Monday, December 31, 2012

Luck

Now, don't use the words 'good luck' -- this is blessed food. This is a heavenly dish. This is the real deal. ~ Judy Jones
We could all use a little luck from time to time, to land a new job, get a date, or win the lottery. It's no coincidence that one of the luckiest dishes I know also helped me land my husband!

 My family was first introduced to sukiyaki in the 1970s when my parents befriend a Japanese couple doing graduate work at Indiana University. Fumiko was known for making great feasts for our family in return for my mother working with her on her English. It remained one of my favorites so much so that when I met a man who liked to cook, I offered to make it for an upcoming gathering at his house. That turned out to be our first “date” and we are now married!

Foods of Interest
Try these foods to help amplify your luck. The Chinese eat abalone for good fortune which I think is another form of luck. But if you really want Chinese luck eat cabbage. It's said to bring 100 types of prosperity. Chicken is also considered very lucky in many Asian cultures. Add dumplings, bean curd (ie tofu) or glass noodles and you can't lose! For never-ending luck eat figs or grow a fig plant. Egyptian priests bit into a ripe fig at the end of important ceremonies to help bring luck to whatever they were sanctifying.

Recipe

Sukiyaki photo by Erika Celeste
Sukiyaki
Thinly sliced chicken ½ lb per person
Green onion
Fresh sliced mushrooms
Broccoli (florets)
Cabbage shredded
White onion
Tofu (cubed)
Glass noodles (bean threads)
3 T Vegetable oil
2/3 C Soy sauce
1/3 C Sugar
¼ water  

Directions:
This works best in an electric frying pan so that you can do it on the table in front of your guests. However, a wok or even large frying pan on the stove will work too. Make sure to cut all the vegetables to bite size pieces before you start. Once it gets going it is a quick process and should be served immediately following while everything is still hot.

Mix soy sauce, water, and sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved. It should have a sweet and salty taste. It will be quite thin and liquidy as it is somewhat of a steam-type dish.

Heat the electric frying pan to high. Add the 3 tablespoons of cooking oil. Brown the meat first. When it is browned pour a spoonful or two of the sauce over the meat. Make sure it is coated well and push the meat off to the side. Turn the heat down to medium. Add the vegetables two or three at a time. However, make sure to keep them in their own small piles. Pour sauce over them and let them steam, keeping them as separate as possible until all ingredients are cooked and in their own little corners. If there is any more sauce left over when everything is added, pour the rest into the electric skillet. The idea is a little bit like dim sum in that you’re taking little bits of different foods and sampling all the different flavors with the sukiyaki. Nothing should take very long to cook. Like Italian pasta you want the vegetables more dente.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Wisdom


You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jellybeans. ~ Ronald Reagan

Foods of Interest
By now you may have noticed that certain foods have been repeated more than once in my blog. That's because quite often herbs and various fruits, vegetables, and other sundries have more than one meaning. That's because over time food has migrated across the globe accruing various meanings and myths according to the belief systems of various cultures. We all see things in our own way. However, it's interesting to note how often times cultures separated by time and distance have assigned similar meanings to things.

Thai Basil photo by Erika Celeste
Basil as you may recall was so sacred to the Greeks that women weren't allowed to touch it. What a shame as it is one of my all time favorite herbs. It is prized for stimulating both the heart and sacral chakras. In other words love and creativity--both needed to gain wisdom. Cayenne Pepper is often noted for its zing which can certainly "wake" its users up. Metaphysically it is said to aid in separation and soothing the heart. As the old saying goes sometime it takes wisdom to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run. Hazelnuts are believed to stimulate the second chakra known as the third eye. This is the area through which some believe humans gain wisdom and insight. Beside promoting wisdom the nuts are also used to increase fertility. Ginko Biloba is also said to be an excellent channel for wisdom. Though we've already covered it before, it is interesting to note that it comes from a tree with no close relatives. You could say it's one of a kind. It's regarded as a living fossil because it dates back 270 million years--thus its shear age would seem to impart wisdom. Licorice has many medicinal qualities including elevating low blood pressure and helping smokers to kick the habit--healthy and wise alternatives to synthetic medications. Rosemary is thought to increase mental clarity and facilitate feelings of affection which often can lead to wise insight. It is also known for eliminating negativity. Sage was scared to both Zeus and Jupiter--some of the wisest of the gods. It has also been associated with the Virgin Mary. In the Middle Ages people believed that the best sage was picked during the first light of summer solstice. It was further believed that the most powerful sage should never be picked by the user but instead bought from a stranger. Like rosemary it has an array of uses including anti-bacterial and preservation properties, digestive aid, and is a natural blood sugar reducer. It is also thought to stimulate artists creative juices giving them creative wisdom.


