Emergency Lunch

The larder was a bit bare today, so I had eggs. I sauteed a couple of crushed garlic cloves, added a small can of chopped tomatoes, and cooked it down a bit. Then I cracked in two eggs, covered it, and let them set. Afterwards, I grated on a little parmesan and ran it under the broiler. With a little spinach on the side: good!

Planning an ambitious St. Patrick's Day dinner - stay tuned!

New Dish

Last night, I tried something new, a recipe I glanced at in Wine Bar Food at (for some reason) the Chicago Art Institute.

Here's what you do:

Brown about 4 lbs pork spareribs in olive oil.

Add some smashed garlic cloves and brown.

Submerge in 2 large cans crushed tomatoes with salt and pepper. (Water as needed to cover.)

Braise at 325 for 2 and a half hours, covered.

Add about 1/2 a cup of jarred peppers and cook half an hour longer.

Remarks: the only peppers available were red "tabasco" peppers, which made it all but inedible to everyone but certain chain-smokers, who pronounced it delicious. But because of the ease of preparation (said chain-smoker made most of it with minimal supervision), overall tastiness and delectable house-filling savory smell, will definitely make again, this time with cherry peppers. I also think it would be good with something bland to cut it, like pasta or, even better, polenta, especially as there's plenty of sauce. Lest you think the combo reads a tad "barbecue," rest assured, the total lack of sweetness renders it completely Mediterranean in flavor, and it's much more like an Italianate braise or stew. Try it, you like it.