Thank you for being a friend

Yes, you know I'm quoting the cheesy Andrew Gold song used for the show "The Golden Girls" but recently I've realized how in society we tend to say "thank you" to people for actions such as holding the door open for us as we walk into some place, watching the kids while we take care of something (in my case the pets), lending us some sugar, a couple of eggs or even a vacuum cleaner, or doing us a favor but how often do we say to someone: thank you for being you, for being there for me, for being a friend?  How often do we let people know just how much they mean to us?


Last week, my friend Chef moved back to Mexico to open his restaurant Xix-ím and two wonderful ladies had planned a surprise going-away get together before his departure.  I had a massive headache/migraine all day that day and DH wasn't feeling too hot either but (and this one of the reasons I love him so much) he still accompanied me and drove to Sullivan's so we could say "see you soon" and "good luck" to Chef.  We got there late because I had a late meeting so Chef was already there along with others.  When he saw us, his face lit up, he got up from his seat and gave me the biggest bear hug (Chef is a big guy and his hugs are pretty good) ever!  He kept saying "que bueno verte" and "no lo puedo creer" with me saying back "we wouldn't have missed this".  I think because we were late he thought we wouldn't be showing up.  


As we sat down, ordered and such Chef introduced me to the husband of one of the organizers (I know her but hadn't met him) and said: Jenny is one of my dearest friends, she is one of the first people I met when I moved to Denver and she just always made me feel so at home here.  My jaw nearly dropped.  I care a lot for Chef, he's a great guy with a caring spirit, loads of talent (and never lets his fame amongst Latinos go to his head as a local celebrity) and he is always happy to go along with my crazy ideas but I had no idea that this is what I meant to him, in 5 years he had never said a word.  We had a nice time that night regardless of our ailments and on our way home I kept thinking about what Chef had said and it made me think of my lovely friend Meche.


I met Meche 7 years ago when we both went through a leadership program together.  Recently she told me that our get-togethers were really important to her since I was part of her familia.  That group of people that first accepted and loved her for who she is right after moving to Denver.  I could have won an Oscar that night for not letting my jaw drop and all I kept thinking about was how I could have nearly not been a part of that and what a loss that would have been for me.  You see, my gay-dar is pretty sucky unless the person flaunts it, and by flaunting it I mean saying to my face: I'm gay/queer/transgender/etc.  We were in a leadership program with all women and didn't necessarily feel comfortable sharing everything about who we were and Meche wasn't going to tell everyone - hey, I'm a lesbian!  I remember always asking Meche if she had a love interest (never a boyfriend which is my normal M.O.) amongst other things (she was kinda shy) but I didn't know she wasn't straight and didn't find out until almost the end of the program.  She said she always felt safe and accepted by me and all I can think is "by the Grace of the Universe I never asked her if she had a boyfriend which might not have made her feel accepted" - can you imagine if I had? YAY Universe!!!


Common thread or point I'm trying to make you say?  I had no idea what I meant to Chef or Meche until they said something which takes me back to the original thought of this posting, how often do we let people know what they mean to us?  Not their actions mind you, but them, the person who can make a world of difference?  Rarely.   


Recently, I decided to tell my friend Patty what an important role she played in my life (and still does), I was nervous and feeling slightly uneasy (even though this is the friend I call to spill my guts to ALL the time) it took courage, although I'm not sure why but afterwards I felt so much better knowing that she now knew one more reason why she was/is so special to me.


My challenge to you: pick a couple of people in your life who mean a lot and then tell them.  It will make you feel closer to each other, because knowing how much you mean to someone makes you be a better friend to them and it's lovely to feel appreciated.

Oh the weather outside is frightful but inside it's delicious!

Along with the rest of the country, Colorado is having frigid temps and snow, however Coloradoans were the first ones to really be hit by this storm (although probably won't be hit hardest - no "thundersnow" here!) so we have been suffering through it a little longer than the rest which gives us a head start on... cooking!  


I've seen a lot of Facebook postings talking about stocking up on booze, snacks, pizza and other store bought crap but I happen to think this is perfect weather to try yummy new recipes that will keep you warm.  That is why I stopped by the store to buy a few additional ingredients on my way home yesterday knowing full well that my body would not be leaving the house for over 24 hours (if not more) and that if I was missing an ingredient: oh well! recipe would have to be modified cause my butt was not up to freezing.


