There is some method to the madness

So to avoid confusion I think I should explain who Viper, Misty and Boosty are.  No they are not the heroes of some mystical adventure story in a far off and distant land, they are my crazy family.

Viper (Leigh)    My partner in crime.  Suffers from a rare and tragic disease that we like to call Vi-Polar (hence the name Viper)  Vi-Polar heightens the ability to lose ones keys, wallet and mobile phone on a daily basis.  Key bowls, backpacks and pockets are rendered useless to the damaging effects of Vi-Polar.  The disease also makes it virtually impossible for the sufferer to sit still for more than 3 minutes at a time.  They get a constant case of the ‘wanders,’ or ‘fidgets.’  Obsessed with music and collecting vinyl (which actually is the one and only treatment available for Vi-Polar, gives the sufferer something productive to do ie. flipping and changing records).

Misty (Sidney)  My little boy, currently 10 months old. *(actually 16 months now) Goes by the pseudonym Misty – first name Misty, last name Man.  Misty Man.  Go figure.  Is feared to have inherited Vi-polar from his father.  Loves milk, peas, cheese, chewing the tops of zuccinnis and tormenting our other family member, Boosty.  Also enjoys waking up at the crack of dawn.  4:45am.  every. morning.   Oh yeah, and is extremely talented in the art of blowing raspberries.

I reckon he actually looks like a cupie doll sometimes.

Boosty (Beau)  Totally nutty 2 1/2 year old border collie X kelpie.  CRAZY.  Barks at EVERYTHING.  Far too much energy.  Hates the mail man who drives the noisy little scooter.  Enjoys cleaning up after Misty’s meal times and sleeping on the couch (which she is not allowed to do).  Born on a dairy farm in Beaudesert, hence Beau.  I prefer Boosty, it’s fun to say.

Oh, and then there’s me, Lou (in another state and another country I go by Weasel, but thats a story for a different day).  Wrangler of the family described above.

Should have been a smooch

This is a very typical ‘fridge scrape’ to feed this fascinating brood.  Basically it means I’m trying to create something edible by what is available in my kitchen.

Maybe it’s Mexican?

Spice Mix:

1/8t cayenne pepper

1/4t cinnamon

1/2t coriander

1/2t cumin

1t dried oregnao

1t salt

2t agave

2T tomato paste

1 cup cooked pumpkin (any kind of root vegetable would work, the joys of the fridge scrape)

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves crushed garlic

1C cooked black beans (soaked overnight then simmered for around 40 minutes until tender)

2T chopped jalapenos

1/2C canned tomatoes

Dry toast spice mix and set aside.  Saute onion and garlic over a medium heat to soften.  Puree cooked pumpkin with salt, agave, and tomato paste.  Add spice mix and puree to softened onion and garlic.  Add beans, jalapenos and canned tomatoes.  Simmer on a very low heat for around 20 minutes so the liquid reduces.  Taste and adjust seasonings, add more cayenne or some chilli flakes if you like more heat but the jalapenos totally give it a nice burny bite.

Serve with salsa, plain yoghurt, guacamole, grated cheese and tortillas.  Serves 4

Fresh Salsa:

1 small red capsicum

1 tomato

1/2 small red onion

1/2 garlic clove

3/4C corn kernels

1/2C fresh coriander

2T lime juice

1t agave

3/4t sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Finely dice tomato, capsicum, garlic, coriander and onion.  Mix with remaining ingredients and season well.

Salsary goodness

Crappy photo, had to use the flash- shock, horror!

If you are Viper, you cover EVERYTHING with cheese.