... Because everything I learned about living a good life, I learned in my kitchen.

I won't always show you recipes, because I don't measure. You can't really measure life, so how can I teach you that?

On our journey I will share stories of self-reflection as we cook and reminisce. The kitchen remains to be my "hall of epiphanies" . Stay with me as we explore the depths of our cooking pots, and of our soul...



Thursday, January 12, 2012

Rituals...they bring me peace.

See this?  This is me.  At my happiest.

It's important for your to know that.  When was the last time that you saw yourself, with your own eyes, look visibly happy?  Did you see your soul radiate through your eyes?  If you haven't, you should.

These moments are fleeting.  Life brings many ups and downs, so we have to do our best to hold on to the happy moments when we have them, and carry them for strength when the storm hits.

 If you know me, you probably guessed it.  My daughter took this picture, right after Christmas Eve dinner this year.  My daughter makes me glow inside.  Making her happy and seeing her grow gives me light from within.

You must remember that I love her as much as any mother would love their child but that I've almost lost her 3 times.  I learned the hard way to treasure every moment.

When she was very ill, I would desperately long for "ordinary moments" with her.  The kind that you have throughout any mundane day, and not think twice about.  Turns out, those were the moments that meant the most to me when it came to sharing them with her and having her in my life. 

Such is also with any other of my loved ones.  I will take the a culmination of, or a collective of all the ordinary, everyday life moments with you, than birthdays, anniversaries or holidays.  Those mean the most to me, because it means that together we have shared life, and what a gift it is, in the most genuine form.


Today was a perfect example.  We got home from work later than usual, and exhausted.  I took a relaxing shower in effort to gear myself up to cook, and work in the kitchen to prep for my writing.  I got a call from my best friend who was bringing over lots of delicious food from our favorite Latin restaurant.   Perfect timing!  My son surprised us and came over for dinner too.  So, the 3 of us girls got to harass him and ask him endless questions about college, his girlfriend and theater rehearsals.  He secretly loves it when we interrogate him!  I know it.

We had a buffet-style dinner that was so great and hit the spot.  Meanwhile, I made Lisette a cake she likes that's called "Brazo De Gitana".  It's basically a roll [cake] with fruit filling, and then covered in powdered sugar.  I've made it before with raspberries but Lisette she likes it with guava, so I gave it a whirl.  It was delicious, but I only had pink powdered sugar, left over from my daughter's birthday party.  Everyone liked the cake, except I couldn't get over the fact that it was, well...pink!


During dinner, my daughter, with a very serious face asks me if I am a Buddhist.  She knows that I am not, so I was a bit confused.
"Then why do you have Buddhas throughout the house?"
"Ah.", I answer, "...because they remind me to bring myself peace".  They also remind me to smile.     


I just had this conversation with someone very important to me.  He was so excited about a home theater system that he'd bought.  I was truly happy for him  but I made the distinction for him about what I want to come home to.

For me it's not about those things as much as peace, and laughter.  A home that is filled with warmth, is a home that I want to come home to.  I'm simple in that sense.  I don't need expensive things, give me a candle that smells nice and I will absolutely love it.

Another thing that brings me peace and a smile to my face is having my own rituals.  They are never rituals that I impose on other people, but rather things that I do for myself.

For instance, I sleep with the curtains open, because I like to wake up to the sun shining in the morning, and to see the tree tops.  This immediately reminds me to close my eyes once more and give thanks to the Lord for all that we have been blessed with.  I even take a moment to thank Him for the painful things that I've been through that have made me stronger, more aware and have helped me to help others.  And lastly, I commit to myself not to take my blessings, or my lessons, for granted.  Then I wish the clouds and the tree tops a good day, and off to get ready for a new day I go.

 Another ritual is my 3 cups of strong black coffee in the morning, or how I can't eat breakfast at home but will always eat at my desk at work.  How I need to shower with lavender but use Jasmine lotion...  or how I need to be alone when I sit to talk with you, and give you my undivided attention.

