Am I Turning Hippie?

As this International food project (which has lead to more cooking) consumes more and more of my time, I have really adopted the Meeker obsession trait. I can't stop reading and researching...and Hell they even have dvd's and instant play Netflix stuff I can watch. Food is everywhere...and I have become so obsessed with it that I am beginning to freak out. I have learned myself scared! Who knew how many chemicals we come in contact with everyday? Holy crap...how have we not killed ourselves off yet?
I always thought that the people who shopped at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods to buy things like organic cotton toilet paper, plant based cleaners, and organic apples were just crazy hippies...and now I am about to sign up! We actually went to Trader Joe's today and I am convinced that we will be using the lowest chemical soaps and cleaners and eating the highest quality food that we can afford. Why did it never occur to me that I need to take better care of myself? I am getting ready to become a wife and will one day be a mother...the burden of my care now surpasses far beyond my own health and is now venturing into Marc's health and the health of the unborn (or adopted)Meeker children. I need to get this right the first time...talk about pressure!

So I am stuck obsessing over juicers and emulsifiers. Do I have to go vegan? Can we still eat meat? Should I listen strictly to Charlotte Gerson? Hell Montel Williams is pushing juicing with his Health Master. I feel like these people are the ones that are correct, but can that many people really be wrong? I feel its right because its common sense. When I eat better I feel better...so why is it becoming harder and harder to do? Where is the magical source that says "DO THIS!"
I can believe them. They are basically saying the same thing and have their own powerful stories and the amazing stories of others...or I can trust the American media and hope that they are telling the truth.

Marc's mother proposed the question: If they had the cure for cancer in the 1920's wouldn't we already know about it? This sounds right to me...Hell to a normal human of any amount of intelligence this sounds true, but documentary after documentary show me that the FDA, AMA and ACS are lying to us. Ok so the government is lying...oh crap what else aren't they telling us? To believe this feeds theory upon theory until you arrive at the theory of the New World Order and how the government is controlling us with consumerism, drugs, and the chemicals in our food. Doesn't seem far off, but its enough to make your head spin. No wonder people just develop a drinking problem...or some other dependency...its much easier to cope when you don't give a shit.

I feel that this world is going to eventually turn me into a crazy person or the 120 year old lady that raises Alpaca's and scares the fat kids (which will be normal) in town. :) To explain the alpaca's we must journey back to 2004 when I had a bout with the evil monster insomnia...which of course can only be tamed by watching infomercials at 3 am. To my amusement and slight horror there was an infomercial on Alpaca's. Yep...you can become rich raising Alpaca's. Fast Forward 3 weeks to Happy Hour at Friday's when my girlfriends and I laughed for hours about this infomercial (Christina had also seen it) and how we would all pool our money and get some Alpaca's. We would raise them and use the wool to create Al-back-paca's the stylish backpack to be worn with your fancy UGG boots that were becoming all the rage! It was a great idea...but what isn't when you are enjoying copious amounts of cheap margarita's?

Either way there are some great websites and Documentaries that I will recommend for you if you are ready to lose your mind!

The Beautiful Truth (2008) Available on Netflix
Food Matters (2008) Available on Netflix
http://www.gerson.org The Gerson Institutes Official Website
http://www.carolalt.com Supermodel and Raw Foodie shares her stories

Now I am going to go make a cheeseburger (at least with whole wheat buns & organic cheese) and think about how damn hard this will be...and try like HELL to make it happen!

Jackfruit is Not My Friend!

On this cold day in Nashville, TN with the threat of a snow and ice storm rolling in the Island Nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is enjoying a lovely 82' and sunny day. This beautiful place has all the charms of a great place to visit...I just hope that they can cook their own food better than I can. This is the most overwhelming meal I have ever made...and then it wasn't even that good.
Their National Dish is Stewed Saltfish (cod) with Coconut Dumplings, Spicy Plantains, and Spiced Breadfruit. This was (as I predicted) a total disaster. Not only did this meal mean that I would also be cooking a chicken breast for Marc (fish allergies) but that I would have to once again eat plantains. And what the HELL is breadfruit and where on earth do I buy it?
Breadfruit is a large melon that grows on trees in tropical areas. We looked forever and found what we thought was a breadfruit...turns out it was a jack fruit which is very close but not right. Either way Jackfruit is a bitch to get into! You have to be really committed. It is very sticky so as you work your hands feel as if you have dipped them in paste. It took me over an hour to get three cups worth of fruit out of this thing!

