Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Stracotto, aka Italian Pot Roast

I watched a YouTube video the other day and decided to make this recipe. The video is from the dude on Sip and Feast, but you can see his recipe on his website "Stracotto (Italian Pot Roast)." 

I followed his recipe for the most part but made some slight changes. And I'm making this post here, so I can easily find it again. 

We have a number of chuck roasts in the freezer, so I'm looking for ways to use them. 

Ingredients

1 chuck roast

8 cloves of garlic, cut into slivers

3-4 tablespoons of olive oil

1 yellow onion, chopped finely

2 carrots, peeled and shredded on a box grater

3 ribs of celery, shredded on a box grater

3 tablespoons of tomato paste

1 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes

1 1/2 cups of red wine--I used a Cabernet

2 cups of beef stock

4 large bay leaves

A healthy smidge of Penny's Tuscan Sunset seasoning

Kosher salt

Cracked black pepper

Process 

Heat the oven to 325 degrees. 

Use a large Dutch oven with a lid. Dry off the chuck roast and cut slits into the side of the roast. Insert the slivers of garlic into the roast and liberally salt and pepper the roast. 

Add the olive oil to the Dutch oven on medium-high heat and sear the roast on all sides. Set aside the roast. 

Move the heat to medium, add the onions, add salt, and add a bit of water (1/4 cup) to remove the bits off the bottom of the oven. Cook the onion for roughly 8 minutes and then add the shredded carrots and celery. Cook for about 10-15 minutes until really soft.

Add the tomato paste and cook for just a minute and incorporate it into the veggie mixture. Add the wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the bits off the bottom of the oven. Simmer the wine for about 10 minutes.  

Add in the beef stock, remaining garlic that has been chopped finely, bay leaves, and seasoning. 

Turn off the heat, put the roast into the braising liquid, secure the lid, and pop it into the oven for three hours. 

Take out the roast and check the internal temperature. Tent some aluminum foil over the top of it and let it rest. Skim off the fat/grease in the pot by using paper towels. 

Shread the beef and return it to the Dutch oven. 

I served mine with linguini, but you can easily put this over mashed potatoes.  

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Spicy Beef Lettuce Wraps

I am pretty sure this recipe is inspired by P.F. Chang's lettuce wraps, but if I remember right, that restaurant does lettuce wraps with chicken, not beef. At least that's what Mrs. Nasty thinks.

I found this recipe on The Washington Post, but I modified it a bit since I don't have "Shaoxing wine" or dry sherry. I just used a chardonnay. 

Ingredients

1/4 cup of water

3 tablespoons of oyster sauce

2 tablespoons of white wine

1 lb. of ground beef

1 medium poblano pepper, chopped finely

1/2 of a bell pepper, chopped finely

5 green onions, chopped thinly

1 tablespoon of Sambal Oelek

1 tablespoon of minced ginger

1 head of Bibb or Boston lettuce

Process

Make the oyster sauce by whisking the water, oyster sauce, and wine and set aside. 

Brown the beef and drain. 

Add the peppers and scallions and cook until softened. Add in the chile-garlic sauce and ginger and cook for less than a minute. Stir in the beef and oyster sauce. 

Serve by putting the beef mixture into lettuce leaves as wraps. 

Sunday Hangover: Mercer

This game turned out the way we thought it would. 

It was the annual warm-up game before the Iron Bowl, but with the schedule changed with Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC, so Alabama had this game before the trip to Norman and the home game versus Auburn. 

Lots of players got into the game, which is good, and I don't think there were any significant injuries that I know of. 

Simpson and Mack looked good playing quarterback. And I think that will be the quarterback competition barring a new recruit who might make it interesting. 

It'll be a good game versus Oklahoma next Saturday. The Crimson Tide better be ready. 

It remains to be seen if Alabama can make the SEC Championship game if they win out. I don't know how they'll determine the two teams without divisions. 

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Spinach-Artichoke Dip

I got Colbert's Does This Taste Funny? cookbook a while back, and I've been trying out the recipes. All of them I've done have been good so far. 

I made the warm artichoke dip, but Mrs. Nasty called for spinach in it, so I adapted Colbert's recipe. 

Ingredients

3/4 cup of mayo

1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

1 can of artichoke hearts, chopped into small pieces

1/2 cup of cooked spinach, drained

1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt

Salt and pepper to taste

Paprika 

Process

Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees. In a mixing bowl, add all these ingredients together and transfer to an oven-safe bowl of some sort. Sprinkle paprika on top of the concoction. 

Bake for 12-15 minutes, take it out, and let it cool for approximately 10 minutes. 

Music Friday: "Disconnect" & "Fool"

I'm angry. 

These songs go out to a nation full of fools. For people who actually critically think and follow facts, these are dark times. 

Sunday Hangover: LSU

The much ballyhooed Death Valley was not all that deadly. 

Jalen Milroe was a one-man wrecking crew against LSU last night. He had four running touchdowns and 185 net rushing yards on 12 rushing attempts. 

Miller was the leading receiver, which is kind of a surprise. But Alabama had a lot of designed plays for the running back. 

On defense the Tide gave up way too many yards on first down for my liking. However, they didn't give up a touchdown until garbage time in the fourth quarter. 

