Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Sausage and Vegetable Soup

I made this soup on the fly today. So I'm sharing.

Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil to coat a Dutch oven
1 medium yellow onion, chopped finely
2 TB of minced garlic
8 carrots, peeled and chopped into moons and half-moons
4 stalks of celery, chopped finely
1 lb. of Polska kielbasa, chopped into half-moons
4 TB of tomato paste
1/2 cup of red wine
2 quarts of reduced sodium chicken stock
1 package of baby bella mushrooms, in slivers
2 TB dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

Process
In a large Dutch oven, sweat down the onion on medium-high heat. Add in the garlic and cook for a minute. Throw in the carrots and celery and cook for approximately 10 minutes. Add in the tomato paste and mix until it is coated throughout the mix. Deglaze the Dutch oven with the wine. Cook for a few minutes. Add the kielbasa and cook for another 10 minutes. Dump in the stock and thyme. And then add the mushrooms. Partially cover the Dutch oven with its lid and reduce the heat to low-medium and taste for seasoning. 

Random Notes from a Crank

News outlets are regularly running stories about Covid-19 deniers who die. One of the more recent ones is about a preacher who believed God can cure anything. He died of Covid-19 after discounting the pandemic and going to Mardi Gras: "A Virginia Preacher Believed 'God Can Heal Anything.' Then He Caught the Coronavirus." 

Thoughts and prayers I guess. 

The draft came and went, and as usual, Matt Miller of the Bleacher Report has "2021 NFL Mock Draft: Matt Miller's Way-Too-Early Predictions." There are a lot of players from Alabama and LSU on that list. 

I just heard on The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz that men who are able to grow beards early on are more likely to suffer hair loss. God damn it. 

Music Friday: "Top O' the Morning to Ya"

Out there on FB some of my friends are doing this thing where they show the ten most influential albums  by album cover. 

One of my fraternity brothers showed this album, and I got nostalgic and downloaded the dang thing. 

So here's one of my favorite cuts on the album. 

Music Friday: "Touch the Sky"

One of the best albums that came out last year was the debut album of the Black Pumas. 

Here's a tune from that album, track number 9 of 10. 

Random Notes from a Crank

How is the saying, "clean as a whistle," even a thing? I've used a whistle as a coach. You got the thing in your mouth all the time, and it splutters out spit when you use it. 

Republicans always say that government doesn't work, and then when they get in charge of it, they prove that claim true. It doesn't work when they are in charge (President and the Senate).  

People blaming the media on Moscow Don's bungling of the coronavirus response is like blaming ESPN for reporting that Mitch Trubisky is not a great quarterback. 

If you're looking for a solid comedy special, check out Netflix's Neal Brennan: 3 Mics. 

If you want to be even more paranoid, start watching the latest season of BOSCH. 

Random Notes from a Crank

One of the few positives of the Covid-19 and the stay-at-home orders is this: Catholic priests won't be able to sexually abuse kids. It's darkly humorous, but it's true. 

Speaking of religion, while I'm an agnostic, the Nasty family will celebrate Easter by roasting a turkey, making mashed potatoes, and all that jazz. I bought a frozen lemon meringue pie from Aldi for dessert. 

The recent storm the came through these parts blew down all kinds of dead limbs, which has replenished my stock of kindling for fires. 

The house across the street from us is a rental home. The family that currently occupies it has a mini-van, a Porshe SUV, a Corvette, and the Dad drives a Harley. They have all this, and they can't buy a house? Priorities I guess...

Music Friday: "The Slow Drag Under"

Since the start of the lockdown here in Illinois, I've been sharing a song a day on FB in alpha order from my iTunes. 

Tomorrow will be Benjamin Booker's turn, so I decided to share a relevant tune from his second album. 

Random Notes from a Crank

For going out in public, I want a mask like Bane's.

This graphic sums up a lot of FB posts and FoxNews commentators.

I'm a little obsessed with whom Biden will pick as his VP candidate. This is a good read from The Washington Post: "The 11 Most Logical Picks for Joe Biden's Vice-President, Ranked." 

But let's go a little out of left field here. What if Biden were to pick AOC as the VP? From a political standpoint, it's illogical. She represents the Bronx. But picking her might unite the Bernie Backers to Biden's side. However, FoxNews would churn up its propaganda machine like crazy, which it will do anyway whether it's Kamala Harris or AOC, who both have brown skin, by the way. 

Random Notes from a Crank

We've had beautiful weather around this part of east central Illinois. 

Even though the pandemic has hit our county, I'm still taking the dog for his daily walks and working in the yard. 

Yesterday it was tree trimming, and every other day or so I weed the garden. With the stay-at-home order, I should have a pretty weed-free garden this year. 

I'm still unsure whether wearing a mask in public really helps much of anything, but I guess I'll do it. I have some masks from when I ripped out carpet from the whole main floor of our house. And Mrs. Nasty found some that my daughter had to use during a dance competition because she came down with strep throat. 

I found out recently that the writer O'Henry coined the term "banana republic." Unfortunately, the US under Trump has its own banana republic effects under his work. I call it "work" because I won't call it leadership. 

Case in point is the The Washington Post article, "Trump Removes Inspector General Who Was to Oversee $2 Trillion Stimulus Spending." 

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Dill Roast Beef Sandwich Spread

I had some leftover rump roast, so I searched the InterWebs for some kind of recipe to make a roast beef sandwich spread. I found one, but it calls for sweet pickle relish, which I'm not fond of, so I used dill pickle relish. I also left out the raw onion because I hate raw onions.  

Ingredients
3 cups of roast beef
3/4 cup of dill pickle relish
1/3 cup chili sauce
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup mayo
2 TB of dill pickle juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Process
In a food processor, combine the beef and pickle relish and pulse until finely chopped. In a separate bowl, combine the chili sauce, ketchup, mayo, juice, and salt and pepper. Add in the beef mixture and chill in the fridge. 

Music Friday: "Use Me"

This morning I was saddened to discover that Bill Withers has passed away. 

So today I celebrate his legacy by showcasing his song "Use Me." 

Random Notes from a Crank

With so many people out of work, it clearly makes sense that the US should have universal health care for all citizens. Since health insurance is typically tied to employers, if you have no employer, you're out of health insurance. Having health insurance is crucial during a pandemic. 

This week I watched season 2 of Sunderland 'Til I Die, which is a great documentary series on Netflix. I feel for the fans of Sunderland. I can relate because I'm a Cubs fan. 

Based on the frozen standings of EFL League One right now, Sunderland is in seventh, which is not good. I'm hoping they make it back up to the Championship League in the near future. 

In Premier League news, there's a rumor out there about Wolves striker Raul Jimenez possibly wanting to transfer to one of the big six clubs. I'd hate to see Kane go somewhere else, but Jimenez would be a good replacement. 

And as this report from football.london relates, Mourinho is supposed to have plenty of money to spend on new players this summer.