When was the last time that you saw yourself visibly happy and at peace?  How do you bring that and keep it within your reach?

Well, tonight instead of a recipe to cook, I'll give you a recipe for harnessing happiness.  It's from one of my favorite poets.  Enjoy...

Joy and Sorrow chapter VIII






















Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow."

And he answered:

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?

And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."

But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.


Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.

Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.

When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.


Khalil Gibran






Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Chicken- The Protein That Likes to Play Dress-Up

How much do I love chicken?  Oh, let me count the ways....

On second thought, I'll refrain from doing so at risk of sounding just like Bubba in the movie Forrest Gump.  You get the idea.  Chicken.  Pretty much anywhere that you go to in the world, they eat it.

Logistics: Chickens don't eat a lot, are low-maintenance and practically raise themselves.  And eggs!  Let's not forget eggs.

A nutritious and delightful source of protein that's known for it's versatility.  In Puerto Rico we cook it several ways, the most common being Pollo Frito, which is my favorite.  It's a well-marinated, non-breaded fried chicken that's to die for.  Even before you taste it, you go crazy with how incredible it smells cooking because of the seasonings, herbs, garlic and lime in the marinade!

Another common one is Pollo Asado, which is baked chicken, Pollo Fricassee which is also one of my favorite creole dishes with it's delightful sauce packed with seasonings peppers, onions and zesty flavor. Some people just call this dish Pollo en Salsa (Chicken in [red] Sauce).  This is actually the chicken that I chose to make for this dish.

Why?

Once in a while I have crazy mornings and forget to thaw out some meat for dinner.  So when I have a fashion crises in the morning, I usually end up playing dress-up with my chicken too...  Fried?  Baked?  Marinade? Sticking to my plan of trying not to eat out too much, I stop by the meat market and grab a pound or two of chicken.  It's also very inexpensive, and cooks fast and easy.

This time, I was in the mood for the whole thigh/leg.   For what you'd spend at the drive-thru for you'll make an entire meal for a family and send your hubby to work with a lunch that's unforgettable.  His co-workers will hate/love you (depending if he shares).

I decided to make the Pollo En Salsa because I didn't really have time to marinade the meat.  I'll make the tomato-based sauce rich and flavorful instead.  This dish reminds me of one of my closest friends, Nique, because if I'm ever cooking for her and her family, this is their dish of choice.

The sauce is amazing spread over yellow rice, and accompanied with sweet plantains and avocado!  


 I ALWAYS wash meats thoroughly with water and vinegar or water and lime/lemon juice.  Sometimes even both.
I know, I know... to those of you who tell me that it's redundant because the heat kills germs I say that yes you're right but I still don't want dead germs swimming in my sauce.  Got it?

Then, for the marinade I juice a lemon, a lime, add in olive oil, crushed garlic or Sofrito, Sazon, Adobo and oregano.  I LOVE the way oregano tastes with chicken.  Mix it all in a bowl and then spread on top of your chicken.


Let the marinade work through for a few minutes while you heat up the pan with a little olive oil.  Saute some onions and peppers in there too with a dash of sea salt, but not too much.  Remember that the Sazon and Adobo count as your salt.  Be careful.

When the pan is nice and hot, place your chicken in.  I like to give the chicken a nice golden-brown sear.  Actually, I won't start the actual sauce until the chicken has a nice color and crisp to it.   When it does, I'm ready to add a can of crushed tomato sauce, and a splash of wine.

Once this all blends together nicely I taste the sauce and determine if it could use a little more Sofrito, or wine...or salt.  It really all depends on your preference so salt to taste, but again, be careful! 


Viola!  I love this with sweet plantains and avocado.....   give it a try.  Let me know how it goes.  Until then, muy buen provecho!


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Menu at Chez Sofrito

Hah!  I forgot to include the avocado that I picked up...better use it before it goes bad...  what can I make that's delicious with that beautiful green Avocado that awaits me?