Lawson and Campbell had excellent games. Lawson had that crucial interception, and Campbell had the strip-sack after Alabama failed to convert on a fourth and short. 

If the defense can play like they did last night, the Tide might have some chances if they make the playoffs. 

There are three games left with a home game versus Mercer, a trip to Norman to play Oklahoma, and the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa. 

Don't screw this up, Alabama. 

Music Friday: "Until the Day Is Done"

After the results of this Tuesday, this song seems appropriate. 

"The battle's been lost. The war is not won./ An addled republic, a bitter refund." 

Keep fighting for what's right and all people's rights. 

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Disappointed Man Cocktail

I just made this cocktail, and I kind of like it. 

I'm going to name it what I am, a disappointed man. 

Ingredients

2 oz. of bourbon--I used Evan Williams, but I would prefer something stronger like Wild Turkey 101, Old Forester 100, Evan Williams Bonded, or Benchmark Bonded, et al. 

Ginger ale

Healthy dashes of bitters

Process

In a Collins glass, put in four ice cubes. Add the bourbon, refrigerated ginger ale, and few healthy dashes of bitters. 

Drink and feel your anxiety. 

Music Friday: "Halloween"

I shared the album video on social media yesterday because of the holiday, but here I'm also providing a live version. 

We need a new album from her. 

Soon...

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Taco Seasoning

We got some homemade taco seasoning from a friend last Xmas. This is my modification of the recipe. I like using this stuff instead of those store-bought taco seasonings that have maltodrextin in it, which is a terrible ingredient. 

Ingredients

1/2 cup of chili powder

1/4 cup of ground cumin

1 tablespoon of smoked paprika 

3 teaspoons of regular paprika

3 teaspoons of garlic powder

3 teaspoons of onion powder

2 teaspoons of Penzey's Tuscan Sunset seasoning

2 teaspoons of dried cilantro

2 teaspoons of black pepper

2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes

2 teaspoons of kosher salt. 

Process

Mix up this stuff. 

After you've cooked the meat you're using for tacos, drain off the grease. Clean your skillet with a paper towel and return the meat to the skillet. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the seasoning and 1/2 cup of water. Simmer for about five minutes or so until thick. 

Sunday Hangover: Mizzou

It's been a while since an Alabama defense had a shutout. I'd like to see more of them. 

Sure, Mizzou had some guys out and the Tide knocked out their starting quarterback, but it was good to see a number of three-and-outs yesterday. 

I've always been an advocate of having a strong running attack, and that's what we got in this game with Alabama rushing for 271 net yards. Miller had two touchdowns, Haynes had a phenomenal run for a TD, and Milroe had a rushing touchdown. 

The passing game was more modest, and it seems Milroe is still trying to force it to Williams. Bernard had a solid game as the leading receiver with five grabs. 

The second bye week comes at a good time to get players healed up before the trip to LSU.  

Music Friday: "Reach Down"

This song was playing on the SiriusXM Pearl Jam radio channel when I drove to work this morning. 

Great album all around. 

Musing of the Moment: George Will on Immigration

I am decidedly a left-leaning person politically, but one of the many good aspects of having a subscription to The Washington Post is that George Will writes opinion columns for the newspaper. 

Sometimes I agree with him. Sometimes I think he's off his rocker because of his belief in traditional conservatism. 

Recently he had an interesting column that's worth your time. It talks the changing demographics in the world and how immigration, which he gets to at the end, is probably a good thing for the U.S. 

What a concept. 

Here's the article: "Amid Shrinking Demographics Worldwide, the U.S. Needs Immigration." 

Sunday Hangover: Tennessee

That is three frustrating games in a row in which the massive talent that Alabama has on its roster did not come through. 

Three is a row is a trend. 

Milroe, who was a Heisman hopeful, was inconsistent as Hell. The interception in the end zone was just, flat out, a bad throw. He should do better than that. 

While Bernard caught some passes, Milroe has to get other receivers involved other than Ryan Williams. 

The defense played well in the first half, but as we've seen before, after the half the other team made some adjustments, and the Tide didn't seem to do the same. 

I don't know what Alabama will drop down to rankings wise, but the coaching staff has to right the ship because all those penalties are inexcusable. 

Get it together. 

Of the teams I hate Alabama losing to, the Volunteers is one of the top ones. 

Music Friday: "Dear God"

I was doing errands this afternoon, and this tune came on the Sirius 1st Wave channel. The song that preceded it was "Kiss Me on the Bus" by The Replacements, a band I rarely hear played on any of the SiriusXM stations. 

But I've always liked this tune even though the band XTC is not a group I followed back in the day. Great tune though...

Sunday Hangover: South Carolina

Another game down to the wire. 

I don't know what to make of this team. I had a good bit of optimism about the Tide's chances this year, but if they cannot put away the Gamecocks, I don't know what to think. 

Sure, Carolina's two defensive ends are very good. However, we should have one of the best college offensive lines in college football who should be able to handle them. Carolina does have a good defense though. 

The safety of Milroe's making made him look like a freshman out there. 

The defense has to shore up what the hell is going on really quickly because they play Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday.

Music Friday: "Maktub"

I got the new album from Gary Clark Jr. when it came out, but I began listening to it more often this week after I watched his performance on Austin City Lights from this season, which is their 50th season. 