Herb Rubbed Roast
Herb Rubbed Roast photo by Erika Celeste
Approx 3 lb beef roast (shoulders, and sirloins do well)
4 cloves garlic
1 small onion (chopped)
2 T flour
1 cup beef broth
1 T basil
½ T marjoram
1 T rosemary
1 T sage
½ T thyme
1 T Sea salt
2 T Olive oil

This works best with a pestle and mortar. Put salt in mortar add all herbs, pour oil over the top, mash with pestle. When the mixture has made a thick green paste, pour it into a bowl. Add flour and onion.

Slice each garlic clove into quarters. Make half-inch slits in the roast. Insert garlic pieces into the meat slits. Place roast in a baking dish. Cover the roast in the flour and herb paste. Pour beef broth in the baking dish around the roast. (You may add chopped vegetables such as potatoes, parsnips, turnips, or carrots if you wish. Be aware if you do so, it will slightly change the flavor.) Cover the roast with foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for at least 1 hour. Let roast rest for 15 minutes before eating.


Monday, December 10, 2012

Stability

I always knew when I got to the Brussel sprouts, I was on thin ice. ~ Aaron Brown

I must apologize. Since I was busy with an upcoming book, I worked ahead on the blog. There's this cool little feature that should have time released my postings like an alka seltzer. It worked great for a week or two but for whatever reason stopped. That will teach me to leave the magical kitchen on autopilot. I should count myself lucky that I didn't have an incident like the one with the Sourcer's Apprentice in Fantasia (think Mickey Mouse and the brooms). The good news is I have several releases all at once. Enjoy!

Stability
The one thing that can be said about stability is that we all need it. Whether we admit it or not, we all need a place to bring us back to center. Sometimes that's a frame of mind, other times it's a routine, or person. It can apply to our finances, relationships, or health.

Beside food, stability often comes from doing something specific. For me it's being out in nature and gardening. Though I do meditate, those early mornings in the garden when  the sun has just come up, the dew hasn't burned off the grass, and the world is still quiet, are every bit as important if not more so. In fact, I often think of it as active meditation, in which I can just be. The added advantage of having my four gardens by the lake allows me to see everything from blue heron to mink to rolling carp--freaky if you don't know what's happening. But that's another story.

We planted our stability food last summer and are still enjoying them through the winter. If you're interested in planting Brussel sprouts keep in mind that they take up a lot of space by the end. It was easier to  cut the leaves off first so that the stalks looked like weird spinal cords and then use garden clippers rather than break them off.
 


Foods of Interest 
Brussels sprouts from our garden. Photo by Erika Celeste
There's just one food known for stability, Brussel Sprouts!

So it may not be the first thing to come to mind but there you have it. The tiny ball-like vegetable has been cultivated since the 1200s and is said to encourage endurance and stability. It's one of those love 'em or hate 'em foods. I happen to love 'em. They come in over a hundred varieties including one that tastes like horseradish. So if you like a little extra kick in your meals this is the way to go.

