More from the IM Archives: or, why ophymirage should never skip lunch before 'hashouts' with LSA

[loveslashangst]

Hi all. Because LSA and I are aware we're late with updates, and because we make ourselves giggle like maniacs, today we're putting up an earlier convo, featuring a metaphor that gets used WAY past its expiration date. :D

To understand why we thought this was funny, a) I'm at work and can't openly discuss the, er, saltier aspects of what we write, and b) because of this, we have a running gag/metaphor for discussing same, which is that "porn" became "pr0nz", which became "prawns", which turned into "seafood."

This started as a discussion about watching redtube (youtube for seafood) links, and LSA's slightly-too-frank critique of one of the videos. I shut the window down and asked her to remember her work-safe metaphors plzkthx, and this is what resulted.

LSA: Anyway
LSA: Was good seafood.
LSA: Not a taste I usually care for
OM: large and varied banquet
LSA: But entertaining in the presentation
OM: of research material ;)
OM: which is, of course, why I watched all the mm and mmm last night
OM: there's a whole category for it
LSA: YAY!!!!!!!!
OM: I feel I will be a much better seafood chef now.
LSA: Right
LSA: Have to have the right ingredients
LSA: in the right amounts
OM: yep
LSA: With the right spice.
LSA: It's all about combinations.
OM: and visuals always help.
LSA: And careful control
LSA: Right
OM: how-to's.
LSA: Some things you can only do after watching tutorials.
OM: I was pleased to see that several of the plating arrangements we've used before featured prominently, and appear to be fairly simple to construct.
LSA: Good to know.
LSA: I assume you took some notes on the recipes?
LSA: We can share later when I'm in the kitchen
OM: This conversation is totally making me LOL. And hungry.
LSA: bon appetit

(later)

LSA: Shall we continue our culinary discussion?
OM: Meeting - Give me a few.
LSA: Okay, so we're dealing with two separate dishes.
LSA: One with two ingredients.
LSA: And that one's mostly done
LSA: Have to be careful with over-stirring.
LSA: Could cause the souffle to fall.
OM: Instead of rise gently with applied heat? :D
LSA: Anyway
LSA: The other's much more complicated
LSA: you wouldn't think it, only having 3 ingredients.
LSA: But there are such infinite possible combinations.
LSA: Sort of have to start with the first two.
LSA: See how the flavours mix
LSA: And then decide when and how to add the third.
OM: Well, you have to balance the strong spice in that third ingredient.
LSA: Right
LSA: vanilla is not usually a flavour people take seriously.
LSA: Which is true if it's only the extract
LSA: But when you're dealing with the real beans right from the pod...
LSA: VERY potent
OM: It's a fine foundational flavor
OM: Enhances anything it's added to..
LSA: It is.
LSA: And again, with the cinnamon, a little goes a long way.
OM: Can be subtle or overwhelming..
LSA: Right
OM: Does this make ianto cayenne?
OM: Or coconut?
OM: Or possibly bitter chocolate..
OM: Or something fruity
OM: Sorry, inappropriate joke
LSA: :D
LSA: Apple
LSA: Crisp and sweet
LSA: A bit of tang
OM: Bitter and poisonous at the center?
LSA: Can be.
LSA: Makes a perfect base for the other spices.
LSA: Brings out their flavours.
LSA: Is easy to take for granted.
LSA: But surprisingly flexible.
LSA: Able to adapt to many dishes.
LSA: Sweet AND savoury.
LSA: Goes both ways.
LSA: ;)
OM: Hahaha
LSA: Good cooked or raw.
LSA: Caramel sauce or peanut butter.
LSA: my fav
LSA: Tender flesh that's pleasing to the mouth.
LSA: And combines perfectly with cinnamon and vanilla

(later still)

LSA: *offers fresh plate of apple tart with a side of seafood*
OM: he IS a little tart, isn't he?
LSA: Yup
LSA: He has an unexpected zing to him
LSA: looks innocent
OM: and squeaks a little when you bite him. :D
OM: not quite what I had in mind when I said that, but yes. ;D
LSA: hahahaha
LSA: We're gonna go out and get some groceries
OM: what, you're in need of inspiration for Ch. 24? :D