Here's the opening track from JPEG RAW. 

Sunday Hangover: Vanderbilt

I had a hell of Sunday and not just because Alabama had a terrible loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon. 

They simply had a great game plan they executed, and once again the adjustments in the second half by the defense were not good enough. 

It was a perfect time to play the Tide after a great win versus Georgia the Saturday before. 

The team was resting on its laurels and thought they would just steamroll the Commodores like they always have. 

As the cliche goes, "That's why they play the games." 

The honeymoon with DeBoer is officially over. 

Music Friday: "Wolves"

I've been listening to a lot Josh Ritter this week, especially "Thin Blue Flame." I'm sure I've featured that song before on a Music Friday. 

So I'm featuring this tune from The Animal Years, the second song on that album.  

Sunday Hangover: Georgia

What a roller coaster of a game. 

The picture above is the wheel route Jam Miller scored on through a perfectly thrown ball by Milroe. 

The Crimson Tide scored almost at will in the first half, and then Georgia adjusted. Alabama couldn't get a pass rush to disturb Carson Beck in the second half, and he picked apart the Tide's defense. 

Despite the shortcomings of the defense in the second half, Milroe and Williams were electric.

Milroe went 27 for 33 for 374 passing yards and ran 16 times for 117 net yards. He threw two touchdowns and ran for two touchdowns. 

Williams had six receptions for 177 yards and a crucial 75-yard touchdown to put Alabama back up for good although the pick by Brown at the end sealed the fate of the game. 

What I want to see is the Tide defense that played in the first half. 

But a win is a win. 

Next week the Tide travels to Nashville to take on the Commodores. 

Music Friday: "Another Generation"

Here's an old tune from a great band. 

Music Friday: "Rewrite Our Lives"

I have not listened to Ha Ha Tonka in a good while. Here's a good tune from their album Lessons.

Sunday Hangover: Wisconsin

What a difference a healthy starting offensive line makes. 

The Tide traveled to Madison and blew out the Badgers with lots of big plays. They scored on plays of 31, 26, 34, and 37 yards. 

Milroe accounted for five TDs, two of which were of the rushing variety. Those two long passes to Williams and Bernard were just beautiful deep balls. 

They seem to be calling more designed running plays for Milroe with the backs working as a lead blocker along with pulling linemen. 

I was frustrated with the defense at times because Wisconsin had some good running plays, and they're still really green in the secondary. 

The starting LBs, Lawson and Campbell had 12 tackles apiece followed by Moore and Sabb with 11 and 10, respectively. The DE Overton had a great game. He was a massive force against the run and in the pass rush. 

Two good signs were there were no turnovers, and the Tide only had four penalties. The number of penalties in the first two games were inexcusable. 

Music Friday: "Sure Shot"

I woke up this morning with this tune in my head. 

As albums by the Beastie Boys go, Check Your Head is my favorite. This song is the opening tune on Ill Communication. 

Have a good weekend. 

Sunday Hangover: South Florida

That was a frustrating three and half quarters of football to watch last night. 

With a reshuffled offensive, the Tide did not look good at all. With the starting left guard playing left tackle and the back-up right tackle starting, it was a flag fest with the right tackle picking up four holding calls by himself.

There were two touchdowns that were called back because of penalties.

And that was just in the first half. 

In the second half, Alabama had three fumbles that put the defense in tough positions on the field. 

Once the starting right tackle Pritchett came into the game, everything seemed to click. And the Crimson Tide pulled away. 

I'm concerned about the trip to Madison to play Wisconsin, especially if Proctor is still out. 

Music Friday: "Cherokee Purples"

Before I bought the new album from American Aquarium, I was growing Cherokee purples. They're a heirloom variety of tomato that I've never grown before, so I tried them. 

Finally here in early September some of them are turning from green to the ripe color. I'm hoping they taste good. I've been wanting to make BLTs with my homegrown tomatoes all summer. 

Here's the tune about, well, a lot of stuff. 

Stay Positive: Grading the Tottenham Summer Transfer Window

The transfer window has closed at least for the Premier League. Tottenham had a ton of outgoings and acquired some incoming players, many of whom I'm excited about. 

Outgoings

Although it's still technically a loan to Marseille, Hojbjerg was a solid player for Spurs although he didn't really fit the Ange Ball system. The Danish captain is likely to excel in the French league. 

Emerson Royal going to AC Milian made sense because he's more of traditional right-back. He was a popular guy in the squad, but he's another player who really didn't fit the system. 

Rodon to stay at Leeds United made sense, but I don't think any manager has ever given him a fair shot. Regardless, the fans at Elland Road appreciate him, and I hope Leeds come back up the Premier League next season. 

Spurs paying off Ndombele made a heck of a lot of sense. We moved on from a terrible signing. 

Tanganga going to Millwall will probably work out for him, but I hate seeing an academy player go somewhere else. 

Troy Parrott was sold to AZ for a decent fee and will probably excel in the Dutch league like he did last season. 

Lo Celso finally made it back to Real Betis. I've always liked Gio, and I think he should have played more often last season, especially when Maddison was out. But Lo Celso has his own history of injury problems even though he usually seems to be fit for international duty. 