The truth is that I never really know what I'm going to write about before I sit down to chat with you.  I like it that way.  It keeps our conversations sincere.  Sometimes I have an idea of what I want to share with you, or a thought that I came across, but the way that I tell you my story only happens once I sit with you, and we have our moments.

Such is also the case with my dishes.  I will marinade meats on the weekends after grocery shopping, but I never really know what I'm going to pair them up or how.  Like with writing, I leave that to inspiration.  I've shared with you that one of the most satisfying aspects about cooking for me is to let one ingredient, like a musical instrument, inspire the composition of the entire symphony.   

I don't think that I've ever made the same dish the same way twice.  I tend to go with the ingredients that I have on hand.  Most importantly, how I create a dish is often determined by how I feel.  I read a book in college by Laura Esquivel- Like Water For Chocolate .  The book is about a young girl who's feelings manifest in the dishes that she cooks.  So much so that anyone who eats her cooking can suddenly feel her emotions too.

I haven't thought about that book since college, and it's funny that the memory comes to me now as I try to describe to you how I feel when I cook.  I shared with you before how I tend to cook soups if I am sad, and with fruits if I feel bright and playful.  

Now the practical side of cooking, and cooking for a family, also warrants that I am more prepared and better equipped than with just my feelings.  I don't really ever feel "Writer's Block", but I often feel that in my kitchen, or my closet.

Just like I have an enormous walk-in closet filled with clothes, shoes and handbags I can walk in there on any given morning and in frustration exclaim that "I have nothing to wear!".  It used to drive my ex-husband crazy.  Well, the same thing happens to me in my kitchen.  I have all the staples in there but sometimes lack inspiration and feel that "there is nothing to cook".  Now that's certainly not true, but it's just how I feel in that moment.  

What do I do?  I look for inspiration.  Often it's a simple ingredient.  I've shared with you how a lemon or an orange can inspire an entire menu for me- appetizer, meal, dessert and tea..  Sometimes, it's not that easy.  Sometimes if I had a hard day or have a lot on my mind I really draw a blank.  That's when I resort to "Inventory".

My friends love to tease me about OCD or how compulsively organized I can be.  The truth is that I'm a naturally chaotic and abstract person who only forced herself to learn to be organized and disciplined as a means for survival and strong parenting. 
 
I love writing on a quick spreadsheet all of the ingredients that I have on hand.  I've included a copy of this week's so that you see what I mean.  This allows me to glance over some of the things that I have to work with, and the great number of possibilities that I can come up with. It's also what keeps me in check when I think about eating out too often.  I can visibly see all the things that are good for us, and that I have at home that I should be working with.

For me, this works well if I don't overstock my cabinets and refrigerator.  I have more than enough on hand for many possibilities, but I don't keep so much that I am afraid to open the cabinets or fridge and look through them.  Another trick is to glance over your receipt after you put the groceries away.  Sometimes we forget what we bought.  If I see something I can work into a meal, I'll scribble it on my "Menu".  I call it a menu but in reality it's more like an inventory list. 

On that note I'll tell you that I love spreadsheets.  I'm a huge fan of Excel.  I don't just use them at the office.  I use them at home to help me keep my life at my fingertips.  I also like for my daughter to see them up because I think it subconsciously helps her be organized too.  I have my grocery list and monthly budget on  spreadsheets, with the bills I have to pay and on what date, how much was paid/saved...etc. 

I wish school systems had better curriculum for teaching Finances to children at an early age.  I believe that children should learn about money management, savings, interest, equity, stocks, financing...all of it.

Wouldn't you say that it's a long term plan for security and our debt crises if we teach our kids to manage money better than we have?  It all starts at home too.

I often pay my bills on line while she is doing homework next to me.  She is used to seeing this.  She asks questions about it and by ten years old understood quite a bit more than I ever had.  She understands to respect credit cards and not to use them unless you will immediately have the cash on hand to pay for your purchases.  She also understands to always try and pay bills before the due date, and above the principal. You'd be surprised how much kids retain if they're exposed to it.

