PHILOSOPHER KINGS and ROMAN FOOD!

Nicole, Kepler, Music, & Philosophy  . . .

                        . . . are Tops with James J

James has a band called TARIM and they have an album called . . .

THE PHILOSOPHER KING.

It’s HEAVY METAL.  If you’d like a listen, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyw8gotCFk0

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However,

“Beauty is not food you can cut on a plate.”

Old Ukrainian Proverb

We move, therefore, to the world of food.  Roman cuisine seems appropriate for a Philosopher King, don’t you think?

So here’s the VERY BEST spinach side dish I have ever tasted J 

ROMAN STYLE SPINACH  (serves 3)

        From Kay Shaw Nelson’s The Delectable Vegetable

10 to 12 ounces fresh spinach

1 ½ tsp salt

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion

1 large garlic clove

1/3 cup pine nuts

1/3 cup raisins

Pepper

·        Wash spinach and put into colander.  Then put into a deep pot with whatever water remains on the leaves.

·        Season with salt.

·        Cover and cook on low heat for 12 minutes.

·        Drain, pressing with a spoon, to remove all liquid.

    Chop spinach coarsely.

·        Chop onion finely.

·        Soften the raisins for 5 minutes in very hot water and drain.

·        Mince garlic.

·        Heat butter and oil and sauté onion 4 or 5 minutes.

·        Add spinach and garlic.  Stir until hot.

·        Add nuts, raisins, and a grating of pepper.  Stir over low heat for 5 minutes.

This goes really well with a spicy meat!  I only wish there was more of it!

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Happy Birthday, James!