Cooking Is Fundamental. It Puts the 'Fun' In My 'Mental'

Everytime I think of the word fundamental, I think of this story:

I had an English Lit professor whose favorite word was fundamental. He'd use it wherever he could possibly insert it into his lectures and it drove me stock-raving mad.

I complained about it to my roommate and was puzzled by the look on her face after I told her that his favorite word was fundamental.

"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because I can't believe he'd say that!!!! Like, so many times too!!!"

"I know, it drives me crazy."

"Does anyone say anything?"

"No, why would we?"

"I can't believe he says fucking mental all the time."

_________________________

Today I'm finishing off my awesome chicken soup that tastes soooo good and flavorful! The added rosemary made a big difference.

I'm making spaetzle the way my step-mother taught me to make it. It's a basic mixture of flour, salt, pepper, and egg with some water. Mix well. Make sure dough is loose, but firmer than pancake batter. Put a portion of it on a cutting board, take a very flat edged knife (butter knife is fine), cut a piece and push it off the board into a pot of boiling water. When the spaetzel floats to the top, it's done.

The spaetzel can be served as a side dish with some butter, or added to the soup. Carbs are about as much as it would be for normal pasta.

I'm also making panzanella salad with seasoned toasted chunks of Italian bread, and homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

We don't typically have dessert, but I feel like giving everyone a treat:

Brownies from a recipe off of the side of a baking cocoa container.