a tiny piece of butter

salt (optional)

Boil 1 cup water with a dash of salt in a saucepan for the oatmeal. While the water comes to a boil, cut up half an apple (leaving skin on) into roughly 1-centimeter cubes. Heat up your tiny piece of butter in a tiny skillet and throw in the apples. By this point your water has probably come to a boil - stir in the oatmeal and turn the heat down to a simmer. Stir the apples and oatmeal occasionally. When the oatmeal is done to your liking, spoon it into your favorite breakfast cereal bowl, ladle on the apples, drizzle desired amount of honey, sprinkle cinnamon, dash salt. Serve with coffee.

I went to the opera last night.

After getting cut off for rush tickets twice last season to see stage director Robert Lepage's production of Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust at the Metropolitan Opera (I cried outside the opera house the second time), I tried my luck again and managed to get a student ticket for $27.50 (think of it as being not only twice as long than, but twice more exciting than a movie).

A rear of the rear orchestra ticket in hand (nobody puts baby in a corner), I loitered in the aisle as the house lights dimmed and scurried way up to an empty premium seat. I gave a little nod to my $300-paying neighbor and proceeded to love every minute.

Going to the opera alone is so romantically melancholy. I suppose that is where you find me now, six months after lentil soup.