I need to put a computer in the kitchen. Right now whenever I want to look up one of my recipes I have to drag in a laptop or print something out. Until I get back to practicing Ruby on Rails with a Cookbook program I’m going to use this thing to put some of my favorite recipes online so that I can easily access them. I don’t have my computers properly networked yet and right now all my recipes are in Vim. The following is a recipe I found online for a Cafe Rio Salad knock off. Works pretty good. This part will only have the Pork, Rice and Salad dressing. Maybe later I’ll add some of my personal touches, like the salsa, and guacamole. I’m making it for a dinner party tonight for some out of town friends.

PORK

Slow cook your pork roast in a crock pot with garlic and a little water until you can pull it apart (8+ hours). At that point add the following

1 can diced green chilis
1 to 2 cans of medium or hot enchilada sauce (the red stuff), depending on how much pork you use
1 can of either Dr. Pepper or Coke (I use Coke)
At least 1 cup of brown sugar but use as much more as you want to get your sweetness
salt to taste.

Make your recipe a little on the strong side as once you add it to a tortilla it mutes the flavors just a bit

CILANTRO-LIME RICE

1 cup uncooked rice
1 teaspoon butter or margarine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon lime zest
1 can (15 oz) chicken broth
1 1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro

In a saucepan combine rice, butter, garlic, lime peel, chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender. Remove from heat. In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar and cilantro. Pour over hot cooked rice.

SALAD DRESSING

1 1/3 cups sour cream
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 bunch of cilantro
1 package ranch dressing mix
4 tbsp. salsa verde (green salsa)
2 cloves of garlic
1/8 tsp. Tabasco sauce
juice of one lime

Mix together in the blender… and that’s it!

It’s that time again. Spring is gardening time. I’ve already bought seeds for herbs and veggies. I’m going to the hardware store today to pick up some flowers to dress up the porch. While I’m at it I think  I’ll pick up some wood. I’m determined to start a worm bin this year.

Graveyard shift has me interested in another project. Sleeping during the day has been tricky. The light coming in and the noise of the grounds keepers tends to wake me up. I’m sleeping longer during the day than I should be. On top of that the plants in my room are suffering from the lack of light since my blinds are closed during the day. I think I’ll move my  bed to the other end of my room. I want to build a sort of headboard to go with it. I want it to be wide enough to put my stereo on it so that I can play music to drown out the noise without playing it too loud. I’ll also hang some dark fabric from it to keep out the light so I can keep the blinds open for my plants.

My latest project is in action right now. I’m typing this post on my new OLPC laptop. I asked for one for Christmas and play time has finally started. It only just arrived. I’ve been quiet jealous of others who received theirs earlier, but it’s been worth the wait. It’s so small and light and cute! I might need to plug in a USB keyboard. I doubt this one is ergonomical. Still, I love it and I’m anxious to see what all it can do.