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!