Zucchini Linguine for "Steven Universe"

          In episode 22, season one, of Rebecca Sugar's "Steven Universe" on Cartoon Network, Steven manages to gather several versions of himself via time travel and creates a band called "Steven and the Stevens". After a short time passes though, the other Stevens get fed up with Steven prime's leadership and kick him out of the band! They sing this song to let him know how they feel, but only the first three lines are sung at the time because Steven1 pulls the plug. The song is played in its entirety shortly thereafter as background music while the Stevens fight and travel through their timeline.

(video from Steven Universe Videos)

1 2 3 4!

Steven's a big fat meanie!

A big fat meanie zucchini!

Let's chop it up, chop-chop it up!

And serve it with Linguine!

Al denteee! Al denteee! Al denteee! Al denteeeeeee!

–"Big Fat Zucchini" by Jeff Liu, "Steven Universe" S1 Ep 22

          How nice to give a recipe in a song–I couldn't pass it up! You've got chopped zucchini plus linguine cooked al dente (den-tay). It's very simple and yummy! The "Big Fat Zucchini" song was composed and written and guitar-ed by "Steven Universe" writer and story boarder Jeff Liu, with drumming by Roger Hicks, and vocals by Zach Callison, the voice of Steven Universe. You can listen to the "Steven and the Stevens" episode soundtrack, composed by Jeff Liu, here. Seriously, peoples, the music for "Steven Universe" is continually incredible, constantly impressive. I've made a playlist and listen to it often as background for my prosaic life; doing computer stuff, kitchen stuff, stuff stuff, I love it (I'm listening to it right now as I make this post).          

Note: For the recipe below, I decided to cut the zucchini into strips, but feel free to chop it into bite-sized pieces if you'd like, just make sure you cook them until they're tender.

Steven is a Meanie Zucchini Linguine

---

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. Butter
2 Large Zucchini
Small Bundle of Linguine (about a nickel in diameter when held together)
Salt & Pepper, to taste
1 tsp. Fresh Lemon Zest
Sprinkling of Fresh Thyme
Shredded Parmesan Cheese (optional)

Important Item:
Vegetable Peeler (if you have a julienne peeler use that, if not, it's totally okay)

Directions:
1. In a medium-large pot, bring about 4 cups or so of lightly salted water to a boil & then add in the linguine (do not break it!). As the noodles soften, gently push all of them under the water & boil for about 8 minutes more or until the center is no longer white. Scoop out 1/3 cup of the noodle water & drain the rest. Sit the noodles to the side.
2. In a large pan on medium-low heat, melt the butter. Using your peeler, peel the zucchinis length-wise until you get to the seeds. Place the peelings into the pan with the butter & cook for a few minutes, just until tender. Increase the heat to about medium & add the noodles, reserved noodle water, salt & pepper to taste, lemon zest, & thyme. Toss & cook for a few minutes more, until everything is combined & cooked through. Scoop into a serving dish, sprinkle with optional parmesan, & enjoy, you meanie!

* Try my "Steven Universe" Cookie Cat Ice Cream Sandwiches, Fry Bits, & Together Breakfast! *

Spicy Wyvern Wings for "Dragon Age: Inquisition"

"Dragon Age: Inquisition" from BioWare.

          Guys. I am in love with this game. I'm so impressed with how immersive it is and with–I can't even begin to imagine–how much obvious labor and love went into its creation. The environs are gorgeous, the voice acting is tops, the story and dialogue paths are so intricate, the characters are endearing (well, the good guys anyway), and there's so so so much more to gush over but I'll refrain. It's a very rich game and it's my first time delving into anything like it. I was turned onto it via artist and general-awesome-lady Cara McGee with her fandom teas and her at-times whimsical, beautiful, and adorable fanart (thank you soooo much, Cara!). And have I mentioned the cheese in the game? So, you know I'm all about food, and apparently since the first game in the franchise, "Dragon Age: Origins", cheese has been a big thing, like, big wheels of cheese big (check out my "Wedge of Destiny" appetizers!). What is not to love about this game, I ask? Nothing. Nothing is not to love.

          When doing the "Still Waters" mission in Crestwood, Ferelden, just above the dam, you'll discover a tavern called The Rusted Horn. Inside, after you interrupt two young lovers wanting to canoodle away from the disapproving eyes of their parents (well, or just leave them alone), you'll find a menu on one of the tables. Listed are several ales, bread and cheese, turnip and mutton pie (stay tuned!), and a few other things, including wyvern wings and wyvern steak. It's clarified that the wings are really chicken, though the steak really is wyvern meat!

Note: Below you'll find two sauce recipes, one sweeter than the other. I came up with both, and both were very good, so I thought it'd be nice to have options. They're not drastically different, just one is spicy and sweet (I lean more toward this one) and the other is a little hotter and has more salt to it. As with anything though, please feel free to adjust to your taste!