Bryan Gil going to Girona makes sense. It just seemed like he is not built for English football. 

One of my few criticisms of the gaffer is that Skipp never played in a position that suited him. He's more of a defensive midfielder, but when he played for Ange, Skipp played more an 8 when he's really a 6. I don't get it. 

Manor Solomon is on loan at Leeds and will probably do quite well there. In his first game, he got an assist. With the guys we brought in, he wasn't going to get regular playing time and needed to go somewhere to get back in playing rhythm. 

Why couldn't they find a club for Reguilon? 

Incomings

Bringing back Werner on loan at the club early in the window was a head-scratcher to me. I think he'll do okay for what the manager asks him to do, but my reaction to bring him back was "Meh." They could have done better, but I hope I'm proven wrong. I wanted someone better than okay.

In contrast, acquiring Solanke could prove to be a pivotal signing. I think he's a solid center-forward. 

I love the signings of Bergvall and Gray because they're both young and talented. Bergvall might serve as Maddison's understudy and has looked really good so far. Gray can play a number of positions, but I think he'll eventually settle in as a midfielder. I'm excited about both of these players. 

The South Korean Yang will come in January I believe, and I like him because he's young and versatile, which is a trend among acquisitions under Ange. 

Odobert was a surprise signing, and I think he'll grow into his role as a front-line player either on the left or right wing.

Although he's technically not an incoming, Spence staying helps provide cover at right and left back. And he's English. 

Grade

The transactions of Skipp and Werner puzzle me, and I like the additions of the youngsters Gray, Bergvall, Odobert, and Yang. Solanke was a smart signing. The club also did a strong job of shipping out players who needed to go out a year ago and moving other players to clubs. I grade the Tottenham transfer window a B.  

Sunday Hangover: Western Kentucky

I thought the Hilltoppers would give the Crimson Tide a tougher fight, but I was wrong. 

Alabama blew out Western Kentucky 63 to nothing. 

The Tide had two early interceptions, and the offense was full of big plays in the running and passing game. 

True freshman Ryan Williams caught two passes for two touchdowns. 

Milroe contributed five touchdowns in total, two of which were of the running variety. 

WKU had some sustained drives, but the defense pitched a shutout. The two main linebackers were flying around. Lawson and Campbell had a great day on the field. And Russaw looks like the main guy for rushing the passer. He was a freak on the field last night. 

Another trend I noticed was the defensive linemen getting their hands up to bat passes. 

On the running plays for Milroe, Haynes, and Miller, they were the result of linemen pulling, which is a beautiful thing. 

Music Friday: "Cold Little Heart"

I was listening to this Michael Kiwanuka album today as I was preparing for class this morning. 

I don't think I've featured this tune on the blog yet. 

I think. 

Stay Positive: Caribbean Red Habanero

Over twenty years ago I grew Caribbean Red habaneros when I was a grad student at the University of Alabama.

It wasn't until this summer that I grew another Caribbean Red because I had never seen any around these parts in East-Central Illinois. I found the plants at a local place over in Mattoon, the family owned and operated de Buhr's Seed & Feed.   

The Caribbean Reds are twice as hot as a regular habenero. I made some salsa for my wife today, and I could tell a difference once I tested the sales to see if I got the seasoning right. 

The Caribbean Reds have more of fruity/citrusy quality than regular habaneros from my tasting. 

Regardless, I will be growing them again next season if de Buhr's has them again. 

Music Friday: "Gardenia/Asteroid/Supa Scoopa And Mighty Scoop"

Back in undergrad days my fraternity brother Roy and I went to concert that was a triple bill of Kyuss, Biohazard, and Fishbone. 

I love Fishbone, and they were good, but the opening group was Kyuss, and they were the best performer that night. They just totally rocked out. 

They were incredible. And when I got back to Kirksville, I bought the Sky Valley album as soon as I could. If I remember correctly, the first three songs they played that night were the three songs on that album. 

Here's the opening tune of Sky Valley.  

Random Notes from a Crank

My home state of Iowa has become what my nephew, who is a political consultant, describes as "cold Alabama" from a political standpoint. It's been a red state for way too long in presidential contests, but I realized recently that Mississippi is more progressive than the Hawkeye State in one way. 

The Magnolia State allows medicinal marijuana, whereas Iowa does not allow it. Good Gods, even Missouri allows recreational use of cannabis.   

I'm not a smoker of the Mary Jane, but weed policies seem to be a bellwether of political leanings. And Iowa is going in the wrong direction. 

Out of nowhere, which was a surprise to fans and pundits, Tottenham signed Wilson Odobert as a winger in the transfer window. The young Frenchman is likely to play on the right wing behind Brennan Johnson. 

If the window is closed for Spurs, it's been a good one. However, I'd like to see them sign a center back who can also play left back because I assume Ashley Phillips will go out on loan somewhere even though I think Ange should keep him around with the first team. 

Music Friday: "The Curse of Growing Old"

One of my friends on FB called attention to that American Aquarium had a new album out this year, The Fear of Standing Still. 

Here's one tune from that new album. 

Stay Positive: Red Wolves Surviving

The Washington Post has an article about the ups and downs of reintegration of endangered red wolves into a certain part of North Carolina. 

I thought the red wolf was native to the Southwest, but apparently they are a native species to the Southeast. Apparently, I'm quite mistaken. 

