The Butterfly Effect meme
September 30, 2006 | Filed Under Memes | Leave a Comment
Cardamom Pods
Annoyed and disappointed Dan took drastic measures into his hands by casting a kitchen pox on those he tagged who hadn’t responded “May their hollandaise curdle and their mayonnaise separate,” he wrote.
Yikes! After I begged and told him I still intended to do the meme, he somewhat reluctantly removed the pox — temporarily. The threat covertly still hung over my head.
The other day, I tagged Dan for the Five Things to Eat Before You Die Meme and he put me to shame by doing it immediately. *sigh*
Okay, Dan: Finally, here are my answers to The Butterfly Effect Meme. I thought about doing it a little bit at a time, like Ilva. I liked that idea but since I’ve kept you waiting for so long, here it is in its entirety. I hope the pox is now removed permanently.
The Butterfly Effect Meme asks you to name food items or events that changed your foodie life. Specifically you are asked to recall “an item, person, event, or place” that affected you profoundly – something that created a moment you can look back at and say “that was a defining moment.” It doesn’t have to be “big, splashy” things. Instead, it can be something “small and simple” – something that changed the way you view the world.
These are the categories:
1. An ingredient
2. A dish, a recipe
3. A meal (in a restaurant, a home, or elsewhere)
4. A cookbook or other written work
5. A food “personality” (chef, writer, etc.)
6. Another person in your life
Okay, here are all the defining moments in my baby foodie life span:
1. An ingredient – CARDAMOM: I had never even heard of it before. Then Michele sent me this awesome recipe for Basmati and Nut Pilaf. I had an adventure shopping for the Cardamom. Once I found it, I was so glad. It made a nice difference in my recipe and I’ve used it often, since. I love this spice!
2. A dish, a recipe – TIRAMISU: You may think this is not a big deal but being able to make tiramisu was a big moment for me. After I successfully followed the recipe to make this Italian dessert, I realized that perhaps I had it in me to learn how to prepare other recipes. That was very exciting for me. This occurred in the early stages of The Cooking Adventures of Chef Paz. You can read about it here.
3. A meal (in a restaurant, a home, or elsewhere) – SPINACH STEW: I mentioned this stew in my childhood food memories meme. My mom used to make it but we haven’t had it in the longest time. Its main ingredients include spinach and shrimp. I finally decided to attempt to make it and asked my mom for the ingredients. She half-heartedly mentioned them. I think she didn’t believe I was serious. After a thousand questions, I set out to replicate the stew. When it was ready, I served it to my mom. She hesitantly brought the fork full of stew and rice to her mouth. I closely watched the diplomatic look on her face (ready to tell me it tasted fine even if it didn’t) change to a look of disbelief and then pleasure as she savored her meal. “This is very good.” She nodded her head with approval. Later, she asked for seconds. Now, that was another defining moment in my foodie life!
4. A cookbook or other written work – THE FANNIE FARMER COOKBOOK and THE FOOD OF LOVE by Anthony Capella. The former is my first cookbook. The latter is a novel that inspired me to attempt two recipes listed in the back of the book. To my surprise, I was successful. Again, it took place in the beginning stages of my cooking adventures. With each success and cooking venture, I became encouraged to continue.
5. A food “personality” (chef, writer, etc.) – GIADA DE LAURENTIS and RACHEL RAY: There are more but these two T.V. chef personalities immediately come to mind. Especially in the beginning, I watched a lot of Food Network cooking shows. It would take me about an hour and a half to make Rachel Ray’s 30-minute meals. Hehehe! But the point is that I made them! These were all defining foodie moments for me – someone who didn’t know how to boil water. 
6. Another person in your life – FOOD BLOGGERS: All the food bloggers that I’ve come across. Everyone’s been so inspiring and creative. I love when I find a recipe from their sites, try it, and it actually comes out. It’s edible! Yay for me! Thanks, everyone! Keep cooking and happy food blogging!
Tag
I would like to tag the following for this meme:
1- Sravanthi from When My Soup Came Alive
2- Neil from Food for Thought
3- Elizabeth from Blog from OUR Kitchen
4- Gattina from Gattina
5- Haalo from Cook (Almost) Anything at Least Once
6- Anyone who wants to participate
If you decide to participate, please let Dan know at: dan AT saltshaker DOT net
Also, don’t forget to provide a link to his original post: http://www.saltshaker.net/20060630/the-butterfly-effect
Oh! And let me know, too, that you participated. I’d love to read about your experiences.