They do have a reputation for being stinky and having a strong taste, but that only happens when they're over cooked. No one knows exactly where the sprouts first came from, though it can be assumed that Belgium played a key role! Back then it was common to identify new foods by their region. Kind of like Buffalo wings, Philly Cheese steaks, or Kentucky Bourbon. 






Brussels Sprouts Panzanella
Brussels Sprouts Panzanella. Photo by Erika Celeste
Ingredients:
6 slices of bacon
2 C blanched brussels sprouts
½ loaf Italian bread
1 C pecorino romano (freshly shredded)
¼ C red wine
½ C olive oil
1 finely chopped shallot
1 t garlic powder
1 meyer lemon (these are sweet if you can’t find one use an orange)
1 large tomato
fresh basil
1 t fresh sage
1 t pink Himalayan salt

Directions:
I was lucky enough to have a large brussels sprouts harvest from my garden this year. So I simply blanched them and bagged the cool vegetables in double handfuls in ziplocks. Then labeled and froze them for quick and easy access. If you don’t have your own or they’re not in season, please use frozen sprouts as opposed to canned. They will taste worlds better. In most cases these will already be blanched, but if for some strange reason they’re not, go ahead and blanch them.

Cut the loaf of day old bread into squares and toast in the oven at 200 degrees until hard (about 10 minutes). While the bread is toasting, fry bacon until crispy. Drain, crumble, and set aside. Chop tomato. Shred cheese.

Mix all ingredients mentioned thus far in a large bowl. Mix wine, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, and shallot in a small bowl, then drizzle over the other ingredients in the large bowl. Mix everything with your hands. Add pink salt to taste.

This is best if it sits at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before it’s served. It does not keep well over night!



Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Clarity


As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans. ~ Ernest Hemingway (A Moveable Feast)

Clarity
Dictionary.com defines clarity as clearness or lucidity as to perception or understanding. However, in this case, I'm not just defining clarity as having an understanding of something, this type of clarity goes much deeper. This type of clarity pertains to knowing yourself or the things you want at a gut level. I'm talking about a knowing beyond knowing, a certainty like no other. Some people go their entire lives without experiencing such a thing. 

So how might one find this deep soulful knowing? Just like great basketball players or charismatic orators some people are just born with it. But most of us have to work at it. I have a friend who wanted to play football when he was in high school. The school allowed anyone who wanted to join the team, but most guys sat in the bench. My friend was one of the slowest guys when they ran drills. But then his coach shared something which has served him well throughout his life. He told his team that most people give up too easily. Whenever his guys got tired, he encouraged them to use it a cue to push on through and not give up. My friend took those words to heart. He got up early every morning and hit the track before school. He ran at lunch and after school too. Pretty soon he moved to the middle of the pack when running drills and then to the front, until he eventually made quarterback. My friend didn't stop there. He applied the simple philosophy to his schoolwork and went from a C student to an honor roll student. But the most incredible application of this came after he was hit by a drunk driver. My friend slipped into the deepest coma and wasn't expected to live. When he came out he'd not only suffered a traumatic brain injury, but broken both his legs and various other bones in multiple places. He was in extreme agonizing pain for months. Doctors told him he would never walk again. Today he not only walks, he runs marathons! The thing that gave him the clarity to know what must be done and vision to drive push on through was his simple philosophy to never get up just because he was tired.  

Meditation is also a great way to gain clarity. You don't have to sit in the lotus position with fingers ringed, invoking the perfect sound of Om. Sometimes sitting quietly is just effective. I like to lie down and count backwards from 10 to 1 taking a deep breath in and out with each number. Each time I relax a little more until I'm so mellow it wouldn't take much to fall asleep. (Be careful this can happen if you let it.) I focus my energy and somehow the world opens up and answers are found. But like my friend who never gave up, it does take a little practice!


