Mussels with Garlic, Tomatoes & Lemon
Oy.
I don’t mind sharing with you guys the fact that I’m feeling a little dogpiled these days. New drama has unfolded – an enormous laundry basket of it – all over my already tipping plate. Family stuff – Mike’s family (and thus mine – why did I not carefully screen potential in-laws and select some who love to cook and have a house in the south of France?) – and of course I just can’t get into it all without laying down so much background it would take a year to bring you up to speed. And you probably wouldn’t believe me anyway, but it would make a fabulously addictive reality TV show. Can’t we ALL just meet up for (spiked) coffee somewhere sometime and have a big ol’ chat? OH THE STORIES I COULD TELL YOU.
So we’ve spent much of the past few days in and out of the hospital, dealing with grown-up stuff that makes me want to curl up on the couch in my legwarmers and eat peanut butter toast in front of Happy Days. How did I get to be the adult here? Isn’t there some boss of me around to tell me what to do?
But besides all that, Sue and I have a book due in three weeks. An actual, real, crazy-long manuscript that has to be finished June 1. Which is very exciting of course, but the homestretch is always a little daunting. Of course in that same stretch of time (3! weeks!) I have (many! big!) stories due for Swerve, Avenue, Dogs in Canada, Parents Canada and City Palate. I have a two-day foodstyling gig and a cooking segment of my own on BT on the 17th. (And three to five other TV spots, some in Edmonton, which I haven’t yet booked.) I have meetings as part of the Slow Food Calgary steering committee, I’m teaching a class at the Cookbook Company, emceeing the Art for the Senses event at the Glenbow on the 27th (the same night as W’s kindergarten orientation-sniff), I have board meetings and work to do to organize the upcoming Gallery Calorie party in the park (you should come to that – seriously – eating and drinking and shopping on a Saturday afternoon for great causes) and ditto Ramsay Rocks, and I’m helping (sort of) rejuvenate the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Farmers’ Market. (As I type brownies are baking for the CSA Movie Night tomorrow – which is free! The movie and the brownies, that is. I’m hoping there will be some left.)
Of course I still have a weekly CBC show to do, and write here, and at the Family Kitchen. We have friends who are moving and we’ve offered to help paint, and others having a CD release party. We’re going to the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival this weekend, and a birthday bash. Edgar Farms is having their asparagus festival. And somehow my days wind up filled with minutiae. Can you drown in minutiae? Hey, that’s one of those words that starts to distort itself when you say it over and over: minutiae minutiae minutiae minutiae. I wonder why I’m not getting any work done?
And a four year old. Did I mention I have a BOOK due in three weeks?
(Whitecap: Please don’t have a heart attack. I’m totally on it.)
Which is not to drone on about how busy I am – everyone is – I just don’t have high hopes for dramatic and interesting meals on our own table in the coming weeks. They’ll most be experimental and bean-based, others for stories and so not really sharable here. Dinners this week have been blurry – last night my sister ordered Chinese, and tonight she made a cookie sheet full of cheesy nachos I couldn’t get enough of. In between we’ve eaten huge bowls of almond-heavy Ichiban salad, quesadillas, the last of Aaron Douglas’ soup, and plenty of avocado sandwiches, on account of a bagful that all got ripe at the same time.
But I came across this recipe for mussels, which I made last week in under 15 minutes not realizing everyone had to scatter for soccer, meetings and miscellaneous after dinner stuff. I promptly forgot about them and never posted the recipe, but my sister has hardly stopped talking about them. I’m not a huge mussel fan, but I run with mussel fans, and it’s great to see how easy it is to make them happy. I had no idea how simple they were to cook – it would never have occurred to me that a wide, shallow bowl full of brothy mussels would take ten minutes to throw together. Seriously – this is ridiculously easy, and looks ridiculously not. I love that.
Mussels with Garlic, Tomatoes & Lemon
1 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. olive or canola oil
5-6 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped
1 Roma tomato, finely chopped
1 lb. fresh mussels, scrubbed and debearded
a splash of white wine (optional)
juice of half a lemon
1/2 cup heavy cream or half & half
chopped fresh Italian parsley or basil, for garnishIn a large, heavy saucepan, heat the butter and oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for a minute.
