I\’ve never been a pinch hitter on a bicycle team; but I guess you can call it pinch hitting when I make substitutions while cooking. Sometimes it\’s make the substitution; or not try out the new recipe!

Today I took vacation because I had several things I needed to get done. With that extra time, I hauled out The American Diabetes Association Vegetarian Cookbook; and tried the Basil Ginger Cashew Pilaf, on page 57. And did I do some some pinch hitting!

First, the recipe says to use white basmati rice. I have none; but why buy basmati rice when I\’ve got lots of brown rice? So I cooked up brown rice. The recipe uses peanut and dark roasted sesame oils. I don\’t have either one, so I used sesame seed oil.

Another substitution I made was peanuts instead of cashews. I\’ve got to use up those roasted-in-the-shell \”goobers\” that I bought at the salvage store a while back. And I didn\’t want to buy fresh ginger root; so I used some ground ginger instead.

The onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper I could leave unchanged. Perhaps most notably, I didn\’t have any fresh basil. Fresh herbs are crazy expensive, so I used a teaspoon of dry basil leaves. Maybe I could have used more than that; next time I\’ll try it.

This recipe makes a LOT: a good 11 cups; and I packed most of it away in the freezer. Naturally I ate some right away; and it\’s really good. Some day I\’ll try it with chopped cabbage instead of carrots and celery. Oh, there I go again! This will be like Hoppin\’John and its many variations.

Mañana

Tomorrow is another work day; but at least it\’s Friday 😊 I\’m thinking of how I\’ll get in my riding: a short spin on the road bike; and then take the hybrid to Whole Foods? Or rig the hybrid for a load; ride around the park a few times; and then head for the store?

The former means I can get in some real \”unclimbing\” work; but it\’s too easy to stay out too long that way. Then I might not have time to go to the store and be back home in time for clocking in. The latter means plodding along; but it will be easier in a way because I won\’t need to go home and switch bikes.

I can think about it tomorrow before I go out. Mañana is good enough for me; and I don\’t have to get out there and do any pinch hitting for a racing team.