As far as your menu and culinary prowess, Reader, give this a try this weekend when you go grocery shopping!  You don't even have to be all serious and do it on the computer.  Even if you scribble it down on a piece of paper, try jotting down the ingredients that you have to work with.  Then, you could even sit with your other half or your kids and come up with menu items for the week.  Try cooking 4 days even if you take one day off.  It's fun, and you're likely to get everyone involved. 

I'd love to know what you come up with!  I bet it will be great.  Muy buen provecho! 

Monday, January 9, 2012

The Best Quickies of Your Life

Did you know that you can have the best "quickies" of your life in your own kitchen?

At ease, Soldiers!  This is a family show!

What I mean is that too often we gravitate toward fast food when we're hungry, when in reality you have the best of everything in your own kitchen.  That's right, you heard me...

I have your typical Latina figure, and I like it that way.  Never had I been so conscious of eating healthful foods, until I became a mother.   I'm more concerned with what we put into our bodies.  I've proven to my kids that the healthier and more natural high-nutrient foods we eat, the better we feel.


All life comes from organic material.  I said that to my daughter once and she thought I was referring to that "special aisle" in the supermarket.  No.  What I mean by organic is the basic elements of life-  the chemistry behind the foods that we eat.  If it was once alive, such as fruits, vegetables, starches, lentils, or meats then it is made of of organic components that your body will transform into nutrients and fuel.  

On the contrary, anything that is processed or comes out of a bag, in most cases will not benefit you nutritionally, but it can actually harm us if consumed in excess.  Our bodies were not meant to break down and store these components- regardless if they are edible or not.

To further my point, many of the medicines that we consume for ailments come from organic materials such as herbs, fruits, plants, fish oil... etc.   I rather eat healthier any day than have to take pills for something.  With the food, I am aware of what I'm putting into my body.  With a pill, I don't know what other synthetic materials are in it, and what the side effects will be.

Please don't misunderstand me.  I will take, and give my kids medicines as needed and prescribed by a doctor.  Absolutely.  As a matter of fact, I have a child who has been through a series of very critical surgeries and I always find that good nutrition significantly helped her recovery process. What I'm saying is that over the course of our life time I rather eat healthful foods consistently to help us feel vigorous and vibrant.

I will also have fast food and junk food from time to time, and enjoy the heck out of it too.  Everything in moderation.  I just keep in mind that I have little eyes watching my every move and mimicking my behaviors.  At home, I try to set a good example.    I'm not saying that it's easy.  I come home from work, picking up my daughter, and running errands exhausted.  The thought of helping with HW and cooking a good meal makes me cringe just like the next Mom, or Dad who comes home in the same boat. 

You already know that I keep marinated meat frozen in vacuum sealer bags that I prepare on the weekends.  I found that the trick for me is to always keep fresh or frozen fruits and veggies on hand. For me, the part that I find the most stressful about cooking is figuring out what sides to cook with a meal.  If the meat is all set and prepared, all I have to do is leave it to thaw out in the morning.   

Once I come home, I look at my fruits and veggies and let them inspire my theme!  I definitely am in the habit of incorporating fruit in a meal.  What a lovely symphony of flavors is made when I cook fish that was marinated in lime and garlic and top that off with sauteed mango and cilantro for freshness and a tangy island flavor.    Don't underestimate the power of fresh fruit in your dishes! 

I always keep fresh greens on hand too.   The organic sections of the supermarkets sell "Spring Mix"  I love this!  I'm especially partial to the variety that has cilantro.  It blends in with the greens so you don't see it, but you will definitely taste the zest although it's very subtle.   

So there you have it.  In minutes, just by looking around what you already have in your kitchen, and while your meat is cooking in the skillet you can prepare a salad, some vegetables, a quick bowl of rice or some whole-grain pasta.  Just like that!

