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This is the tale of two women. Two women from different parts of the world (ok, so not really one lives in Tennessee the other in Florida). Two women who were inspired by the movie Julie and Julia to start really flexing their cooking muscles. Two women who, this weekend spent their Saturdays shopping for items that are not standard fare in their fridges. Then these two women set out on Sunday to cook their way through a wondrous and luscious journey – one cooking French and the other cooking Mexican; both using the recipes of geniuses. That is our tale today.
The French-Chef hails from Lakeland, Florida and goes affectionately for me by Mrs. House of Flying Monkeys (Melissah) for short. She set out to make more recipes from Julia Child’s iconic book, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”. She apparently purchased the book after seeing Julie and Julia and initially made her own boeuf bourguignon, which she affectionately called beef fauxguignon. When she did this, she twittered about the journey. Her twittering caught the attention of one of the reporters from the NY Times and she was interviewed (see it HERE), about her experience cooking as the Julia Child cookbook has seen a huge resurgence in sales and my copy still hasn’t shipped yet from Amazon.com! So after the interview, the Lakeland Ledger (where she is a current resident), picked up on the story and decided to give her a challenge – they wanted to see her cooking in action. Melissah, not one to let a challenge go, took the bait, picked out her apron and planned her menu. On deck was Potage Parmentier (Potato and Leek Soup), Salade Jardinere au Vinaigrette (Green Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing), Galettes au Fromage (Cheese Biscuits), and Gateau a L’Fraises et Framboises (Butter Spongecake with Strawberries and Raspberries). How amazing does that sound?! Ah to be there and taste it…I just read her tweets and the reporter has left, the photographer has left and she has been successful. I’m sure she will enjoy dining of the fruits of her labours, I know I would love to be there to help! 
I, on the other hand, still waiting for my French cookbook, decided to learn a few things from the new Top Chef Master himself, Rick Bayless. While at McKay’s, I found his cookbook “Mexico: One Plate at a Time”. I couldn’t wait to get to the checkout! I’m working on a personal self-improvement project called Anna101 and learning to be a better cook is one of my goals for the next 365 days (I’m a good cook, but I want to become more adventurous as a cook). So, what better way then to learn to cook real Mexican food that is not from a box labeled “Ortega” or in a bag from “Taco Bell”. I picked what I considered to be a Mexican standard dish, Enchiladas Suiza and I wanted to go by his rules and recipe exactly. Also on my menu for the day is homemade guacamole (something I’m pretty good at already, Spanish Rice and corn – oh and tortilla chips, naturally). It all started out with the best of plans, I would shop on Saturday and cook on Sunday. I invited friends over to try my experiment and 3 took the bait, my husband is a captive audience member already. So, question is…how’d it go?
Well, it started out with an effort to find all my ingredients. I struggled with finding plum tomatoes so I had to settle for the standard large Grainger County variety. I also couldn’t locate any of the original cheeses that Rick Bayless suggested (one of them was called something like Chiuahuah – um, huh?); so I settled for his fall-back, Monterey Jack. In addition, I needed to find sour cream with ACTIVE cultures. Unless you’re buying an organic one as I did, no active cultures appear present in the standard store variety of pasteurized pleasures. My plan was to make CREMA that was suggested as the ideal situation for one of the ingredients of the enchilada sauced, however I chickened out. It involved mixing heavy whipping cream with active cultures sour cream and letting it sit (unrefrigerated), for 12 hours. I just used one of his “cheats” he suggested. So, that was Saturday.
Sunday, I woke up and went to work. Roasted the tomatoes and jalapenos. Let me just say that roasted tomatoes are JUICY as all get out and I used a lot of paper towels to soak up the rest of the liquid that didn’t make it into the blender. We put the chicken in the Ronco Rotisserie, and I began the process of reducing my sauce. I had to do it in a saucepan since I don’t (as of yet), own a dutch oven – I do, however, covet one from Le Cruset. I think it would have reduced faster if I had one. Still, I reduced it, added the chicken stock and we took a taste. First thing we noticed – HEAT. Rick Bayless likes his Mexican food hot! Adding the cream definitely helped calm it though; but I cannot imagine how much we would have suffered if I bought Serrano peppers over the jalapenos. Whew! I shredded the chicken by hand, and the cheese…nearer to showtime I fired up the Spanish Rice, Corn and made fresh guacamole using Frontera Guac Mix (I like my own recipe for fresh guac better). I softened the corn tortillas, rolled them and set them to bake. The friends arrived and voila…Mexico on my table!