The article, "Inside the 'Roller Coaster' Effort to Save Endangered Red Wolves," describes the waxing and waning of the wolves' population. The two biggest threats now are climate change and cars. 

Random Notes from a Crank

There's an interesting guest essay in the New York Times by a conservative who is voting for Harris because the MAGA crowd has basically taken over the GOP and turned it into a non-conservative party: "To Save Conservatism from Itself, I Am Voting for Harris." 

In another guest essay, Roxane Gay's provides the positive energy with "The Harris-Walz Ticket Is Our Opportunity for Political Imagination." 

Let's hope the voters that matter take that opportunity. I'm still concerned about the polling in all of the swing states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. 

I didn't know Margo Price had a new album out. I found that out from a brief article in The Washington Post: "Country Star Margo Price Says What She Means -- And Sleeps Well at Night." 

In other good news, the USMNT hired Pochettino as its head coach. I look forward to seeing what he does with that group of players. 

Music Friday: "Fell on Black Days"

One of my FB friends did a post asking about what were people's favorite songs with a color in its name. I automatically went to this one. 

It's not one of my top-10 songs by Soundgarden, but I identify with it. 

I'm prone to grouchiness, depression, and disappointment. In some ways one's life is going great, and in other parts of one's life, it's not. It's just constant disappointment. 

Music Friday: "Dial Drunk"

I've been on a Noah Kahan kick lately, so here's one of his more popular songs. 

Music Friday: "Homecoming"

Here's a song from probably Josh Ritter's best album, Sermon on the Rocks. At least it's my favorite of his. 

Musing of the Moment: Harris as Presidential Candidate

The big news over the weekend was that Biden is no longer running for President. 

And the Democrats, surprisingly, put their support around Kamala Harris quickly. 

I have been surprised about the speediness of the support because historically the Democratic Party usually isn't that organized or disciplined. That's more of the modus operandi of the Republican Party that has become the brain-dead GOP. 

So in the presidential contest, we have a convicted felon who cannot even run a hot dog cart in the state of New York who is also a convicted sexual assaulter versus a former prosecutor and Attorney General. 

Who is the "Back the Blue" cohort of voters going to vote for? 

The answer probably isn't what it should be. 

As Rage Against the Machine sang, "Those of those that work forces/ are the same that burn crosses." 

Possibly not literally but figuratively...

But in some cases literally.

The race-based dog whistling has already started with Moscow Don's allies calling Harris the "DEI candidate." 

More of that shit is coming. 

Music Friday: "Who Am I to Say"

It's unfortunate that this great musical artist passed away in 2020. 

Here's a sold album from his 2008 release The Good Life. 

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Blueberry Cornbread

I got this recipe from one of the episodes of either Cooks' Country or America's Test Kitchen on PBS.  

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of AP flour

1 cup of yellow corn meal

3/4 cup of sugar

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1 teaspoon of salt

12 tablespoons of melted butter (cooled)

1 cup of whole milk

2 eggs

2 cups of blueberries

Process

Set the oven to 375 degrees. Put the dry ingredients together and whisk. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (butter, milk, and eggs) and then combine the wet with the dry ingredients. 

You don't want to overwork the batter--just get it mixed. Add the blueberries until mixed. 

Grease a cast iron skillet with butter and sprinkle corn meal on the surface so the cornbread comes out cleanly. 

Pour the batter into the skillet. Sprinkle the top of the batter with sugar. Cook for roughly 40 minutes until a paring knife comes out clean. 

Music Friday: "Year to Be Young 1994"

I've featured a tune from this guy's album previously, but here's another fine cut off Stephen Wilson Jr.'s album from last year. 

Random Notes from a Crank

On a mainly weekday basis, I've been posting definitions from the Dictionary of American Slang, which was published in 1967, in alpha order on my FB feed. 

Today I was on the letter M in the alphabet, so I posted this definition from the dictionary:

"meatball meat ball n. 1. A dull, boring person; an obnoxious person; anyone regarded with disfavor, esp. one of flat or uninteresting character; a creep, a drip, a square, a wet blanket. 2. A tactical signal flag bearing a black dot on a yellow field; also, the Japanese national flag. #. A swelling of or on the face, cause by a blow in fighting. 4. In baseball, any pitched ball that can be hit readily by a given batter. v.t. 1. To strike someone with a fist. --ism n. 1. Anti-intellectualism; the state of willing ignorance or mediocrity. 2. A state of, or instance demonstrating, decreasing standards of integrity, ethics, intelligence, and individualism in culture, politics, education, and the like; democratic rule by an uneducated, non-thinking majority."

I'm particularly fond of the term "meatballism" because I think it properly describes the U.S. for quite some time. It's an anti-intellectual country, and it's been like that for centuries. 

The amount of willful ignorance is astounding, and the if you follow politics for any amount of time, the "decreasing standards" will make you depressed. 

I think the U.S. is currently engaged in "democratic rule by an uneducated, non-thinking majority." 

I guess there are glimmers of hope though with the Labour Party coming back into majority power in the U.K.: "How Ken Starmer Overwhelmed Britain's Conservatives."

