Cooking (not Dancing) in the Dark: Testing Shells with Shrimp, Peas and Walnuts

I consider it a good quality when a person can laugh at herself. I seem to do it alot, meaning that I'm often doing something worthy of a laugh-at-myself moment. Eg, something stupid.

 

During a big summer storm last week, we lost power right around dinner prep time. Of course, I had a recipe to test that needed doing that night (shrimp that had to be cooked or tossed). I tried the old "let's- go-out-tonight-and-stay-at-home-tomorrow-night" routine but I got no where. Then, I pulled myself up off the couch and headed to the kitchen.

 

Darn my gas stove, she said to herself, meaning I didn't have that excuse to let me off the hook either.

 

Actually seeing what was in the skillet was the problem. Boiling the pasta was the easy part. My husband, the ever-inventive light guy, suggested using his head lamp that he uses for various home repair projects. (Guys do have an array of funny tools for various jobs. We girls don't get it; we have shoes.) Anyway, here he comes with the head lamp. He'll do almost anythng for a home-cooked meal. (He's quite spoiled.)

 

 

Don't you think the EverReady people would like this? Or, whoever makes Energizer.

 

 

Success! Shells with Shrimp, Peas and Walnuts. I forgot only one ingredient--the goat cheese that was to be stirred into the hot pasta and more crumbled over the top. Well! I was cooking in the dark so I gave myself a pass on this omission. What do you think? Me, too....the goat cheese would have been a good addition. Next time, when the lights go out and the candles go on.

 

 

Comments

[Lindsay Gibson]

yum! yum! yum!

[Susan]

I remember! You can do it! And, yes, the book will help you a lot. Keep cooking!

[Dustin Toliver]

It's me! The nice gentleman you met on the plane ride back to Atlanta from Baltimore! I won't eat anything with cheese or anything too milky, but this looks amazing. I'm going to try to make it tonight (since my wife, as you might remember, does not cook). I'm glad I found your site, I guess I'll have to buy the book now to see what other ideas you have.

[Jan Norris]

Am SO not a fan of shrimp with cheese, so I love it as is. Terrific ingenuity! You look so cute in a headlamp...though the headband oddly resembles men's underwear waistbands...just sayin'.