I am usually very good at taking pictures as I go along, but after the jackfruit I was ready to cry! Here are my recipes. The Salt fish got rave reviews as did the jackfruit. The plantains and the dumplings were not good at all. Play with the recipes...maybe they will work for you.

Stewed Salt Fish (Cod)

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb salt fish
1 large green pepper diced
1 lb diced tomatoes (canned)
5 cloves chopped garlic
4 tbsp vegetable oil
4 tbsp butter
8 scallions finely chopped
2 tbsp parsley chopped
1 medium onion chopped
salt & pepper to taste

I placed the onion, pepper, garlic and scallions in the food processor to make a make it soupy.

Method

Soak salt fish for a few hours in water

Drain fish

In a large heavy pan on medium heat melt 2 tbsp of butter and add your oil.

Place in the green pepper, scallions, onion & garlic. Cook until the mixture is hot, about 5 minutes.

Add tomatoes and the other 2 tbsp of butter. Let simmer over moderate heat for 5 minutes.

Lay the Salt Fish on top of the mixture and cover.

Cook until fish is done.

To serve mix the fish in the stewed mixture.

Spicy Plantains

Ingredients

3 medium sized plantains(peeled & chopped)
2 tbsp fresh ginger peeled & grated
1 medium onion grated
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp hot sauce
Vegetable oil for frying.

Method

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

Toss until mixed.

Fry in batches until golden brown and cooked.

Remove and drain on paper towels.

Coconut Dumplings

Ingredients

1/2 cup grated coconut
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp butter
1/2 cup of water

Method

Place flour, coconut, salt, margarine and oil in a bowl.

Gradually stir in water to make a stiff dough.

Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead for about 2 minutes.

Make dumplings in desired shape.

Slide dumplings into boiling water. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes.

This recipe was not that great. I ended up frying the dumplings after boiling them since they did not cook all the way through and they still tasted bad. Cole said they tasted like diet Dunkin Doughnuts Munchkins.

Seasoned Breadfruit (or Jackfruit)

Ingredients

3 cups full breadfruit chopped into 1" pieces (this will take FOREVER!)
2 tbsp oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup red pepper diced
1 medium onion chopped
4 garlic cloves crushed
2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

Method

Melt butter or margarine in a heavy pan over medium heat then add oil.

Add onions and cook 5 to 8 minutes until golden, stir often.

Add garlic, thyme, red pepper and parsley, sauté for 3 minutes.

Remove from heat and add breadfruit with chicken broth

Place back on the burner and simmer on low stirring often for about 5 to 8 minutes until the fruit looks caramelized.

And please be advised that in addition to the insane amount of work that goes into this mediocre meal this is the end result of your kitchen.

ENJOY!

2010 the year of the upgrade!

I decided in light of the earthquake and devastation in Haiti I would not choose out of my box, but cook their National Dish. Of course I feel awful that I will be making food at all. I am such the Humanitarian that I would (if I could walk away from life) already be down there feeding orphans and shoveling rubble. Haiti is really in my thoughts right now...even more so since I am being blessed with so many new material possessions and good fortune.

Before February has arrived I have already Painted my kitchen/dining room. (I need a new table cloth now) And thanks to Jason and Christine's kitchen remodel I have inherited some pretty nifty gadgets as well. UPGRADE!
Well I could only find a cute picture of me and Christine to showcase the BEFORE look. It was that lovely "move-in beige" color and soooo boring. But now my kitchen looks like this!
(Sorry about the dog butts in the picture...its extremely hard to not have this happen when taking pictures in my house)


I got the diagnosis from our beloved mechanic A-Ray that my 1996 GMC Jimmy (that I have been driving since 2002) needs so much work that it would be best to send him to the big junk yard in the sky. Sad as this was...I get a new car. A cute new Jeep Liberty! Double UPGRADE!
This is my sad old Jimmy (and yes folks that is another shot of Beau-dogs booty...hopefully you are seeing the trend)
And here is my new car! I am so happy! Though I am still struggling with the odd differences like the window controls being in the middle of the car.

