Ah dear readers... It seems I have outgrown my Blogger.com days.
I actually have a official website! Please follow me to my new location http://www.ericaneils.com and find my Blog tab. I will continue to post recipes, adventures and other thoughts.
Thank you for reading!
Monday, May 11, 2015
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Crockpot Tartufo and Fromage et Trois Gemelli ( 3 Cheese and Truffle Pasta in the Crockpot)
also I'm starting to panic... which means I want comfort food.
The end result is Mac and Cheese... well.. sort of.
I don't have Macaroni so I'm using Gemelli, pretty little twists of pasta.
My dear friend Katie years ago made what she called Fromage et Trois at a Party... the recipe she would not share, but I've dreamed about it ever since. It was the best Macaroni and cheese ever.
This is my attempt... and I added some truffle salt and white and black truffle oil because... Truffles! I find that sage partners truffle well, they both have that earthy, musky thing happening that is so delicious... so if you don't have loads of truffle laying about. ( If you do, can we be friends?) Sage is a nice way to enhance the earthy flavor. I'm doing it in the crockpot because any time you can dump things in a crock pot and forget about if for a couple hours is a good thing in my mind.
Ingredients:
1 package Organic Dried Pasta (17.6 oz). I used Gemelli
1 1/2 Cup Medium Cheddar - grated1 1/2 Cup Extra Sharp Cheddar - grated
1 1/2 Cup Jarlsburg Swiss - grated
1 12 oz Can Evaporated Milk
3 Cups Milk ( I used Silk Cashew Milk) as that is what I had in my fridge.... I'm pretty sure real milk would be better... but use what you have.
6 cloves garlic coarsely chopped
1/2 Teaspoon Dry Mustard
1/2 Teaspoon Sage
1/4 Teaspoon Truffle Salt
1/8 Teaspoon Black Truffle Oil
1/8 Teaspoon White Truffle Oil
Directions:Spray your crockpot with cooking spray
Dump in your uncooked pasta
Throw in your cheeses
Throw in your milks, evaporated and regular
Toss in your garlic, spices and truffle goodness.
Mix it all together.
Set your crockpot and low, put the lid on, set your timer for two hours and go do laundry.. or pack.. or whatever floats your boat.
Some recipes you will see they add the spices at the end... I have never for the life of me understood this, unless its fresh herbs you are adding for beauty and flavor, I always mix my spices in at the beginning, that way they infuse what you are cooking with that goodness... if you throw them in at the end, you can barely taste them and whats the point. Wonder why some left overs are better the next day? Its because the spices have had a chance to blend in and do their magic. Give them a headstart and put them in at the start and you will have that awesome flavor the first day.
Friday, April 24, 2015
Huckleberry Clafoutis (Gluten and Dairy Free)
Before coming back to Montana, Clafoutis was not something I ate that much. My Aunt and my Mother both love it and so it has become a favorite of mine as well. It's quick and easy, everything done in less than an hour. The Huckleberry season was good last year, like little squirrels we went out and picked and picked, we ate quite a few and froze some away for the future. As both Mom and I are moving soon we are dutifully going through and trying to use up things, so as a chance to use up some of the huckleberries I decided to make Clafoutis.
My Uncle is Gluten Free and I try to avoid milk... I recently discovered the new Silk Cashew milk and am in love with it, it has great flavor and creamy consistency.
So Here is my Recipe: Preheat your oven to 350 F.
1 cup gluten free Flour (namaste perfect flour blend)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups cashew milk (or milk of choice)
4 eggs
2 cups previously frozen huckleberries with their juices (can use fresh if you have)
Directions: In a large mixing bowl Mix your flour, salt, sugar, add your extracts (I like a mix of Vanilla and Almond extracts... you can just use one type if you like or leave it out all together if you just don't care. )and your milk...
Whisk Away till most of the lumps are gone (there will be some, and thats ok).
Add your eggs and whisk some more till everything is well combined.
Next, Mix in your huckleberries. When I make Clafoutis I like my fruit to be spread throughout it. Some people will bake it a few minutes before adding the fruit and then put the fruit on top and bake some more. It makes for a dramatic presentation to have it divided but I like the flavor consistency when the fruit is mixed. 
Put the goodness in the oven and set the timer for 45 minutes.
MMM Clafoutis.
When It First Comes out of the oven it will be a bit puffed up like a soufflé ... as you let it sit it will collapse and set up. This is normal and good. Let it set for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Enjoy!!
Clafoutis can be made with just about any fruit, I love it with berries, its good with pears, apples, peaches and plums. It's a very versatile semi sweet. I like it because it's not super sugary compared to some desserts.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
EffYourBeautyStandards... the journey of embracing the "plus" or whatever shape you come in.
Some of my first memories are of my grandmother telling me I was fat. She drilled it into my brain till I believed it, and then told me no man would ever love me and I would never succeed if I were fat.
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| Me about age 5.. Healthy little girl that even then just wanted to perform. |
I've never been considered small. I've never been called skinny. I can count the number of times a man has scooped me up in his arms and twirled me or carried me someplace in less than one hand.
My adolescent through adult life thus far, my body has ranged between at my smallest a size 12 to a size 24.. in the last 10 years I sit at about a 16-20. While I'm not super active, I'm not a complete lump either. I walk, hike, do yoga, dance, was SAFD certified in 2008 in rapier and dagger, broadsword and hand to hand, stage combat.
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| Size 12... about age 19 |
When I was a size 12, I was 19, I existed pretty much on salads and was obsessed with fitting in that standard box of beauty. I walked on the treadmill with weights 2 hours every day. I insecure and unhappy and so desperate to be loved, to succeed.
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| Age 25 Size 22? |
I started having back problems around age 20, I had three months where I could barely move. I got better. When I was 22 I was raped twice in the span of 6 months. I put on weight very quickly after that in an attempt to hide I think... if what my grandmother said was true an no man would love me if I were fat, then no man would want to rape me either.. right? So I hid, for years at a size 24.. pushing 26. My story is not unusual, it's sadly common. Body's react to stress and trauma... some people gain weight others become thin to an unhealthy level. Don't look at someone and judge them on their size. You have no idea what they have been through. There can be many reasons why a person looks the way they do and really, no one should be judged on their appearance. We are all just in need of love and acceptance.
 |
| Hiking in Glacier Park, not sure what year, guessing around 2003 size 22-24 |
I was very physically active in my time at Cornish and blissfully happy for most of it and so shrunk down to a size 16... After I graduated, my back flared again at age 30 and I herniated two discs... I lost much of 2009 to pain and immobility. I fought hard to get to the point where I could function again on an even basic level. Aerobics were out and I gained some of the weight I had lost in school back. But psychologically I had turned a page and wanted to be seen again. Wanted to be that performer the little 5 year old had dreamed about.