It was DELICIOUS but I will say, I made a few mental notes of things I may adjust or change for my next go round. Still, I feel wonderfully more confident making a true-to-form, fresh Mexican classic for my friends/family. Now, to decide the next adventure!
BTW…I have decided to only do 1 main culinary adventure dish each month as the cost of this meal was kinda steep and I really can’t afford to do this every weekend. I will do other adventure smaller dishes (sides, vegetables, etc.), for the remainder of each month. PICTURE COMING SOON.
One of my friends posted a link to this video called 8 Bit Trip. So hastily I clicked it. I was very glad I did. I mean, in true retro-modern style – I present to you a video featuring legos, stop animation, 8 bit graphics, a few homages to old-school videogames (including NES), and my personal mind-suck: Tetris. It’s perhaps one of the best lego videos I’ve seen and reminds me that anytime I think I have a lot of time on my hands, someone else has more. Enjoy!
Well ladies and gents, I just got back from a long ladies weekend in Hot-lanta! It was a joyous romp with 3 ladies that I consider to be very good friends here in Knoxville (Mrs. Overtly Trite, Succulent Wild Woman and Mommy Strangelove)…and I’m so glad that life brought our paths together. We left out on Friday morning and I was going to blog on the entire trip – however the cost of 24 hours of Internet at our hotel was like $12.00 so I figured I could wait. In the meantime, I really wanted to share some of the wonders that ATL has to offer.
We started out early on Friday morning (okay, not so early), 10 AM. We took 2 cars which wasn’t the greatest in “green” ideas, but figured just in case we couldn’t fit ourselves and whatever we find at Ikea. The drive down was uneventful other than a unique idea for another road trip called the Sweetwater Steakhouse (I believe housed in a gas station), oh and the journey through Dalton, Georgia complete with their silly Beaver Carpets outlet. Come on!
Our first stop when we hit the 6 lanes of highway excitement known as Atlanta, was Flip Burger Boutique. Why? Well, it’s the brainchild of former Top Chef finalist, Richard Blais (whom both Mommy Strangelove and Mrs. Overtly Trite are fans of). Even though Chef Blais’ twitter page indicated he was back in the ATL, the staff told a very disappointed patron he was still out of town and wouldn’t be in. We, however, were there for the food (and a hopeful glimpse but not as important). We were not let down. Everyone ordered and I went the foodie path indeed. My choice: the A5 burger (Japanese Kobe beef, foie gras, frisee, caramelized onions, and red-wine syrup), with a side of tempura asparagus and a glass bottle of coke. The A5 burger is NOT cheap, but I will say, it was the most luscious, succulent, melt in your mouth burger I have ever, ever eaten. We all split some liquid nitrogen shakes, flavors: Toasted Marshmallow w/ Nutella and Krispy Kreme. Just a revelation. The whole meal. Who knew a burger joint would be so delightful?
We jumped back in the car and headed for the hotel – Marriott on Spring Street. Swanky rooms for the low-cost on priceline. Where they hit you is on the $28.00 per night, per car parking fee. OUCH. There was also a very large family reunion at the hotel this weekend. So it was hoppin’. We checked in, freshened up and headed out to help the economy at the Lenox Mall. Lots of great shops there! Succulent Wild Woman ended up with a sweet satchel from Fossil; Mrs. Overtly Trite scored some fantastic Betsey Johnson earrings; Mommy Strangelove introduced us to the wonders of LUSH; and I started to replace my lost makeup by going to Bare Escentuals. Big event for me was that I got my ears re-pierced finally! I was so nervous and it didn’t hurt at all. Not at all. We finished the night with dinner at California Pizza Kitchen and closed down the mall. Only complaint about the night was a woman who was not wearing the best shirt for shopping…I mean when a brisk walk leads to your nipple making an appearance…choose more wisely folks. Back to the hotel, we sat in the bar and drank some sweet drinks. We laughed and it was nighty-night time.
We awoke the next morning to head to my personal mecca, IKEA. I highly recommend the cost effective Ikea breakfast – I had scrambled eggs, bacon, french-toast sticks and grits. All for $1.99. Seriously?! I added a Cinnamon Bun to split with the ladies and got a huge glass of Lingonberry drink. I scarfed and headed out into the showroom without the ladies who were getting their coffee fix. I headed through the top floor of IKEA pretty quickly, wasn’t looking for anything significant. I spent the majority of my time in the marketplace where I scored some great knifes for my upcoming culinary classes amongst other things. I actually behaved myself and didnt’ spend a whole lot. I was proud. I’m also proud that I turned 3 other women (Mrs. Overtly Trite specifically), onto the joys of Ikea. I did my job.
