Dad’s Kale Salad Recipe or… Never Try Two New Recipes the Same Night.
Cooking with Dad and Mongo
One Package arugula & spinach
One bunch o’ Lacinato kale (Also called “black” or”dino” kale)
Two lemons
Olive oil
Parmesan
Salt & pepper
One Package of pine nuts
Honey
Can Do Attitude
Mr. Mongo is known for his amazing abilities to open things. He has opened molasses jars, tomato sauce jars, a metal sesame oil can, among other things. When it comes to food, no thumbs is no obstacle.
But when Dad went to South Africa again, Mongo had an anxiety attack. And when Mongo is anxious, Mongo eats. The problem was that Mom-mom didn’t leave any food just lying around. Dad can usually be counted on the leave something lying on the counter, whether it is a box of cookies, or just an avocado. (Mongo LOVES avocados.) Mom-mom is just too neat.
Working out how to steal a tomato or avocado off the counter usually occupies Mongo enough to take his mind off his separation anxiety when Dad has to go on the road. With no easily accessible food at Mom-mom’s house, he had to work at getting something to nosh on. Of course the more work, the more he eats. And the more he eats, the less he worries.
And this time he had eight times less worry. Mom-mom did not think he would open the special cans of tasty dog food she keeps in the kitchen for her little dog, Spork, but he did. Read More…
Cardboard Dilemma
Mongo has spent a month at Mom-mom’s house. He has not stopped his eternal quest for food at all in this time. Mom-mom bought pizza for her and brother Drewbie, but they did not take the empty pizza box straight out to the compost bin. This was a bad plan.
It is easy to understand how they could be indecisive at the critical moment. In Seattle, there are three bins to put items suitable for disposal,
- Trash (non-recyclable, non-compostable)
- Recycling (cardboard, glass, plastic, newspapers – slobbery or otherwise)
- Compostables (Food scraps, gardening trimmings, but no dog poop).
However, GREASY cardboard does not go in recycling. So where does it go? Read More…
Omnivore
omnivore: noun; an animal or person that eats a variety of food of both plant and animal origin. See Mongo.
Dad decided to make Cooking with a Wallflower’s recipe for roasted Summer Vegetable Spring Roll Bowls http://cookingwithawallflower.com/2016/08/15/roasted-summer-vegetable-spring-roll-bowls-with-tamarind-sesame-vinaigrette/
It seemed fairly simple. Dad decided to add some kale to the greens. It was delicious.
However, in the days before Mongo, there would have been a lot of vegetable scraps to put in the compost. But Mongo loves vegetables. So not much goes into the compost hopper as long as it is dog-safe. So what kinds of things does Mongo eat? Read More…
On the Horns of a Dilemma
During apple season, Mongo is always on the lookout for fallen apples. Despite the fact that he has been stung on multiple occasions by yellow jackets hiding in the apples, he continues to scoop them up if he comes across a tasty one.
This morning, Mongo had scored another apple from a tree near the house. He carried it back and then into the kitchen.
Dad looked at him and asked, “Do you want to EAT?” EAT being one of Mongo;s favorite words, he opened his mouth, dropped the apple, and did a happy dance around the kitchen.
Dad prepared his kibbles and green beans, and placed the bowl on the floor. Mongo scarfed it up with his usual gusto. Then he appeared puzzled for a moment as he surveyed the kitchen. When he saw the apple, he sauntered over and scooped it up again.
Now Mongo knows apples are outside food. So he stood there in the kitchen with the apple in his mouth, looking at Dad expectantly. He was waiting for Dad to give the command “OUTSIDE”. Instead Dad threw him a curve ball.
Treat Bobber
Mongo has a rubber orange Treat Ball. It is a hollow ball with an opening to the inside that allows Dad to put kibble into the middle of ball. As Mongo rolls the ball around, the ball meters out treats. Mongo LOVES Treat Ball.
However, Mongo is way to good at the treat ball game. This means Mongo eats way too much kibble, and Dad spends all his time filling up treat ball.
So Dad bought Mongo a Treat Bobber for his birthday. (Dad got Mongo’s at A DOG’S DREAM in Georgetown, WA)
Treat Bobber
Treat Bobber has adjustments to slow down the number of treats it issues. And since it doesn’t roll as easily as a ball, it takes longer for Mongo to empty the Treat Bobber, theoretically at least.
Rolling the Treat Bobber
That theory does not assume that Mongo will learn how to make Treat Bobber roll down the driveway, thereby spewing treats all along its path. One or two trips down the driveway and Treat Bobber is empty. And then,when Mongo is done cleaning up after Treat Bobber, all he has to do is bring it back in to Dad for a refill.
I’d Like a Refill Please
After filling Mongo’s Treat Bobber repeatedly one day, Dad was heard to mutter to himself, “If only he would use his powers for good, instead of for appetizers.”
More Bagels for Mongo
Early in the morning, Dad had purchased two bagels. Dad had eaten his, but he left Drewbie’s bagel on the kitchen table, waiting for him to wake up. Will Dad ever learn about leaving bagels out?
Mongo’s gallery
Mongolope 
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