Foods of Interest
Avocado is high in healthy fats which are said to promote clear, unclouded thoughts. The oil of avocado is also very healthy for the same reason and was used by ancient cultures to create clarity another sort through smooth clear skin. Buddha is often represented sitting under a banana tree to demonstrate the futility of life. That's because bananas don't fertilize through flowers like many plants. Instead they are sterile and simply send off another ground shoot which lives on after the original tree dies. For this reason the Chinese often leave bananas on their alters to ask for education or enlightenment at work. Blackberries are often used in Wiccan rituals to invoke the clarity of the Goddess. They are also thought to be good for healing, protection, and prosperity--all things one might need in order to have a clear mind. Sunflowers were sacred to several Greek gods including Apollo, Demeter, and Helios. Therefore their seeds were thought to carry great powers of their own bridging the distance between heaven and earth. One who ate them would certainly uncover great wisdom and clarity of mind. They were also thought to impart integrity and virtue to those who ate them. Peanut butter is often associated with masculine energy because of the phallic shape of peanut shells. Certainly they provide another super protein that aids in mental agility and clarity.  Finally red wine, the favorite drink of Dionysus is also thought to bring clarity to those who drink it. The Greeks thought it embodied the spiritual presence of their god. There's no denying wine had its place. After all it was much safer than water for a long time. And certainly those who drank too much had some unusual "moments of clarity" in which they did or tried things they never had before. Indeed such wonderful inventions as Buffalo Wings, Farrington B (those squared off numbers on your credit cards), quidditch (Harry Potter's favorite sport), Shark Week, The Marines (yes as in the armed forces), pet rocks, and Southwest Airlines were all created in bars more than a little under the influence. Isn't the world better off for them? That's true clarity!

Recipes

Shitake Sesame is the best. Photo by Erika Celeste.
Hands down my favorite oil-based salad dressing is Annie’s Shitake Sesame. I could drink this stuff...well maybe not. But I just love the flavor. I’m the kind of person who is often still hungry after just a salad, but with this dressing I’m totally satisfied and don’t feel hungry. I’m sure it’s psychological but hey it works!

For those of you not familiar with the Annie’s brand, it is all natural and organic. It can be found in most health food stores, Whole Foods, and the health food sections of many regular groceries. When I couldn’t find it at my local health food store, I talked to the manager and she special ordered three bottles for me. Pretty soon my friend went in and asked for it too. Than another friend requested it as well. It took about a year of special ordering it whenever I was out. But recently the manager told me so many people request it these days that it’s easier to stock it! However, if there’s no Annie’s Shitake Sesame available or you want to make your own dressing the following works well too.

Dressing:
½ C Olive oil
½ C Red wine
1 t Basil
1 t Rosemary
1 t Thyme
½ t Powdered garlic

Directions:
Mix olive oil and wine. Add herbs and garlic. Shake well. Immediately drizzle over salad.

Salad:
Baby spinach
Avocado
Strawberries
Sunflower seeds

Directions:
Wash and tear spinach to bite sizes. Slice avocado in half. Peel. Cut avocado in lengthwise slices. Place on spinach. Cut strawberries in quarters. Add to salad. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds. Drizzle with dressing.


Peanut Butter Stuffed French Toast
Stuffed French Toast. Photo by Erika Celeste.
Ingredients:
Peanut butter
Banana
Berries
1 T sugar
2 Eggs
1 t Vanilla
¼ C Milk
Bread
butter

Directions:
Spread thick layer of peanut butter on bread slices. Close the sandwich with a top layer of bread.

In a bowl mix egg, milk, and vanilla to make eggy batter. Melt butter in a large skillet. Dunk sandwiches in the egg mixture until coated on both sides. Put sandwich in the skillet and fry until golden brown on both sides.

Slice fruit into bite-sized pieces. If necessary, sprinkle a little sugar over the top. When the french toast is finished, top with the fruit.

