Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Dinner in waiting, plus cuteness!

Dan and I had a great time wandering around the Minneapolis Institute of Arts this afternoon (I hadn't been since they added the new wing, and he hadn't been in years,) and then he had to leave for BAND PRACTICE. (Boo.) However, he is coming back later to have dinner with me, so I've been cooking up a storm. (That's nothing new, right?)

First, miso soup:
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Carrot, onion, red pepper, vegetable broth, miso (obviously,) mushrooms, spinach, green onion, plenty of ginger, buckwheat soba noodles, and a little cubed tofu. MMMMMMMMMMM. This is currently sitting quietly on my stove, waiting to be devoured. Let's hope band practice doesn't take too terribly long, or I might not be able to wait!

Next, spring rolls:
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Rice noodles, green onion, bean sprouts, cucumber, carrot, red pepper, and cilantro. And my "secret peanut dipping sauce," consisting of peanut butter, tamari, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, and ginger. Boy, am I getting hungry. (Even though I just ate a spring roll to tide me over!)

And, although these are not part of our dinner, aren't these two little clementines the cutest thing ever?
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The checkout guy at the Wedge and I had a conversation about how cute the clementines were, since they all had their little stems and leaves still attached, and then he yelped, "oh lookit -- these two are still attached to each other!!!" I never thought I'd get to a point in my life where I thought food was cute! Oh well.

It's been a good day. :) (And it's not even over yet!)

14 comments:

Unknown said...

I love spring rolls but have yet to venture into making them! This whole meal looks great!

Anonymous said...

all looks so good!
i found the clementines especially cute :)

Anonymous said...

Your meal is so awesome. Dan is a very lucky man. I love the theme. I've been dreaming of miso soup lately and as soon as I go to the store (hopefully tomorrow) I think I'm going to pick up the soup fixins! The spring rolls look like artwork. Wow!

Anonymous said...

I was just at the Wedge yesterday on my way home from work and I got some clementines too! They really are adorable, aren't they?

I am glad you had a good day!
Courtney

Eat Peace Please said...

The meal looks wonderful. I am sure it went well for the both of you. I never thought I'd reach a point in my life either, something when 2 clementines are stuck together still is super-cute.

Good to hear you are having so much fun (and cooking again).

Crystal said...

We didn't make it to your store over the weekend, but soon!! Plus, we'll just have to get together to catch up since much has changed in your life. I'd love to meet Dan too.

Food looks great!

We ordered a share of citrus fruits and should receive them in a couple weeks. Can't wait!

-Crystal

Jody from VegChic said...

Mmmm, miso soup and spring rolls! The pics of Oliver are so cute. I think cat in the box is my favorite.

I've been quite busy and eating simple meals, so my posts have been lacking too.

Catherine Weber said...

Claire, thanks! You should make spring rolls sometime -- they are super-easy. (The hardest part, I think, is rolling them tightly enough without ripping the wrapper. Otherwise, it's just matchsticking a bunch of yummy, fresh ingredients!)

Johanna, thanks! I still haven't had the heart to disconnect the clementines and eat them up. Maybe tomorrow. :)

Crystal, thanks! Miso soup is SOOOOOOO good. (And I love that, like any good soup, you can toss in just about whatever you feel like and it tastes great in the end!!) Post a picture if you make some!

Courtney -- yay for the Wedge!

Leslie, thanks! Yeah, it's good to be back in the kitchen again. I'm getting psyched up big time for holiday baking this year!

Crystal, I watched for you guys this weekend . . . oh well! We definitely do have to get together sometime soon. (I just work weekends constantly, until after Christmas even.) Perhaps a weeknight drink/app or cup of tea? Let me know what your schedule looks like (you still have my email address, right?) I didn't know you could order a share of citrus fruits -- yum!

Jody, I'm so biased, but I think my cat is the cutest ever. :) It's great when other people think he's cute, too! Dan loves my cat . . . but the feeling is not yet mutual. :) Oliver hisses and throws up a lot when Dan's around. (We need to work on this, methinks!)

Anonymous said...

Awwww... the clementines are cute! I don't think I'd want to separate them and eat them, either.

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

I am so glad you made those pretty spring rolls, because I bought the wrappers and noodles last week and completely forgot about using them! The carrots are a really nice addition. And I'm glad to hear how happy your personal life seems to be! : )

urban vegan said...

I think it's time to make spring rolls again--even tho' it's almost winter.

Anonymous said...

ah...two cute clememtines....kinda like you and Dan walking through the art institute!

Catherine Weber said...

Megan, you are silly.

Dori said...

Spring rolls and miso soup. Makes me hungry for Christmas... that's our family food theme this year when my sis comes back from New York again.