2) A mallet might have been faster, and the whole thing would probably have been quieter if our cabinets were made of better materials. I think the cats were mainly annoyed that I was disturbing naptime.

3) That’s a tricky one; you would want to substitute something, but I’m not sure what. Basil would make for a sort of gingery pesto, which could be nice but not really the same; arugula could be a good substitution. I guess which direction you take it depends on what else you’re serving and how the flavor would complement that.

1) Thank you again for the subscription to this magazine. I cannot tell you enough how much I enjoy/appreciate it.

2) Dave pounds out chicken cutlets on our kitchen counters with a big mallet and OUR cats hang out and demand chicken despite the banging. We’ve never given them any, so I don’t know why they think they’d like it.

3) I cannot stand cilantro. I’ve been pondering whether the noodles would be any good without it. Your thoughts?