Thursday, May 11, 2006
Dinner at 8... or so
I love to cook. I especially love to cook for friends. At times, things go awry.
Last night I, GHOSTRADISH, hosted a small casual dinner party. 'Twas myself and the ever-lovely
neighbors who live across the street, Mark and Victor. My friend, Jason, showed up around 5:30 for a little social call while I was straightening the house and dealing with a very spirited poog, so it seemed an appropriate time to have a beer or two. Because, like I say, it's always a good idea to get some booze in ya before playing with sharp knives.
About an hour later, the boys are all yukking it up, the beer and wine are flowing, the dog is being an attention whore, the cats are angling for skritches, and I'm tossing a salad together. Life is good. My friends are happy and relaxed. A nice breeze is wafting through the kitchen window. Hi Larry! Didja get a new lawnmower? I like the color you picked for your house. Yep, have fun mowin'. See you later.
I'm tickled to be playing the role of hostess. In my house. A house with neighbors, inside and out.
Chop, chop, chop... red pepper, green onions, tomatoes, hearts of palm... all dumped into the baby spinach. Salad done. Heart of palm anyone? Yes, Jason, they're edible. Are you sure you can't stay for dinner? There's plenty. No? Well then, maybe another beer? More wine? No let me. I want you guys to relax. No, I don't need any help.
Slice, slice, slice, salt, salt, salt... eggplants are sweating. Time to socialize and have another drink. Beep, beep, beep... time to flip the eggplant. Flip, flip, flip, salt, salt, salt. Ah, time for another drink and some more socializin'. Beep, beep, beep. Time to rinse the eggplant. Oh, have another beer or a glass of wine, Jason. At least have some cheese and crackers or something. Well, fine. You're gonna miss out. Good luck getting your work done. Talk to you later!
Back into the kitchen. Unwrap and arrange Maytag and table water crackers. Yes, the dog thinks he likes moldy cheese. No, he farts enough as it is. GUS! LEAVE VICTOR ALONE! Chop, chop, chop... cubing the rinsed eggplant. Slice. Wait. That wasn't an eggplant. Oopso poopso... that was my pinky. Now red. Ok, back away from the food. Oh shit, the onion and garlic need stirred. Thanks Mark. Yep, all that eggplant needs cubed. Thanks Victor. Why is this damn thing still bleeding? Here, Mark, slap a bandaid on it. Thanks. I'm fine. Why don't you guys sit down, have another drink, relax. Please. I'm fine. But I think I need another drink. That Bogle old vine zin looks pretty tasty. Slurp... ah yes. That hits the spot.
Hmm... looks like the fusilli is about done. Oh shit. I almost forgot, guys... have a salad. Dig in. No Mark, you can't have that dressing, it has anchovies in it. But here's a doorful of other choices. Gee, this sure is pretty willy nilly, huh? Kinda like that guy Dave on Top Chef, except I'm not crying. Ha! I ain't your bitch, BITCH! Yeah, I think I'll sit down and have a salad while the pasta is finishing up. Oh shit. I completely forgot the garlic bread. Are you sure you don't mind? This looks like it'll be enough? Well... ok. Let's have some more wine. Here, let's open the cabernet.
Oh yay! The pasta is ready. Time to chow, guys! Here's some extra cheese. Salt, pepper? No? Oh shit... I forgot to add the basil. My god, what is my problem? It tastes ok without the basil? Really? Sure wish I had remembered the garlic bread. Oh well. It is what it is. More wine?
Who dat snappin' back? |
Last night I, GHOSTRADISH, hosted a small casual dinner party. 'Twas myself and the ever-lovely
neighbors who live across the street, Mark and Victor. My friend, Jason, showed up around 5:30 for a little social call while I was straightening the house and dealing with a very spirited poog, so it seemed an appropriate time to have a beer or two. Because, like I say, it's always a good idea to get some booze in ya before playing with sharp knives.
About an hour later, the boys are all yukking it up, the beer and wine are flowing, the dog is being an attention whore, the cats are angling for skritches, and I'm tossing a salad together. Life is good. My friends are happy and relaxed. A nice breeze is wafting through the kitchen window. Hi Larry! Didja get a new lawnmower? I like the color you picked for your house. Yep, have fun mowin'. See you later.
I'm tickled to be playing the role of hostess. In my house. A house with neighbors, inside and out.
Chop, chop, chop... red pepper, green onions, tomatoes, hearts of palm... all dumped into the baby spinach. Salad done. Heart of palm anyone? Yes, Jason, they're edible. Are you sure you can't stay for dinner? There's plenty. No? Well then, maybe another beer? More wine? No let me. I want you guys to relax. No, I don't need any help.
Slice, slice, slice, salt, salt, salt... eggplants are sweating. Time to socialize and have another drink. Beep, beep, beep... time to flip the eggplant. Flip, flip, flip, salt, salt, salt. Ah, time for another drink and some more socializin'. Beep, beep, beep. Time to rinse the eggplant. Oh, have another beer or a glass of wine, Jason. At least have some cheese and crackers or something. Well, fine. You're gonna miss out. Good luck getting your work done. Talk to you later!
Back into the kitchen. Unwrap and arrange Maytag and table water crackers. Yes, the dog thinks he likes moldy cheese. No, he farts enough as it is. GUS! LEAVE VICTOR ALONE! Chop, chop, chop... cubing the rinsed eggplant. Slice. Wait. That wasn't an eggplant. Oopso poopso... that was my pinky. Now red. Ok, back away from the food. Oh shit, the onion and garlic need stirred. Thanks Mark. Yep, all that eggplant needs cubed. Thanks Victor. Why is this damn thing still bleeding? Here, Mark, slap a bandaid on it. Thanks. I'm fine. Why don't you guys sit down, have another drink, relax. Please. I'm fine. But I think I need another drink. That Bogle old vine zin looks pretty tasty. Slurp... ah yes. That hits the spot.
Hmm... looks like the fusilli is about done. Oh shit. I almost forgot, guys... have a salad. Dig in. No Mark, you can't have that dressing, it has anchovies in it. But here's a doorful of other choices. Gee, this sure is pretty willy nilly, huh? Kinda like that guy Dave on Top Chef, except I'm not crying. Ha! I ain't your bitch, BITCH! Yeah, I think I'll sit down and have a salad while the pasta is finishing up. Oh shit. I completely forgot the garlic bread. Are you sure you don't mind? This looks like it'll be enough? Well... ok. Let's have some more wine. Here, let's open the cabernet.
Oh yay! The pasta is ready. Time to chow, guys! Here's some extra cheese. Salt, pepper? No? Oh shit... I forgot to add the basil. My god, what is my problem? It tastes ok without the basil? Really? Sure wish I had remembered the garlic bread. Oh well. It is what it is. More wine?