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| 2011 (Christy Trotto photographer)Headshot Size 20 |
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| 2015 Size 18 |
Now, almost 20 years later from that size 12 (wtf, when did that happen?) I have come to accept who I am... would I like to be thinner? sure. Would I like to have a million dollars? heck yeah! Maybe those things will happen one day, but I'm not obsessing about them any more. I like food, I like too cook, I think that beauty comes in ALL shapes, ages, colors, genders, etc. I look in the mirror and all in all I'm comfortable with what I see. I see a woman who has survived some crazy shit and is still standing, not only standing but dancing and doing yoga. I may be single at the moment, but I've had relationships and when I've looked for them I've never had a hard time finding a date. I've gotten work in my desired field of acting and while I've been out of it a few years, I'm confident I will get work again.
I went window shopping yesterday... and was discouraged and disgusted. (this happens every time I look at clothes lately). While there is a movement growing : #EFFYOURBEAUTYSTANDARDS (Love Tess Munster! Thank goodness for her!) the balance is still decidedly in favor of the small, tiny waisted people. They say the average woman in america is a size 14 (so since all sizing is different (thank's designers) lets say 10-16 shall we?) Yet when I wander and look at clothes what I see predominantly on the rack is size 0-8. The 8-16 has been mostly bought, or what is left is ugly. When I wander into the wee corner for the "Womens"....It is ugly... I mean not just a little... I mean like who the heck would wear this and feel good about themselves? Apparently to be "Plus" or "Womens" in the Flathead is to be resigned to loud obnoxious patterns, frumpy, unflattering cuts and weird shit with beading all over it.
There is no Lane Bryant in the Flathead, and no Torrid. Target has a tiny section that blends in to the Maternity section. Ross has a tiny section. T.J. Max has a rack... literally just one, front and back. J.C. Penny has a small corner placed next to a large Active wear section of tiny work out clothes. Maurice has a tiny corner of things that look cute on the hanger, but when you try it on look ridiculous. Herbergers has the largest collection, but little of it is anything you would want to wear and each piece starts around $50. Yet, I look around this valley and honestly I see more people looking like me than I do your average super model.
Heres the thing... some people are small, naturally and also, some people are big, naturally. People come in different heights, proportions, skin tones, physical abilities and ailments. We come in various ages, we have various styles. Let's climb out of the beauty standard box and let's start having representation of EVERYONE in our media. Let's stop typecasting.... let's have all the styles and clothes in the full range of sizes.
Tess Munster or as she's also known Tess Holiday is my new role model. I love her, She gives me courage. She's fierce, beautiful, and determined to change the rules. She is completely open about herself and her experiences. She makes me think that I maybe just maybe have a chance. The world is changing.... slowly. Curves are being embraced... Tess and The Militant Baker and others are raising awareness.
My awesome friend Hannah Schnabel is on a mission to design awesome clothes for curvy gals and I can't wait till she gets going. She's graduating in June. She doesn't have a website yet... but look out for amazing things from her in the future.
In the mean time companies like Lane Bryant, Torrid and Dove are trying. Lane Bryant's new ad campaign: #ImNoAngel falls is a step in the right direction, but no great leap. The models are all essentially about the same size, very pretty, no visible stretch marks or cellulite. I hope these companies and more keep trying and keep pushing forward, every step is a step in the right direction.
I love the Militant Bakers redesign of the Lane Bryant campaign, which shows a variety of curvy women.
I hope when I am in L.A. I can be part of the change too... the mission for acceptance and understanding. I'm excited to try. We all deserve to feel loved and beautiful no matter our packaging.
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| 2008 after graduating Cornish, size 16 |
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| Another Christy Trotto Photo, this time 2012 |
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| One of my favorite photos of myself ever, by the talented Jeanette Bath in 2009 |
Veg and Cheese Bread Pudding.
In the battle of Stuffing Vs. Bread Pudding, for me, Bread Pudding always wins. To me Stuffing, just isn't as magical. Don't get me wrong, I like stuffing, ok... I just like Bread pudding more.
Stuffing is made with stale hard croutons, generally.
Bread pudding is made with slightly stale, but still soft bread.
Stuffing, depending on the recipe, has minimal vegetables... onion, maybe some oysters or sausage, and is made with stock and seasonings.
Bread pudding, again depending on the recipe has more of the things that stuffing has, plus cheese and often milk or cream instead or in addition to the stock.
Stuffing is drier.
Bread pudding is, like savory moist cake.
I was fortunate enough to snag a loaf of free bread from Polebridge Bakery the other day. Fresh bread is amazing, but unlike store bought commercial bread, it goes stale much faster. So when bread starts to stale, for me it's just a good excuse to make Bread Pudding. As it is one of mom's favorites she's always happy when this happens.
Today I did a Caramelized Onion, Garlic, Carrot, Celery, Mushroom and 3 Cheese Bread Pudding.
Yum!
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Large Onion (I used Yellow).. I like medium small slices, I half the onion twice, once horizontally and once vertically, and then slice the halves into thin slices.
6 Cloves Garlic, chopped fine
2 Medium Carrots, sliced fairly thin.
3 Celery sticks, sliced fairly thin
8 Medium sized Crimini Mushrooms, sliced fairly thin
Spices to taste..
I used:
Oregano, about 1/2 teaspoon,
Sage, about 1/8 teaspoon
Thyme, about 1/8 teaspoon
Rosemary, about 1 Tablespoon
a bit of Cayenne .. just a dash
and himalayan salt... a few grinds
Spices are flexible.. if you like more, use more, if you like less, use less.... use different ones if you like. Play!
1/3 cup White Cheddar Cheese Shredded
1/3 Cup Medium Cheddar Cheese Shredded (to be mixed in)
1 Cup Medium Cheddar Cheese Shredded (to be baked on top)
1/3 Cup Pepper jack Cheese Shredded
1/2 Loaf good bread, slightly stale. (I used potato bread), sliced into 1 inch slices and then cubed. If your bread is already sliced, it doesn't matter, just cut it so there are nice bite sized cubes.
5 Eggs, scrambled
2 Cups (or more or less) Milk
Preheat your oven to 375 F. (190 C.)
In a large wok or Frying pan heat your oil, on medium high.
Add your onions and cook several minutes, stirring on occasion, until they start to become translucent and just start to caramelize. (About 5 Minutes)
Add Your garlic, stir and sauté a few more minutes.(about 3 minutes)
Add your carrots and celery, stir and sauté yet a few more minutes. (About 3 minutes)
Add your mushrooms, stir and sauté even more.
Add your spices. Again my measurements when it comes to spices are loose, I pour a bit into my hand, or into the pot as it calls to me and roll with it. I know this is difficult when attempting to replicate but part of the joy of cooking is playing. Add more, use less, don't like rosemary? (what are you crazy?) try tarragon or dill.. either of those would be tasty.
Sauté all this awesomeness till the carrots start to soften and the mushrooms are cooked.
