feeding // fashionistas

October 3, 2005

Covert Cuisine: Feed ‘Em When They Least Expect It

George C. wrote this mid-afternoon:

Blessed as I am to share an apartment where the kitchen and living room are basically one and the same, cooking for friends is always a social occasion. I can be deep into a conversation about vintage synthesizers while chopping vegetables, throw a beer to somebody on the couch while deglazing a pan, then jog around the kitchen peninsula and mix into a new record on our little DJ rig before the previous one runs out. It’s a rough, rough life.

(Images: Lydia White - Bad Editing: Yours Truly)

Our place seems made for hosting little soirees, so we try to make use of it whenever we can. On nights when we’re all eating in I usually get to be the lucky guy crashing around in the kitchen with people watching, which is nice for my occasionally attention-grabbing nature! Sometimes, though, even when it’s not time for a meal, the urge will strike me to commit a random act of yumminess.

Sneaking to the kitchen, fiegning dishwashing or straightening-up while still in conversation, I’ll grab a few ingredients and throw a snack together. Usually nobody really notices (except for my girl, she knows my tricks). In the end, I’ll plop a bowl of something or other on the coffeetable with a few little forks stuck in it and say, “Here, eat this”, to much delight (if it’s any good!). I’d better not do it too often, or people will start to expect it, and then it’ll hardly be a random act anymore, will it?

Laughably Simple Garlic Green Beans
Heat your iron skillet to medium while discussing the finer points of your favorite Monty Python movie. Pour in a touch of sesame oil. Drop a couple of large handfuls of trimmed, frozen (eek!) green beans into the pan. Press a couple of cloves of garlic over the proceedings while looking over your shoulder to make sure nobody’s catching on. Add one squirt each of mushroom soy sauce and rice vinegar, and stir the mixture again.

When the green beans have heated through and the garlic has mellowed a bit, pour the pan’s contents into your serving vessel of choice and finish with a sprinkle of your favorite furikake mix and a bit of lime juice. Splendid. Too easy really, but tasty, and great with the aforementioned beer.

The kitchen is an entertainment center, IMHO. A wonderful video game where the payoff is food! Play often, try to better your high score, and for gawd’s sake, keep your peoples happy.

In any case, have fun, my kitchen ninjas,
-GC