Opinions and other factual things.

With a lonely Sunday afternoon to kill, I like to imagine myself doing all sorts of productive things...reorganizing my spice cabinet, filing 6 months worth of Schwab statements, finally finding a place better than the china cabinet to hang my apron...but in reality, I generally end up on the couch, watching Wedding Central on WE. To be clear, I hate Wedding Central. And yet, like a car wreck, I have a sick draw towards these bitchy, whiny, princess-wannabes intent on planning horrendous ME-ME-ME parties.

But I'm Judge McJudgerson, and it gives me easy prey. Sooo...here I sit, per usual. Watching yet another clueless, horrible bride-to-be. Ladies...you are becoming a wife. Unless you are marrying Prince Harry, you are not becoming a princess. Stop using the word. And seriously, put the tiaras away. Also, it is a big, amazing, very important day, yes. But it is not, contrary to your own opinion, all about you. Perhaps considering your groom's/ bridesmaids'/ families'/ wallet's feelings wouldn't be the absolute worst thing ever. Please grow up and realize you will know/need these people/bank account after you treat them like your minions leading up to one single day.

Man, I love to talk crap. No wonder I watch this shit. And it's no wonder the hubby will watch me watch it; I get to hear myself say ridiculous things aloud to the tv, like, "Psssh, don't lie...you didn't want that, you just waited too long, bee-otch" and, "Niiice, you go crazy about shoes, and you're getting married under a giant glowing exit sign," and "You did not just put a burger king crown on your man's head."

Siigh. Anyway. At the usual lunch spot(Las Salsas), eating the usual(Posole), with the usual(hubby), I decided that if I was going to have another unproductive day, I'd spend it at least trying some new things.

First up? A Starbucks Creme Brulee Latte on the way to the grocery store. Not bad. But nothing special, really. I'd go either way on a repeat offense.

Once I got to the store to pick up some easy dinners for the next few days (then we're off to Seattle for Turkey Day!!), I was beyond thrilled to find King Crab legs for cheap. Like, $7.99/lb cheap. Score. The hubby had requested bacon-wrapped grilled shrimp, and the idea of a seafood extravaganza was too much potential deliciousness to turn down. I love eating with my hands. Love messy food. So cracking into King Crab, freshly steamed and hot, with or without lemon and/or melted butter...omg, the best thing ever. So fun to eat, and just. so. good.

I decided to experiment for a side dish...I had already grabbed pancetta to wrap the prawns in, so I decided to play with that, apple, blue cheese, maybe walnuts, and maybe asparagus. While trying a new drink...Raspberry off-brand vodka(as long as you're mixing, who cares) and light lemonade were both on sale. Yum. Definite repeat offender. At least until I run out of lemonade.

Dessert will also be new...we're sugar-free fudgesicle fans, so I grabbed a multi-pack of regular, dark, and white chocolate. 60 calories of yum. And only 180 cals to try all three. Not that we would do that...

King Crab Legs
King crab legs (however much you think you can eat/fit in the biggest pot you have.)
Butter, about a tsp.
A couple cloves garlic, minced

In the biggest stock pot you have, melt butter over medium heat, then saute garlic til fragrant, about a minute. Add about a cup of water, wait about 2 minutes, then throw all the crab legs in. Cover, lower heat to low, and let the legs steam about 12 minutes. Easy. Serve with lots of napkins and a big bowl for the exoskeleton (or whatever nicer word you want to use). Good with minced garlic mixed with melted butter or lots of lemon to squeeze over.
(220 calories per half pound, 3.5g fat, 42g protein)

Asparagus with Pancetta, Apple and Onion
A bunch of asparagus, trimmed and rinsed
1/2 tbsp butter
Pancetta, chopped (I used about a third of a package)
Half an apple, finely chopped (Pippen is good)
1/4 onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/8 tsp fresh pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
pinch of salt
Balsamic Vinegar
About 3 tbsp reduced fat blue cheese

Boil water in a medium pot. Boil asparagus for 3 minutes, drain and rinse in cold water. Arrange in olive oil sprayed baking dish.

Heat butter over medium heat. Saute pancetta, onion, apple, and garlic about 5 minutes. Add a big splash of balsamic vinegar, walnuts, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Spread over asparagus. Sprinkle with blue cheese. Broil about 4 minutes before serving.