Remove from the heat.
In a large mixing bowl add your cubed bread and your shredded cheese (except for the 1 cup med. cheddar)
Bake for about 25 minute (until the cheese is melted and the pudding is golden on top, but still nice and a bit gooey in the middle)
Let set for about 5 minutes.
EAT!
It may not be the prettiest, but man it's good !!
Mom gave it a gold star.
Stuffing is made with stale hard croutons, generally.
Bread pudding is made with slightly stale, but still soft bread.
Stuffing, depending on the recipe, has minimal vegetables... onion, maybe some oysters or sausage, and is made with stock and seasonings.
Bread pudding, again depending on the recipe has more of the things that stuffing has, plus cheese and often milk or cream instead or in addition to the stock.
Stuffing is drier.
Bread pudding is, like savory moist cake.
I was fortunate enough to snag a loaf of free bread from Polebridge Bakery the other day. Fresh bread is amazing, but unlike store bought commercial bread, it goes stale much faster. So when bread starts to stale, for me it's just a good excuse to make Bread Pudding. As it is one of mom's favorites she's always happy when this happens.
Today I did a Caramelized Onion, Garlic, Carrot, Celery, Mushroom and 3 Cheese Bread Pudding.
Yum!
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Large Onion (I used Yellow).. I like medium small slices, I half the onion twice, once horizontally and once vertically, and then slice the halves into thin slices.
6 Cloves Garlic, chopped fine
2 Medium Carrots, sliced fairly thin.
3 Celery sticks, sliced fairly thin
8 Medium sized Crimini Mushrooms, sliced fairly thin
Spices to taste..
I used:
Oregano, about 1/2 teaspoon,
Sage, about 1/8 teaspoon
Thyme, about 1/8 teaspoon
Rosemary, about 1 Tablespoon
a bit of Cayenne .. just a dash
and himalayan salt... a few grinds
Spices are flexible.. if you like more, use more, if you like less, use less.... use different ones if you like. Play!
1/3 cup White Cheddar Cheese Shredded
1/3 Cup Medium Cheddar Cheese Shredded (to be mixed in)
1 Cup Medium Cheddar Cheese Shredded (to be baked on top)
1/3 Cup Pepper jack Cheese Shredded
1/2 Loaf good bread, slightly stale. (I used potato bread), sliced into 1 inch slices and then cubed. If your bread is already sliced, it doesn't matter, just cut it so there are nice bite sized cubes.
5 Eggs, scrambled
2 Cups (or more or less) Milk
Preheat your oven to 375 F. (190 C.)
In a large wok or Frying pan heat your oil, on medium high.
Add your onions and cook several minutes, stirring on occasion, until they start to become translucent and just start to caramelize. (About 5 Minutes)
Add Your garlic, stir and sauté a few more minutes.(about 3 minutes)
Add your carrots and celery, stir and sauté yet a few more minutes. (About 3 minutes)
Add your mushrooms, stir and sauté even more.
Add your spices. Again my measurements when it comes to spices are loose, I pour a bit into my hand, or into the pot as it calls to me and roll with it. I know this is difficult when attempting to replicate but part of the joy of cooking is playing. Add more, use less, don't like rosemary? (what are you crazy?) try tarragon or dill.. either of those would be tasty.
Sauté all this awesomeness till the carrots start to soften and the mushrooms are cooked.
Remove from the heat.
In a large mixing bowl add your cubed bread and your shredded cheese (except for the 1 cup med. cheddar)
and stir in your cooked veggies.
Stir in your milk...
It will look rather like throw up at this point...
Stir in your milk...
It will look rather like throw up at this point...
I know, not attractive but trust me the end result is yummy!
Stir in your scrambled eggs.
Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and pour in your big bowl of bread, veggie, cheesy glop. spread it out evenly in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
Stir in your scrambled eggs.
Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and pour in your big bowl of bread, veggie, cheesy glop. spread it out evenly in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
Bake for about 25 minute (until the cheese is melted and the pudding is golden on top, but still nice and a bit gooey in the middle)
Let set for about 5 minutes.
EAT!
It may not be the prettiest, but man it's good !!
Mom gave it a gold star.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Change/Leaping to the Unknown.
Change.
Change is scary, terrifying really. Mom's house just had an offer and she accepted it. This spot has been my haven since I was 12. There is no spot like it. Whenever my life has fallen apart, whenever I was in need of comfort and of family, I came here. It is beyond fathomable that I have 6 weeks left, and then, it is gone from my life.
My Stepda Ed built this house in 1973, it's not perfect. He was a wonderful man but he took shortcuts and the house needs work. Still, I love it. The view is incomparable, looking out over the slough and the fields and the mountains beyond, it is a peaceful paradise. Ed's ashes are here, his energy is here, it's hard to walk away. He was the best Dad I ever had.
A new chapter of life begins. Haven will always be where Mom is, and while she doesn't know yet where she will end up, so long as we have each other, it will be fine. I can come visit Montana, and while it will not be this house and this view, there are other vistas of the mountains and water.
With change comes fear. I'm moving to L.A., the what if's swamp my brain. What if I can't afford it? What if I fail? What if I don't make friends? What if the friends I have are too busy for me? What if.. what if.. what if... with visions of disaster.
It makes a person want to curl up into a ball and hide.
The important thing to remind myself of is that I have survived this far. I will survive beyond this. With all the crazy excruciating things I have been through, this will be easy. If I don't try, my what ifs will be a what if I had? It's tempting to stay where it is safe, comfortable and familiar... the devil you know... vs that devil you don't.
I am exceptionally lucky. I have great friends. While I may have nightmares of being homeless and starving, I know that the people who love me will never let that happen. I always land on my feet. I always find a job. I always pay my bills (even if sometimes a bit late). I always have food. I always have clothes.
It will be ok. I am loved. It all works out... somehow. This too shall pass. This terrifying fear that is swallowing me now, is just a feeling.
I have to take the leap of faith in order to fly.
Change is scary, terrifying really. Mom's house just had an offer and she accepted it. This spot has been my haven since I was 12. There is no spot like it. Whenever my life has fallen apart, whenever I was in need of comfort and of family, I came here. It is beyond fathomable that I have 6 weeks left, and then, it is gone from my life.
My Stepda Ed built this house in 1973, it's not perfect. He was a wonderful man but he took shortcuts and the house needs work. Still, I love it. The view is incomparable, looking out over the slough and the fields and the mountains beyond, it is a peaceful paradise. Ed's ashes are here, his energy is here, it's hard to walk away. He was the best Dad I ever had.
A new chapter of life begins. Haven will always be where Mom is, and while she doesn't know yet where she will end up, so long as we have each other, it will be fine. I can come visit Montana, and while it will not be this house and this view, there are other vistas of the mountains and water.
