Classical Guacamole.

Hey, I'm a classicist so EVERY recipe is a "classic".

Seriously though, if you are looking for the Platonic form of guacamole look no further. Eurekas!

Guacamole, or, as it is known in Latin, Guacamole (let it stand as a 3rd declension neuter).

1. Mash 3-4 ripe avacados.

2. Mix in 2 T. lime juice.

3. Chop up finely about 1/4 c. red onions and 2-3 medium tomatoes. Mix in to the guacamole.

4. Add in a generous dash of salt, 1/2-1 t. cumin, 3-4 generous dashes of tabasco, and a grinding of pepper.

5. Stir in 1/4-1/2 c. sour cream.

Serve with chips or pits - ENJOY!

H.E.

Lamb meatballs with eggplant and cousous.

This was a recipe that I first imagined then made it so - pure inspiration. The ninth muse (otherwise known as Julia Child) spoke to me!

The Meatballs:

1. Mix one pound of ground lamb, 1/3 c. each milk and bread crumbs, 2 eggs, salt, pepper, a bit of parsley, and LOTS of crushed garlic (about 5 really big cloves, or 10 medium).

2. Form the balls and place them on a baking sheet with foil that you've sprayed with Pam (I like the non-stick spray with canola oil).

3. Shape about 12 2" balls and bake them for 40 min. at 375.

The Sauce:

1. Chop a large yellow onion and saute in olive oil (about 3 T). When translucent and golden set aside.

2. In the same pan add 1/2 c. olive oil, and fry up 1 peeled chopped eggplant (I salt it and let it leach out water for about 10 minutes then pat it with a paper towel before cooking) til thoroughly cooked.

3. Add back in the onion, 2C. tomato sauce and 1 small (14 oz.) can of tomatoes chopped ( be sure to add the juices from the can). Throw in 2 t. tumeric.

4. Simmer on low.

NOW:

When the meatballs are done add into the tomato and eggplant saauce and simmer on very low heat about 20 minutes.

For the COUSCOUS:

1. Sautee in 3-4 T. of butter (these days though I use Smart Balance since it has flax seed oil and is REALLY good for you!) 1 finely chopped onion.

2. Simmer on back burner 3 c. natural low sodium chicken broth.

3. Add in 1 large can of chick peas.

4. Add in a couple of handfuls of pine nuts.

5. Throw in 2-3 T parsley, and 2 t. each cumin and tumeric, a generous grinding of pepper and 1 t. salt.

6. Add in the hot broth and then add in 1 & 1/2 c. couscous.

7. Bring to a boil, then cover and let sit for 5-10 min. then fluff.

Serve the couscous with the meatballs and sauce on top or the side.

MMMMMMMMMMMMM . . . . MEATBALLS!!!!!!

HE

NB - this recipe was inspired by a 12 hour stint of intensive review of modern Greek that started at 4 AM (!), followed by mulching, wall building, composting, window washing, edging, minor household repairs, and an Odyssey after the perfect garden Buddah!

Killer penne pasta with eggplant.

1. Peel and chop an eggplant. Fry it in gobs of olive oil (at least 1/3 c., more if it dries out), with a chopped onion.

2. Add in 1 small can chopped tomatoes, 2c. homemade tomato sauce (preferably from your freezer - you know, the stuff you grew in your garden then cooked up to freeze and eat over the winter).

3. Simmer. Meanwhile cook one pack of penne (1 lb).

4. Chop up one ball of smoked mozarella.

5. Mix together the pasta, mozarella, and eggplant and tomato sauce.

6. Place in a large well oiled pan, top with plenty of parmeasan cheese, bake for 20 minutes at 350.

HE

Why We Fight . . .

is an outstanding documentary by Andrew Jarecki. H.E. highly recommends it . . . watch it along with The Corporation, an excellent documentary about corporate responsibility, consumerism, and sustainable growth on our planet (written and directed by Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott, and Joel Bakan).

Pax!

HE

The Meleagrean Ground Hog . . .

has once again, as of today, emerged from its dark and brooding lair underneath my front porch to ravage the land that is Homo Edax's garden for yet another year. Marigolds, tomatoes, eggplants, peaches, mums, nothing will be safe that might add to the amplitude of this furry monster's girth. And nothing will stop it - not have- a-heart traps, not filling in its hole, not hot pepper spray - nothing, save the heavy steel end of a shovel wielded by the mighty arm of an angry gardener.

This year there is to be no sitting on my flower bed munching day lillies as I weed a mere three feet away; there will be no "morning conversations" with the neighborhood cat; there will be no holding me in contempt, eating in front of me as I sit drinking a cold beer on a hot July afternoon; there will be no sentiment wasted for he is not my friend, not my quasi pet - he is fur, teeth, stomach, claw, and EVIL!

This year there is one thing in store for Sig. Groundhoggio -

Morte. Thanatos. Death.

A bitter Thucydidian reality, but not one that I created. As the Greek tragedians tell us, life is harsh: hapant'epachthei plein theoinesi koiranein, eleutheros gar outis esti plein Dios! Soon, very soon, darkness will cover his eyes - vitaque porcus terrae cum gemitu fugit indignata sub umbras!

HE

The Judgement of Paris.

Hooray! Ross King has now come out with his book on Manet, The Judgement of Paris. The Washington Post reveiwed it this morning, and it promises to be a good read. I'll wait, however, until it comes out in paperback to get it, unless Glaukopidos can get me a Border's sconto.

HE

Gods and Monsters and Other Creatures . . .

If you watch Gods and Monsters you will be able to say on Monday that you saw a realy great flick this weekend. Nor will it be a waste of your time to go see Why We Fight.

Recommended reading: Good-bye to All That by Robert Graves.

HE

Chicken Stew

This is a great and non-traditional dish for a winter night:

Sautee in olive oil a pack of boneless skinless chicken thighs and legs. Brown and set aside.

Drain off excess fat and sautee two slices onions and four coarsely chopped yukon gold potatoes.

Add in a can of chopped tomatoes, a splash of red wine, half a small jar of capers, a handful of stufed olives, and about a dozen chopped sun dried tomatoes.

Add back in the chicken and simmer. Serve hot.

I suspect we could add artichoke hearts but it's good as is, although I suspect it would taste very good served with impeachment.

H.E.