This was delicious and hearty, perfect for a winter night. I changed a couple of things, based purely on what I had or didn’t have on hand:
Used collard greens instead of kale
Omitted cilantro
Didn’t have jalepeno to add heat, so used a bit of sriracha when serving
I don’t think any of those changes so drastically changed the recipe, but I’m sure making it exactly as is would be delicious, too. I also used about 3x the amount of vegetable stock called for, as I wanted more of a soup consistency. I really liked the addition of the sweet potato and greens to liven up the lentils and add substance while still keeping it healthy. I’ll definitely make this again.
Short story: I wasn’t selected and am back at school!
Long story: In preparing for grand jury duty, I was frustrated by the lack of information I could find anywhere regarding the specifics of grand jury duty, particularly in comparison to “normal” jury duty. So, here is my experience with it…
Grand juries do not hear one case and decide guilt or innocence, they hear the evidence compiled and decide whether or not the DA has enough to indict the accused. It goes from 10am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, and is a set commitment of 9 or 10 days. That’s it; it will not be less, and cannot be extended.
On the day you are summoned, you show up and gather in the courtroom. Eventually, they will do a roll call and when your name is called you respond one of two ways: WILL SERVE or APPLICATION. “Will serve” means you are ready and willing to serve on a grand jury starting that day and going for the next two weeks. “Application” means that, for some reason, right now does not work for you. “Application” is not an excusal, it’s a deferral, meaning eventually you will need to serve. If you call “Application” too many times, you will finally get a summons saying Final Must Serve, and you, no matter what, must serve that time.
Once the roll call is done, all of the “Will Serve” names get put into a old-school bingo-like container, which is then cranked and spun to mix up the names. They call out people’s names and assign them to a grand jury. Typically, they have enough people who Will Serve to fill their needs (if not, they will bring in the “Application” people to make a plea before a judge). If you say you Will Serve and do not get chosen, you’re done! You are released with the thanks of the court and cannot be summoned again for 6 years. It is risky to say “Will Serve” and bank on not being called, however, because once you say “Will Serve” and are picked, you must serve. Also, there is no questioning or interviews to be selected. If you’re name is picked, you’re on the jury.
My knowledge of Grand Jury Duty ends there, because I was one of those “Will Serve” people who was not called. Of course, this was the first time that I was actually potentially looking forward to serving and did not get picked (maybe that’s the key of jury duty??). Either way, I’m back at school and am clear of a summons for 6 years!
One of my new “projects” for 2012 was to tackle NYMag’s list of the top 101 restaurants in new york. At the start of the year, I had been to 23 on the list, with a goal of getting to at least 40. This week we checked another one off the list when we ate at Gramercy Tavern. We walked in without a reservation, happy to eat in the less formal front room rather than the main dining room. We got seats at the bar within 15 minutes and chose to have the 4 course tasting menu.
The meal started with two broiled oysters. I’m not a huge oyster fan, but these were outrageous and unlike any oyster I had tasted before. They almost reminded me more of a stuffed clam than what I think oysters to be like. Either way, they were so delicious that they were gone before I got a picture.
Next was a pasta course with a couple of tortelloni, octopus and a lobster sauce. Unbelievable.
The main part of the meal was sliced steak over a grain (I can’t remember what one…) and with brussel sprout leaves. I don’t eat red meat too often, but this was really fantastic.
Finally, the meal ended with a banana tart, homemade cocoa nib ice cream, and a salted caramel sauce.
Gramercy Tavern was actually in the top 10 on the list, and for good reason. This was one of the best meals I have had in a while, and for the quality and experience you get, the price is reasonable. Everything - from the environment to the service to the food - was out of this world.
Adorable Celebrity Being Adorable of the Day: In honor of her 31st birthday, Kristen Bell’s boyfriend, Dax Shepard, arranged for her to meet a sloth in person for the very first time.
I had to stop watching this because people around me in the court were staring at my unrestrained laughter. I know it has been all around tumblr, but I had to put it here, too. Had to.
Things I love: NYC, baking, classic movies, puns and sarcasm, wine and a properly made Manhattan, jumping in puddles, crosswords, giraffes, my graduate program in museum education, books that draw you in and don't let go, the Sunday NYTimes, laundry right out of the dryer, and pizza. Oh, and shoes. I really, really love shoes.
Hi, I'm Jenny. What's your name? Email me at jenny dot madden at gmail dot com.
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