NOT NOMI MALONE'S BROWN RICE AND VEGETABLES

It's Foodie Friday time again. Two cool club points to anyone who can identify the inspiration for this dish's name.

Not Nomi Malone's Brown Rice and Vegetables
Prep Time- 40 minutes
Serves 2-4 depending on how many vegetables you like on your rice
-½ cup uncooked brown rice
-4 cloves garlic
-½ cup silken tofu
-½ cup nonfat plain yogurt
-Juice of ½ lemon
-8 basil leaves
-1 bunch asparagus
-1tbsp olive oil
-2 roasted red peppers (I use the ones from a jar but you could roast them yourself if you are cooler than me)
-4 baby bella mushrooms (I would have liked more but I only had four left)
-1/4 onion (again, I would have liked more but I only had ¼ left)

-Thinly slice thee cloves of garlic and add to rice before cooking for an extra yummy flavor
-Cook rice according to directions (for most brown rice it is one part rice to two parts water)
-Blend tofu, yogurt, lemon juice (except a tiny squeeze), 5 basil leaves, roasted red peppers to yield a nice creamy dressing
-heat olive oil over medium heat
- Cut asparagus into whatever size pieces you like (after discarding the bottom inch of course) I just cut them once through the middle because I like big pieces.
- sauté about 2 minutes
-Put dressing in small saucepan and heat over low heat
-Chop mushrooms and 2 leaves of basil and add to the asparagus and onion and the tiny leftover squeeze of lemon juice
-Cover for about 2 minutes so everything is nice and done (asparagus should be crunchy but warm and flavorful)

Spoon out about a half cup of rice and spread over the plate. Drizzle about 2-3 tbsp of dressing over the rice, Place asparagus mixture over the rice and drizzle lightly with more dressing, chop the final leaf of basil to use for garnish
Enjoy

Since the new music I got wasn't guessed at all I feel the need to say a few things about these artists. Not that I am an expert on any of them because I just found out about their music last week. Most of the links got to amazon but not cause I'm telling you to buy stuff, just because you can listen to samples.

1. Hey little boy you’re not allowed to stay/ You have to evolve inevitably/ And I’ve sure come a long way. Gettin Grown, Cee-lo Green.
I actually do know a little bit about Cee-lo. He was part of the Goodie Mob and, most recently joined forces with DangerMouse to create the unparalled Gnarls Barkley. However, I did not know he had released a solo album in 2004 entitled "Cee-lo Green and his Perfect Imperfections", can you get a better title than that? I think not. I found out about this album while browsing though my On Demand music videos and coming across one entitled "Getting Grown". The video featured Cee-lo in various teletubbie type costumes and a lot of whistling. I was very interested in finding out more. The album is awesome. The songs range from rap to r&b to soul to funk. I highly recommend that you pick it up.

2. He said “I’ll protect you like you are the crown jewels” /Yet/ Said he’s feeling sorrier for me the more I behave badly/ I can bet. Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartbroken, Camera Obscura.
This band was a very pleasant surprise for me. The vocals are soft, almost Isobel Campbellesque, and there is a innocence to their music. I can say nothing bad about it. If you are into girls singing sweetly with kickin' harmonies to music that you can't help but bop your head to I highly recommend checking them out. The album I have is Let's Get Out Of This Country. I look forward to getting more.

3. Love is a dress that you made long enough to hide your knees/ Love to say this to your face/ I’ll love you only. Love and Some Verses, Iron & Wine.
This album is all about a guy and his acoustic guitar. His voice is soft and sincere. Some people might call it hippie music but there isn't enough funk behind most of the music for real hippies. It would be real good for sitting around and playing Monoploy to though. I hear faint traces of CNSY at times. The album I have is Our Endless Numbered Days. If a guy and his guitar is not your thing then this album is not for you. For those of you who like soothing music, catchy melodies, and meaningful lyrics; I highly recommend that you pick it up.

4. I heard rumors/ I heard talk/ About the trail you left of /Broken hearts. Smoke and Ashes, Tracy Chapman.
This isn't new and if you don't know what Tracy Chapman is about by now then you wouldn't like her music.