Beauty

Society is seduced by beauty but food must have a soul, too. ~ Carme Ruscalleda

Beauty

Beautiful by Christina Aguilera, Beautiful Dirty Rich by Lady Gaga, Everything is Beautiful by Ray Stevens, Beauty and the Beast by Celine Dion, What’s Beautiful by Everlife the list of songs about beauty goes on and on. But what’s interesting about beauty songs—at least by the count on songfacts.com is that while we like our external beauty songs, there are even more songs about inner beauty! I don’t know about you, but in a society where we are constantly bombarded media images of uber beautiful supermodels selling everything from laundry detergents and feminine products to beer and baby clothes, it’s nice to know we at least value inner beauty more when it comes to what really moves us.

With the holidays right around the corner, looking our best is even more on many people’s minds. Just try to remember as you run around cleaning the house in your worn out college sweats, sort laundry with less than professional-looking hair, and let the kids wrap gifts in mismatched paper with too much tape, that there is imperfect beauty in it all. Being together and being loved is the greatest gift of all—no matter how it comes to us.

Foods of Interest
Avocados have long been used as a beauty treatment. Externally their oil and pulp are great moisturizers while internally they’re rich in omega 3—a brain food and after all smart is beautiful. Both the Babylonians and Egyptians brewed beer in ancient times. Even the Puritans drank beer. In those days it was dangerous to drink plain water.  On an esoteric level beer is the marriage of land and liquid (the elements of earth and water). Therefore it is seen as perfect beauty and balance. Beets represent love of beauty. They were a favorite food of Aphrodite and were often used in ancient cosmetics. They’re also known to stimulate the heart chakra. Catnip, the herb sacred to the cat goddess Bast has a way of soothing tired souls. Catnip tea encourages the drinker to relax and enjoy life. And who doesn’t look better after being well rested? It should be noted that catnip is a natural blood thinner and should be taken by pregnant woman or those with blood clotting disorders. Honey one of the oldest foods known to humans has great moisturizing properties. Therefore, it hydrates dull skin giving it a healthy, beautiful glow. My uncle, Gerry recently got in to beekeeping as a hobby and is having a great time, stings and all. Milk is not only the essence of feminine energy but also of nutrition for offspring everywhere. Have you ever seen a baby that wasn’t beautiful? Roses have long been associated with the beautiful goddess Aphrodite who ruled over love. In the alchemical world, roses are associated with perfection. In Pythagorean numerology seven is the number of perfection and therefore roses are often depicted with seven petals. In many scientific studies of beauty, participants overwhelmingly choose the faces that were the closet to perfect symmetry as the most beautiful.*

Turkish Delight

What could be more beautiful and delicate than Turkish Delight? If you’re not familiar with this Middle Eastern Treat, you may at least have a passing memory of the White Witch tempting Edwin with it in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Rosewater can be made by boiling rose petals in water. Reduce the tincture to a concentrate. Be sure to use pesticide-free rose leaves if you make your own.  Alternatively, rosewater can be found in many health food stores as well as Middle Eastern markets.

You may also substitute other flavors such as honey in place of rose water for equally beautiful candy. It is also extremely helpful to have a candy thermometer for this adventure.

Ingredients:
3 C granulated sugar
2 ½ C water
3 T light corn syrup
1 C cornstarch
1 t cream of tartar
1 t vanilla
2 t lemon juice
3 T rose water
red food coloring or you might try a couple drops beet juice for added beauty
1½ confectioner’s sugar
cooking spray

Directions:

Dissolve lemon juice, sugar, and 1 C water in a pot over medium heat. Then bring the mixture to a boil. Don’t stir, but do make sure the mixture is off the sides so it won’t crust over, and allow it to continue to boil until it reaches 240.

While the first mixture is boiling, pour the rest of the water, cornstarch, and cream of tartar into a larger pot, mix and bring to boil, stirring constantly. It will eventually somewhat resemble toothpaste in consistency. Allow it too to reach 240. Slowly pour the sugar mixture into the cornstarch mixture. Mix the two completely.

Reduce heat and let simmer for an hour. Stir it every few minutes to avoid crystallization.

While waiting line a small square pan (approx 9X9) with tinfoil. Be sure to leave enough on the sides to use as handles later. Spray it with cooking spray.

