While recuperating from even relatively minor surgery is, by design, ridiculously boring, it’s necessary so that one can do stuff afterward. And because there’s a lot of stuff that I want to do, I’m following doctor’s orders to the “T.” Mostly.

These long hot summer days have spurred my creativity in the kitchen. I’ve been living on fruits and veggies and other summer foods almost exclusively. Because there’s such a (cheap) abundance, I’ve gotten a little creative with some of the foods, and searched for and made up some recipes to enjoy that are Vegas-heat friendly.

On Wednesday, for example, to celebrate the one week anniversary of my knee surgery, I braised a small brisket with caramelized onions, garlic, celery, allspice, carrots, and red wine. For my summer veggie dish, I made an amazing kale salad of fresh kale (of course), chopped white onion, parsley, diced fresh tomatoes, fresh lemon juice, EVOO, fresh pressed garlic, and toasted pine nuts. Thanks to Whole Foods for the recipe inspiration.  As an aside, when I pan toasted the pine nuts, I toasted them just a little too much which added a slight bacon-y flavor! Summer fresh and filling, the salad was the perfect accompaniment to the brisket and pasta dinner. Accompanying this meal was a generous glass of 2003 Parker Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. Perfect for a summer evening.

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Let me explain.

It is now Sunday evening.  On Wednesday morning I had arthroscopic surgery on my left knee – finally.  A long-lingering meniscus problem was finally dealt with, and I’m sitting here on my recliner with leg thrown over the arm of my recliner while I heal.  Makes for interesting typing on the keyboard since contortions aren’t usually my thing.  During the course of the last few days, I’ve made the following observations:

1. Having a new puppy to take care during the course of my convalescence isn’t all that bad. Especially since said puppy made it perfectly clear that he’d rather eat the vet than stay in the boarding kennel. Long story.  By the way, the “puppy” is a nine-month-old, 60 pound purebred Belgian Malinois. Google the breed and you’ll see the handful of doggie drama I potentially got myself into.
2. I’ve watched more tv during the past few days than I have cumulatively during my entire life to date … at least that’s how it feels! I’m amazed as what passes for programming.
3. Direct TV, for instance, has a new commercial starring a “Russian” man. From what I can tell, this man is supposed to be sexy. At least rich (which, to some women means the same thing; but I digress). Russian men (as seen on tv) aren’t sexy. They always look as if they’d pop a cap in you on a moment’s notice, they could swill vodka by the gallon, personal hygiene is optional, and they wallow in the whole “bad boy chic” thing. No heart pitter-pats here. … Continue Reading