Stuffed Quahogs Recipe

Fruits of the Sea -- my favorite stuffed quahog recipe

• A dozen or so quahogs
  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup minced leeks
• 1/4 cup diced celery
  
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 slices of Wonder Light Italian, toasted and then crumbled into dried bread crumbs
• 4 slices thick sliced bacon
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or 3 teaspoons fresh)
  
• 3 tablespoons shredded Italian blend cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped (optional)
  

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small skillet, cook bacon until crisp over medium heat. Crumble, and set aside.
2. Soak quahogs in oatmeal water for 12 hours, then rinse, steam for about 5 minutes, or until they open. Discard any that do not open. Remove meat from shells. Chop, and set aside, save shells for stuffing
   
3. Add 2 tablespoons oil and butter to a small skillet, and place pan over medium heat. Add onion, pepper, and garlic; saute until tender. Remove from heat, and cool.
4. In a medium bowl, combine bread crumbs, bacon, oregano, cheese, sauteed vegetables, and chopped quahogs. Mix well. Fill clam shells with mixture, and place on baking sheet. Sprinkle with parsley and paprika. Drizzle with olive oil.
5. Bake at 400 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 15 minutes. Serve with a wedge of lemon and hot sauce.

The Twelve Pains of Christmas

From my anime brother, storm akima ~ enjoy!

Vignettes

Looking out of his office overlooking the Providence River, Ronan poured himself another scotch. He paused as he looked out his window, first noticing his reflection, then looking past his reflection at floating bonfires. From his vantage point, he could see ribbons of newcomers coming to admire the dancing fiery mounds. He thought how a fitting a shower of blood over the bonfires and the tourists would be; welcome to Dante's ninth circle, he thought.

If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

Since Penelope had died, Ronin had wished he could follow. He had thought about taking his own life, but opted instead on drowning the pain with alcohol. Besides, he had been raised Catholic and although he no longer considered himself such, part of him feared eternal damnation. Even more than eternal damnation though, his family feared scandal.

Hotel Dorrance Plaza

(Sung to the tune of "Hotel California" by the Eagles)

In a darkly lit hallway,
Cool breeze in the air
Warm smell of cigarette smoke
Rising up through the air
Up ahead on the fifth floor,
I saw a quarreling fight,
My heart grew heavy and my mind grew numb
Had Justice took off for the night?

There they stood in the doorway
I heard the sheriffs yell
And I was thinking to myself
Is this Family court or it is Hell?
Then they pulled out the handcuffs
Led some poor slob away
There were voices in the corridor
I thought I heard them say

Welcome to the Hotel Dorrance Plaza
Such a crowded place
(background) Such a crowded place
Such an awful case
Plenty of room at the Hotel Dorrance Plaza
Any time of year
(background) Any time of year
You can find it here

His gender's Tiffany-twisted
She drives a Mercedes Benz
He's got a lot pretty, pretty boys
She calls friends
How they dance in the courtroom
Bitter sweet sweat
Some trial to remember
Some trial to forget

So I said to the court clerk
Are we next in line?
And she said you'll be lucky
If you're heard in 2099
And still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say


Welcome to the Hotel Dorrance Plaza
Such a crowded place
(background) Such a crowded place
Such an awful case
We're dukin' it out at the Hotel Dorrance Plaza
What a pack of lies
Bring your alibis

Cameras in the ceiling
Victims throw the dice
The Judge said
You are all just prisoners here
of your own device
And in the master's chambers,
Lawyers gather for the feast
They carve up their clients' lives
And divide them piece by piece

Last thing I remember
I was left feeling very poor
and I thought I heard someone say
Don't let your ass get smacked by the door
Relax said the court clerk
You've been granted a reprieve
You can recess any time you like,
But you can never leave.


Copyright 1999