In the same amount of time it takes you to get through drive-thru in rush hour, you can make your family a beautiful and vibrant meal rich with the nutrients that they need to feel great.  I recommend getting kids involved in the preparation process.  For one, you deserve the help.  Two, it's beneficial for them to learn about nutrients and health.  My kids sometimes teach me things about nutrition that they learn in school that I wasn't aware of. And third, it's a great way to bond with your kids. 

<Angry Teenager Disclaimer>  Not all kids will be receptive to the idea.  To some, it's easier to introduce it as part of their chores, such as peeling potatoes and chopping up veggies.  As parents, sometimes we have to feign disinterest and even make them think we don't really want them there.  A few quiet moments and all of a sudden your teen is telling you about how unfair it is that Jennifer gets to color red streaks in her hair and she doesn't but that it doesn't really matter because Justin broke up with her because he thought it called too much attention to her... "Justin, Mom, Justin!  How could you not remember him?  He was over at Alexis' birthday party at the skating rink two years ago!  You know the tall boy with the really cute smile?  Mom!"    


And all of a sudden red highlights and a story about a cute boy named Justin fuses with the sound of her chopping some onions for you...

<Angry Teenager Disclaimer- Part 2>

If your teen suddenly breaks out in tears please check that she is okay, but please do not assume that she got cut with the knife.  It could be the onions.  Or...most likely the hormones could be raging and a flashback of Becky, The Boyfriend Stealer may have hit

All in all, it's a great time to spend with your family, in your own home.  A quick meal can be magnificent too.  Here's one that I let my daughter come up with on a night that we came home exhausted and were running low on groceries.  It was right after we had just moved into our new home.  Great meal, great memories!


Quickie Garden Pasta

Easiest healthy meal to make!  Cut up some fresh broccoli after rinsing thoroughly.  Add in grape tomatoes sliced in half, mushroom, onions and your favorite variety of peppers.  Add in a table spoon of crushed garlic, one packet of Sazon and just a dash of sea salt (to drain the moisture out of the veggies).  Don't add in too much sea salt because the Sazon is already salted, and the garlic flavor is strong enough.



Throw the veggies in a heated skillet or pan, add in a large can of crushed tomato sauce and a sprinkle of oregano.  Add in about  1/4 cup of wine of your choosing.  Saute but do not let the veggies get too soggy.  They should retain some crunch and texture.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of your favorite pasta to a boil until aldente.

After draining the pasta, mix your veggies and sauce in thoroughly.  Add in your favorite types of cheeses (in moderation).  I love fresh Parmesan or Asiago.  You can also add shrimp, chicken or fish to this recipe.  It's especially great if you have them left over...

And there you have it!  That was so easy, it's delicious, quick, healthful and I had lots of fun preparing this with my little girl. 

So next time you're tempted to order out, go for a quickie in the kitchen instead...

Muy buen provecho! 








Sunday, January 8, 2012

The Universe
















You're part of me.  And now, I'm part of you.  That's how we've become.  Connected.


I think of you often.  Daily.  As I work on my dishes, as I drive and am hit with a random epiphany or sometimes even when I sit with my little girl and answer endless questions about the great-grandmother who she never got to meet.


I always tell her that although they didn't meet, they are also connected.  My grandmother molded my mom and I into who we've become so that I could then do the same for my daughter.  Some of the mannerisms that she mimics are not really mine at all.  They are my grandmother's.  And now they are hers.

I've been cooking quite a bit in the new house, and getting accustomed to my new kitchen that I love exponentially more than at the previous house.  This kitchen was made for me!  It was the kitchen that a year ago I wished I had, so it makes me chuckle sometimes when I get up in the middle of the night for a glass of water and realize that this time, I am not dreaming at all.

 A few years ago, I learned that which we will for ourselves and release into the universe often has the power to manifest itself so.  Now, obviously this can be tricky or we'd all have everything that we want, no?

Sometimes I hear people talk to the Universe, or about the Universe...blah, blah, blah....

But really, how can we expect to receive without first being accountable for that which we, ourselves, place in our universe?  If you have a home and fill it with garbage, don't you in essence live surrounded by garbage- even if the exterior of that home is a mansion?  It will still reek of garbage and lose it's beauty.

