Lovin' Will (& Gina Torres!!) and Eatin' avocados

So last night for Alias night -- not the return, that was last week, when there was Christy salad and homemade chicken noodle soup* -- there was Will Tippen love and collective feminine appreciation for the hotness that is Gina Torres. Most importantly though, there was Salmon & Avocado with Sesame Soy Dressing, one of the best things that I've found on the Food Network site in quite some time. Plus if you don't have sesame oil (because who does?), a little vegetable oil will work fine, though I wouldn't skimp out on the the sesame seeds. They add texture that you wouldn't get with much else. Not the mention the whole recipe totally only takes 10 minutes to make and is light and just plain yummy.

There was also leftover polenta from yesterday that I attempted to bake, though that didn't go over as nicely as I'd have hoped. (Crusty on top, yes, but still far too gooey in the middle.) Also a kick ass chocolate-prune cake courtesy of Christine (Again, start bugging her. I don't have her magical recipes, alas.) and Christy salad, this week with apples and gorgonzola. Mmm.

Oh Sydney, it is time to battle yourself! We all sensed it. If only there were ninja flying stars involved, then life would be downright blissful.

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*Erin's Chicken Noodle Soup -- From Scratch Bitches!

8 cups chicken stock
4 cups water
2 carrots, chopped
3 stalks of celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
5 whole cloves
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup cooked chicken, chopped into bite-size pieces
1 tsp marjoram
1/2 package of egg noodles
salt & pepper to taste


Bring chicken stock & (preferably made yourself, because you want to be that cool, and hell, who doesn't have chicken bones just lying around the house to boil up. C'mon!) water to boil. Add carrots, celery, onion, green pepper, garlic, bay leaves, and cloves to water. Lower heat to medium low. Let simmer for one hour. Add chicken, lemon juice, and marjoram. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add egg noodles and turn heat up to medium. Cook until egg noodles are tender, approximately 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Consume heartily.

Keep in mind, this makes enough to feed a small army, so amass one early. It's hard to draft so late in the game.