With change comes fear. I'm moving to L.A., the what if's swamp my brain. What if I can't afford it? What if I fail? What if I don't make friends? What if the friends I have are too busy for me? What if.. what if.. what if... with visions of disaster.
It makes a person want to curl up into a ball and hide.
The important thing to remind myself of is that I have survived this far. I will survive beyond this. With all the crazy excruciating things I have been through, this will be easy. If I don't try, my what ifs will be a what if I had? It's tempting to stay where it is safe, comfortable and familiar... the devil you know... vs that devil you don't.
I am exceptionally lucky. I have great friends. While I may have nightmares of being homeless and starving, I know that the people who love me will never let that happen. I always land on my feet. I always find a job. I always pay my bills (even if sometimes a bit late). I always have food. I always have clothes.
It will be ok. I am loved. It all works out... somehow. This too shall pass. This terrifying fear that is swallowing me now, is just a feeling.
I have to take the leap of faith in order to fly.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Prune, Date and Maple Bread Pudding
I love bread pudding, it's comforting. This is a pretty healthy version.
- 4 heel sliced thin Daves killer Bread torn into bite sized chunks
- 5 dates chopped
- 5 prunes chopped
- 1/4 cup red wine
-1/4 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 3 tablespoons grade A maple syrup
- 1 capful almond extract
- 1 capful vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons butter chopped into small pieces
- 3 eggs
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Chop your dates and prunes corsely and place in bowl, cover with wine, almond milk (it will curdle slightly, this is ok), the almond and vanilla extract and maple syrup. Let it soak for about 10 minutes.
In the meanwhile rip up the bread and place in a 8" round cake pan.
In another bowl whisk the eggs. Mix in with the fruit and liquid. Stir in the butter. Poor all this over the bread and mix slightly making sure the fruit and butter are spread out.
Cook for 30 minutes - until browned on top and set but still pudding like in the middle and on the bottom.
Let cool for 5 minutes...
Cut and serve... Drizzle a little extra maple syrup over the top if desired.
It's really good!!
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Space Scrubbing/Spring Cleaning/Packing Up and Moving Out
Packing and moving a life collection of stuff for the third time in five years is overwhelming. My first two moves were kamikaze events, a mad dash of packing everything up and moving quickly. There was no time for sorting and purging, and honestly, I wasn't in the head space to tackle that anyway. So now here we are and I'm doing a major spring clean, space scrubbing, clearance of unnecessary.
I come from a long line of hoarders. My fathers side is the worst. In the last year, with my Dad's health issues I've had to attack his "collection" of everything ever to come into his life. Dad throws away nothing. Purging his stuff isn't that hard, for me. I've kept what I know is most important to him, sold what I could to pay his bills, kept a few things of sentimental or use for myself, and let the rest go. (the ??? yr old moldy/partially liquified onion in the bag, in the box full of other nasty stuff... yeah that was the worst)
As I face my own hoard... small in comparison though it may be, in my 37 years I have still managed to amass a collection of stuff. My weakness is books and kitchen stuff. The little storage shed where my belongings have sat for the last two years is a bit like a cave of wonders. Having lived without daily access to it for so long, going through it now is a bit like christmas. Which in some ways makes being objective even harder. "Oh that thing! I love that thing! I must keep that thing!" But do I? Space scrubbing is important for mental and physical health. There is a reason why so many religious concepts teach simplicity, it's just better for you.
There is a growing trend of Simple Living, Living Small, Off the Grid Living, and Small Space Living, Tiny Houses etc. I have to say that this concept is appealing to me. In L.A. I will have a roommate and our whole apt is 972 sq feet. My bedroom will be only 11x13. I don't have much furniture, a few bookcases, a small dresser, mattress and boxspring. It sounds simple enough. I look around at all my stuff though and think: "Do I need this?" I don't suppose I NEED any of it. But I like it, some of it's useful. Use is a loose term ... books aren't necessarily useful, especially my favorite fiction novels, but, they provide me with comfort and distraction. I imagine I will be able to have some of my things in the common area, but I certainly don't want to take over.
How do you decide what stays and what goes?
My own thought process has become a bit like this - 3 questions:
1. Will I use it? is it something that I will use multiple times in a given period of time (say a year)?
2. Is it worth any thing? Is it worth more to sell it and have the funds or to keep it for sentiment? (note... I don't have much of anything that could be considered of value, most are family bits that would sell for pittance on Ebay).
3. Does it serve me in any way? besides being of use, does it bring me joy, inspire, educate or enlighten me in any way.
If I can answer those questions successfully, then that helps me in my process. I've gotten rid of a lot, boxes and boxes of stuff, books, clothes etc. I still have quite a bit... I will more than likely do one more sweep before I make the move.
So when is the last time you scrubbed your space? How do you decide what stays and what goes? In a materialistic world where he with the most toys wins how do you practice non-attachment and find zen in simplicity? Thoughts for decluttering a space.
I come from a long line of hoarders. My fathers side is the worst. In the last year, with my Dad's health issues I've had to attack his "collection" of everything ever to come into his life. Dad throws away nothing. Purging his stuff isn't that hard, for me. I've kept what I know is most important to him, sold what I could to pay his bills, kept a few things of sentimental or use for myself, and let the rest go. (the ??? yr old moldy/partially liquified onion in the bag, in the box full of other nasty stuff... yeah that was the worst)
As I face my own hoard... small in comparison though it may be, in my 37 years I have still managed to amass a collection of stuff. My weakness is books and kitchen stuff. The little storage shed where my belongings have sat for the last two years is a bit like a cave of wonders. Having lived without daily access to it for so long, going through it now is a bit like christmas. Which in some ways makes being objective even harder. "Oh that thing! I love that thing! I must keep that thing!" But do I? Space scrubbing is important for mental and physical health. There is a reason why so many religious concepts teach simplicity, it's just better for you.
There is a growing trend of Simple Living, Living Small, Off the Grid Living, and Small Space Living, Tiny Houses etc. I have to say that this concept is appealing to me. In L.A. I will have a roommate and our whole apt is 972 sq feet. My bedroom will be only 11x13. I don't have much furniture, a few bookcases, a small dresser, mattress and boxspring. It sounds simple enough. I look around at all my stuff though and think: "Do I need this?" I don't suppose I NEED any of it. But I like it, some of it's useful. Use is a loose term ... books aren't necessarily useful, especially my favorite fiction novels, but, they provide me with comfort and distraction. I imagine I will be able to have some of my things in the common area, but I certainly don't want to take over.
How do you decide what stays and what goes?
My own thought process has become a bit like this - 3 questions:
1. Will I use it? is it something that I will use multiple times in a given period of time (say a year)?
2. Is it worth any thing? Is it worth more to sell it and have the funds or to keep it for sentiment? (note... I don't have much of anything that could be considered of value, most are family bits that would sell for pittance on Ebay).
