Sunday’s Family Dinner definitely ate up most of my cooking energy before this past week even started, but I did manage to try a couple of new things…

FOOD

Asparagus risotto. Petra’s and my first attempt at risotto; we didn’t get the texture quite right, but it tasted fine. We added peas, used scallions instead of spring onions, and used parm + shredded white cheddar.

Mandel bread with chocolate chips and dried cranberries. More of an explanation in this post from earlier this week.

Tofu stirfry with green beans, bell pepper, onion and garlic. I tossed the tofu in a little bit of flour, then coated in a mix of honey and sesame oil and sauteed with green beans, green bell pepper and red onion.

Today’s lunch! With balsamic vinaigrette dressing (recipe for that and other salad dressings here.

MUSIC

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Belong: Sophomore album from Brooklyn indiepop darlings the Pains of Being Pure at Heart comes out on Tuesday! It’s good! They played on Letterman this week and it was super-exciting! (My favorite part is when Letterman asks, “How are things in Brooklyn?!”)
Those Darlins, Screws Get Loose: Another sophomore release, from the rowdy Tennessean ladies known as Those Darlins. They’re a riot to see live and I’m going to their show at Bowery Ballroom (opening for the awesome Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears) tonight!