We then went to Atlantic Station shops and I found great rings at the outside arts/craftsmen show. We ate a small plate lunch at a place called GRAPE and each enjoyed a glass of wine. After a quick jaunt to H & M (which did not have big-girl clothing), we went to check out the mass-market Ross and TJ Maxx. Not so hot. Same stuff we get here in Knoxville. Oh well! We ran back to the hotel, got gussied up and headed back out. After a quick trip for Mommy Strangelove to return an inappropriately cavernous purse she purchased the night before, we stopped quickly at Filene’s Basement (kind of a letdown). I did score a nice $12.00 necklace for the evening…as we headed to our next foodie location…HOME.
We made reservations for this restaurant because at one point Richard Blais (yes, that guy again), was involved with them. We were very happy with our experience at Home. I got a fabulous Caesar salad, seared beef tenderloin with foie gras, asparagus and artichokes which was heavenly. We got some dessert and headed back to the hotel. Bellies full and clueless me stealing Mrs. Overtly Trite’s front-seat shot-gun experience. We went back to the hotel and laughed our booties off. I only wish I really did lose some of my booty.
Our trip came to a close this morning with a trip to Watershed, a restaurant co-owned by one of the Indigo Girls (Emily Sailers). The brunch was sensational. Sensational! We split a bread-basket filled with all hand-crafted items: homemade English muffins, biscuits and a roll. These were served with sweet cream butter and homemade preserves. Mrs. Overtly Trite introduced us to banana fritters – yum! Then the main attraction…I ordered an omelet with goats cheese, bacon and tomatoes. SOOOOOO good. Also tried Mrs. Overtly Trite and Mommy Strangelove’s candied bacon. Interesting. Afterwards, we made a quick stop at Trader Joe’s only to find out that you cannot buy 2 Buck Chuck (wine), on Sundays.
We headed back to Knoxville secure in the knowledge that we enjoyed some fabulous food, amazing company, lots of laughter and the promise of another trip sometime soon. So in honor of fabulous friends here are some inside jokes/memories: “This isn’t Freak-Nic weekend is it?”; “Are you having fun…b?”; “Margaret Cho’s song stylings.”; “Well, we didn’t have the blind experience, but we did have a deaf experience.”; “I’ve got a date!”; “Verizon GPS sucks.”; “I’m working for the Chubb Group.”; and so much more. Love you girls.
In the end it was a wonderful experience. I missed my hubby greatly and felt very happy to come home to his sweet hugs. Now, back to reality and a wonderful reality it is.
Pics to be posted in flickr at some point
Today, we awoke early and decided that the rain and rain and rain would not dissuade us from our scheduled intended trip to the “City of Brotherly Love” and apparently, high crime rates…Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We arrived here and I was already amazed at how much has changed since I moved to TN almost 7 or so years ago. The Jim and Sir PirateNinjaMonkey dropped me off at the Franklin Institute (now aptly named The Franklin), and they headed out to The Mutter Museum. I had decided before we got here today that I didn’t think I could handle the Mutter. I’m easily freaked out by things medical in nature and the thought of seeing preserved body parts, and god knows what else pretty much guaranteed that I wasn’t going to enjoy that. So, I played it safe and sent them to do their bidding.
Sadly, the Franklin left me a little disappointed this time around. Perhaps it was that at least 2 of the 3 major exhibits were closed or in transition which left not a lot to do otherwise. I bought the steeply priced, Museum and Movie package for a whopping $28.50. This included the museum pass, a 3-D movie and a Tuttleman Omniverse Movie. I skulked around for an hour or more and saw the new multimedia light show in the foyer area where Ben Franklin himself sits (in marble, not preserved like what the boys were viewing at the Mutter). I then went to the 3-D movie about the Sun which was interesting. As I walked out, I got a text from the Jim that they were heading our way. They were just in time for the Omniverse movie. It was a movie all about the life of VanGogh and it was fascinating and beautifully shot. I love art, but I admit I didn’t know much about the painter VanGogh himself other than that he had cut off part of his ear and gave it to a woman. While he did that, the story explained the situation further and discussed his maddening obsession with painting. It was like a joy and an almost uncontrollable addiction for him. The movie focused on his lesser known works in the context of explaining his life. It was fascinating. I had no idea how troubled he was, let alone that he ended his own life at the age of 37.
