Just really scrubbed my friends list. Removed mostly people who I'm sure don't use the site anymore (at least one account hadn't been used in over 6 years!). Removed a few other people who I just don't really follow or who I'm sure don't follow me.

Anyway, no harm intended or anything, just trying to do some basic house cleaning. If you want to be readded or want to remove me (either way) feel free. I've been here for over seven years, I'm sure at least one person isn't interested in my drivel.

I'm looking for software to manage the music on my ipod. I have enough music that I feel that I need a library function, where I can manage what goes on the ipod and what doesn't. iTunes doesn't fit this bill because it wants to fuck with my files, which I've organized with MusicBrainz. I'd also like this software to include support for last.fm.

Anyone know of anything like this?

Dear neighbor,

I understand that the weather outside is very nice, but must you really blast your shitty rap in your car with enough bass to rattle your trunk lid and license plate? Its called Dynamat, and something that isn't the same crappy song on repeat for two hours.

Thanks.

Tonight's dinner: Lobster salad and stuffed shells. I didn't get to take pictures, it went away too fast.

I want to get this recipe down before its forgotten.

Lobster salad

1.5 lbs lobster claws, steamed
1/2 c good mayonnaise
1/2 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
juice of 1/2 lemon
1-2 tsp dill (didn't measure)
pinch sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Remove meat from claws, reserve. Try not to lacerate thumb, as I did tonight.
Mix everything else together. Gently stir in lobster.
Serve over mixed salad greens. Serves 3ish as a first course.

Stuffed shells, just because.

12 large pasta shells
Small container ricotta
Spinach (about a cup)
Marinara sauce (buy it or make it, I always make mine)
Salt and pepper to taste

Bring large pot of water to rolling boil. Add a handful of salt (think sea water) and boil pasta as directed, probably 12-14 minutes. Drain and allow to cool enough to handle.
Preheat oven to 375.
Wilt spinach in boiling water until soft. Blanch in ice water and drain. Squeeze out excess water and chop.
Stir ricotta and spinach together, season with salt and pepper. Spoon about a tablespoon of ricotta mixture into shells, place in a baking dish. Spoon marinara sauce over the shells and bake 15-20 minutes. Top with fresh grated parmesan and bake until cheese gets melty, another 5 minutes.

Tonight I made jerk style pork chops and a salad. It was awesome. I'll definitely make it again. And possibly write down the recipe next time.

Also, I've been working on setting up a gallery on my website. I've uploaded most of my recent food pictures. Click here to see.

From today's NYT... ( Falafel )

Just for reference
( Roasted Garlic Ranch Dressing )

Here's the menu for L&M's wedding this Saturday. Its all finger foods, as feeding 100 is completely out of the budget.

Crudites (duh) with ranch dip
Prosciutto and herb cheese with grape tomato on table water crackers
Mini quiches - Spinach, bacon and swiss
Twice baked potatoes with sour cream sauce
Roast beef and horseradish cream cheese on pumpernickel
Turkey with cranberry dijon mustard on whole wheat (thinking about a swiss, maybe jarlsburg on this. Thoughts?)
Ham, gruyere and fiji apple with dijon mustard on ciabatta bread
Cucumber and cream cheese on toast
Meatballs
Deviled eggs
Mini pig in blankets (mostly for kids, but I'm sure a lot of people will eat them)


Everything sound good?

When we were at the grocery store yesterday, I noticed they had some wild caught shrimp from the North Carolina coast. Head on, tail on, whole BEAUTIFUL shrimp. I decided to do something with them today. I was daydreaming and thought of cooking a chorizo (for the wonderful cumin and spanish paprika flavor), then using some of the oil from that to cook the shrimp in. I cooked the shrimp in tablespoon of chorizo oil with some butter and olive oil, a sprinkle of cumin, some garlic and shallot, kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. Once the shrimp were cooked all the way through, I removed them from the pan and deglazed it with the juice of a lime and added a handful of fresh parsley. Tossed some pasta in and served.

After starting to eat the shrimp and pasta, I decided next time this needs a touch of wine in the pan. Just something to keep in mind.

Oh yeah, had some asparagus which was boiled for a few then sauteed in butter. And Ryan made us a salad with some really awesome shallot balsamic vinagarette dressing.

PICTURES. (large, dialup users, load this page and go grow a coffee plant, roast and grind the beans, and make a nice pot of coffee.)

( Pictures be here )

Dessert was Ben and Jerry's Dublin Mudslide, straight from the container. Didn't bother to take pictures of that, but it was awesome. :P