Remove the candy from heat. It will be very sticky, but more like a thick liquid. Add the rose water and vanilla then pour it into the pan.
Let the mixture sit over night. The next day dust a 12X12 workspace area with confectioner’s sugar. Pull the candy out by its tinfoil handles and flip it onto the sugar. Remove the foil and dust the candy with confectioner’s sugar.

Spray a sharp knife with cooking spray and cut the candy into cubes. Toss the candy in more confectioners’ sugar. Store in a tightly sealed container.


Hot Turkish Delight
Imagine my surprise when I found this absolutely lovely holiday drink that marries nearly all the beauty foods in one concoction!  It’s simply called Hot Turkish Delight and can be found at grouprecipes.com.

2 cups milk
2 oz Turkish Delight plus extra for garnish cut into small cubes
½ cup cream
½ t honey
2 tsp rosewater
pinch cinnamon  
finely chopped pistachios

Directions:

In a saucepan combine milk and turkish delight, bring to a boil, stir smooth and remove from heat.

In another bowl beat cream, rosewater, honey and cinnamon until stiff

Divide milk mixture between 2 drink glasses or cups.

Top with the whipped cream and garnish with small cubes of Turkish Delight and chopped pistachios.

*Maria, Cara Santa. "Beauty Studies Show Ratios Explain Human Attractiveness (VIDEO)." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 29 Jan. 2012. Web. 07 Nov. 2012. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/29/science-of-beauty_n_1239858.html>.

Energy


Wait. Why am I thinking of Krispy Kremes? We’re supposed to be exercising. ~ Meg Cabot, Big Boned

Energy
Western researches usually don’t recognize human energy as a scientific quantifier. In other words, because there is no accurate way to measure human energy or describe it (as there is with machines) there are few studies on it. And yet, it’s difficult to deny the transfer of energy between newborns and their mothers, or the energizing power of a well-timed hug or a kind word. Acupuncture, kinesiology, and even chiropractics all deal with human energies.

The average adult has much energy stored in the fat of their body as a one-ton battery!* A good thing to know as we gear up for the holidays. Because of it scientists around the world are looking for ways to harness that energy. Some ideas along those lines include a gym in Portland, Oregon which would harness the energy of its clients a they work out to power the facility and a dance club in the Netherlands that has built a special floor to take advantage of clubbers’ dance energy to power its facility. There’s also a new invention stateside that takes advantage of the electromagnetic energy in eyes to flip a switch and will soon be applied to a variety of different electronics!

Whether you’re using your energy to power your home or just your body the following foods will be of great help.


Foods of Interest
Amaranth is an ancient herb and grain with a nut-like flavor. Long ago the Hopi people used the rich red flowers to dye ceremonial robes. Many cultures still associate red with energy and speed. Think red sports cars! Tea from the grain relieves gas and will ease queasy stomachs. Red peppers or ground chilies create a chemical reaction in the body when eaten that produce endorphins filling the body with extra energy. Spice peppers relieve allergies, congestion, and increase metabolism. Caraway seeds are attached to a long line of home remedies—which helps explain why they’re associated with energy. Healthy people have more of it! They not only aid in digestion and relieve gas, they also sooth colic and cure earaches. European traditions often speak of filling a small cloth full of caraway seeds and placing it under a baby’s cradle to protect him or her from harm.  Some magical circles believe that cinnamon gives those that eat it the power to change anything. The spice comes from the bark of a tree in the laurel family. In ancient Egypt it was one of the key oils used in mummification. (Can you say yummy mummy?) Cinnamon is known to raise the energy of the crown chakra and is also sacred in Hebrew and Greek rituals. It is also said to raise spiritual energy and increase the powers of any herb mixed with it. Because cinnamon is a stimulant it works wonders as a pick-me-up tea. Garlic is one of the oldest herbs on record. As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, it’s been used as far back as 3000 BC! It’s a member of the lily family and cousin of the onion but few plants pack as much punch into one little bulb. It was used to treat leprosy for centuries and thought to prevent anthrax in cows as well. As a first aid option it can be used to treat bruising, swelling, and wounds. Garlic is also gives strength to those who consume it. As a proven antibiotic it reduces blood pressure and cholesterol. Ginger is like cinnamon in that it is believed to increase the powers of other herbs it is coupled with. Chewing ginger is said to release energy amplifiers into the body to increase power. It is known for curing hangovers, headaches, motion sickness as well as general nausea. Nutmeg is the dried fruit, which can be ground into a spice. Like cinnamon it was often used in mummification. It is also known for improving joint health. But most importantly it is used for attracting joy and happiness, which often spur higher levels of energy!