First off is a recipe my friend Patty suggested the last time I posted some recent culinary accomplishments.  It is called Chicken in Garlic and Shallots and because I forgot a couple of things I made a couple of adjustments (just with the herbs) and in the future would probably add a lot more garlic cloves but it was if I do say so myself, awesome!! I really normally don't like chicken on the bone (I'm not sure why but hey, I live in the year 2011 and not back in 1901 so I can be that way) but this recipe made me not care about such a thing.  Plus, it was wwwaaaayyy cheaper than buying chicken breast.  The chicken was juicy, moist, tender and falling off the bone and the roasted garlic cloves were an explosion of flavor in my mouth.  This is definitely a repeat kind of recipe!! Friends don't let other friends not try this recipe (Patty, I can't believe you kept it from me for this long!!)!

Browned on the stove but pre-oven

Post-oven, doesn't it look wonderful?

I also made some Potato Bread, a really simple recipe (especially when it comes to bread) that is a real treat when you have it right out of the oven or later on after it has cooled or toasted with some butter or served along side some stew or any other way you may think of - just let me put it in my mouth already!  Many people seem to be unwilling to give bread baking a chance, especially if it doesn't involve a breadmaker but that is a huge mistake!  Making bread at home is an easy process and will give you olfactory memories you (and your family) will never forget.

This recipe makes 2 loaves or you can make them into rolls as well,
one is smaller cause I had already dug in when I took this picture!

And lastly a recipe that lives up to Neil Diamond's lyric of "crunchy granola's neat" because it was fun and easy to make, made the house smell fantastic and tasted better than any granola I've had recently (sorry Udi's Bakery but it's true).  I've been munching on it since which of course spoiled my appetite (you were right mom!) for dinner but who cares cause I don't have to set an example for anyone in my house!

Fresh out of the oven

Full of healthy goodness!

As always, happy to share any of these you might find appealing.  And if you live near me, are coming to visit soon or want to get together and have me prepare any of these I am happy to oblige! Stay warm!!

Culinary Accomplishments - Recent ones...

In recent years I've noticed that I like to eat and somewhat cook seasonally.  What does that mean for me?  It means salads during winter don't really sound appetizing (although this year I have found a way to still eat them during the winter) and even though I love soup and stew I neither want to cook it nor eat it when it is 80 degrees or more outside.  Therefore, I told myself that this year I would do my best to start making sure that I get lots and lots of "wintry" foods in before the season is over so that in the summer I can go bonkers making Caprese Salad and nothing else.  


As a part of this, I've been trying out new recipes lately, the first was Chicken Tortilla Soup.  Mind you this is not a soup I would ever order in a restaurant (not really sure why but you have read the name of my blog, right?) but for some reason it sounded good and I had some corn tortillas that were just unacceptable for the more traditional uses I like to give them so here are a few pics of the results:

The tortillas that needed to be used, these turned out delish!

The soup in the earlier stages

Final result - yummy!!

I recently checked out of the library the cookbook Jamie's Food Revolution which has really detailed, step-by-step recipes that involve all natural ingredients to make simple but good food.  I tried this recipe last night, it is called Meatballs and Pasta and I made a couple of tweaks like using bison meat instead of pork or beef (no specific reason for this change except that bison meat was in my freezer and not any other kind) and not adding basil to the sauce and I thought it was still pretty good.  Now, I realize this is probably not a "wintry" meal but nonetheless, some wonderful comfort food for a wintry night.

I doubled the recipe so instead of 24 meatballs I ended up with 48 (not all are pictured)

Slightly crunchy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside.

Ta-da! And then I added cheese!

I can't wait for tomorrow, planning on making Baked Oatmeal for breakfast, mmmm...  If you feel up to it, share what you like to make or eat during winter, I would love more ideas to add to my repertoire!

2011 - Transition

Life is a series of beginnings and endings.  Many of which occur without a hitch or we respond to them easily since we have become accustomed to them like the transitions in the seasons year round or a new year that comes around every 12 months.  Whether transitions are unexpected or planned (although we have somewhat deluded ourselves that they aren't right around the corner) they can become challenging, forcing us to let go of the familiar and face the future.  This can leave us feeling pretty vulnerable.  Transitions add to life some anxiety, fear, sadness, anger and in my case it has left me feeling unprepared.