Add the lemon juice, mussels and the wine and cook for a minute, to reduce the liquid; add the cream and cover. Simmer until the mussels are opened, which will take about 5 minutes. Discard any that don’t open.
Stir in the tomato and divide between wide, shallow bowls; scatter with chopped parsley and serve immediately with crusty bread. Serves 2.
May 05 2010 11:50 pm | seafood
Julie A. on 06 May 2010 at 12:40 am #
Omg…just reading your schedule has left me stressed out. There’s a super cheesy phrase I recently came across that I repeat relentlessly when my days start to seem overwhelming (although now, of course, I’ll just remind myself of your to-do list, which is kinda making all my stuff pale in comparison…). Anyway, it’s “life is hard, by the yard, but by the inch, life’s a cinch!”.
I warned you it was cheesy. But it’s kinda fun to say (to yourself, quietly, lest someone hear and critique your 1930s flashback) and I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me. I find whenever I think of it, in a moment of stress, I’m usually standing in line or something and it’s nice to remember that “by the inch”, all I have to do is stand in one place and take a few deep breaths (or whatever). It’s been getting me through the day, at any rate.
Otherwise…Red wine. Cheezies. Repeat as necessary.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your blog. It’s one of the highlights of my day…and your recipes all turn out so well! You’ve made my world a better place – thanks! And good luck!
Jennifer Jo on 06 May 2010 at 5:05 am #
HA! Minutia—I have a BLOG by the title! It’s the little things that make our lives go round, right? That and the dramatic in-laws.
Your calendar makes me want to hyperventilate. Mine is mostly blank. As in days and days of glorious blankness. Maybe you’d like to come hang out here when it comes time to recuperate? I’d make you fresh-from-the-oven sourdough bread and dulce de leche coffees (with Kahlua) and gigantic chef salads. There would be four LOUD kids underfoot, but we have earplugs…
Good luck!
Rambles with Reese on 06 May 2010 at 7:31 am #
WOW Julie! Whew! Listening to your life makes my life look like a cinch and a tad bit boring. You sound like one of my very dear friends. She’s always juggling a million balls in the air with a smile on her face and I love her for it. I can only aspire to that.
I loved reading this post. I’m sure you’ll do awesome with everything!
Cheers!
Betty C on 06 May 2010 at 7:37 am #
Wow…I think I have to go and have a rest after just reading what you have on your plate for the next week or two. I have been helping my son paint his new home for the last couple of weeks and couldn’t quite figure out what day of the week it was this morning. It is always good to see life from some other person’s perspective…kind of makes me feel like I have been standing still!
Enjoy Julie, your hectic schedule seems to be what you do best.
Jan (Family Bites) on 06 May 2010 at 8:01 am #
Okay, I’m totally exhausted now reading what your going to accomplish in the next three weeks. I have to bake 400 cupcakes for next weekend, and work a few days the same week and I thought I was going to be busy. Good luck with the family drama…if the reality show doesn’t pan out you could always write a book!
Ann on 06 May 2010 at 8:34 am #
Julie, Julie, Julie . . . how do you do it? (Shakes head in wonder)
I marvel at how you manage everything! I LOVE reading your blog and seeing what you’re up to! Sorry about the family drama, though. I hope everything sorts itself out.
I wish you the very best as you navigate the next three weeks and get through all your projects. Please know you’ve got us behind you, cheering you on!!
Erica B. on 06 May 2010 at 9:19 am #
Wow that’s a whole pile of work to get done all at once. Don’t worry about blog posts, we’ll be here – like Annn said you’ve got all of us behind you cheering you on. When that book is done you need to come up here with W and let my kids wear him out
Erin M on 06 May 2010 at 10:04 am #
Holy Rigatoni batman! I seriously thought I was busy! Now as I read your latest entry in my housecoat lounging about(this is a rare thing but none the less) I realise I really do have a lot of time to get it all done. I don’t envy your in law issues
. Atleast the rest of the stuff you have to do is fairly fun and food related. You are an amazing woman, an inspiration and you make great food. 