The Rusted Horn's Wyvern Wings

---

Ingredients:
1.5 or so lbs. Raw Chicken Wings (the package I bought was 1.84 lbs)
1/2 Cup Potato Starch (corn starch is fine if you can't find potato starch)
Canola or Grapeseed Oil
Sweet Spicy Sauce
3 Tbsp. Sweet Red Chili Sauce (I used Thai Kitchen brand)
2 Tbsp. Fruit Preserves (I used Welch's Naturals Strawberry, but you can use a different flavor if you'd like)
2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp. Sesame Oil (canola or vegetable oil is fine, but they don't have the same taste as sesame oil)
1/4 tsp. Soy Sauce
Spicy Hot Sauce
1/2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
1/2 tsp. Fresh Grated Ginger (optional)
1 Tbsp. Gochujang Red Pepper Paste (found in the international section of your grocery store or at an Asian market)
1 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar (or white vinegar)
1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp. Sesame Oil
2 Tbsp. Fruit Preserves

Important Items:
Sturdy Kitchen Scissors or Large Sharp Knife
Large Deep Pot or Deep Fryer
Long Metal Tongs (best) or other deep frying safe utensil (metal or silicon)
Mesh Strainer

Directions:
1. Turn your deep fryer on or your large deep pot with oil–enough to cover the chicken–to 375ºF. Rinse & pat dry the chicken & then cut the wing tips off & discard. Next, cut the wings in half by the mid-joints. Put the starch in a medium bowl & roll each piece of chicken in the starch to coat it well, giving it a little squeeze to really get the starch on. Place the coated pieces on a plate or wire rack.
2. Check that the oil is ready by flicking a tiny bit of water into it. If it sizzles greatly then it's ready. Carefully place about 1/2 of your coated chicken pieces into the oil & let cook for about 12 minutes, checking a few minutes in to make sure the pieces aren't sticking together (if so, carefully separate them with a long handled silicone or metal kitchen utensil. Tongs are great for this). Remove the chicken from the oil to a mesh strainer over a bowl so the excess oil can drip through. Put the rest of the uncooked chicken in the oil & cook.
3. Once the second batch is ready to be taken out of the oil, remove the 1st batch from the strainer to a plate or rack & put the 2nd batch into the strainer. Put the 1st batch back into the oil & cook for another 10 minutes, or until a little darker golden in color. Remove the 2nd batch from the strainer & onto a plate or rack & put the completed 1st batch back into the strainer to drain. Put the 2nd batch back into the oil for its 2nd cooking of 10 minutes or so. Remove the 1st batch to a plate or rack & put the completed 2nd batch back in the strainer to drain.
4. Choose which sauce you'd like to make & put all of the ingredients into a medium pot. Heat on medium-low to melt, stirring or whisking to combine well, & simmer until slightly thickened. Turn off the heat & put the crispy chicken pieces into the pot, half at a time if necessary, & coat with sauce. Transfer the sauced chicken to a plate & enjoy!

* Don't forget to check out my little Wedge[s] of Destiny! *

Who's you're favorite character in the game? Let me know in the comments!
Mine is Cole. He's just so precious!

Tony Stark's Green Recovery Drink | Avengers: Age of Ultron

          I finally saw Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron" this past Saturday and I loooved it! Carrie and I are going to discuss it for our next Fiction Kitchen podcast episode, so I'll share more of my thoughts about the film there, but I did want to share this fiction food inspiration with you.
          One of the first instances of food in the movie is a dark green drink made by Tony Stark for the team (well, Natasha & Clint had some) after they come back to Avengers headquarters from fighting Baron Struker's forces in Sokovia. Tony's talking away, to Bruce maybe? I can't remember exactly (I need to see it again! I want to!) but his hands are busy fixing up a few of these drinks. Clint is getting patched up in the infirmary and Tony takes one to him and gives one to Natasha too and has one himself. They drink it like it's no biggie and the usual thing. I like that type of inclusion in visual medium. It makes the world of the film feel bigger and more whole, aside from only what we're shown or get from the dialogue. You feel like, yeah, this must be something they do after every battle, to re-energize and take care of themselves. That's just good storytelling; showing, not telling, and conveying the feeling of 'more' than what you see.

Boba Fett's Boba Drink for Star Wars Day!

        I recently started watching "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" on Netflix after being inspired by a writeup on "Like Gwen Stacy". I'm almost finished season 3 and I've really fallen in love with the show. This past weekend, the shop I went to for Free Comic Book Day (hey'o, Third Eye Comics!) had a few people from the local 501st Legion present for photos. On one clone trooper's helmet was a little pair of blue, butterfly-like wings (or "jaig-eyes") and I was overly pleased with myself for recognizing the design as belonging to Captain Rex, Anakin Skywalker's second in command. There was also a little boy dressed very impressively in Anakin's outfit from the series. I was so excited/pleased about making these connections. Also, the R2-D2 replica near Rex was beyond awesome to me, movin' its head and makin' the real sounds! I kept pointing and telling Smalls "that's R2-D2!" because you know, that's important knowledge for a parent to pass on to their child. I'm sure many of you can understand these little sparks of elation from seemingly simple things. That's the fun of fandoms, and that's the reason I'm watching "The Clone Wars".