My best friend Yasmin came to visit this week on her spring break. What a lovely time. I got to make all kinds of food for us to share, and brew lots of coffee and play board games. It was such a joy. She just left for the airport a bit ago, and I am falling into a slump. Going through withdrawal of my favorite person's presence is very difficult for me. I sat down at the piano for a little while and played through some of my favorite pieces just to distract myself, but it didn't work very well. Maybe I'll just cozy up and watch John Oliver clips on YouTube, or play a dumb mindless game. I would finish the New York Times Sunday crossword, but crosswords remind me too much of her.
Ah well. I've been meaning to post here recently, so that's something. There's a lot I've been meaning to do, actually, but my motivation has been so very low. Having my best friend around was actually quite good for my productivity, but there's still a lot I have to do--letters I have to write, paperwork to do, plans I need to make. I'm hoping this rush of productivity will last at least a bit longer.
When my mood gets as low as it has been that I can scarcely get out of bed, it's very hard to want to do things. It doesn't matter what it is. At the worst of times, I can't even do things like brush my teeth or shower. Two weeks ago, I had a five-day spell like that. Though things are generally on an upward trend, it's scary that the right circumstances can trigger these low lows. I know that I need to take care of myself; to start exercising more, to get out and volunteer and get a job, to do things I enjoy. The thing is that I'm still building myself back up to a place where I can do all those things at once, because until very recently--like, within the past day or three--I could only focus on one of those at a time. I have to to make some plans for this week so I don't just rattle around the house. I mean there's a memorial service to sing on Wednesday, and the services for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, plus therapy thrice this week... but I need to just go be out and about between those times, I think. Or I should plan to make some kind of labor-intensive food, just to be busy with something other than being trapped in my head with my thoughts.
Anyway, here's how to fry tomatoes.
Tomatoes on-the-vine
Corn starch
1 egg
Cornmeal (I like to use a medium grind, but you can use whatever you're used to)
Salt and pepper, and whatever else you want your tomatoes to taste like
Lots of cooking oil
Slice tomatoes to desired thickness. Pour some corn starch on a plate, and flip the tomatoes in it to coat. In a smallish bowl, whisk the egg with some water. Pour the cornmeal on a plate and mix with seasonings. Dip the starch-coated sliced in the egg wash, then immediately coat with the cornmeal. Heat a significant amount of oil in a largish skillet over medium-high. When it's hot, use tongs to place the slices in the oil. When the side in the oil is golden to your satisfaction, flip the slices over. When they're nice and toasty, take them and set them on a double layer of paper towel to drain.
Serve with a fried egg on toast. Actually, you can serve anything with a fried egg on toast. You can probably use fried tomatoes in other creative ways, but I wouldn't know.
