DEAR ANNIE
BY ANNIE LANE

IS NOT SPLITTING THE POT STIRRING THE POT?

Dear Annie:

I recently won over $500 in a local March Madness basketball bracket.  It was $20 to enter, and my bracket came out on top.  I told my wife about my winnings and, while happy for me, she expected me to split the winnings with her.

I must say that I did take the $20 entry fee from our joint banking account.  I replaced the original $20 back into our account and offered to take her to dinner or give her $100 as a token of unity and support.  However, she felt that this consolation to her was inadequate and that we should split the winnings to get around $250 each.  I feel that this is not a fair deal as I was the one who took the initiative to enter the bracket and pick the ultimate winners.

What do you think?  Am I being stingy with the winnings, or am I justified to take the bulk of the reward because I was the one who won?  ~ Busted in Birmingham

Dear Busted:

It seems to me this was your own solo venture and so the rewards should be yours alone.  While you temporarily borrowed the $20 buy-in from your shared  account, so long as you replenished those funds, I’d consider you off the hook.  You found the info on entering the bracket.  You picked and compiled your teams.  You followed along week after week.  Was she aware you were participating?  Did she express any interest or advice in selecting your bracket?  If she wasn’t a part of the process, she’s not automatically entitled to be part of the reward.

Think:  Say she went to play bingo with friends, borrowed $20 from you to do it that she later paid you back for, and won the same amount of money you did here, would you expect a piece — let alone half — of the pie?  I doubt it.  Try explaining it to your wife this way over that nice dinner you mentioned, and when next year’s bracket comes around, make sure she knows how to participate if she wants to.

It’s not uncommon for partners in long-term marriages to start thinking of their money as the family’s money, as opposed to his and hers.  This seems to be your wife’s outlook on it.  Now sounds like the perfect time for a larger conversation about finances in general and setting firmer boundaries around money, as individuals and as a couple.

~ Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com
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CATFISH CAKES

If you’re a catfish fan – you’re going to love these – and the task of making them – i.e. takes a little bit of time – is totally worth it.  They’re delicious as appetizers, served with a small side salad for lunch or dinner or as a sandwich between two slender slices of your favorite bread or roll.

Hippie Cowboy customers were devoted to these terrific fish cakes and enjoyed dipping them in Chipotle Ranch dressing.

HERE’S HOW TO MAKE THEM AT HOME:

• 3 TBSP butter
• 3 TBSP olive oil
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless catfish fillets, cut into bite size chunks
• 3/4 cup small-diced red onion
• 1 1/2 cup small-diced celery
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
• 2 tsp minced garlic

MELT BUTTER AND OIL IN LARGE SKILLET OVER MEDIUM-HIGH HEAT:

Saute catfish chunks, onion, celery, jalapenos, garlic until cooked through – about 10 minutes – stirring frequently so the minced garlic doesn’t want to burn.

Remove from heat and transfer all to a large mixing bowl.

ADD THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS TO CATFISH MIX IN THE LARGE BOWL:

• 3/4 cup good quality mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1/4 tsp Tabasco
• 1 TBSP Dijon mustard
• 1 1/4 cups bread crumbs (seasoned best – I like Progresso Bread Crumbs – race ready)
• 3/4 cup fresh cilantro, minced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• salt and pepper to taste

MIX ALL UNTIL WELL COMBINED.  FORM INTO 1/2″ PATTIES BY HAND – think about the size of the opening of a large tuna can – they’re gonna be a little sticky so I keep a pie plate with a little flour close by to dust my hands in from time to time.

HEAT IN THE SAME SKILLET CATFISH + WAS COOKED IN OVER MEDIUM HEAT:

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup butter

Gently place your formed catfish cakes in and fry for for about 5 minutes each side, until nice and toasty browned.

Drain on paper towels and put them in the oven to keep warm at 250* until all are done.

Serve all for your get together.

Or, yes, put them single file in the freezer on a plate(s) – for another time.    Ta-Dah!

~ Hippie Cowboy recipe box