3. Does it serve me in any way? besides being of use, does it bring me joy, inspire, educate or enlighten me in any way.
If I can answer those questions successfully, then that helps me in my process. I've gotten rid of a lot, boxes and boxes of stuff, books, clothes etc. I still have quite a bit... I will more than likely do one more sweep before I make the move.
So when is the last time you scrubbed your space? How do you decide what stays and what goes? In a materialistic world where he with the most toys wins how do you practice non-attachment and find zen in simplicity? Thoughts for decluttering a space.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
You can't win them all.
At Cornish our freshman year, our direction was to "Dare to suck!" My battlecry has since become: "Fuck it!" (excuse my language). Living in fear, when it comes to acting, cooking, relationships, or any aspect of life, is not a good way to live. It's always best to dive in.
Mistakes happen, and sometimes, you do suck. I bring this up tonight because, I failed at dinner. Even the best chefs, on occasion do something that just sucks. We are all human and it is important, at times of failure to remind yourself, you are not alone. Gloppy, gluey "baked beer battered fish" (Thank's Pinterest) is not the end of the world. The point is, you look at that failure and you analyze it and figure out what you can do to make it better.
At Cornish, I had a teacher named Bonnie, tiny, ferocious, no nonsense, and would just rip you to shreds if you weren't up to par. She terrified me. (This was by then sophomore year, and sucking was less encouraged.) I would sit right behind her, and silently weep, pretty much after every scene. I do not like sucking. I have this illogical desire to be perfect at everything I attempt, first try: illogical. After one particularly brutal day ... I think it was the " What are you fucking doing? Don't be such a mouse! " day, I couldn't wait to cry but just lost it, which then prompted " Don't cry, crying is useless! Fix it!". (Bonnie and Gordon Ramsey head on would be an epic battle if they were in the same field, she's like the Gordon Ramsey of acting.) I finally sat her down one day and said, "Bonnie... I need to hear the good, you can rip me to shreds, but you have to preface it with something good, or I will just shut down". Bless her heart, she listened to me and I think I improved greatly after that. Bonnie remains my favorite teacher, and the acting conscious (and often life conscious) in my head. I love her fiercely. It took me until senior year, and when I finally realized what she was trying to get me to do, I rushed in and interrupted her class and hugged her. Bonnie pushed me because she believed in me, she saw greatness in me and damn it all if she wasn't going to drag it out of me, pushing, screaming. I'm so glad she did. I hope I live up to her belief. I still don't think crying is useless, sometimes you need to cry so that then you can move on. Let it out, grieve for the moment, get up, dust yourself off and move on. Do what works for you... but make those big choices and do something different.
This is not about soggy, gloppy sad baked beer battered fish... but it brought on the thought.
The lesson I am reminded of is that when it comes to cooking, acting, life and love. Dare to do it! Dare to make big daring choices! You might get burned, you might mess up, you might fail, you might have your heart shattered. But, by daring to suck you live gloriously, and if you never try, you never win.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Help Request.
Dear Readers,
Thank you, whoever you may be, for reading my blog. I know I don't post as often as I should... sorry about that. I will try to be better.
I'm moving to L.A. in a very short 7 1/2 weeks... I'm freaking out right now about the enormity of the change and the expense. I'm getting professional Headshots taken in Seattle in 4 weeks, by the amazing John Ulman who I think is brilliant and really knows his stuff. It's an investment... as is the professional hair and makeup I'm looking to have done with it. All in cost for this investment is going to be around $600... just for the shoot, hair and makeup. Eeek! Still... sometimes you have to invest in your dreams and I hope it will prove a wise investment.
If you are feeling generous and want to contribute to me chasing my dreams I would be ever so grateful!
Contribute to Erica's Dreams and be the most awesome person ever!
Thank you, whoever you may be, for reading my blog. I know I don't post as often as I should... sorry about that. I will try to be better.
I'm moving to L.A. in a very short 7 1/2 weeks... I'm freaking out right now about the enormity of the change and the expense. I'm getting professional Headshots taken in Seattle in 4 weeks, by the amazing John Ulman who I think is brilliant and really knows his stuff. It's an investment... as is the professional hair and makeup I'm looking to have done with it. All in cost for this investment is going to be around $600... just for the shoot, hair and makeup. Eeek! Still... sometimes you have to invest in your dreams and I hope it will prove a wise investment.
If you are feeling generous and want to contribute to me chasing my dreams I would be ever so grateful!
Contribute to Erica's Dreams and be the most awesome person ever!
Monday, April 6, 2015
Vegas Baby! - A Whirlwind Tour
I recently went to Vegas and had an epic adventure, ate some great food, saw some amazing things. While it very sadly didn't work out with the guy I went with... I'm honestly not sure what happened there, he dropped off the planet (who does that?!)(I'm quite heartbroken). The three days/two nights we were there were remarkable and I will always treasure them.
So here are things you should do/see:
We stayed at Paris Las Vegas which I would definitely recommend. It is located pretty centrally so easy walking distance to pretty much everything. The rooms were clean and nice and tastefully appointed, the bathroom was a bit dark, but the shower was heavenly. The tub was way too tiny for anyone but a child. The beds were comfortable, though the set up with the 2 queen beds had one of the beds pretty much right up against the bathroom wall. The staff was very helpful and we were able to check in early without problem and check out was a breeze as well (watch out for the resort tax! Vegas charges and just know that you will be spending about an additional $15-$20 a night in tax).
Our first meal was at Mon Ami Gabi we liked this place so much we went twice (lunch both) our first and our last meal. Primely located just across the street from the Bellagio Fountains with a patio deck overlooking the ever busy strip, this french Bistro has an impressive menu and wine selection. Tip... unless you like the sweltering heat and sun beating on you, and absolutely want to see the strip traffic, sit in the atrium. You still get that outside feel without melting, and it's not as loud. I loved my chicken and mushroom crepe the first time and we split some oysters and the salmon tartar the second time.
Currently showing at the Bellagio art exhibit is the Faberge now till essentially the end of May... honestly I expected more from the Bellagio... it was a rather lack luster exhibit... interesting pieces and a few snippets of information of note. Faberge was certainly a master craftsman, but with such interesting history surrounding each piece it would have been nice to have more history. Especially since we got the audio guide.
We had drinks at the Petrossian Bar also at the Bellagio which had cozy couches and seats to lounge on and listen to piano music while expensive cocktails were sipped and little nibbles munched. It looked like they had quite a scrumptious selection of caviars and did a high tea etc. We didn't do anything but the cocktails and the provided nibbles - truffle popcorn, seasoned nuts and sesame sticks. But the cocktails were tasty, but expensive. $14 a drink... welcome to Vegas! It was a lovely way to sit and relax and become accustomed to each other.
