I got slammed!
I've been lucky as a blogger over the years. I've rarely received negative comments or any remarks that could remotely be construed as rude or hateful.
I was chastised, rather severely, a few years ago for a rant on US politics. I wasn't supporting any particular agenda, but commenting on the actions of the politicians themselves. Several readers rather firmly stated they were abandoning my blog forever. That was really the only time I've been strongly criticised.
Frankly, that's a bit surprising as I'm not widely known as the type to mince words.
Also, I've been known to, er, complain about thus and such from time to time.
I do try not to offend…. Perhaps I've succeeded.
That's why today was such a surprise.
By way of explanation, the weather here has been dismal: cold, damp and foggy for several days. It's 'pea soup' fog… I can't see the railings on the balcony. The field is mud, the lawn is mud, the trees are dripping….. I talked to our friend in Spain who was enjoying glorious sunshine and warm temps.
I tweeted this: I'm far-sick for Spain…. Sigh…. And I'm really sick of all this cold, damp fog. This is FRANCE!
I received this in response: What are you doing in France anyway, why dont you go back to your own country if you are so unhappy!!!!
I though that was just, ever so slightly, an over-reaction.
I could be wrong…..
It's been known to happen recently.
One can rarely go wrong combining two favorite foods…. Like risotto and meatballs.
Risotto with Meatballs
2/3 cup Arborio rice (or other rice specifically for risotto – Carnaroli or Vialone Nano)
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 cup (4oz, 125ml) dry, white wine
2 1/4 cups (18oz, 550ml) chicken stock
1 tsp butter
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup (2oz, 60gr) Parmesan cheese – freshly grated
Condimenti
Heat chicken stock and keep hot over low heat.
In medium sauce pan heat butter and oil; add onion and sauté until transparent. Add the rice and sauté, stirring, for 2 – 3 minutes until rice has white center. Add white wine and stir.
Start condimenti.
When wine is almost absorbed add a 1/3 cup of stock, stir. (No need to stir constantly but do stir from time to time.) When stock is almost absorbed add another 1/3 cup and continue adding 1/3 cup at a time and stirring. Before adding the last 1/3 cup taste a few kernels of rice. They should be just 'al dente' – slightly resistant to the tooth, but fully cooked. If more stock is needed add it 1/8 cup at a time and waiting until almost completely absorbed. At this point risotto will be thick but not stiff – there will still be visible liquid and it will not hold it's shape on a plate.
Add the Parmesan and stir well. Add condimenti, stir gently, spoon into a bowl or risotto platter and serve immediately.
Condimenti
6oz (175gr) ground beef
1 egg
2 tbs bread crumbs
2 tsp dried shallots
1/4 tsp dried garlic
1 tbs white wine
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, roughly chopped
1 rib celery, roughly chopped
1 cup chopped Roma tomatoes
2 tsp olive oil
Combine first 8 ingredients, mix well. Form into small meatballs, 1 inch or less in diameter.
Heat oil in medium skillet. Add onion, carrot, celery and sauté until tender. Add meatballs and brown lightly. Add tomatoes, cover and simmer over low heat until needed.
I hope next week is better…..
BTW, the person who told me to go back to my own country was a realtor, here in France… British, I think. Do you think they were just trolling for listings?
Yes I w ould agree it’s an overreaction. Some people just can’t help being negative. Don’t let it get you down. You have a wonderful blog, evidenced by this comforting recipe.
You’d think they would see by all your favorable comments that you really love France. Shame on them – flaming is not nice.
And here I thought only American reactionaries responded to criticism of their country with the “take the next flight abroad” response. I would have expected you’d get more hate mail from mixing meatballs with risotto!
ciachowlinda, complaining about the weather is sacrosanct! (I think) Thanks….
Zoomie, see, it happens so rarely I didn’t even know the right word LOL
Dan, and cheese with fish. I’m always amazed that the food / blog police don’t come after me for that one. And, for the record, meatballs can go in anything!
I know weather can get us all down – here I sit in our mid summer in a puffer jacket – I am yearning for Spain too !! And now I am yearning for risotto and meatballs as well !!
Didn’t you read the handout on arrival that as an expat you have to be deliriously happy all the time with your adopted country or you must immediately return to your former country?
I’ve noticed a real increase in negative and just plain unpleasant comments lately. I think it’s the winter malaise setting in. Or maybe it’s just that there are too many unhappy people with too much time on their hands. Let them eat meatballs! (And delete those comments….)
I’ll bet people born and raised in France can complain about the weather as often as they want. Or in any country for that matter. Just as I do in the US, and my son-in-law does in England. Funny how that works. Or should I say, doesn’t work.
Awesome recipe BTW!
Katie – this meal looks wonderful! As for the negative nay-sayers – it seems there are certainly a lot of them out there! I recently read a blog on the success of one woman (whose blog is doing really well) that was so negative I could not believe what I was reading. Won’t go back there again. It seems some people are not happy unless they are slandering other people with their negativity! Rotten apples to them!
One dish I am yet to perfect i s risotfto. Was probabably a bad idea to start off with whole rice grain. Was quite the challenge.
Nasty comments used to come to my blog A LOT. But most of the haters have subsided. I say laugh and move on. Or in your case stay (in France) on. GREG
Everyone has the right to complain about the weather! LOL It’s practically a national sport here anyway (and my elderly neighbor has got to be the champion) 🙂 As for the recipe–I’ve got it on my to-do list already and I can’t stop salivating just looking at the photo!
This looks really good. Don’t worry about some goofball giving you a hard time. I had somebody bash me recently on my weight loss blog. I was so stunned. Apparently some people don’t appreciate a sense of humour about things. Go figure.
manningroad, summer cold is much worse. One expects (or should) winter cold. Hope it improves soon.
Judith, I did read it…. but I thought there was a ‘bad weather clause’ Apparently I was mistaken LOL
Lydia, maybe that’s what it is…. General Global Grumpiness!
Curt, I avoid religion and politics…. but weather?!?
Ina, some people do love to complain…. As I do LOL
foodwanderings, you really have to have the right rice. Just doesn’t work without it. Try again 0 you’ll be glad you did…
sippitysup, I guess I’ve been lucky – or ignored, one of the two….
Erin, I’ve always thought it was fair game. My neighbors are pretty good at it too.
Kim, some people are only happy being mean – and it’s amazing how many people don’t get subtle (or ironic) humor.