Stickers are weird and that mushroom noodle dish
The other day when we were packing an order, Katie Jo said, "stickers are weird." I knew exactly what she meant. Sometimes if you look at the details on one sticker sheet, it is seemingly random. That is what I like about them. The next question is, how do I use them? I put them on envelopes, especially if the glue seems old or the flap is not sticking. If it is a kid's card, I might go crazy and put stickers along the seal or the edges. I like to do this with my accountant, he is a friend and gets so much boring mail. But I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could make a greeting card out of a single sheet of stickers. I took a blank card, a sheet of stickers, scissors, washi tape, and a sheet of origami paper. I started by putting small stickers around the card's border, then I cut out small squares of paper and placed them in the center in random spots. I taped them down with small pieces of washi tape (think of them as windows). I put stickers under the paper flaps and then placed stickers in the blank spots. It is random and weird and not perfect, a good project with a little one or when you are feeling simple, crafty... not a big complicated project but wanting to do something with your hands. I find making stuff takes me out of my head. Cooking and crafts are perfect small joyful mindless trips to go on. When Katie Jo and I pack the Hail the Snail Mail packages, I choose and pack the bonuses. I have this mini printer that works remarkably well. I love decorating the small bags. It is a moment where I feel utter glee. It is time-consuming and probably way too much effort, but it brings this out of the blue; I am in the right place at the right time sense of satisfaction.
I have followed a modified lectin free diet for a number of years, it is great for inflammation and easy to cook healthy meals when you use it as a basis for your food intake. The diet has been developed by someone named Dr. Steven Gundry, he wrote a book called the "Plant Paradox" and there is a woman named, Claudia Curici who has a blog called "Creative in my Kitchen". I would not have stuck with it if it was not for her. Dr. Gundry has a new book out," Unlocking the Keto Code." and I tried one of the recipes in it. I have not read it, LOL. I know the basics and jump on the recipes. The recipe was for Mushroom and Goat Cheese Miracle Noodles, it is an offshoot of the feta cheese, cherry tomato dish. It was incredible. The shirataki noodles can be a little off putting, (they smell awful) but just rinse them well and move on. This dish is easy and so good. I am buying a lot of trumpet king mushrooms at the farmer's market and I used a combo of shitaki and the trumpets when I made the dish. Enjoy spring creeping in, find it in the smallest things. Here is the recipe:
Mushroom and Goat Cheese Miracle Noodles
1 pound sliced brown button mushrooms (I used Shitaki and King Trumpets)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves minced
2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1 7 oz block feta cheese (I used a 6 oz one)
1 tsp salt
2 bags shirataki noodles
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2.In a large baking dish (I used a medium one) combine the mushrooms, 1/4 cup of the olive oil, garlic and the thyme. Make space for the feta in the center of the mushrooms (not on top) and drizzle with the remaining olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3.Bake for 35-40 minutes until the mushrooms are crisp on the edges and the feta is soft
4.While mushrooms are cooking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
5.Rinse the noodles under cold water for 2-3 minutes, then add them to the pot of boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes, (Remember they stink and that goes away with rinsing) Drain and transfer to a dry pan. Cook over medium low heat, stirring, to dry out the noodles.
6.Mash the feta with a fork and stir to combine with the mushrooms.
7.Toss the mushroom-feta mixture with the noodles and serve topped with basil.