Such is the way that we create our own reality.  I believe that we have to be accountable for our own actions, what we do to others, how we make others feel, and what kind of mark we are leaving for humanity.  How can we ask for more, or ask for blessings if we ourselves are not creating blessings and love for all of those around us, and ourselves?

On that same premise, it's easy to create a haven for those we already love and seek to love us.  The real testament to our own contributions to the universe should be in how we positively  impact those who we do not know, or those who do not love us.  Shouldn't we serve all of humanity in some capacity within our reach?

My point is that it starts with ourselves.  Let's be accountable for always doing the right thing, for treating people well.

Let us not live in excess if our own soul is starving.

We are all far from perfection, but this is no reason not to strive for it.  It is possible to change for the better.  It is!  I promise you.  Here's what I believe;

Do the right thing, always.  A pure heart is your gift to the universe.
  1. Do onto others as you would want done to you.  That includes even the simplest things, like not gossiping, or apologizing for mistakes... 
  2. Practice love and kindness.  Sometimes the people who are hardest to love are the ones who need it the most.
  3. Refrain from lying, or doing things that will cause you to say what you don't mean.  Your credibility is a gift that you give to YOURSELF.  Whether others believe you or not, always hold your word so high that you always believe in yourself and what you speak.
  4. Don't talk about these things, but rather put them into daily practice.  Others will see for themselves in time. 
They say that the universe has no beginning or no end.  I passionately disagree.  The Universe starts, and ends, inside of YOU.


Speak only loveliness, seek out the beauty in life, show it onto others, and only put the very best inside of you and all around you.


And what do I like to cook and eat when I need to feel that connection?
Often chicken soup is seen as the cure for all.  For me, it's this dish that I gravitate to when I'm not well- physically or emotionally...


 Warm Citrus Salad


Peel an orange.  I love to do it with a knife.  I slice in between the wedges so I get whole slices of pulp, without the skin.  I also save the peels, and boil them for after-dinner orange tea, with honey and cinnamon.

Juice 1 whole lemon.  I like using this hand juicer that I bought at Target for a few bucks.  This is an extreme close-up.  It's actually only about 5 inches tall.

This lemon juice is what you will mix with about 2 teaspoons of olive oil, light salt (the veggies will already be salted), and fresh-cracked black pepper, for the salad dressing.  I also took the left over pulp from the orange that I cut the wedges out of, and squeezed that orange juice into my salad dressing, for additional citrus flavor.
I started by slicing cherry tomatoes in half, with the orange wedges and mixing in my olive oil, lemon juice and seasonings.

Meanwhile, I have a saute going with onion, red and green peppers and fresh mushrooms.  I've drizzled about a tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkled sea salt and fresh-cracked black pepper.

 I've marinated chicken tenders in olive oil, Sazon, Adobo, lemon juice and 2 table spoons of Dijon mustard.



This is my assembly line headed toward the heated skillet.  Chicken, egg wash, Panko crumbs mixed with course corn meal.  Clean and no mess.  Easy.

 Chicken tenders are made.  I've rinsed our fresh greens and mixed them in with the sauteed veggies, cherry totatoes, orange wedges and our home-made salad dressing.  Ready to serve!
 This is a lovely mixture of freshness, flavor and texture.  The sweetness of the orange, the tangy flavor of the lemon, mixed with the deliciously cooked peppers and onions and the crunch of the zesty chicken all make for an invigorating meal. I love to top it off with crumbled cheese.
 My favorite part of this dinner was sharing it with my daughter, and explaining all the vitamins & nutrients that are so good for her, making her feel healthful about her choices.


Just like with our own actions, what we chose to put in our bodies will affect our mindset,  vigor and the clarity with which we take on choices.  Life is there for you to enjoy it.  Do so with a pure heart, and every day live to set an example for at least one person who you encounter.

May the Universe manifest all of your dreams, and may you bring the Universe everything it deserves from you.