Olive Oil

There is an email-crazy woman living in our condominium. After a year and a half of disproportionately aggressive virtual correspondence, she sold her unit and will be moving out in February. Unfortunately, that has not stopped her from continuing her rants. A new boundary line was crossed in her last letter: actual swear words. I'm totally impressed. If only she would use her powers for good, and not merely to subdue dirty carpets.

....let's add another rule to the fines as well.Dogs should come and go from the back. It's just too many muddy paws parading in and out several times a day. Also, the amount of dog hair I vacuumed up last week (in case anybody noticed how good the hall looked for a few days there due to my efforts...) was really ridiculous. There were actual tumble weeds of dog hair. I'd say about 75% of what I was vacuuming was just dog hair, the other 25% was rock salt and leaves from all of our shoes. Like I said in my email last week, my old condo charged just us dog owners several times a year for professional carpet cleaning, and as an owner of 2 big dogs at the time, I thought that was more than fair. Fines HAVE STARTED ALREADY, so yes, whoever knocked over the plant and then left it there for how many days now? to just sink into the rug and become a stain (I seem to recall the same thing happening with the dog pee last year....) is just pathetic. This is not a college dorm. The rest of us shouldn't have to put up with this thoughtless bullshit.I am really tired of this.

Maybe she just needs a vacation.

OLIVE OIL FROM SPAIN CONTEST

The Rules: Provide your favorite original recipe including one of the following Olive Oil From Spain brands (Carbonell, Pompeian, Goya, and Star),

Judging Criteria: Entrant with the best recipe will be based on the following equally-weighted judging criteria: (a) taste; (b) simplicity; and (c) use of one of the following Olive Oil From Spain brands

Prize: 6-day/ 5-night culinary trip for two (2) for winner and guest to Barcelona and Cordoba, Spain. Trip includes: round-trip (coach) air travel from the major commercial airport nearest to winner’s residence to Barcelona, Spain, ground transfers, 5-nights 4-star hotel accommodations (double occupancy) in Barcelona and Cordoba, domestic flight for two (2) from Barcelona to Seville, customized private culinary activities, cultural visits, including entry fees, English speaking guides, transportation to excursions in private car with chauffer, organized meals for two (2) (includes 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners).

The Entry: Spicy Shrimp with Olive Herbs*

1 cup pitted green Spanish olives, chopped if large
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup Star extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 (28-oz) can whole diced tomatoes in juice1/2 cup sliced canned pickled jalapenos with 1 tablespoon pickling juice
1 teaspoon salt
2 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp (not cooked)
In a blender or food processor, combine the olives, parsley, olive oil, 1 garlic clove, lemon zest and black pepper. Process to a puree, leaving a little texture. Transfer olive chermoula to a bowl and reserve for later.

Do not wipe out the food processor or blender. Instead combine tomatoes, pickled jalapeno, remaining garlic clove, and salt in the same blender. Puree until mostly smooth.

Transfer pureed tomatoes to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium low, simmer for 10 minutes and then add shrimp. Simmer 10 more minutes until shrimp is cooked through. Serve jalapeno shrimp over cooked rice. Serve with a generous dollop of olive chermoula.

*Name changed for contesting purposes