What’s Stu Cooking

Well, I’m half way though my 6 month sabbatical and I’ve not been at the computer much, but I have been cooking up some tasty food down here in North Carolina.

Not having to go into an office job during the day allows the family and I to have nice big mid-day dinners and lighter evening meals.

Here’s a sampling of what’s been on the table here:

• Grillades and Grits
• Baked Sea Trout (caught by me!)
• Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy
• Szechuan Style Eggplant
• Chicken Gumbo (with fresh okra from Dub’s garden)
• Butter Beans with Country Ham
• Bluefish Fishcakes
• Baked Ham, Fried Apples, Acorn Squash and Cornbread
• Corn, Okra and Tomatoes

I bought a fillet of goat at the farmer’s market and made a fantastic curry with it. Very savory, if a bit spicy hot, served with rice and sauteed courgettes, garlic and onions that I seasoned with a kebab spice mix.

Recipe

Me: What pizza do you want Sam?
Sam: I’ll have the Hot Shot.
Me: Let’s see, that has pepperoni, peppers, onions, and chilies… That has hot chilies on it, Sam. Why don’t you choose another.
Sam: No, I want the Hot Shot.
Me: It will be very spicy-hot. Pick another pizza.
Sam: I like spicy food. I want the Hot Shot, that’s the only one I want. I’m not picking another one.

Me: OK, alright, if you insist. Time to teach son a lesson.

Pizza arrives
Me: you might want to pick a few of those chilies off that slice. Looks like there are quite a lot of chilies on there, Sam.
Sam: No, I like hot chilies. Takes a big bite. Oh… hoooo, hoooo… Erm, it’s good. Takes another bite. Whoo… fire… coming. out. of. mouth. Reaches for water.
Me: Oh, you got to be tough now and eat this pizza you just *had* to have. Smiles wickedly
Sam: Eyes widening. OK, I will.

Second slice
Sam: Takes a nibble. I think I’m full now.
Me: We’ll just pick those chilies off then, shall we?
Sam: Yes, please!