Thanks, Dan!
Paz
The Me meme
September 30, 2006 | Filed Under Memes | Leave a Comment
Pam of Posie’s Place recently tagged me for this Me meme. Thanks, Pam. Here it is:
I am thinking about: how the weekend is going by so quickly, my grocery list and all the things I have to do before Monday!
I said: I don’t remember what I’ve said.
I want to: buy a PDA or a Blackberry (I have to find out the difference) and an iPod/MP3 player (are they the same?)
I wish: that I had that PDA or Blackberry and an iPod right NOW!
I regret: not having that PDA or Blackberry and an iPod.
I hear: my dog barking at someone standing outside our apartment door.
I am: tired.
I dance: in the kitchen when I’m making something that smells delicioso – called my happy dance!
I sing: when I’m exercising and I’m listening to music of Mana or when I’m cooking and a good song comes on the radio.
I cry: at sad and sappy things I see on T.V. or in the movies. Actually I don’t cry but I get teary eyed and a lump starts to form in my throat.
I am not: going to cook today.
I am: going to walk my dogs right now.
I write: all the time.
I confuse: I do get confused, but I can’t think of an example to give you at this moment. Sorry!
I need to: go walk my dogs right NOW. It’s that time of the day! Ciao!
I tag ANYONE who wants to do this meme. Have fun!
Paz
Quick French-Style Fish Stew/Broth
September 27, 2006 | Filed Under Soup/Chowder/Gumbo, Seafood | Leave a Comment
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I got this recipe while watching Jamie Oliver’s show, some time ago, on the FoodNetwork channel. The recipe wasn’t posted on the food site. Luckily, I’d scribbled notes as I watched the show.
Jamie’s ingredients included clams, mussels, snapper, red mullet, brine (you can use any shellfish and fish). I used salmon, clams, and mussels. The recipe called for potatoes but I decided to add corn, as well.
Loose instructions:
Heat olive oil and add red onions (chopped); add garlic (chopped) and chili (chopped) for taste; let fry for a while; add mussels and clams – when they cook they’ll open up and give flavor; add French white wine (Chardonnay) – about 1 wine glass; add the fish on top – fish will slowly steam; add ½ tin Italian whole tomatoes (or fresh); add chopped parsley – finely sliced; add olive oil; add sliced potatoes (spring/baby potatoes) and let slow simmer for about 5 minutes until the wine evaporates.
Serve and garnish with parsley and top with the aioli. Drizzle evoo on top.
Make aioli:
Mayo; add lemon zest of 1 lemon; add some lemon juice; add one clove garlic grated; mix the mayo mixture.
All I can say that this was simple and good. I liked it a lot!
Paz
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New York Monday #42: Statues
September 25, 2006 | Filed Under New York Monday | Leave a Comment
Happy Monday, everyone! I’d planned on posting some other photos but for some reason, I had a problem downloading them. So, here are some photos that I took some time ago. What’s Magyar, I wonder. I guess I’ll have to look it up.
Have a good week!
Paz
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
September 23, 2006 | Filed Under New Year, Holidays | Leave a Comment
Happy Rosh Hashanah, to all who celebrate it this time of the year!
I would have liked to make something but didn’t get a chance. Check out two wonderful food related posts about the Jewish New Year:
Aja of Mudpies in Jaffa shares a nice recipe that includes an interesting tidbit about pomegranates, along with her experience in Israel during the holiday.
Rosa of Rosa’s Yummy Yums shares more recipe ideas that we can make in celebration of the new year. Thank you ladies, very nice reads!
Best,
Paz
Chicken Curry
September 20, 2006 | Filed Under Poultry, Indian Cuisine | Leave a Comment
I got this very easy chicken curry recipe from Kafka Na Praia. I think the mango chutney ingredient made this simple rice and chicken dish taste extra special. It’s taste is interestingly similar to an African stew we used to eat and as a result, my family really enjoyed the meal. Oh, I forgot to mention that I didn’t have any curry powder, so I omitted it when cooking. Perhaps that’s why it tasted like an African stew. I’ll have to remember to buy some curry and try the recipe again.
Paz
Chicken Curry
2 chicken thighs and 2 drumsticks, no bone , no skin
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
1 big tomato, peeled and seeded, chopped
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons cooking oil
salt to taste
1 teaspoon mango chutney
1/2 cup yoghurt
Sprinkle chicken with a little salt and half curry powder.