And over in France, Macron's gamble to call an election turned out better than expected since left-leaning folks flocked to the polls and put down the right-wing idiots trying to take power: "France Electioin Results: Far Right's Rise Suffers Unexpected Blow as Left Surges." 

But what does this mean for November? 

At least if you're going by a flash poll by YouGov that I took today Trump hopefully is in trouble. At the time I'm writing this post, 36% of people polled think Moscow Don is mentally fit to be President, 5% think he was mentally fit to be president in 2020 but is no longer mentally fit to be president, and 54% believe he was not mentally fit to be president in 2020 and is not mentally fit today. 

At least on that last answer, Biden only clocks in at 31%. 

In better news, the people polled were asked about their opinion of the GOP's "Project 2025," and 53% have a very unfavorable opinion of it. 

The biggest challenge before Biden is that he has to hit the swing states hard since we still live under a system that relies on the idiocy that is the Electoral College.

Music Friday: "Sick of Myself"

We were at a baseball tournament over the Fourth of July week, so we were in a hotel, and I got out of my routine of posting this on a Friday. 

This song ran through my head a number of days this week because I heard it played on the SiriusXM Spectrum station a number of times, and then I had a couple of mornings when I had this song in my head when I woke up. 

It's pure power pop from Matthew Sweet. 

Music Friday: "Too Much Information"

This tune got played on shuffle on my iPod this morning. 

If it were updated for today, I think Sting would include misinformation, lies, and bullshit because of the InterWebs. Or maybe that's being too direct about matters. 

The song is from my favorite album of the band, Ghost in the Machine. 

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Pickled Shrimp

I got the basics of this recipe from an episode of one of the PBS cooking shows I watch on a regular basis. It was featured either on Cook's Country or America's Test Kitchen. 

This recipe is a big one, so when I make this again, I'll probably cut the recipe in half because I'm the only one eating this stuff. 2 pounds shrimp is a lot of shrimp. 

Ingredients

2 lbs. of cooked shrimp-they called for jumbo shrimp, but I just used some frozen Kroger-brand, already cooked and devained shrimp and thawed them out. 

2 garlic cloves, smashed or chopped

1 cup of cider vinegar

1/4 cup of sugar

3 bay leaves

1 ts of ground coriander

1/2 ts of red pepper flakes

1 cup of sliced red onion

1 lemon cut into wedges

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

4 TB of capers chopped

1 TB of dill seed

1 TB of dill weed

2 TB of dijon mustard

1 TB of hot sauce

1 TB of Worcestershire 

1 TB of salt

Process

Thaw and drain the shrimp. I used medium size, but I'd probably prefer jumbo shrimp, which as a term is an oxymoron. 

In a large bowl mix the vinegar, sugar, bay leaves, coriander, and pepper flakes. Microwave the liquid for two minutes. Whisk. 

Add the red onion and lemon wedges into the mixture. Add the oil, capers, dill, dijon, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and salt. Whisk to make it a dressing. 

Add in the shrimp and refrigerate for at least a day. Throughout the day be sure mix up the concoction, so it's evenly coated. 

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Cheese Sandwiches

A good while ago I tried this Branston spread that British people apparently like. I didn't care for it. It was way too tangy and root vegetal for my taste. 

On the Interwebs I read that people recommended using the spread on cheese sandwiches. I tried that concoction, and it wasn't good. 

When I think of a sandwich, I usually associate that lunch staple with some kind of deli meat, not just cheese. Yes, I know how American that statement sounds. 

Lately I experimented with cheese sandwiches to good effect. Pick your favorite slices of cheese (I've tried Muenster and Havarti so far) and make a sandwich. However, the way I like it is to use sriracha mayo of some variety on both pieces of bread. It pairs well with the cheese and bread as a solid condiment.

Musing of the Moment: Tottenham's Away Kit

Tottenham's away kit got released recently. You can see it below and read about it on Footy Headlines. 

I dig the new away kit. I like the mixture of three different blues and how the cockerel atop the ball is in the middle of the shirt. 

My only question is why Nike went with the kind of strange-looking v-neck. Why not just do a regular v-neck? I don't understand. 

If I were to get a Tottenham jersey, I think this would be the one I would get. However, the damn thing costs $95. That figure is astounding. 

Music Friday: "Unwritten"

This is one of my favorite songs of my son's current girlfriend. 

I was reminded of it when it was played in between innings of my son's travel baseball game today. 

As pop songs go, it's a solid tune.  

Music Friday: "Pretty Persuasion"

This song was, for whatever reason, in heavy rotation on a couple of different SiriusXM radio stations I listen to. 

You might as well enjoy it too. 

Random Notes from a Crank

The Washington Post has an exclusive report about police officers sexually abuse kids and get away with it. Please read this gifted article titled "Abused by the Badge." 

No one should be above the law. 

In other news, the ignoramuses who are members of the Southern Baptist Convention oppose in vitro fertilization, and a majority of the voters think women shouldn't be preachers. Check it out in "Southern Baptist Convention Votes to Oppose In Vitro Fertilization." 

You can't reason with stupid.

Music Friday: "Dark Matter"

Here's the title track of Pearl Jam's new album this year. 

Music Friday: "Growing Sideways"

I think this tune is one of my favorites from Noah Kahan's "Stick Season." 