And if that wasn't enough...one of Marc's clients was getting rid of an amazing and hardly used set of gorgeous Italian Leather living room furniture that was in their recording studio. The kind of furniture that can only be special ordered at certain stores in fancy areas of the US (Nashville not being on that list) to be shipped from Denmark! And did I mention that it is the EXACT furniture I have been waiting for? Well if I was really rich. Its the type of furniture you see at the store, touch it longingly, sigh to yourself and say..."Someday". Don't get me wrong our current furniture is ok. Hell, it was free. When Marc's mother closed her therapy practice it became his. Plus it's green. Not my favorite color...but I have been grateful for it. Even though when I first moved here and saw this furniture I almost cried. (sorry Nance) But did I mention how awesome the new furniture is? SUPER UPGRADE!!!
Isn't that sexy! I know...I know...how could I not want such a gorgeous piece of furniture. (sorry Nance but the new ones are soooo much prettier!!!)
So Marc got to trade his amazing skills for this!


And did I mention that the exact position that I have been wanting just opened up where I work? I think that the universe is being far too kind to me right now, but if I could ask for just this one more thing. Please Please Please! Fingers crossed everyone. Getting this position would be an AWESOME UPGRADE!

I haven't had the best run over these past few years which leaves me struggling to rationalize my new good fortune. Is the universe paying me back for the hard times I've had to endure? Or is this the high before something truly awful happens? I look at my past and how great life is becoming for me and I can only hope the same for the people of Haiti. I truly hope that this earthquake was the horrible thing they had to endure so out of the ash and rubble they can rebuild their nation into a place with less poverty and an overall better quality of life for their people. I hope that maybe the universe is balancing out...and Haiti is on the list for upgrades! I believe in my small mind that Mother Nature was helping them out with the demolition so that they can build and prosper. I try to cope with tragedy this way...I am sorry if I seem naieve or if this thought offends anyone. Let's just hope and pray that Haiti gets one BIG FAT UPGRADE!!!

So in honor of Haiti and to toast what they might become...


HAITI

GRIOT and RIZ et ROUGES (Fried Pork with Red Beans and Rice)

Griot

I got my meat from the International Market where the meat case looks like this. I have never been to an old fashioned butcher shop so I am still learning for the appropriate way to ask for my meat so that the butcher will do all of the hard work for me. Since I am still learning this dinner also turned into a feast for the dogs. They got to have fried pork skin, fat and tendons with their nightly kibble.

Ingredients

I went from this giant hunk of meat.
To this and this
Then I fried those left over yucky parts to A) Get some yummy pork drippings and B) Well I just love my dogs that much!

• 3 lbs shoulder of pork, cut into 1 to 2 inch cubes.
• 1/2 cup Green Onions chopped
• 1 cup of bitter orange marinade Can be made with ½ cup regular OJ and ½ cup lime juice
• 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
• ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1 teaspoon Fresh Thyme
• 1 Large Onion chopped

Method

In a large pot add the meat and all other ingredients except the oil. Let marinate in the fridge over night (or at least 6 hours like I did).

Place the marinated pork in a large pot adding enough water to cover all ingredients.

Boil on medium heat for 30 minutes.

Once cooked, drain the mixture and add it with the oil to a skillet and fry the pork in a pan until brown and crusty on the outside but tender on the inside.

Riz et Pois Rouges

Ingredients

• 1 medium Onion, chopped
• 5 cloves Garlic, minced You can use less, but I like the flavor that the garlic adds
• 1 medium Green Bell Pepper, chopped
• 2 TBSP Vegetable oil (or I used the drippings from frying the excess pig parts)
• 1 cup rice, uncooked I used regular white rice, but you can go with your preference.
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) kidney beans, drained
• ¼ lb. Ham, chopped I used already cooked Ham
• ½ teaspoon Cumin
• ¼ teaspoon Salt
• ¼ teaspoon Oregano
• ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 2½ cups boiling water

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Heat oil in a large skillet on medium heat (I used a 6 on my stove)

In the skillet cook the onion, garlic, ham and green pepper using your pork drippings for about five minutes until the veggies are softened.

In a separate bowl, combine and mix all the remaining ingredients.

Add the onion/pepper/ham/garlic mixture to the bowl and stir well.

Pour entire mixture into an appropriate sized casserole dish with a lid.

Cover and bake until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. (Mine took about 50 minutes)

Stir before serving.

I served it with a tropical fruit salad (out of a can). You can have these two items separately.
But Marc and I HIGHLY suggest that you mix it together. This food was so good that we both went back and got seconds.

And if you were wondering how the doggies were served their Ham and Fried Pork Parts...this was their feast! Beau and Sadie say..."Woof Woof" translates to UPGRADE!