Poco-Cocoa – Page 151 – Things & Stuff

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Just got home from watching Avatar in 3D with Justin.

He really wanted to see it, because he thought it would be really imaginative and fun. I was NOT interested in it at all.

And….. I LOVED IT. It was predictable, but I didn’t care. It was beautiful, rich, full of wonder. I fell in love with Pandora and the Na’vi. I loved their connection to their surroundings, to nature, to each other. I loved their language, and the animals of their planet, and the strength of their belief in a higher being.

Also? 3D is so much fun.

Until tomorrow, internets, let’s all go dream of beautiful, balanced, natural worlds. 🙂

December 22, 2009

Fun stuff
Weekday lunch at Get Sum

Stopped by Get Sum Dim Sum for lunch the other day. It’s so nice to be able to get dim sum in the middle of the day!

I chose the dim sum lunch special… you choose two dim sum items, a veggie or pork bun, and it comes with a sesame bun.

Veggie-mushroom dumplings. Good, but I didn’t care for whatever strongly flavored mushroom was in there.

Veggie steamed bun – perfect texture, and the filling was delicious. Veggie fried spring rolls (also yummy), and the sesame bun, which I’m sure is great if you’re a fan of sesame seeds and red bean paste. 🙂

I’ll definitely stop by here again for lunch soon.

December 20, 2009

Austin, Edibles
Lunch at Asti

One of my coworkers gave me a gift certificate to Asti, so my friend Natalie and I headed there for lunch yesterday.

I had the daily special, linguine with pancetta and pork meatballs and toasted breadcrumbs. Oh, how I love pasta with meatballs. And from now on, I hereby declare that all pasta should be topped with toasted breadcrumbs.

Natalie had the polenta bowl with grilled portabello mushrooms and eggplant. I tried a spoonful of the polenta, and it was so tasty and comforting.

We shared the caramel budino for dessert… it’s basically the creamiest, most perfect caramel pudding ever. Natalie had coffee, I had my favorite Mighty Leaf tea.

If only every day was an Asti day. 🙂

December 17, 2009

Austin, Edibles
L’Auberge Espagnole

Just watched this… loved it! It’s really, really funny, and it has totally re-inspired me to learn French. And brush up on my Spanish. And pick up whatever other languages I can.

It’s amazing to me that these Europeans speak English, and French, and Spanish, and German… and here I am with my English and mediocre Spanish. Who wants to split the cost of Rosetta Stone with me? Or, better yet, who wants to pay my way to Europe for a few years? 🙂

December 16, 2009

Fun stuff, Random Thoughts
Cream and cheese and butter.
That’s really all you need to make fettuccine Alfredo. Oh, and fresh pasta. It’s a seriously easy and seriously fatty meal, but it’s so delicious!

In other news, internets, when it rains, it pours. I’m in a bit of a funk, dealing with Major Life Issues like expensive vet visits and dying cars. Justin says we can make it through this thing called life, as long as we do it together, and as long as we take it one day at a time. I think he’s right.

Hope you all have a wonderful week.

Fettuccine Alfredo
- 8 to 9 ounce egg fettuccine in nests
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Cook fettuccine in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain pasta.

Meanwhile, bring cream and butter to a simmer in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-low heat, adding 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Add fettuccine, 1/4 cup reserved water, and cheese to sauce and toss. Add more cooking water if necessary.

Makes 4 servings (yeah, right).

Source: my beloved Gourmet magazine.
December 15, 2009

Edibles, Recipes

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Weekday lunch at Get Sum

Lunch at Asti

L’Auberge Espagnole

Cream and cheese and butter.