Peter Johnson

Alright--that guac thread was fun, and I think we need more cooking threads, so let me give this a shot. I was walking through the market earlier and I started craving shellfish. "Hmmm," I thought. "Doesn't sound so hard!" So I grabbed 10 mussels, 10 clams (the seafood guys thought I was nuts--"You mean 10 pounds, right?" "No, ten clams.") and a link of andoille sausage. Got a shallot, some butter and a bottle of dry French white wine. Still had some cilantro ( ) left over from the guacamole! Back at my apartment, I threw the butter and shallots in a pot and cooked them for a while. Threw in about a cup of wine or so and when it was boiling I threw in the clams, mussels (debearded, of course!) and andoille. When all the clams and mussels were open, I tossed everything around with the cilantro. Twenty pieces of shellfish plus a baguette to sop up the sauce = quick, cheap and tasty late lunch! I'm no expert chef, but I've started to learn that a big secret to cooking is trusting your instincts. If you think something will go together, give it a shot. This quick and dirty lunch is as good as any moules marinieres as I've had at a French bistro--and it was super simple. Who else likes to throw stuff together and see what happens? Horror stories are welcome too--things like this can't always turn out well!

wowwwwowwwwowwwwwowwwwwowww My mouth is watering!!! Thanks, Eula!

Pimptastic Johnson Beautiful here, gonna beat you down because I KNOW your money ain't in your other pants, sucka!

Amen!

Oh man, Wes, that is _the_ breakfast of champions. No way am I adverse to an a.m. Tecate if it's going with that meal! Yum!

I KNEW I forgot something! Duh...lemon juice...that's really the secret ingredient that makes it work--no idea why, but it does. Hadn't thought about cumin _or_ cayenne; I'll have to give those a shot next time. Thanks, Patricia!

Threadkiller!

So I'm hanging at my pad and trying to figure out what to do for dinner, when it hits me: guacamole! How hard can it be? Off to the market for one avocado, one roma tomato, one shallot, one garlic and one bunch of cilantro. A slice down the middle of that avocado and it's in halves; squeezed it out of the skin, cleaned off the pit. Sliced up the tomato, scoop out the crap, and toss it in the bowl. Minced up one clove each of the shallot and the garlic; tossed it in. Also minced a fair amount of cilantro, tossed that it. Two spoons, mashed it all together, and bam--some good goddamn guac that's put a smile on my face! Can I get an amen for some guacamole? Anyone have a special ingredient that I left out--maybe white pepper or a little salt (although I'm sure it needs it)? Particularly nice with a California pinot noir!!!

Wow, I've really been affected by this, much more than I initially thought I would...I haven't been conscious of the passing of a lot of our idols in my late indoctrination into this world, but this is really tough...Elvin, Jimmy...damn...

Now THAT's going to be a service! I was at John Patton's funeral and was in awe as I saw legend after legend walk by. Can't imagine the royalty paying homage at Jimmy's service. Of course, this happens when I move to Seattle. If there's any feasible way, I'm going to get my ass back "home" for this...

25 on wax. More on CD.

Ahhh, Bashin'! Never heard it! Going to Barnes and Noble in my building (dangerous) right now...

Hot DAMN!!!!!! What is this track (playing on KCR right now) with the orchestra/big band? I must have it!!!

Wouldn't even know where to start... And that's a good thing...

Full circle. Terribly sad that many of the greats have gone, but I have to think they'd be delighted at the legacy they've left and to know there are so many of you carrying the torch. Damn, if I had a B-3 in the house I'd fire that baby up right now and play like nobody was listening...

God, what is there to say. Thanks for the music, Jimmy...the band in the sky just got another key player. R.I.P., with tears in my eyes...

Wow, wow, wow, that's great stuff! Terrific shots, terrific website. Well done!

God damn! Just out of the blue? How much ass does that kick! Well done, BB!

Damn--rules rules rules! We have enough we have to live by in our daily lives! If you're comfortable buying something from someone with 1 post, knock yourself out. If you're not, don't. What's complicated about this?

Pretzels and flat coke...courtesy of Chez U.S. Air! (redeye to Philly)

Terrific news! All the best to you, Melissa and Milo!

Solution: Buy the Dex select--you will NOT regret it!

Haven't looked, haven't looked, promise...but Gail called me and told me I had a CD in the mail in Philly. Damn, foiled by the bicoastal scourge. She told me she sent it off, so hopefully it will be here in a day or two...

Well done, Mike--that's great stuff!