Cryptic chickpeas.
Puzzlehunt is coming up this weekend! The ninth overall and the third for our team. With any luck we can break 13th place this time around. I think Brett just might be our secret weapon.
But just in case he isn't, Chris and I spent an inordinate amount of time in our travels a couple of weeks ago working on cryptic crosswords. (Dorkiest honeymoon ever! But hey, we had long flights.) I started thinking about what it takes to make a good puzzle, and I'm more relieved than ever that we're the kind of team looking to break the top ten rather than the kind of team who really stands a chance at winning. Putting a hunt together must be brutal.
In other news, Jess and I are talking about organizing some kind of falafel-making attempt. I've tried twice and never produced anything half as good as I can buy for $3. Any pointers from the experienced? (And no, "Shell out the $3" doesn't count.)
2 Comments:
Nothing to suggest on falafel, but as long as you are on a middle east food quest here is a stuffed grape leaves recipe that does a wonderful job....
Much better than any falafel I have ever had, at least! Back when I could still cook this was one of my favorite things to make (I even have a cool juicer for the lemons if you were interested, since I can't use it anymore. Let me know!)
-1 cup rice (I use basmathi, some use Jasmine)
-1 cup finely chopped onions
-1 pound ground beef or lamb
-1 teaspoon parsley
-2 teaspoons dill weed
-1 teaspoon mint
-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
-1/2 teaspoon tumeric
-1/2 teaspoon oregano
-1 teaspoon salt
-1 jar preserved grape leaves
-the juice from 5-8 lemons
Mix the rice, onions, parsley, dill weed, mint, the 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, tumeric, oregano and salt in a large mixing bowl. When the mixture is well blended, mix in the ground beef or lamb. Drain the juice from the jar of grape leaves and place them on a plate for wrapping. Arrange the leaves in layers in a pot and pour in the juice from the lemons. Add enough water to bring the juice level to just below the top of the leaves. Cook on Med-High heat for 35-45 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Hmm...the grape leaves sound good, but I don't think they could replace falafel for me. Unfortunately, I don't have any good suggestions though...I've tried making them from scratch, and paying the $3 is always better.
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