This is cute but I’m doing all the stuff that’s going to make me fat and die young.  Shucks!

HEALTH MESSAGE

As I was lying in bed pondering the problems of the world, I rapidly realized that I don’t really give a rat’s patoot. It’s the tortoise life for me!

1. If walking/cycling is good for your health, the postman would be immortal.

2. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water, and is fat.

3. A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years.

4. A tortoise doesn’t run and does nothing, yet it lives for 450 years.

And you tell me to exercise?? I don’t think so.

Speaking of exercise, my run this past weekend didn’t go as planned but then again, it rarely does in the winter.

I use visualization to see myself trucking along at marathon pace, easily cruising through the snow and facing the wind with equal strength as it’s own gusting forces. Visualization fell short. My pace was a 10 minute mile. Pitiful.   Needless to say, the new route I was so excited about didn’t happen. It had too many hills and by the time Shane and I completed 12 1/2 miles, the snow was falling heavier and I was meeting wind gusts that rendered my face numb and painful.  I completed the scheduled 16 miles on the treadmill.

My legs were sore on Sunday which offered some consolation that I at least engaged in a worthwhile workout.  It did nothing to help my speed but maybe I made some endurance gains.

Cioppino

Hard to believe but this is the very first Rachel Ray recipe I’ve ever cooked.  Amazing right?! After all these years of cooking.  I guess I thought Rachel cooked very fatty, meaty dishes but when I found this “Kettle of Fish” recipe, it seemed just perfect.

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The recipe wasn’t followed exactly and if you want Rachel’s original recipe, it can be found at this link.

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The big difference between Rachel’s recipe and my own was that I used little neck clams instead of mussels, since I’m not a fan of mussels.

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Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 anchovy fillets, drained and chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 ribs celery, chopped
  • 1 small medium onion, chopped
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 3/4 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 can chunky-style crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped (about 1 tablespoon)
  • A handful of flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 lb cod, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 6 large raw shrimp, deveined
  • 6 sea scallops
  • 1 dozen little neck clams, scrubbed
  • 1 pkg.. your favorite pasta (I used Gluten Free Quinoa spaghetti)

Directions:

In a large pot over medium heat combine olive oil. When heated add the crushed red pepper, anchovies, garlic and bay leaf. Allow anchovies and pepper to add flavor to the oil, about 2-4 minutes.

Chop the celery and onion and add to the oil mix. Sauté for 5 – 6 minutes to soften.

Add the wine and reduce for 3 minutes.

Add the vegetable stock, tomatoes, thyme and parsley.

Bring the sauce to a low boil then reduce heat to medium-low.
Season the cod with salt and pepper then add to the pot and simmer for five minutes.

*Instead of stirring, shake the pot once in a while. If you stir, you’ll break up the fish.

Add the shrimp, scallops, and clams. Cover the pot and cook for 12 – 15 minutes, or until the clams open up.
Discard any clams that didn’t open. Serve with crusty bread.

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Just yummy!   The only change I would make is to add parmesan cheese to the sauce.

Here’s the reference again for Rachel’s recipe: Rachel Ray Recipes

Do you have any Rachel Ray cookbooks?  What’s your favorite RR dish?

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