Grilled Asparagus...and People Watching!

Asparagus is such a nice vegetable to serve so many different ways but most important that you do not over cook it, otherwise it loses it's beautiful appearance and you will also lose their benefits of their important vitamins and protein. It is an excellent source of potassium and vitamin A & C. Rich in niacin, and low in sodium.
I'm linking this to Full Plate Thursday 5-19-11 @Miz Helen's Country Cottage

If you don't want to turn on your outdoor grill for the asparagus, you can easily grill it in a cast iron skillet ...but will turn on the grill for the (ribs) skillet has been pre-greased, and preheated. All you really need to do is just wash and cut of the thick ends, season them with a little extra virgin olive oil, some sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, and heat on both sides for just a few minutes...
better yet, click over to Toni's blog @Boulder Locavore  and she will enlighten you with even more information on this wonderful, and beautiful vegetable. She has the most amazing blog and you will appreciate her unique and delicious things that she makes. If you would like to see another version of this beautiful vegetable, check out Kate's blog @Diethood, for her Roasted Asparagus with Bacon and Feta, and you will see how versatile asparagus can be. Also if you're craving for a really delicious and super easy tart with asparagus, you must check out Kirsten's blog @My Kitchen in the Rockies. her blog will amaze you with all the beautiful dishes she creates, and the photos, as well!

Another post of the pork spare ribs...you ask? I made this Sunday at my son's house. Spent the entire day with them, and ended up cooking, which of course is "second nature" to me. They had this huge slabs of ribs from Costco. and just as I was leaving to go home brought out the ribs and asked if I can stay for dinner as well. How can you turn down spare ribs?...My son back again, from his vegetarian ways...just can't resist certain meats!
As in my previous post of the ribs, I baked them off first for at least a good 45 minutes in a 400 degree F. oven.
Cut the ribs in 4 pieces of portions, as you see on the photo, place them in an aluminum lined rimmed large baking pan.

Drizzle some vegetable oil on them, salt, pepper, garlic powder, to taste, and also some type of vinegar. (I prefer white) but they only had balsamic, which was a new try...also they were out of Lea and Perrins Worcestershire sauce..."no Worcestershire sauce" I asked?...that is when a good bottle of Balsamic will do the trick.
When it is ready to throw on the grill, take them out of the oven, and brush on both sides of the ribs, your favorite barbecue sauce. and literally just grill for no longer than 25 minutes. When it's ready, cut into individual pieces just as it is on the photo above...right on a large cutting board, and serve it on the board, as it is. So good, melt in your mouth amazing ribs, and so tasty, cutting and serving on a large wooden board.

Nothing beats sitting on the deck relaxing, and browsing through one of your favorite cookbooks. I'm sitting on my son's small deck in the back of their house. Everything is in a Zen, Buddhist theme. Serenity and calm. You can really just "chill" out and listen to your thoughts, and ideas!

It's so nice to just sit, and watch nature, or for that matter, people in my next photos. As I was sitting and browsing through Cara's cookbook which is from my all time favorite author whose recent book I offered as a giveaway, this is the author who I was talking about in my past post. Sheila Lukins. The New Basics Cookbook which I also had a copy of but donated it to Goodwill, is just an honest and the best recipes... without photos, but plenty of drawing illustrations. This book was originally edited in 1989, the height of my cooking/catering career. A "bible" of the best recipes that you can refer to. Now, my sweet d-in-law let me take the book home because there are a lot of recipes in there that I have used, and will bring back again.

So, let's get on to the people watching!

How often do you just sit, and watch the world go by?...Well, we all do that, otherwise we wouldn't be human. Do you ever just sit in a public place, as on a beach, a social event, or just on a bench in a park, or any public place where people come and go?...what goes through your mind, or wonder what goes through their mind? ...chances are they are just passing through and you're the one in deep thoughts checking out the individuals. There are many people out there in all shapes and sizes, nationalities, colors, and let's not define their "religion" or "no religion." The point is...
"People are strange when you're a stranger
Faces look ugly when you're alone"...LOL, let's not get into that deep, quoting from the "Doors" song, but basically
we do have to admit that some people are really strange...but that's what makes life interesting.
 

Sunday, May 8th, 2011...Hollywood Beach, Florida. Not to poke fun, but I do like to take photos even of my own family when they're not watching. This is where we arrived from our location in West Palm Beach, a 45 minutes ride. I was really surprised that daughter Lora, or her hubby has never seen the famous beach in Hollywood. On the left in the pink shirt is 9 yr. old granddaughter Gabby, Lora in the coral colored shirt walking, and hubby being guided by grandson Luca, age 5...lets' continue!

You can rent all sorts of fun rides, as in this 3 wheeler...single bicycles, bicycle built for 2, or 4, for that matter.

You can also rent these "sedways?" is that what you call them?...anyway these cool thing are what "mall cops" ride around in the malls...but here on Hollywood beach you can ride on them too...so cool!

Watching people from the Turkish restaurant we were at, on the patio...happy little guys on the beach, one riding the three wheeler, the other briskly walking behind...and on the beach, more "people" watching!

You can always bring a pair of skates with you...as this guy does, and opt for a terrific tan.

...or how about this guy?...I think he's been on a diet too long. He literally fell off this curb from flexing his "imaginary" muscles, and doing exercise on the ledge...picked himself up, and started again, just hangin' around on the ledge.

...and oh, if you have a thong bikini, by all means, show them off...LOL...and this young lady just did that.

"Pants on the ground" guy...could not get a good shot with the shadow, but then he realized someone is watching and attempted to pull his pants up!

Three elderly guys on the left...still in good physique...and a young guy jogging. Take your pick!

OK...back to the bicycles again...good work out on the beach!

You can get creative, and design your own shade and comfort with plastic and aluminum foil...just like this guy did...wonder if he takes orders to make one for you?...LOL

Just so you will feel secure...there are professional security guards all over the beach on bicycles...like this one in the middle!

The "rat pack" team again...watching the guy with the "pants on the ground"...or the custom style bicycle guy?...or maybe another "bikini clad" girl...whichever it was, they sure were enjoying themselves!

.

This is the really good restaurant where we ate our lunch...nothing fancy, not expensive...just great Mediterranean food...and watch the world go by!

Falafel platter with hummus, tomatoes, and lettuce.

Greek salad appetizer...a little too much oregano, and dill sprinkled on...but other than that, everything was so fresh, and delish!

Grilled steak, and grilled peppers and onions...the steak was share by all...the food was so good and filling!

Baba Ganoush (eggplant caviar)...with fresh homemade pitas...and more Greek salad!

Can't leave the Tabbouleh out...cracked bulgur wheat with plenty of fresh herb, such as parsley, mint, and dill, with lots of lemon juice squeezed on it, and diced tomatoes with chopped onions...yumm!

Some of us text...while some of us enjoy a nice chilled Corona beer with a piece of lime...so refreshing!

As we were leaving, couldn't ignore the local bus...or maybe a "tour bus"...taking this photo from the car. (you can see the right rear view mirror)...One fun trip in one's lifetime, with a lot of fun, and fond memories spent with your loved ones...a treasure that you share...smiles...