That night my (sadly short term) beau spoiled me by taking me to Alize. I had done some reading online and it was recommended as some of the best views and best food in Vegas. One of the 5 highest rated restaurants in North America, Michelin Stared, etc etc. Needless to say I was very excited to go, dressed up to the nines etc. It was the fellows first experience of a Tasting Menu and I was beyond excited that he wanted to try it. I love that sort of thing and its a fantastic experience to share with someone when its good. Alize fell short of my expectation. The service was remarkable and they deserve all the praise in the world, and the wine steward too picked fantastic wines... often which in my opinion outshone the food. The food.... lacked heart. As a cook I always think the tasting menu is a chance for a chef to play, to really show off what they are proud of... this one seemed... eh... ok... lacking love, and enthusiasm. We got two tasting menus, thinking we would have more bites this way and share/taste more. This was a concept that was somehow strange/foreign... hard to fathom as pretty much each time we would get one set of silverware for one dish and another for the other... also my date would get the meat dish first and I would inevitably get the fish/vegetarian dish first. Now it seems fairly common sense to me that if you have a couple sharing... you would course it out even more... send out 1 dish at a time, with a couple share plates, let them eat the one course, then bring the next. Especially for a place as highly rated as this, it seemed funny that they wouldn't. The food, as I mentioned lack luster. It was all generally acceptable but not the mind blowing experience of exquisite food I hoped for. My date seemed impressed though and I was happy to share his excitement and wonder. The only thing that really bugged me to a twitchy level was the music... for a fine dining establishment place it was really distracting. 1. It was too loud 2. The styles kept changing, 3. Most of the styles were inappropriate. My date and I both being music people found it highly distracting. Still I had his hand to hold and at the time that was the most wonderful thing imaginable.
We had a late start the next day but wandered down to the Mandalay Bay, I had a coupon for a buy one get one lunch at the Bayside Buffet...they were just about to close lunch... so perhaps it was a bit picked over by the time we went through, but I found it too... disappointing... still 1/2 off is half off and it was food to give us energy for the day.
The thing about Vegas is, its huge... it stretches on and on and each building/resort is about the size of 3 or 4 city blocks. It's overwhelming to someone like me, there are thousands of people everywhere you look and the constant noise of slot machines and music blasted and people talking. With my date, who I was completely enraptured with, these things didn't bother me at all. Vegas is like a big theatrical set and I find the attention to detail absolutely fascinating. We went to the Shark Reef which is one of the coolest things we saw. Really well presented with good bits of information, places to sit and watch the fish and sharks swim overhead. It was lovely... but then I am slightly obsessed with all things oceanic.
Next we went to the Luxor and had a margarita at the T&T (Tacos and Tequila) next to the exhibit area. Really delicious Mango Margarita and a chance to sit and relax for a moment. We then went to the Titanic Exhibit and I have to say if you have a chance to go to this, DO IT! It was one of the best exhibits I've ever been to, it blew me away. 25,000 sq ft of exhibit, they recreated hallways, 3rd class staterooms, 1st class staterooms, the grand staircase, a chunk of iceberg, a bit of deck, ... it was theatrical in its presentation with sound and temperature and everywhere you looked wonderful bits of information and quotes. The artifacts were well preserved and beautifully displayed with reverence and care. There was the most adorable little artifacts gal that followed us about eagerly answering questions and giving us tidbits of information, so happy to be able to share her knowledge. This exhibit was by far my favorite thing that we saw.
We then wandered about exploring New York New York, Aria, several other places till we ended up at Caesars Palace and decided on Sushi Roku which is up and out of the way in a part of the Caesars Palace mall area. This was my favorite meal of the trip. My date again spoiled me with an Omakase supper which was gorgeously prepared (we both agreed we liked it better than Alize). There was nothing exotic, which for the price was a bit of a shame... for $90 a person you would expect some uni and some escobar ... but it was really delicious and we had a very tasty sake sampler to go with. The setting was lovely, the service great... the music again ... awful... pretty much a vegas theme... too loud for a fine dining place and not the right style. Still I would most definitely eat here again and next time choose my own adventure!
Next stop was the old part of Vegas, we took a taxi to explore Fremont, some friends told me I absolutely had to go... we didn't stay long. The light exhibit was impressive and there was a very good U2 cover band playing as it was the night before St. Patricks day... but it was a much shadier part of town. I got hustled/accosted by a very persuasive cosmetics guy... managed to escape without losing anything but time and get some aggravating sticky crap on my face.
Next stop, the Linq High Roller Wheel. The most exciting thing about this was the couple that got engaged on it. It was not as advertised... I was expecting... I don't know what exactly but something more swanky and exciting. Skip this... definitely not worth $34.95 a person for a half hour ride. Uncomfortable seats, obnoxious video information guy, watered down boring drinks (also too expensive). Seemed like a good idea at the time.
The next morning... the last day.... After being spoiled so much by my (what the fuck? who says "I love you so much" one day and then disappears the next without explanation) guy.. I decided to treat him to something special and took him to Bouchon Bistro at the Venitian... we had a leisurely stroll down and a couple Kir Royals, some Beignets, and he had the omelet of the day and I had the Salmon Fume... it was lovely. Sat inside just by the doors to get a taste of the outside but not the heat. I would love to go back here for dinner sometime.
We went to the Mirage and checked out the Dolphin and Big Cat exhibit... Dolphins seemed happy, Cats seemed really really sad poor things.
My mother had arrived at that point so we went back to the Paris and met her and had one final meal at Mon Ami Gabi before the heartbreaker left.
It was a glorious trip.. for someone who doesn't gamble, and doesn't like big crowds I was uncertain how Vegas would be... with Rose Colored glasses on it was awesome. Id like to go back someday... for the shows and the food... it's not at the top of my list, but everyone should experience Vegas at some point. Preferably with someone who will spoil you silly... hopefully that person, unlike mine will stick with you.
So here are things you should do/see:
We stayed at Paris Las Vegas which I would definitely recommend. It is located pretty centrally so easy walking distance to pretty much everything. The rooms were clean and nice and tastefully appointed, the bathroom was a bit dark, but the shower was heavenly. The tub was way too tiny for anyone but a child. The beds were comfortable, though the set up with the 2 queen beds had one of the beds pretty much right up against the bathroom wall. The staff was very helpful and we were able to check in early without problem and check out was a breeze as well (watch out for the resort tax! Vegas charges and just know that you will be spending about an additional $15-$20 a night in tax).
Our first meal was at Mon Ami Gabi we liked this place so much we went twice (lunch both) our first and our last meal. Primely located just across the street from the Bellagio Fountains with a patio deck overlooking the ever busy strip, this french Bistro has an impressive menu and wine selection. Tip... unless you like the sweltering heat and sun beating on you, and absolutely want to see the strip traffic, sit in the atrium. You still get that outside feel without melting, and it's not as loud. I loved my chicken and mushroom crepe the first time and we split some oysters and the salmon tartar the second time.