So what's going on you may wonder?  The grant that I work for is ending.  It doesn't come as a shock.  I knew the moment I took the job that the grant would end in November 2011 but back in 2008 that seemed like a long time away.  It also seemed like a really good thing, I would take the job, stick with it until the end and then be free to pursue something new and exciting.  Ever hear of the adage: "A rolling stone gathers no moss"?  That has been my professional career.  I used to hop from one job to another every year or so, always learning a lot, never ever getting attached to anything or anyone.  Why?  Because I get bored easily with most jobs.  Most jobs require for you to go in day after day and do the same stuff and don't let you exercise your creativity much.  Most bosses (in my experience) don't appreciate it when you ask "how about we try this (referring to something new or doing something differently)".  Also, I've found several environments in the non-profit world to want and ask too much of you.  Since you are working for a non-profit the expectation is for you to devote your body and soul to the job, for little pay and forgoing your life outside of work.  I love working for a good cause but I'm not about to give up the privilege of having a life for it.


But I was completely unprepared for how this job, my employer, my coworkers and the community members I work with would change that for me.  I LOVE what I am doing now and the work that I get to do in the community!  I think I have a great boss, I really like most of my coworkers (hey, you can't have it all), and my employer by non-profit standards kicks-butt (not that I have any other standards to compare it to)!


The last couple of months of 2010 I felt numb.  The past couple of weeks I fluctuated between self-doubt, anxiety and misplaced anger.  On Thursday I spent some time with one of my board members who has also become a friend.  I told her how I was just feeling angry and annoyed in general and she was kind enough to turn the light bulb on by saying: you've grown attached.  And she is right, this stone has officially gathered some moss.  It may not seem like a huge realization to most people but for me it's enormous.  I think it  allows me to move on to the next steps of accepting and embracing this change as real and making the most of the time I have left under the grant.  It also allows me to prepare for the transition of what is next (fingers crossed and I may be staying with my current employer in a similar capacity).  And even though November seems like many months away, let's be honest - time flies when you are having fun!

                    

                                                 

                           

Culinary Accomplishments - December 19th to December 26th

I think it is a well-known fact that I like to cook, and I enjoy the company and help of my sous-chef also known as DH while in the kitchen.  I decided to make some treats that I call "cake truffles" as an incentive for my friend K, she is trying something new and to keep her motivated I bribe her with anything chocolate.  Since I wasn't in the mood to make brownies (which she really likes), I tried these.  You can make them with whatever kind of cake you like, these had chocolate cake and cream cheese frosting and then were covered in milk chocolate and then drizzled with more milk chocolate, don't they look great?

We had extra ones that I let DH decorate, someone went a little nuts with these... let's just say these were the ones that stayed home and DH was given to eat as a treat.

We decided to make a "breakfast pie" yesterday morning, guess who went a little nuts "decorating" the dough with little figurines?

Filled with eggs, milk, cheddar cheese, link sausage, salt and pepper.

Topped with hash browns - pretty tasty!

And then dinner last night.  We have the tradition of doing the Feast of Seven Fishes.  Although it is traditionally done on Christmas Eve we made it last night because DH worked late on the 24th.  It is a nice way to incorporate my grandmother's Italian heritage, my Costa Rican heritage and DH's grandfather's Swedish heritage all in one meal.  On the menu last night was Spicy Crab Cakes with a sweet salsa served on top of a yummy salad and Lemon Seafood Pasta.  In the end we didn't cook 7 fishes even though we had them, we just didn't feel up to cooking so much food (something we struggle with each year) and then being exhausted, but the end results were perfect for us.

Crab cakes pre-cooking ready to be covered in panko breadcrumbs

Crab cakes in the pan, one side looks delicious while the other side cooks

Crab cake plated on the salad; crunchy, spicy and overall delish!

Scallops for the pasta and bacon to top the pasta with...

Finished product: Lemon Seafood Pasta which included shrimp, scallops and lobster.

If you see anything you like and want to try don't be shy about asking me for the recipe, I am happy to share!