Recipe
My husband and I share cooking responsibilities. One of his favorite recipes when I cook is my curry. This is another one that I make by taste. It’s just one of those things I’ve never written down until now. It could be that non-conformist streak in me, or maybe it’s my attempt to conserve my energy for other endeavors:) In any case, I was pleased to realize it’s a natural energy booster incorporating nearly all the energy herbs I’ve mentioned.

Curry
3 lbs pork roast cubed
1 can coconut milk (12 oz)
¼ C chicken broth
1 C fresh cilantro (chopped)
1 green onion
1 T fresh ginger, grated
5 garlic minced
1 stalk lemon grass, finely chopped
1 shallot, minced
olive oil
1 ½ curry
1 t mace
½ t turmeric
2 t paprika
¼ t cinnamon
¼ t nutmeg
¼ t black pepper
½ t cayenne
½ t cumin

Directions:
Cube pork. Brown with olive oil on the stove. When the meat is cooked set aside. In the same pan add a little more olive oil (enough to brown new ingredients) and add garlic, shallot, ginger, and lemon grass. Cook until tender and slightly translucent.

Add coconut milk and mix all ingredients well. When everything is mixed add the chicken broth. Add all spices and mix well. Add cilantro and cook down for five minutes. Add pork cubes and mix well. Let the curry simmer for 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors. Serve over rice.

*"Harvesting Energy From Humans." Popular Science. N.p., 29 Jan. 2009. Web. 06 Nov. 2012. <http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2009-01/harvesting-energy-humans?page=2>.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Comfort


My favorite comfort food would have be braised beef. You know, beef, slow-cooked in a Dutch oven or in a slow cooker until it falls apart with simple mushrooms, some onions and lots of fresh thyme and garlic. ~ Tyler Florence

Comfort
A warm bed, hot bubble bath,  or soothing cup or tea--we all have different definitions of comfort. But no matter what our specific comforts are, one thing is certain we all need to feel comfortable and take time out once in awhile indulge in creature comforts to be at our best. 

My husband and I have just gone through the licensing process to become resource parents. The older term for this was foster parents. One of the most important things we've learned is that above all else comfort is essential to the well being of the little people who've had their lives incredibly disrupted. As adults we take for granted being able to buy ourselves a great cup or coffee or chocolate bar. We just assume that we will go home to our beds. 


But consider for a moment, the little ones who are removed from meth houses by children's services. Did you know that they literally can't take anything with them when they leave? No blanket or teddy, no favorite doll or matchbox car. Not even the clothes on their backs, because they might be contaminated. In other cases in which the children are allowed to take a few items, 9 times out of 10 their parents throw their belongings into trash bags. It's quick and easy, but consider the message it sends. What do we put in trash bags? Garbage. The kids often come away with the message that not only don't mom and dad want me, they think I'm garbage. Why else would they throw all my things away?

To combat such negativity, resource parents are instructed to bring suitcases with us when we go to pick children up, so that they can at least feel normal in a very small way. Talk about a small comfort! I don't know about you, but it rather humbles me. Somehow not getting my comfort coffee exactly the way I want it when I go through the drive-thru seems like small potatoes!