Elizabeth on 06 May 2010 at 10:05 am #
Oh my goodness! Would you like an assistant? I am well-qualified!
molly on 06 May 2010 at 10:13 am #
PLEASE PRINT ADDRESS *stop* WILL SEND COOKIES *stop* SOUP AND SALAD, TOO, ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS *stop*
Oy, indeed. Grown-up life makes me groan (though if you do find a boss, please send my way!) Hang in there, slash the to-do list as needed, and just imagine what fun June 2 will be! Molly
Beverley M on 06 May 2010 at 10:21 am #
Wow. Add me to the list of people exhausted just reading about your schedule!
Kathryn on 06 May 2010 at 1:01 pm #
“How did I get to be the adult here? ” This is simply the best description every of adult life. Ever.
Hoping it gets easier for you.
Sue on 06 May 2010 at 1:44 pm #
Julie,
!!!!!!!!! Hang in there.
The thing is, you will not only survive, you will tell us all some amazingly humorous stories as a result of all that you are going through, and in the process help us all to feel better.
And I just have to tell you that I clipped your recipe for Curried Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Mango out of Swerve a few weeks ago, and it has become our family favorite. I am now doubling the recipe so that it doesn’t disappear in 2 minutes flat.
lovetocook on 06 May 2010 at 8:21 pm #
Whoa, Julie! You have to say “no” to some of this madness and take care of yourself, W and M…please?
Natalie (GA) on 06 May 2010 at 8:38 pm #
wow – I am tired just reading about your to do list! Keep up the good work!
ps – maybe you should have readers post their bean recipes. I would love to have them and maybe they could debut in your book
Laurie in Burnaby on 06 May 2010 at 9:31 pm #
My goodness! Are you taking any time out for yourself and to nurture your marriage?
Take care of yourself, you’re needed and loved
Ali on 06 May 2010 at 11:05 pm #
Julie A – In case J is too swamped to read her comments, I’ll be sure to pass your message along. Your advice was one of our grandfather’s favourite sayings – a hand-written version was taped to our fridge for most of our childhood. It was lovely to stumble across it here tonight…
JulieVR on 06 May 2010 at 11:11 pm #
Julie A! Wow, yes Ali is right – that was our grandad’s saying, and I pass it on to people all the time. I suppose I should begin to practice what I preach. It’s great advice, isn’t it?
Thanks to everyone else for your support and concern. It means so much. As I chip away at this iceberg with a dental pick…
AnnaV on 07 May 2010 at 10:30 am #
I love it!! “How did I get to be the adult here?” Thank you for sharing that one. It sums up what I tend to feel at times too. Oh and can I add to your quote list? My favorite from Roosevelt: “When you come to the end of your rope – tie a knot and hang on!”.
Manon from Ontario on 07 May 2010 at 3:02 pm #
Awww Julie, hope all goes well!
Just wanted to say that I did try the recipe for the rice pudding in the slow cooker, and it turned out thicker…and very good.
Take care girl
tasteofbeirut on 07 May 2010 at 5:34 pm #
You sound overwhelmed! That is the price of success i guess!
Oh well better escape into the kitchen and cook something wonderful, like what you just did!
Cathy on 07 May 2010 at 8:55 pm #
Julie, I am LOT older than you are – a daughter who is an elementary school teacher and another in her 3rd year of medical school.
OMG how did I get there?? Often do not think I am
that old.
You will too.
Life is what makes you stronger and I have been through a lot!!
Hang in there, my dear……it will all work out.
You are truly amazing and through your blogs, I have renewed my cooking skills and have realized what an amazing young woman you are.Keep it up, I am in awe of all you do…..Cathy
Aimee on 08 May 2010 at 7:27 pm #
Just as soon as someone invents a way to ship ice cream by snail mail, I’ll send a couple of pints of this maple taffy ice cream that a local shop makes.
My heart is racing from a sugar rush caused by consuming a bowl-full of it just now.
Ready for a productive night!
Rambles with Reese on 27 Jul 2010 at 2:41 am #
Julie, just tried making your mussel dish the other day – just awesome! Simple and quick like you said.
Love your recipes! Yours is the number one site I go to for inspiration!