Currently showing at the Bellagio art exhibit is the Faberge now till essentially the end of May... honestly I expected more from the Bellagio... it was a rather lack luster exhibit... interesting pieces and a few snippets of information of note. Faberge was certainly a master craftsman, but with such interesting history surrounding each piece it would have been nice to have more history. Especially since we got the audio guide.
We had drinks at the Petrossian Bar also at the Bellagio which had cozy couches and seats to lounge on and listen to piano music while expensive cocktails were sipped and little nibbles munched. It looked like they had quite a scrumptious selection of caviars and did a high tea etc. We didn't do anything but the cocktails and the provided nibbles - truffle popcorn, seasoned nuts and sesame sticks. But the cocktails were tasty, but expensive. $14 a drink... welcome to Vegas! It was a lovely way to sit and relax and become accustomed to each other.
That night my (sadly short term) beau spoiled me by taking me to Alize. I had done some reading online and it was recommended as some of the best views and best food in Vegas. One of the 5 highest rated restaurants in North America, Michelin Stared, etc etc. Needless to say I was very excited to go, dressed up to the nines etc. It was the fellows first experience of a Tasting Menu and I was beyond excited that he wanted to try it. I love that sort of thing and its a fantastic experience to share with someone when its good. Alize fell short of my expectation. The service was remarkable and they deserve all the praise in the world, and the wine steward too picked fantastic wines... often which in my opinion outshone the food. The food.... lacked heart. As a cook I always think the tasting menu is a chance for a chef to play, to really show off what they are proud of... this one seemed... eh... ok... lacking love, and enthusiasm. We got two tasting menus, thinking we would have more bites this way and share/taste more. This was a concept that was somehow strange/foreign... hard to fathom as pretty much each time we would get one set of silverware for one dish and another for the other... also my date would get the meat dish first and I would inevitably get the fish/vegetarian dish first. Now it seems fairly common sense to me that if you have a couple sharing... you would course it out even more... send out 1 dish at a time, with a couple share plates, let them eat the one course, then bring the next. Especially for a place as highly rated as this, it seemed funny that they wouldn't. The food, as I mentioned lack luster. It was all generally acceptable but not the mind blowing experience of exquisite food I hoped for. My date seemed impressed though and I was happy to share his excitement and wonder. The only thing that really bugged me to a twitchy level was the music... for a fine dining establishment place it was really distracting. 1. It was too loud 2. The styles kept changing, 3. Most of the styles were inappropriate. My date and I both being music people found it highly distracting. Still I had his hand to hold and at the time that was the most wonderful thing imaginable.
We had a late start the next day but wandered down to the Mandalay Bay, I had a coupon for a buy one get one lunch at the Bayside Buffet...they were just about to close lunch... so perhaps it was a bit picked over by the time we went through, but I found it too... disappointing... still 1/2 off is half off and it was food to give us energy for the day.
The thing about Vegas is, its huge... it stretches on and on and each building/resort is about the size of 3 or 4 city blocks. It's overwhelming to someone like me, there are thousands of people everywhere you look and the constant noise of slot machines and music blasted and people talking. With my date, who I was completely enraptured with, these things didn't bother me at all. Vegas is like a big theatrical set and I find the attention to detail absolutely fascinating. We went to the Shark Reef which is one of the coolest things we saw. Really well presented with good bits of information, places to sit and watch the fish and sharks swim overhead. It was lovely... but then I am slightly obsessed with all things oceanic.
Next we went to the Luxor and had a margarita at the T&T (Tacos and Tequila) next to the exhibit area. Really delicious Mango Margarita and a chance to sit and relax for a moment. We then went to the Titanic Exhibit and I have to say if you have a chance to go to this, DO IT! It was one of the best exhibits I've ever been to, it blew me away. 25,000 sq ft of exhibit, they recreated hallways, 3rd class staterooms, 1st class staterooms, the grand staircase, a chunk of iceberg, a bit of deck, ... it was theatrical in its presentation with sound and temperature and everywhere you looked wonderful bits of information and quotes. The artifacts were well preserved and beautifully displayed with reverence and care. There was the most adorable little artifacts gal that followed us about eagerly answering questions and giving us tidbits of information, so happy to be able to share her knowledge. This exhibit was by far my favorite thing that we saw.
We then wandered about exploring New York New York, Aria, several other places till we ended up at Caesars Palace and decided on Sushi Roku which is up and out of the way in a part of the Caesars Palace mall area. This was my favorite meal of the trip. My date again spoiled me with an Omakase supper which was gorgeously prepared (we both agreed we liked it better than Alize). There was nothing exotic, which for the price was a bit of a shame... for $90 a person you would expect some uni and some escobar ... but it was really delicious and we had a very tasty sake sampler to go with. The setting was lovely, the service great... the music again ... awful... pretty much a vegas theme... too loud for a fine dining place and not the right style. Still I would most definitely eat here again and next time choose my own adventure!
Next stop was the old part of Vegas, we took a taxi to explore Fremont, some friends told me I absolutely had to go... we didn't stay long. The light exhibit was impressive and there was a very good U2 cover band playing as it was the night before St. Patricks day... but it was a much shadier part of town. I got hustled/accosted by a very persuasive cosmetics guy... managed to escape without losing anything but time and get some aggravating sticky crap on my face.
Next stop, the Linq High Roller Wheel. The most exciting thing about this was the couple that got engaged on it. It was not as advertised... I was expecting... I don't know what exactly but something more swanky and exciting. Skip this... definitely not worth $34.95 a person for a half hour ride. Uncomfortable seats, obnoxious video information guy, watered down boring drinks (also too expensive). Seemed like a good idea at the time.
The next morning... the last day.... After being spoiled so much by my (what the fuck? who says "I love you so much" one day and then disappears the next without explanation) guy.. I decided to treat him to something special and took him to Bouchon Bistro at the Venitian... we had a leisurely stroll down and a couple Kir Royals, some Beignets, and he had the omelet of the day and I had the Salmon Fume... it was lovely. Sat inside just by the doors to get a taste of the outside but not the heat. I would love to go back here for dinner sometime.
We went to the Mirage and checked out the Dolphin and Big Cat exhibit... Dolphins seemed happy, Cats seemed really really sad poor things.
My mother had arrived at that point so we went back to the Paris and met her and had one final meal at Mon Ami Gabi before the heartbreaker left.
It was a glorious trip.. for someone who doesn't gamble, and doesn't like big crowds I was uncertain how Vegas would be... with Rose Colored glasses on it was awesome. Id like to go back someday... for the shows and the food... it's not at the top of my list, but everyone should experience Vegas at some point. Preferably with someone who will spoil you silly... hopefully that person, unlike mine will stick with you.
Slow Cooker Easter Ham!
While I am not religious, I do enjoy a good family and friends feast day. Easter in my mind is a time for Ham and chocolate... if I get those two things on Easter, I'm a happy lady.
