Can Drink Now Per Doctors Orders...Send Booze

This is what it said in the subject line of the e-mail I received yesterday from my friend Sharleen who just had a baby girl a few weeks ago and who I have not seen since the baby was born...because I am a bad bad friend.

This is what her e-mail said:

According to two independent pediatricians, beer is required drinking by nursing mothers...and wine has been suggested by a midwife to keep postpartum blues at bay .... who knew.

would type more, however, I have yet to master typing with one hand while barracuda child trashes my breast.

Will satisfy my longing for your company, by reading your blog and consuming required beverages. doctor's orders!

Must get together. Need insanity check.

Hugs, Shar~

A cry for help indeed. So, I'll be packing up a few things in a basket and heading up to see her at the house in Connecticut. Here's what will be in the basket:

1. A twelve pack of coronas (a few for us, some for sharing with others)
2. A small bag of lemons.
3. A cute but impractical and expensive dress for the baby that she'll never actually wear except maybe at Thanksgiving, but by then it will be too small.
4. Diapers.
5. Nipple salve.
6. A bottle of Sauvignon Blanc...(in case we have to share with others more)
7. A big brother gift for Benny, who is probably still recovering from sibling-induced post traumatic stress disorder
8. A game for the kids that will keep them so amused (or catatonic) for hours that we can talk and hang out like chicks from our single days (Does such a game actually exist?)
9. Some extra cans of that spray stuff they give you in the hospital to make your vagina feel better, 'cause a happy vagina is a happy woman
10. Another bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (for sharing...or for me)
11. Some nice thick steaks for the grill.
12.A warm tin of these onion strings, which are like sex, which is good since the doctor still isn't allowing that.

See ya soon, Shar!

And really, these onion strings are heaven.Try them with dipping sauces. But make a generous amount - the whole family will devour them.

xxxooo YM

Onion Strings (adapted from The Art of the Pig & The Pioneer Woman Cooks )

1 large onion
2 cups buttermilk
2 cups flour
1 scant tablespoon salt
Lots of black pepper 1
/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Canola Oil
A wedge or two of lemon (optional)

Slice onion very thin. I used a mandolin to get them very skinny. Place in a baking dish and cover with buttermilk for at least one hour. Combine dry ingredients and set aside. Heat oil to 375 degrees or shimmering on the surface. Grab a handful of onions, throw into the flour mixture, tab to shake off excess, and plunge them into hot oil. Fry for a few minutes and remove with a slotted spoon as soon as golden brown. Repeat until onions are all fried. Heap them on a plate and give 'em a little squeeze of lemon and serve with a pot of ketchup and another of my cilantro mayonnaise for dipping.

The Yummy Mummy's Spicy Cilantro Mayonnaise

Mayo (home-made or from a jar)
Cilantro (chiffonade)
Salt (to taste)
Lemon (a squeeze)
Sambal Olek (optional, for heat)

Combine well in a bowl and serve with onion strings, right next to the ketchup