Author Archives: Joe

Something Interesting…and a bit ironic

Okay, so you may be asking yourself why I–on this blog–would have an image promoting the American Automobile Association (AAA). Well, to answer that I have to tell you a brief story. If you’ve been to this blog before you likely know that last year I voluntarily gave up car ownership. Not a big deal;Continue reading “Something Interesting…and a bit ironic”

Sauteed and Spiced Paneer

Okay, so yest, these tasty little spicy and crispy pillows are as delicious as they look. They are sauteed cubes of homemade paneer, or Indian Cheese. Paneer is an ingredient in one of my favorite Indian dishes, Saag Paneer, or spinach and cheese (I’ll post a recipe soon). To make paneer is as easy asContinue reading “Sauteed and Spiced Paneer”

Starry, Starry Night…

Image found here. I was at meeting at our church tonight and was feeling overwhelmingly exhausted for some reason; I didn’t stay for the entire meeting. I hopped on my bike and rode slowly; it was a cold and cloudless night. The cold–at first–felt jarring. But then as I pedaled and coasted I warmed upContinue reading “Starry, Starry Night…”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#457)

A canvas bag containing two books and a few pens, an empty dough rising bucket, a canvas bag containing an extra camera and charger, and two freshly baked loaves of whole wheat bread. Urban Simplicity.

Five Photos of the Hudson River (taken from a moving train)

These photos dispel a few things. One is that New York State is entirely occupied by New York City. I know that people don’t actually believe this (well ok, some may), but often when you mention you are from another part of the state (Buffalo, for example) to someone who is not from the northeast,Continue reading “Five Photos of the Hudson River (taken from a moving train)”

Vélo de Poste…and a quick comment

I was looking through some photos of a trip I took to Paris with my son last July when I came across this photo of a mail carrier’s bike (click here, here, and here to see more photos from that trip). I remember seeing this bike locked to a railing and thinking how much senseContinue reading “Vélo de Poste…and a quick comment”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#456), and Two Views from My Handlebars

On the bike…two bottles of red wine and a gym bag containing wet clothes. The views…directly below is a view of Allen and Elmwood, an intersection I usually cross multiple times a day. It was/is cold and wet. Not freezing cold, but halfway freezing. The temp is just above freezing and it has been sortContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#456), and Two Views from My Handlebars”

Whole Wheat-Cheddar Tortillas with Smoked Paprika and Turmeric

Okay, so yes, these are as delicious as they look. And they are just as easy to make. You can add or subtract whatever seasoning you like, or use none at all. Use them for tacos or burritos or just simply as bread to snack on or to scoop up dip. The method is thisContinue reading “Whole Wheat-Cheddar Tortillas with Smoked Paprika and Turmeric”

On a Moon’s Eve

Tonight was/is a full moon. The Snow Moon. And it was such a nice evening–crisp but not too cold, clear, not a breeze in the air–that I grabbed a camera and went for a walk around the neighborhood. And these are a few of the things I saw…   Urban Simplicity.

Middle Eastern Inspired Fried Chicken

This is a variation on traditional American-style fried chicken in a few ways. Firstly, there are no bones in the chicken legs (they cook quicker with the bones removed and are much more flavorful than the breast). Also, the chicken is first marinated in yogurt, herbs, and spices, then dredged in whole wheat flour, whichContinue reading “Middle Eastern Inspired Fried Chicken”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#455)…and a brief comment about the weather

On the bike…more than $100 in groceries and sundries. About the weather…the weather today was fine. Seasonably cold with light flurries; the roads were dry. But what I wanted to mention is something that I noticed…not so much about the weather itself but more so about awareness of it. The reason I mention this isContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#455)…and a brief comment about the weather”

Five Quotes from Thomas Edison

Thomas Alva Edison  February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931 “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”“If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.” “Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other livingContinue reading “Five Quotes from Thomas Edison”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#454), the View from My Handlebars, and a Couple Thoughts on Sharrows

On the bike…10lbs of whole wheat flour and a small box of vital wheat gluten (note the price of gas in the background). The view in front of me…Mr. Goodbar (sometimes I get thirsty whilst pedaling a bike). On Sharrows….okay, so first a couple things. Buffalo, the city in which I reside, has made hugeContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#454), the View from My Handlebars, and a Couple Thoughts on Sharrows”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#453)

A gym bag full of wet clothes and $51.43 in groceries, including the ingredients for this recipe. Urban Simplicity.

Turkey Meatballs with Red Pepper, Green Onion, Jalapeño, and Feta

These tasty little nuggets are a variation on a theme…I used turkey for this recipe but they can be made with nearly any protein you like (meat, fish, or fowl). They are really delicious but the best part is how easy they are to make…mix everything together and cook them. Simple as that. Turkey MeatballsContinue reading “Turkey Meatballs with Red Pepper, Green Onion, Jalapeño, and Feta”

Spicy Vegetable Ragout (or a really hearty soup)

So a few things about this recipe. The first is that it is really delicious (really, really delicious). Another is that it–like most recipes that I post on this blog–can be tailored to suit your needs or cravings. I am not by any means a vegetarian–though I have flirted with the idea–but sometimes I simplyContinue reading “Spicy Vegetable Ragout (or a really hearty soup)”

Five Quotes from Jimmy Carter

Image Found Here. Okay…so I know I said five quotes, but I could have gone on for quite a while. I find this man truly inspiring. For more in the Five Quotes series, click here. “This view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted to one religion or belief. Women are preventedContinue reading “Five Quotes from Jimmy Carter”

Baked Lamb Ragù with Macaroni and Three Cheeses

So I have to start this post off with a word that comes to mind…Yum! Geeze o’ man is this delicious; I made this tonight for dinner for my son and myself. This is the type of recipe that can be tailored to your own tastes. It would work equally well, for example, with beefContinue reading “Baked Lamb Ragù with Macaroni and Three Cheeses”

Crispy Spice-Fried Bean Curd with Salsa Verde

Okay. So this is as delicious as it looks. Whether you are a carnivore or a vegetarian this is really good…and really easy to make, too. I used both these recipes as ingredients for tacos tonight for dinner, but these are so versatile they could be used as of a “center-of-the-plate” type of a vegetarianContinue reading “Crispy Spice-Fried Bean Curd with Salsa Verde”