Musing of the Moment: The Summer Transfer Window for Tottenham Hotspur--Outgoings

Tottenham finished fifth in the Premier League, which is probably a fair result considering Ange has installed a totally different system, and we lost the club's best player of all time two days prior to the start of the season. And all the injuries...

Here's my take on possible outgoings from the club. 

I'm an avid watcher of the We Are Tottenham TV videos along with Chris Cowlin and Barnaby Slater's videos on YouTube. I highly recommend them if you're a Spurs fan. Slater's videos, however, are just about transfer rumors around the Premier League. 

Most Definitely Out of the Door

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

He's been a solid squad member for many years, but Spurs can garner some good money for the midfielder, and there are a number of clubs interested. He's wants to play regularly, which is understandable because he's Denmark's captain. He deserves a move away for consistent playing time. 

Giovanni Lo Celso

I've always liked Lo Celso because has a bit of shithousery to his game. But he can never stay healthy, and he's got a year left on his contract. I see him ending up somewhere in La Liga. 

Sergio Reguilon

He's played admirably for Brentford, but he didn't seem to impress Ange. I could see him ending somewhere in La Liga, but he's on high wages, so moving him to a smaller club in the Premier League would be difficult. 

Bryan Gil

It's a shame he hasn't gotten more playing time, but the staff has gone elsewhere for wingers when needed. He's going back to La Liga I suspect. This signing has not worked out at all. 

Joe Rodon

Leeds are staying down in the Championship since they couldn't muster any goals against Southhampton, so I don't know what will shake out here. Leeds fans rate him highly, so I would think he's going there although there may be some competition for acquiring him because he had a solid season in the Championship. 

Japhet Tanganga

I've always liked Tanganga, but he seems to have found a home a Millwall. We have Romero and Dragusin able to play at right center-back along with youngsters Alfie Dorrington and Ashley Phillips as hopeful possibilities. 

Tanguy Ndombele

Acquiring him has been a disaster. And all the loans have been disasters. We need to just cut him. 

Probably Out the Door

Djed Spence

It sounds like he's done well on loan this season. I was excited when Spurs signed him. To me, I think he would be a solid back-up for Porro or even Udogie. However, for whatever reason, Ange isn't impressed by him. There are rumors of attitude issues, but those are just rumors. 

Emerson Royal

He's worked well when he plays although he's limited from an offensive perspective. There are a number of clubs interested in him, so I suspect Tottenham will cash in. 

Troy Parrott

He really hasn't gotten a look from Ange since he was hurt during pre-season. He's a striker who has done well on loan in the Dutch league, so it'll be interesting what happens with him, Scarlett, and Veliz. 

Check the Magic 8-Ball

Manor Solomon

I thought he did well when he played on the left wing in the early part of the season. We got him on a free transfer, but he's rarely seen the pitch because of a number of injuries. I don't know what Tottenham would even get for him in a transfer. 

Timo Werner

The price is right for this guy for a transfer, but I think he's on high wages, which might be a stumbling block. 

Ben Davies

Every manager has liked this guy, and he always works hard for the club. Are he and Son the only guys remaining for the Pochettino era? This season he filled in at center-back admirably, but he does not have the attacking quality of Udogie that Ange's system demands. 

Music Friday: "Little America"

I've been thinking of this song lately, especially the line "Jefferson, I think we're lost." 

Random Notes from a Crank

I got this image from the InterWebs. It reflects the dual nature of my personality. 

Our little area of the country was featured by CBS evening news because of all of the damn cicadas. Check it out. 

The only error I noticed is that the location is described as "southern Illinois" when in reality it's east-central Illinois. I guess it's southern if you think of downstate Illinois as south of Chicago. 

Here are some percentages from the June "Harper's Index" that might factor into college choices:

• Percentage of U.S. college students who say reproductive-health laws were at least somewhat important to their school choice: 71
• Who say they were highly important: 38
• Percentage of Republican college students who would prefer to attend a school in a state with greater access to reproductive care: 63

Music Friday: "Underneath the Sycamore"

When I'm walking my dog on campus, I sometimes think of this song when we're walking by the north entrance of the library because there a number of mature Sycamores there. 

So here you go. 

Music Friday: "Solid Ground"

I want a new album from this fine musician. 

Here's a tune from his last album, which was outstanding. 

Music Friday: "Mr. Brownstone"

My son played a varsity baseball game at a school this morning, and the announcer/DJ played this song in between one inning. 

It's a song about heroin. 

Mr. announcer, you need to do better. 

Random Notes from a Crank

Good news for renewable energy. The Washington Post reports that "Huge Wind Farms Use Much Less Land Than You Might Think." 

The article relates something that I've seen here in the Midwest: wind farms and agriculture work together just fine. So I'm a bit perplexed how the article is that ground breaking unless you live on the East coast. 

The article does talk about how turbines could work with existing structures such as roads and other non-agricultural land. 

And they're also reporting that "A Small EV Tax Credit Change Makes Going Electric More Enticing." Where was this up-front $7,500 discount when I was shopping for a new car last year? 

Watching The X-Files reminds me of the lousy designs of sedans that Ford and GM put out in the 90s. Ugly vehicles.

One of the great skits on SNL was Celebrity Jeopardy.

Turd Ferguson...

