My Seussical Life for 2005 February 13

Dave had this groovy dinner idea when we had leftover black beans: scatter tortilla chips on a cookie sheet (one with a little bit of a lip), heap with warm beans, generously sprinkle with grated cheese, and place in oven under broiler. Watch carefully. Our broiler can be set at a temperature, and we usually put it at 300 degrees. When the cheese is melted, remove nachos from oven, distribute onto plates, and add whatever nacho toppings you desire (fresh salsa, tomatoes, guacamole, sprinkling of lime, cilantro, etc.). Viola! There's supper.

Maybe the children you know will even eat it.

Our thoughtful friends, Liz and John Paul, called up and offered to tend the kids so we could go on a date on Saturday night. We went to the Mediterranean Cafe, which is a little market/ cafe in a strip mall on the northwest side of town. I ordered the falafel with hummus, Dave picked the chicken gyro, and we both had a bowl of red lentil soup. The falafel was the most complex I have ever eaten. I couldn't really put my finger on the spices they used, but I'm pretty sure I tasted cloves! and red pepper flakes. The prevailing taste was not of chickpeas, which is what I'm used to. The Mediterranean Cafe falafel was delish. And the hummus was so tangy and fresh. We thought the lentil soup was good, too, but not good enough to merit the $3.50 a bowl we paid. We could hear the cooks speaking Greek to each other in the kitchen, and we salivated on all the imported foods and treats they had in the market while we waited for our food. We'll definitely go back again.