In certain instances I have found tempered expectations are the best course of action. One only needs to examine my dating history to see I practice what I preach. While I can be unrealistically demanding on a few very unfortunate souls in my life (really, I apologize to those people– I know I expect too much of you and it is not fair that you have to make up for my lowered expectations of others…), in general most people are asked very little from me.
Now, I hate laying it out like this for I fear it makes me sound a bit bitter. Bitter does not really compliment my skin tone; I am a summer. Yet it must be said: the world doesn’t owe you anything and most people are pretty damn selfish. I am, of course, including myself in this statement. Selfishness cannot really be blamed in most instances; it is seemingly impossible to do the right thing all the time and when one does behave admirably, it is very rarely rewarded. I used to ponder endlessly how people could be so selfish, and then, with the help of friends and Jack Daniels I realized it was quite simple: when so many people are selfish and are getting away with it, why would anyone do the right thing? It is a pain in the ass to be a good girl or boy all the time. Hell, sometimes I don’t do the right or admirable thing, but I sure have had some fun living in direct contradiction to the way my mother raised me. There is a trail of dead strippers, empty bottles, and broken hearts in my wake.
What’s pretty awesome about living life with minimal expectations in life is I am pretty grateful for all the great things in my life. Sure, I can be a bit of a sassy bitch at times, but under it all I know I am a pretty lucky girl. I have amazing friends, a moderately successful career and fulfilling hobbies. Look at me with my silver lining; I may not expect much from most people or in life in general, but I am constantly amazed when it all works out. I am freaking Pollyanna…which a much sexier wardrobe.
When I started making this warm butternut and quinoa salad, my expectations were pretty low. Sure, I love butternut and I know quinoa is good for me, but I didn’t expect it to knock my socks off. I mean, look at it; it doesn’t seem that special. But, whoa. This is some seriously good stuff. I was shocked by how fantastic it tasted; the cumin and sage compliment the roasted butternut perfectly. The citrus dressing pairs with the hearty quinoa well; this makes for a great side or a perfect lunch. If I had to change something, I would sautee the garlic for a minute before adding it to the dressing. While the raw garlic isn’t overpowerfing when you eat it, it does linger; a quick trip in the pan would take the edge off.
Hooray for low expectations; everyone loves a surprise.
Warm Quinoa Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash
Slightly adapted from Dishing Up Delights
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into cubes
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon dry sage
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 orange, juiced
Cumin, to taste
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Mix the squash with a small amount of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and spread onto a foil covered baking sheet or in a roasting dish. Bake for about 15 minutes, turn and bake for an additional 15 minutes until tender. Set aside to cool.
In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup lightly salted water and 1/2 cup quinoa to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 12-15 minutes.
In a separate bowl, combine the sage, garlic, orange juice, cumin, and season with salt and pepper.
Toss the orange juice mixture with the quinoa. Add the butternut squash and toss to combine. Serve warm, garnished with sage leaves if desired.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
There is a trail of dead strippers, empty bottles, and broken hearts in my wake.
More details please. Especially about the dead strippers.
Peter
I cannot divulge where the bodies are! One has a right not to incriminate themselves.
[Reply]
Where’s the rest of the food? This looks like the saddest portion ever
p.s. I’m totally making it – sounds awesome
It is deceptive…the plate is HUGE.
[Reply]
There is a trail of dead strippers, empty bottles, and broken hearts in my wake.
Now THAT sentence resonated with me. I can relate to that ’cause that’s my life…except I’m pretty sure I left the strippers alive when I left the hotel room. i think. *checking google for dead strippers*
Can google help with dead strippers? I doubt it, though it is pretty powerful.
[Reply]
Look at you with your silver lining, indeed! Here’s to appreciation and knowing that some times the simplest things are the best.
They really are…I am totally becoming an optimist in my old age.
[Reply]
More details please.
Come on, Peter, you know the rules. What happens in Vegas… is generally completely exaggerated upon whence we return to our normal, boring lives.
Yep, I drove my minivan to work…I sit here in khaki capri pants…I had sex with the lights off last night. Very dull indeed.
[Reply]
I, too, am grateful for the simplicity of my life.
I have my mansion, my 14 cars, my jet, my cock-fighting gambling ring, my offshore accounts, my drugs, and my various sexual partners.
I forgot to mention MY cock-fighting ring. God, those birds are scrappy. Best investment of my life.
[Reply]
When I recently decided to behave contradictory to my usual values, I rationalized it to myself by saying WTH everyone else is doing it, and sunk myself to that level. (don’t worry it wasn’t anything too horrible, just not my own normal *model* behavior – lol)
You put what I was thinking into the perfect words here: “when so many people are selfish and are getting away with it, why would anyone do the right thing?”
People just get tired of doing the right thing. It is simple as that.
[Reply]
This post didn’t make sense until I read Jack Daniels…. Maybe you’re my lost Jack Daniels soul mate, nothing good can come of Jack but it always feels so good while you’re drinking it
We are bonded by a love of Jack and dead strippers, VK.
[Reply]
Quinoa never disappoints me, because no matter how it turns out you always get the pleasure of saying it.
It really does roll off the tongue. It also reminds be of Joaquin Phoenix, who I used to love…before he got all sweaty and bloaty and all around sad looking.
[Reply]
Yep, I drove my minivan to work…I sit here in khaki capri pants…I had sex with the lights off last night. Very dull indeed.
You got a problem with my 1995 Town & Country? My dockers? My missionary in the dark?
No, not at all…except for it is the MANIFESTATION OF MY WORST FEARS.
[Reply]
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, about people’s self serving interests and how most will do whatever they need to do to get what they want.
Also? that recipe looks incredible.
I mean, it is understandable on a certain level…but I will be damned if I don’t try to fight it.
And thanks!
[Reply]
I find Johnnie Walker’s advice to be far wiser than Jack’s. You have to take what Jack and Jim say with a grain of salt. They’re sometimes out to trick you. And Jose, he’s a real smart-assed son of a bitch.
Can’t trust them as far as you can throw ‘em.
[Reply]
It’s like you’re magic! I love squash and I’ve been looking for quinoa recipes! Suddenly last week I had this must eat more quinoa urge.
This one will not disappoint. I am here to serve.
[Reply]
as long as it’s dead strippers and not dead bloggers, I’m completely ok with it.
Life is meant to be fun – enjoy it!! Morals are for pussies
I have only killed one blogger…and dozens of strippers.
[Reply]
A trail of dead strippers and empty bottles huh? I think my only reaction to that is: We should hang out.
As long as you agree to be the one to transport the corpses.
[Reply]
lemmie- (can i call you lemmie?), i really like how you tied this whole post together.
not a big squash girl, but id be willing to give this a go.
You can call me whatever you want…within reason. Butternut is the best squash, IMHO, so I am willing to bet you will like this one.
[Reply]
Again with the cumin? And what the heck is a quinoa? Is that five times a unioa?
The important thing is to live one’s life honorably. It doesn’t matter what others are doing. And as for expectations, the only ones that matter in the end are the ones you have of yourself. The selfish ones lead a life which Descartes declared not worth living. And he probably said it in latin too!
High expectations
Are like squash and quinoa
Autumn’s great surprise
You don’t like cumin either! You can leave it out. Quinoa is a grain…very tasty.
jman, that is some good advice. Words to live by and all that. As always, thanks for the haiku.
[Reply]