Restaurant Review - Shanahan's Steakhouse

One of the reasons I started this blog was at the suggestion of DH.  We love to go out to eat, but DH has the memory of a gnat or something else that is teeny tiny and would have no memory whatsoever.  Therefore when we go to a "repeat" (restaurant that we've been to before) it is my responsibility/duty/chore/burden to remind him if there is something he ordered last time that he didn't really enjoy so as to not make the same mistake twice, this is why it would always behoove DH to make sure I am happy with him at this point in time, otherwise his additional memory might "forget" about a dislike and allow him to make that mistake, yet again.  So one evening as we are finishing a dinner out he says: "we" (meaning me) should start a blog about the places we visit and then rate them and keep track of likes and dislikes, etc. as a reference guide.  Well, here goes...

Last Sunday was our 8 year wedding anniversary and we chose on a whim to go to Shanahan's Steakhouse.  The restaurant in and of itself has a feeling of modern luxury with over sized light fixtures, soft leather furniture, wine display and fireplace.  It has that typical mood lighting of a steakhouse but has been engineered so that noise is kept at a really low volume, so much so that when we were at the hostess table we thought the restaurant was empty but low and behold once we were taken to our booth there were plenty of full tables and three full party rooms housing at least 75 people but you would have never known it.  Additionally, you get to gawk up close at 3 Super Bowl trophies, several rings full of bling and pictures of Shanahan with luminaries of all sorts.

Our server Jason was polite and helpful but right away you are put to the test in the form of: "I would like to tell you that we offer Dom Perignon by the glass, we are the only restaurant to do that in all of Colorado".  This my friends is a pitfall, if you like champagne and are celebrating you are completely lured by the idea of having a glass, after all it isn't as if you are buying *gasp* a bottle.  Well, that little gem comes at $36 a glass, I know, we fell for it.  However, I would say that was the only real mishap of the experience.

As soon as we opened the wine list the sommelier pounced upon us excited to be of service.  He had lots of ideas to offer and I think we had a hard time keeping up, but he was very, very friendly.  The wine that we ultimately ended up with was one that neither DH nor I really liked but, eh, this happens sometimes.

Nevertheless, the food.  We ordered an appetizer of Ahi Tuna Tartar to share at the insistence of DH, which I was skeptical of because it really just sounded like sushi or sashimi and it pretty much was but elevated into a pretty dish served with all the sushi accouterments of rice, wasabi, ginger, soy sauce and some crispy wonton chips as a bonus.  Overall the dish was tasty but not something I would necessarily order again.  If we ever do go again I would prefer to order the Kobe Beef Carpaccio, now that sounds moo-licious!

We split the Tomato Burrata Salad.  Even though tomatoes are out of season these had a good tomato-y taste with basil pesto and in the center this soft, almost melted and gooey burrata cheese with the flavors of mozzarella with drizzled balsamic syrup on top.  The dish was flavorful even for out of season produce and I can only imagine how good it must be in the summer, and that balsamic syrup is something I could bathe in, it was so good.

For our main course I had the Surf and Turf, an 8oz filet mignon with a lobster tail (hard to find it as it's mentioned in an obscure part of the menu and only served on Sundays but well worth it) and DH had the Signature Bone-in 14 oz filet with shared sides of steamed broccoli florets and truffle cheddar mac n'cheese.  Our steaks were so perfect they melted in your mouth like butter and even though my lobster came with clarified butter I forgot all about dipping into it because the chef had seasoned and cooked the lobster in such a flawless and delectable manner that there was no need for butter.  The broccoli was a good compliment to our meal and the mac n' cheese was crunchy, creamy and cheesy: all good things, yet it also had a little too much truffle flavor which didn't do it for me but didn't stop DH from enjoying it all.

Overall, just thinking about this meal has me salivating and my fingers are crossed that they will participate in Denver Restaurant Week 2011 so we get the chance to eat there again at a much lower price.  I would say this is a place you go to for a very special occasion, not for a regular Friday date night.  And don't worry about going with someone who doesn't appreciate nature's gift of cow because the seafood was definitely on par.  However, aside from salad there really weren't any options for vegetarians, but who knows, this may be the place to get them to drink the cow flavored Kool-Aid.

Bah, Humbug!