Heat oil in a pan. Add chicken, browning on both sides. Add garlic, onion, ginger, tomato, remaining curry powder, mango chutney, and chicken stock. Mix gently, cover and simmer over low heat for about 20-30 minutes or until tender. Taste, and add salt as needed. Serve with rice and 2-3 tablespoons yoghurt.
Mango Chutney is the secret ingredient that makes this dish special
New York Monday #41 - A Chess Game
September 18, 2006 | Filed Under New York Monday | Leave a Comment
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There’s always something happening on the streets of New York City. Here are two men playing a game of chess, while another looks on. The chess set is out everyday and different people stop by to play. I’ve even seen children sitting across from the adult to play chess, while their parents patiently and silently observe the game.
Although I don’t know how to play chess, I like the fact that anyone — the young and old– can play. It is not a restrictive game.
Have a great week, everyone!
Paz
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Guacamole and Chips
September 13, 2006 | Filed Under Vegetables | Leave a Comment
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I think guacamole and chips are the perfect snack at anytime. I found this “perfect guacamole” recipe on Simply Recipes. It really is perfect!
Paz
Here’s the recipe:
The Perfect Guacamole
Simply Recipes
2 ripe avocados
½ red onion, minced (about 1/2 cup)
1-2 serrano chiles, stems and seeds removed, minced
2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of fresh lime or lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
A dash of freshly grated black pepper
1/2 ripe tomato, seeds and pulp removed, chopped
Garnish with red radishes or jicama.
Serve with tortilla chips.
Cut avocados in half. Remove seed. Scoop out avocado from the peel, put in a mixing bowl.
Using a fork, mash the avocado. Add the chopped onion, cilantro, lime or lemon, salt and pepper and mash some more.
Chili peppers vary individually in their hotness. So, start with a half of one chili pepper and add to the guacamole to your desired degree of hotness. Be careful handling the peppers; wash your hands thoroughly after handling and do not touch your eyes or the area near your eyes with your hands for several hours.
Keep the tomatoes separate until ready to serve.
Remember that much of this is done to taste because of the variability in the fresh ingredients. Start with this recipe and adjust to your taste.
Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole to prevent oxidation from the air reaching it. Refrigerate until ready.
Just before serving, add the chopped tomato to the guacamole and mix.
Serves 2-4
New York Monday #40: Park Bench/Bed
September 11, 2006 | Filed Under New York Monday | Leave a Comment
The chronicles of a NYC park bench continue. For earlier posts see here and here.
Here someone has used a park bench as a bed. The person even managed to find a big fluffy pillow and covered it with a bed sheet of cardboard.
I didn’t see the owner of this bed. He or she had left by the time I’d passed by, but many a time, early in the morning, I’ll see someone sleeping on one of the benches. Unfortunately, homelessness is a problem in the city. The situation is better than it was a few years ago but it still presents a problem.
I’m currently reading a book called Points of Light: A Celebration of the American Spirit of Giving by Robert Goodwin, Thomas Kinkade, and Pam Proctor. It features inspiring stories of everyday people who show the spirit of caring and giving by volunteering to help others in so many different types of situations. Their stories are very encouraging. I think about how I can help others more. No matter the gesture, big or small, there’ll always be someone who needs and appreciates the help.
One of the authors, Robert Goodwin, shares his experience with a homeless man he saw regularly on the street. Sometimes, the author would give the man money. On this particular occasion, things turned out a little differently. Here’s a portion of Goodwin’s story:
Walking at a steady pace, I took off my glove and reached into my coat pocket to find some change. But I didn’t have a dime, not one penny to put in that sack on a cold winter morning.
I could have simply shrugged to myself and passed him by, determined to help him out the next time. But as I drew in front of him, something told me to stop. I looked him in the eye and said, “I’m sorry, my brother. I don’t have anything to give today.”
His eyes brightened and his lips turned up in a slight smile.
“Oh, but you already did,” he responded. “You called me brother.”
Paz
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Chronicles of a NYC Park Bench Continues
September 9, 2006 | Filed Under Other NY Photos | Leave a Comment
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A few weeks ago, in a New York Monday post (#32), I’d highlighted a park bench that underwent a transformation.
Initially, shrubbery covered the bench and while it looked beautiful, it also appeared wild and a bit scary to me. Months later, the greenery around the bench was cleared. You can check out the before and after photo here.
This bench continues to undergo a new look. Today, tiny white flowers surround it. I promised Elizabeth that I’d post the photos. Does anyone know the name of these flowers? I have no idea. You can click on the photos for larger images.
Have a good weekend.
Paz
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