When cleaning up my blog today, I found this draft post:
Aristotle and Givenchy
I realized tonight the perfect analogy for Aristotle's discussion of the perciever and the percieved in On The Soul (ok, it's not perfect, but it makes an interesting connection).
That was it. Nothing more. For some reason, I keep having this feeling that I used to be brilliant, even though I apparently forgot the 'i' before 'e' except after 'c' rule.
In honor of the occasion, I made two pies (the first two pies of my life that did not involve store-bought graham-cracker crusts and tubs of cool-whip):
1½ lb beef chuck, trimmed and cut into ¾ in pieces
salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
Shake the excess flour off the beef. Heat 2T vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet, and brown the meat in batches. Set aside. Add:
1 T. vegetable oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
and saute until soft. Add:
4 oz. mushrooms, sliced (the original recipe called for white, but I used crimini)
1 clove of garlic, chopped
1 shallot, chopped (not in the original, but I can't imagine a dish like this without shallots)
Combine everything in a saucepan, and add:
¾ cup beef stock
¾ cup dark ale (I used an oatmeal stout; seemed fine to me)
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp tomato paste (didn't have this, so I left it out and compensated with some extra W. sauce; would probably be a good addition, though)
½ tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Simmer for an hour or so, until the beef is tender. Pour into a 9" pie plate. Place a pastry lid on the pie plate, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350, until the crust is golden brown.
At this point, the recipe called for frozen puff pastry. I don't keep puff pastry on hand, so I just used a regular pie crust. It worked -- really well, actually. If you want to do it the 'right' way, click on the link and read their instructions (the 'right' way also involves reserving some of the gravy, which I forgot to do).
Par-bake a pie crust. I think that's what you call it. You make your piecrust and pre-bake it; this way the crust doesn't go all mushy on you when you put the custard in. I cooked mine for too long, so it came out a little crunchy under the filling.
Whisk together in a mixing bowl:
2 large eggs
1/4 C. sugar
In a saucepan, combine:
3/4 C. sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup cold water
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
Heat until the sugar is dissolved. Add to the egg mixture in a slow stream (from a great height, if possible -- it's more impressive that way), whisking constantly.
At this point, you can do what I did and pour it straight into the pie crust. Or you can do what the folks at Gourmet Magazine say to do, and cook it for 12 minutes first. It seemed to come out fine without the pre-cooking.
However you decide to proceed, bake it for 20 minutes at 350, 0r until the mixture is set. Dust evenly with cinnamon before serving.
Verdict: Good, but not stellar. On the other hand, I hate to criticize a recipe when I didn't follow it exactly, so we may give this one another try sometime in the future.
Environmental activism is the religion of the areligious, the opiate of the atheists. Complete with scientist-priests, the Darwinian origins myth, an eschatology in pessimistic and optimistic flavors, and even quasi-levitical codes (thou shalt decrease thy carbon footprint), it offers a way for modern rationalists to attempt to assuage their guilt.
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Women are pictures. The church is a woman, and so women portray the church. Similarly: If Man's relation to Nature is one of loving dominion, like the relationship between husband and wife, then it is important for wives to portray the true relationship of Nature to Man as they relate to their husbands. i.e. not adversarial, and congenial to knowledge.
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The problem with classical philosophy is that it isn't true preparation for death. If death is a permanent sundering of soul and body, it makes perfect sense to detach oneself from bodily existence. But 'credo in carnis resurrectionem.' . . . . The reason Christian martyrdom is so powerful is that we, like the widow with her two mites, lay down what we value highly -- the life of the body.
. . . when we still asked Congress to declare war:
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.