Yep.  That is how I feel this year towards all the holiday.  Don't get me wrong though, I'm not feeling Grinchy, angry or mean-spirited, just not feeling it period.


Not exactly sure of why that is... it's probably a combination of everything going on (and not going on) right now.  I have a pretty bad cold, I'm not getting as much sleep as I need/crave, things are busy at work (I need to get stuff done ASAP and instead I'm doing this), simply not knowing (that is a BIG one) what's in store, and the list goes on. 


So, I actually Googled "Christmas Spirit", because I feel like I am truly lacking that this year.  The first link takes me to an eHow page, as in "How to get into the Christmas Spirit".  It writes about things like shopping early for presents, wishing people a happy holiday with a smile, playing Christmas music, watching Christmas movies, decorating, volunteering or doing something nice for someone.  


Well, money is tight so I don't want to shop for people, plus lately I feel like people are never really happy with what you give them or that I don't get that wonderful feeling of happiness by giving something they will truly enjoy/cherish/like, etc (selfish, I know).  


And in this country, it is extremely hard to wish anyone a "happy holiday" because it has become such a point of contention.  For example: Yesterday, I went to Party America to shop for a few little things would but some cheer into our End of Year Celebration at our Neighborhood Watch meeting.  I found these really cute snowman plastic tablecloths and napkins and thought *perfect* because it represented winter with happy colors and would be a joy for everyone present: Latinos, Bhutanese, Burmese, Karen... the cashier asked: "Are you having a Christmas party?" and I answered that it was an end of year celebration.  She made some off-hand remark about it really being a Christmas party, I smiled sweetly and said: "Well, we have people from all over the world attending who are Hindus, Muslims and such, so no, it really is a end of year celebration."  She replied with a condescending smile, it didn't make me want to wish her a "happy holiday", instead I wanted to tell her to "bite me".  


As for a Christmas movie, I was watching a Christmas TV show when I realized that I had no spirit this year, so that didn't really help... 


Doing something nice for someone, really?  Not that I am tooting my own horn, but I do nice things for people ALL YEAR ROUND.  I don't save it up for Christmas AND I also do it for a living (not just in my spare time), that doesn't help my Christmas spirit, that helps my spirit as a person in my daily living, so... no.


Since I left home, every year I would carefully comb the stores for THE Card I would send out that year, buy a couple of boxes and start working on them the day after Thanksgiving.  I was always so excited to wish people a good and happy holiday season and all the best for the new year, but, like I said - just not feeling it (so don't be surprised if the year comes and goes and you get bupkis in the mail from me).


But as I sat here and wrote this I realized that this lack of feeling in holiday spirit started last year.  I cried as I wished my mom a Merry Christmas on the phone (crying at that time was a first for me), hearing her tell me about what they were doing with my nephews and niece to get them into the mood for the next morning (releasing balloons with their lists into the sky), and realizing that I haven't spent Christmas with my family since 1999.  We vowed to each other that the next year would be better, good things were to come and were in store for us (and I believe they really are), and that just maybe we would be spending this holiday together.  You see, my family can be dysfunctional, annoying, irritating, hurtful, insensitive, frustrating as all get out and may make me want to pull my hair and scream BUT they are also playful, funny, a food-appreciating bunch, complimentary, supportive, loyal and loving.  I miss Christmas with them... any and all of them.  


I would love a Christmas where:
- my sister Juli and I look for recipes, choose a menu and then cook all day
- I get to bake cookies and decorate them with the kids (while their mothers are in another room so as not to balk at the mess we make)
- I get to give my sister Cappy that one present that she wants but everyone else has forgotten to or decided not to give her
- I can hug Carolina as many times as I want until she finally gives in to how good those hugs make her feel and seeks me out to hug her again 
- I can roll my eyes at things (or people) with my nephew Jose
- see Jorge enjoying my food
- while having DH (dear hubby) at my side to sneak kisses with and 
- look at the smile on my mom's face


I don't think we'll be spending the holiday together this year, at least right now, it isn't looking like that will happen (but you never know).  So, if you find that you have oodles, and oodles of holiday cheer and can spare some, maybe you can send some my way?  Or at least be understanding when you go on and on about the holiday and just for this year I reply: bah, humbug!