While awaiting the movie, the Jim and Sir PirateNinjaMonkey told me that I was right on in my decision to not go to the Mutter with them. They indicated it was fascinating as it is a medical museum, but I would not have been able to stomach the suspended body parts, the fetuses, the plasticized cross-sections of real people and the giant colon (just to name a few). Funny thing was that the only thing that grossed them out was looking at specimens and smelling the odor of a museum employee heating up their vegetable soup. Just bad timing and strong scent. Eww.
After waltzing around the Franklin, we headed to our hotel, the Sofitel near Rittenhouse Square. I like my French hotels folks. We then headed over to Pod restaurant on Penn Campus and while the food was sensational, it was overly priced and small in proportion. We then got back to the hotel and headed to a local Cosi for some dessert. I had my favorite, self-made smores with Oreo cookies. As I write this blog entry, I am sitting in LaBourse the hotel Bar with my husband and good friend and drinking a beautiful Champagne Flight of Moet & Chandon White Star Champagne, Domaine Chandon Rose and Perrier Jouet Grand Brut. I love my sparkling wine.
I now look forward to the wonders that tomorrow brings and I pray that the weather cooperates.
Hello followers and apparent fans of the Jonas Brothers (stay tuned you wacky kids, there’s a contest coming up for you scamps), yesterday we packed up the car, the Jim, Sir PirateNinjaMonkey and Me…situated the pups (our fantastic Easton Boone and Uli Bear), with Lord and Lady Dotson (aka Chris Dotson and Our Mate, Maria), and their wacky pups Ginny the bearer of liquid evil and the sassy lassy Trixie Pup. We arranged for our house sitter the lovely, Mrs. Nelly herself to check in on Iris Pants and Kira Dottie. We hit the road and started the journey around 8 AM – destination, NORTH…specifically, Easton, Pennsylvania (my hometown).
En-route, we ate breakfast at Flapjacks which is where sadly the low-carb game plan ended so far. We stopped in Greenville/Staunton, Virginia at one of my favorite gems of a restaurant, Edelweiss where we noshed on some fantabulous German Food. I highly recommend the following items if you venture there:
- Brochen (which is so close to the real thing it’s funny)
- Soft Preztel (appetizer)
- Vienerschnitzel with Spaetzel,
- Rice Pudding with Merangue Topping
IN a word, DELICIOUS. Then back in the car and back on the road. We headed into Easton, PA around 8:00 PM and I, for one, was happy to be home. While coming home is never the same since my Mom’s passing (obviously), but it’s where I feel closest to her these days. I miss her so. Anyway, we rolled in kissed and hugged the Daddy and Dolores and ran out to my FAVORITE pizza place, Colonial for some late night grubbery. I had left a voicemail for my best friend, the Perfectly Marvelous JennStoc and texted my first sis-in-love, Mrs. Patrick Star to see if they wanted to join us or I could bum-rush them but sadly, no. Still, we ordered the antipasta (must have), and a traditional Colonial Pizza and one with some toppings (blasphemous). It was so scrummy that I was in heaven. Ah…food can truly transport you back to your childhood.
Then it was back to Clover Court and home. After some good converation with the Dad and Dolores, we called it a night. All in all, day one was marvelous if not a lot of traveling (10 hours in the car). Still we arrived happy and ready for an adventure tonight.
We
The Jim and I have now both had and enjoyed our work-peeps holiday parties…in fact, both exceeded my expectations and yet were full of simple pleasures. Truly amazing.
My work-peeps party involved meeting up in the common area of our hotel this past Monday night, where we commandeered the largest table at Homewood Suites and proceeded to enjoy freshly made delights by our wonder-boss Mrs. ML. OMG…I was trying to get back on track with my Weight Watchers points, but I went goodie-nutz. Complete with the delights of: Cream Cheese & Salsa Dip, Cheese-Ball, White Chocolate Popcorn and these things I call CHRISTMAS CRACK (Mini Pretzels, Rollos and Pecans). I gave out my gifties to my co-workers whom I adore (soaps from Basin that matched aspects of their personalities that I love and appreciate). I also got some amazing gifties including a hand-painted ornament of an angel (that actually resembles me), and reminded me of my Mom as I head towards 10 years without her (and still miss her like crazy-town). It was truly wonderful and I really love the women I work with…all unique, strong and compassionate. Amazing in every way.