Music Friday: "Got to Give"

I've been listening to the new Pearl Jam album all week. 

Here's one of my favorite tunes on the new album. 

Musing of the Moment: Tottenham's 24-25 Kits

Footy Headlines is at its usual work. Tottenham's home, away, and third kits were leaked by them here. 

Let's take a look. 

Alasdair Gold and the fellows at WeAreTottenhamTV weighed in on these, but I'll do so also. 

There's not much a designer can do to jazz up a team that wears white for its home jersey. It's safe to assume we're going back to navy shorts instead doing the all white kits like they did this season. 

I like this jersey with the navy sleeves and piping down the sides. 

I'm fond of the away kit. I like the lighter blue with navy, and I prefer football jerseys with a v-neck rather than a crew look. If I were to get a jersey, I'd probably get this one. 

As for the third kit, I like the old-school logo and Nike logo facing downward for whatever reason, but I'm not fond of this mint-green look. If Spurs is going to go with green, I'd prefer they go back to the forest green look we had a few years ago. 

What I really want for an away or third kit is a purple one. 

Random Notes from a Crank

Here are some interesting factoids from the Harper's Indexes from March and May: 

• Percentage of Americans who say that the nation's crime rates are getting worse: 77
• Who say that crime is an "extremely serious" or "very serious" problem in their local area: 17
• Percentage decrease in murders in the United States in the past year: 12
• Percentage change since 2009 in the portion of white evangelical Americans who say that gay people face discrimination: -34
• Who say that white evangelicals face discrimination: +43
• Portion of Americans who say they would not vote for a presidential candidate who has been charged with a felony: 2/3
• Percentage of Americans who say that the United States should spend more money on assistance for poor people: 72
• Percentage who say so when this assistance is called "welfare": 29
• Factor by which low-income Americans are more likely than others to identify as vegetarian: 2
• Percentage decrease in the number of Americans who identify as vegetarian since 2018: 20
• Percentage of Americans who believe they will be harmed personally by climate change: 45
• Percentage change in the total net worth of white Americans since 2019: +26
• In the total net worth of black Americans: -4
• In the total net worth of American adults under 40: +76
• Percentage by which employees who work in person are more likely to be promoted than those who work exclusively from home: 45

Steven Pinker's book, Enlightenment Now, connects to the point that people automatically think crime is always getting worse. 

White evangelicals are the worst. 

We'll see if voters follow through on not voting for a felonious, narcissistic, pathological liar. 

The difference in attitudes about "assistance for poor people" and "welfare" is a classic case of framing language. 

I find it odd that there are fewer people identifying as vegetarian. Perhaps those vegetarians are turning vegan? 

It makes sense that people who actually work with others in person are more likely to be promoted. 

Music Friday: "Wishlist" & "In Hiding"

Pearl Jam came out with a new album today. It's titled Dark Matter. 

I'm not featuring a song from that album because I haven't listened to it yet. 

So here's a couple of songs from Yield that I'm very fond of. 

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Baked Penne with Marinara-Meat Sauce and Cheese

I made this recipe after scoping out some recipes on the Interwebs, and I modified it according to how I wanted to do it. 

Ingredients

2 28oz. cans of crushed tomatoes (I prefer the ones at Aldi because they seem sweeter than other crushed tomatoes I've used.)

Extra virgin olive oil

1 yellow onion, chopped finely

1 stalk of celery, chopped finely (optional)

1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped finely (optional)

3 TB of minced garlic

3-4 TB of dried basil

2-3 TB of dried oregano

1 TB of dried red pepper flakes

2-4 TB of butter (optional)

Kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste (I like a lot of black pepper)

1 lb. of ground beef

3-4 TB of beef broth (optional)

1 box of penne pasta

9 slices of provolone cheese

Sour cream

Shredded mozzarella cheese

Parmesan cheese

Finely chopped Italian parsley 

Process

The celery and carrot are optional. Sometimes I make my basic marinara with them. Sometimes I don't. 

Coat a Dutch oven or large pot with olive oil over medium-high heat. Dump in the onion, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and saute until well cooked. Reduce to medium heat and put in the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. 

Add in the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Set to low and cover the top with a crack on the side to let the sauce breathe. 

I watched a cooking show a while back, and they advocated for putting butter in a marinara sauce because apparently it's a move some Italians make. It adds some complexity to the sauce. Take it or leave it. 

As the sauce is churning away, brown the ground beef on medium-highish heat. Once fully cooked, drain the beef on a plate lined with paper towels. And then add to the sauce. Add in some beef broth is so desired. 

I usually cook down my marinara sauce for anywhere from 2 to 5 hours with me stirring from time to time. I let my sauce cook for a while and then added the beef and broth about an hour before I was ready to assemble everything. 

Cook the penne pasta and drain. Take all of the pasta and add it to the sauce and mix well. Combine it all together. 

In a large, deep baking dish, add half of the pasta and sauce mixture. On top of it create a layer of provolone slices and smear some sour cream on top of the cheese slices. Then sprinkle heavily with mozzeralla and then parmesan. Add the remaining pasta and sauce mixture and sprinkle the top with mozzeralla, parmesan, and finely chopped Italian parsley. 

Bake at 375 degrees on the middle rack for 20-30 minutes.