Foods of Interest

Fish Market in Hong Kong. Photo by Erika Celeste.

Almonds have had a sacred place in many ancient religions Hermes, Mercy, and Thoth all ate them to gain wisdom and prosperity--two of the cornerstones of comfort. Many Americans cite meat and potatoes as their comfort food. But beef found its place as comfort food long before the Americas were a twinkle in humanity’s eye. Egyptian Goddesses Hathor and Isis loved the stuff. It was believed to cause those who ate it to go into a state of bliss. Blueberries are also thought to have a calming effect and thus induce feelings of comfort. Legend has it that witches ate blueberry pies to ward off psychic attacks. Broccoli, which was sacred to Jupiter, was believed to have ramped up one’s strength—sort of Popeye style. We now know that it helps fight off cancer, which is comforting to know in itself. Calendula or marigolds (the petals are edible, just make sure they’re not full of pesticides) are also believed to increase happiness and protection. Who wouldn’t feel comfortable if they were happy and protected? In many areas of tehe world where fish is a staple of the daily diet, it is also seen as a comfort food. As we discussed last week, it was considered sacred by almost every primitive culture. Why not? If ancient people could fish, they would never go hungry. In uncertain times that was most certainly a comfort. Above is a picture of a fish market from my time in Hong Kong. The fish was so fresh there that despite being splayed open the hearts were still beating!  Finally, whole grains are considered to induce comfort. The ancients believed that grain contained the nurturing qualities of Earth. Sheaves of wheat have long been the symbol of prosperity—which is very comforting to those who possess them. Not only does grain keep you regular (it certainly would be uncomfortable if they didn’t) but they taste great. My two vegetarian sisters often turn to grains as their comfort food. A nice big bowl of macaroni and cheese or heaping help of pasta has very soothing effects on most of us.

Skirt Steak. Photo by Erika Celeste.
Marinated Skirt Steak
Skirt steak
½ C Olive oil
½ C Red wine
Garlic powder
½  t Rosemary
½ t chamomile
1 t Marjoram
½ t Powdered coriander
1 t Basil
2 green onions chopped
1 t Salt (or to taste)
½ t cracked pepper
large ziplock bag

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except steak in a bowl. Mix thoroughly. Place skirt steak in the ziplock and pour the marinade over it. Seal the bag. Work the marinade over the meat. Let marinade for up to two hours. (This is a very thin cut of meat. It will be overpowered if you wait much longer.) Place the meat on a searing hot grill. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side. Remove from heat and let sit at least 5 minutes. This is best if sliced very thinly as shown in the picture. A little goes a long way and you will feel more content with less if you eat it this way.


Trout Almondine
6 Trout Filets
½  C Flour
2 T garlic powder
½ C Milk
¾ C Panko
1 t Marjoram
1 t Chamomile
1 t Lemon balm or verbena
½ C toasted, slivered almonds
1 Lemon
3 cloves garlic minced
Salt to taste
Cooking spray

Directions:
You will need three bowls. The in the first mix flour and garlic powder.  Pour the milk in the second. In the third combine Panko, marjoram, chamomile, and the lemon balm or verbena, and the minced garlic. Dip the fillets first in bowl one, making sure to thoroughly coat them, then into bowl two, and finally roll them in bowl three covering both sides with bread crumbs. For baked fish you may add almonds to the breading mixture. For fried wait as they will come off in the oil.

You may either fry or bake these. To fry drop the fillets into a very hot pan filled no less than ½ deep with canola oil. It isn’t necessary to completely cover the fish in oil. When they are golden brown on one side flip. Remove from oil when ready and drain on paper towels. Place sliced almonds on top before serving. For oven baking, spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and lay the fillets on the sheet. Place in oven preheated to 450 degrees. Cook for 8-12 minutes. You will know they are ready when the fish flakes.

Squeeze lemon over the fillets and add salt to taste. For an added ounce of comfort you may want to serve the fillets with garlic steamed broccoli.