Last night we attended the Jim’s work-peeps party at the home of the head of creative services for his section. I NEVER expected to enjoy it as much as I did, and truly, I did. First we were offered some yummy libations (wine selections offered were entitled, and I’m serious, EVIL, BITCH and DRUNKEN ROOSTER). I settled for a glass of BITCH wine and actually enjoyed it even with it being a red wine which I haven’t worked up to yet palette-wise. Then the good conversation began!!!! I met some amazing people that the Jim works with and discovered, they truly ROCK! There was a gift exchange and the Jim left with a Blu-Ray version of Total Recall (interesting). Seriously, I liked the folks a lot! Although, I was really sad that the length of time we spent made us miss another holiday party that I truly wanted to go to…The Douglas Family Holiday-Hang-Out; which I heard was a good time and included a Best of 2008 CD exchange which I had a CD all prepared for (for a track list, visit my personal blog).
I want to just express how blessed we truly feel to have good people in our lives. They make weathering the storms of change in this world a little more bearable.
After a 10 and some hour trip in a Chevy Uplander with only 1 fill-up en route and not a full fill-up at that, we arrived safe and sound. The ride up was fairly uneventful and that’s good. I drove a 5 hour shift, and then The Jim and Please Feed the Monkeys split the second half of the trip. Highlights included, some pit stops where there was a “pet exercise area” (made us miss the doggies); then a place where we got Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. Oh, and the check engine light came on but the car is running just fine so we’re not going to fret about it. Also, how awesome that the gas is below $3.00 when we’re on a road trip. Oh yeah.
So we arrived, and checked into our resort (The Sheraton Vistana), and we are EXTREMELY HAPPY with the place. Two bedrooms (one with 1 king size bed and a whirlpool tub, and one with 2 full size beds), which unfortunately has Please Feed the Monkeys on the couch (thankfully a pull-out couch), but I feel real bad nonetheless (and am not going to let him pay for his share of the rental car). The Jim and I get the king size room from Saturday – Tuesday nights, and then the Dotsons will have it from Wednesday – Friday nights. That way we both get to delight in the big room and the huge tub. There are 3 flat screen TVs and it’s just really nice and reminds me of a high class apartment.
Since today is officially The Jim and my 6 year wedding anniversary (love you babe), we all went out to The Crab House for dinner. It was YUM, YUM, YUMMY! I highly recommend it. Fresh crusty bread, great seafood. I had the twin lobster tails (delicious), and The Jim had the snow crab legs (which were super succulent). I have decided to not follow points this week but to eat light for breakfast and lunch, and then have a nice dinner. When I return home, I will get right back on those diet and points. Thanks Paula and Maria for making me feel better about not sticking strict this week.
The only downside so far is that I’m fighting a cold, but I have some Zycam, Echinacea, Vitamin C and my multi so hopefully I’ll fight it solidly. Other than that, things are great – the weather seems nice tomorrow and our plan is to go to Animal Kingdom (since it’s our first time for all of us). Full report tomorrow!
Or, VPC is what I think I’m going to start calling that tendency for me and other people I know to have a TON of things to do at home, work, etc; right before going on vacation. It’s like things get piled up and you feel stuck under the load until you finally break free and are sipping champagne on a sidewalk in Epcot.
We’re a day and a few hours away from leaving for DISNEY and I’m very happy about that. Before we leave, however, I have a lot to do at work, then come home and clean because we have a great friend housesitting for us and taking care of our babies (thanks Miss L). Have I mentioned that I haven’t packed yet? Well…it’s because I haven’t. Add to this, I’m trying to download movies from iTunes for the trip down to Orlando because we’re doing the ultimate cool thing – heading down in a minivan of madness with our bestest of buddies (Please Feed The Monkeys and The Dotsons). However, for some reason the iTunes store is not cooperating and keeps giving me an error message. Figures…it’s got VPC too I suppose?!
If you read that first paragraph, yes…you read right. Five of us will be heading out on a road trip like no other, culminating in sharing fun at the most fabulous place in Florida…Walt Disney World/Epcot/Hollywood Studios/Animal Kindgom/Universal. I’m excited to spend my 6 year wedding anniversary with my hubby going to a place we love and enjoy (it’s on Saturday by the way – feel free to send well wishes). I’m also excited to share my love of theme parks with such good friends. Especially sharing it with Maria who’s never been to all of the above. I think she’s like a kid at Christmas time, which will truly only add to the fun.
In the meantime, wish me luck as I continue to get through tomorrow so we can get on the road. I don’t think any laxative will help the situation either.
Okay, so it sounds more elaborate than it really is right? This is our little slice of internet nonsense, which basically is our on-going effort to keep our friends and family up-to-date on our lives, our love and our continuing pursuit of pomegranates. In this modern age of movement, we’ve realized that distance is not an excuse to not keep everyone posted, so please - stop by anytime - in person or internet-ly and know that you are all never far from our thoughts.
