Pasta with Sausage and Roasted Veggies

This pasta dish had chopped up hot links roasted with peppers and onions. I also added some homemade tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese on top. I thought the hot-links tasted a little too much like hot dogs instead of sausages.. but Potato was fine with it as is. This one gets an only an OK from me.

Election Night Special!

Election night 2008 was a historic event on U St in DC. I watched the results roll in at Suee and Tad's place, while coloring a printout of the electoral college map with scented red and blue markers. The streets were quiet during the beginning of the announcements-- I imagine many people sitting just like we were, nervous and anxious as the states were being called, huddled in living rooms with eyes glued to the tv.

Well what better way to dispel nervous energy than TACO MOUNTAIN! Such a ridiculous pile of taco goodness (topped with Tad's guacamole and Suee's cheesy been dip), I am sure, has never before made an appearance at an election night dinner. Taco mountain underscores a fundamental paradigm shift of the present bloggerita.. I have decided to eat meat again. But this is another story for another time*.

Before McCain's concession speech, we started hearing intermittent screams and cheering outside. After president-elect Obama gave his speech, the roars were louder than the cheers from Grant Park coming through the cable broadcast. We couldnt just sit there, we had to get out! And so we did!! U street was alive with people- screaming, hugging, high-fiving anything that stood still long enough-- the party even extended to cab drivers and riders, while the street was still open. Eventually the roads were blocked to car traffic, and people swarmed the streets dancing and cheering. We moved towards the drums, rhythmically pumping up the crowd on 14th and U. People were dancing on top of the bus waiting booth.. a young guy was waving from the top of the street light.. and the drums played on. This is where a Washington Post photographer captured the moment (photo below taken from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/11/05/GA2008110500823.html?sid=ST2008110502454 )..celebrating the election results with hundreds of people.

And after a full night of nerves relieved by festive and uncontrollable cheering and partying.. we were more than a little tired. But never fear! Special election night Jello Parfaits awaited us back at the apartment-- Blue raspberry and Strawberry Jello with whipped cream. A fantastic end to a great night!

*The Omnivore's Dilemma had something to do with it

Roasted Veggies and Beet Greens

Beets are wonderful! The sweet earthy flavor is delicious paired with some roasted potatoes and carrots, all topped with salt and pepper sprinkles and a little bit of butter. All the vegetables were roasted at 350 for 45 or so minutes (I kept cooking until a fork easily punctured the beet). The beet was whole, with skin, the potatos sliced, and the carrots in large chunky pieces-- all together tossed in a small amount of olive oil and baked with a tin foil roof.

The beet greens are the leaves that come with the beet root-- and they are delicious! I think I even prefer them over spinach! I stripped the greens of the thick stems and then tore the leaves into 2 inch bits before sauteing in garlic and olive oil until tender. Delicious, and very healthy!! The added fiber of the beet root and the energy from a small potato make this a great meal. Portion control is the dictator on whether this meal will feel heavy-- an overdose of potatoes always puts the sleeper hold on my mental agility.. but just the right amount (1 small 2" diameter red potato) and you wont feel a lack of substance to the meal. I am a carb addict, so I am pretty resigned to adding some form of carb to each meal.. althogh I can alter the quantity!