Ham, much like Turkey, can be one of those overwhelming meats, its easy to get tough and dried out if you don't do it just right. The solution to dried out ham? The Crock Pot. I love crock pot cooking.. It's so simple... dump it all in, check on it every few hours and then at the end... magic.
I went a sweet, with a bit of heat route this year with my ham and it turned out incredible. Just putting the marinade (which I made separately the night before to give the flavors a chance to combine) in with the ham, when you place it in the slow cooker infuses the flavor as it slow cooks.
My Recipe:
Ham, much like Turkey, can be one of those overwhelming meats, its easy to get tough and dried out if you don't do it just right. The solution to dried out ham? The Crock Pot. I love crock pot cooking.. It's so simple... dump it all in, check on it every few hours and then at the end... magic.
I went a sweet, with a bit of heat route this year with my ham and it turned out incredible. Just putting the marinade (which I made separately the night before to give the flavors a chance to combine) in with the ham, when you place it in the slow cooker infuses the flavor as it slow cooks.
My Recipe:
Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Ham..
Marinade:
(measurements are approximate… honestly I eyeball things)
1 cup - apple juice
2 tablespoons -
apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons -
honey
3 tablespoons - maple syrup
¼ cup - brown sugar
2 Tablespoons - siracha garlic/chili sauce
½ Tablespoon - hot sauce – I used “Jump Up and Kiss Me”
½ tablespoon - crushed red pepper flakes.
Stir all that together and let it sit over night… taste and
adjust seasoning, this only had a mild amount of heat. Just enough to add a touch of zip. If you like things with more kick, add more heat.
Get a good, local if possible, as natural as possible ½ Butt
(about 6 pounds) In Montana I love RedNeck… they make awesome sausages, bacon,
ham… all things porky goodness… In Seattle of love Skagit River Ranch. I love these companies because when I read the labels the ingredients are pretty basic... there's not a slough of additives and chemicals and preserves... its usually, ham, water, brown sugar, spices etc... all you need. Also places such as these just tend to treat their animals better and that's important.
About 8 hours before you want to eat your supper put the ham
in your crock pot so the face is down… pour your marinade over it and cook on
low for 6-9 hours… every couple of hours take a basting brush and brush the
marinade over the pork. (Save that cooked marinade/juice! Its sweet and spicy and can be used in a variety of ways as dressing or sauce)
I cooked mine a total of 8 hours and it was perfect. Flavor and texture was awesome, my whole family raved about it. I'm making an awesome lentil soup today with some of the leftovers.
Seven with my Beet Risotto and Roasted Asparagus and a Flourless Chocolate cake for dessert it was a hit.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Happy Valentines Day To Me
Valentine's Day has always been rough for me. I have never spent the evening with a date, even when I did have a boyfriend ( different work schedules, rehearsal, performance whatever). Also the fact that it's so close to my birthday has been a cause of contention. So many gifts growing up were obvious Valentine's Day leftovers... Which always rubbed in the fact that I was alone on the day.
This last few years I have been lucky enough to either spoil myself or be with friends. Tonight, faced with being on my own again.. And Benedict Cumberpatch getting married today (I'm happy for him truly, but, you know...) I desided to be extra nice to myself.
I got a nice bottle of wine (well 2 actually), some really special ingredients, a box of chocolate covered marzipan, lit a candle, put on some electro swing (latest music discovery) and started cooking.
(Pandora seeds if you want to listen: Beats Antique, Parav Stellar, Caravan Palace, Gramatik)
The menu:
- Beet and Leek Risotto with Romano Cheese
- Butter and Balsamic Sautéed Portobello Mushroom and Purple Kale
- Roasted Lamb Chop with Salt, Pepper and Rosemary
Um yum! This turned out Amazing. I'm a great date!
The lamb and mushroom Kale are pretty self explanatory and easy. Risotto though is a food of love and requires nurturing and attention. I don't make it often as it is a bit more high maintenance than I like for a every day meal.
My Recipe Follows:
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup chopped Leek (white part only)
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 cup chopped red beet
1/2 cup Arborio Rice
1/2 cup good white wine ( I used Ribeiro Viña Reboreda- a gorgeous Spanish white)
2 1/2 cup Chicken Broth
1 cup Romano Cheese
Chop your beet, leek and garlic. Beets can be a bit bigger but you want the leek and garlic pretty small.
Oh by the way. Pour yourself a glass of wine.
You want a nice white wine. I cannot stress the importance of this. The flavor of the wine gets condensed when you cook. Bad wine: Bad flavor, Good Wine: Good Flavor. This is true for every recipe! The above bottle was only $8.99, good wines are out there at an affordable price,
You just have to discover what they are. Become friends with a local wine steward and frequent a small specialty wine shop, they really are your best resource. Big grocery stores might be convenient but you won't get the personalized care.
Ok got your wine? Good. Now we cook. Get ready for lots of stirring.
Combine the olive oil and butter in a pot over medium - med high heat, let the pan get hot (the butter will melt and start to bubble)
Add the leek and garlic and sautée and stir, cook till the leeks start to turn transparent.
Add the beets, sautée and stir for a minute or two
Add the rice and stir till well coated and sautée for a few minutes. This wakes the rice up, very important.
Add the wine. Stir. Cook. Stir. Till the wine is absorbed.
1/2 cup at a time add the chicken broth. Stir. cook. stir. Till the broth is absorbed.
I found two and a half cups was enough for me, if you like it creamier add more, less creamy add less.
Taste it at this point. Texture good? Add seasoning. All I added was a little pink Himalayan sea salt.
Turn off heat stir in cheese till melted.
It will look something like this:
Aww romantic and delicious!!
Plate it up!
Enjoy!
I'm now enjoying chocolate covered marzipan and more Zinfandel for dessert
Much love and light to all! Happy Valentines Day!
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Moving to Los Angeles.
So I have decided to move to LA.
Montana has been a overall really hard almost two years.
I'm very excited to go to the land of sunshine, palm trees and Hollywood Dreams.
I'm going to be the Sous Chef/Wine Steward for my Best Friends company Re Creo and do some acting.
I've started a fundraiser to help me with the cost of my move. If you are feeling generous and have enjoyed my posts. ( I hope to be better about posting more frequently) Please consider making a donation. I greatly appreciate it.
The link to donate via gofundme:
Erica's LA Move
Montana has been a overall really hard almost two years.
I'm very excited to go to the land of sunshine, palm trees and Hollywood Dreams.
I'm going to be the Sous Chef/Wine Steward for my Best Friends company Re Creo and do some acting.
I've started a fundraiser to help me with the cost of my move. If you are feeling generous and have enjoyed my posts. ( I hope to be better about posting more frequently) Please consider making a donation. I greatly appreciate it.
The link to donate via gofundme:
Erica's LA Move
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