Archive for January, 2010

Free Bird

Friday, January 29th, 2010

I just lost my job. And now I shall conquer the world.

I know the restaurant industry is struggling. I know I worked in pastry. I know I was a part-time employee, but I lost my job. F. I even knew it was coming. I went into work prepared and tough. The higher ups met with me and were even really nice. I tried to maintain my toughness and then the eyes swelled with tears. And then I was full out crying. Ugh, pregnancy crying does not stop too easily. So I left the restaurant business with raccoon eyes in the frigid cold.

I really did love working at a restaurant. I never wanted to be the best restaurant chef out there, because I want to do my own thing, but it kept me learning. I liked the fact that at a restaurant the music is turned up and you can sing while on the job; and sometimes even bob and sway while rolling dough or mixing muffins. And as for conversation—anything goes from the mildly inappropriate to downright weird. It’s far from desk work.

I came home and had a small pity party. I nestled up with my dog on the couch and turned on Oprah. Naturally the show was about people who lost their jobs too. I talked on the phone with my mom and then just in time for The View, I decided the pity party was over.

I got up, made some delicious pancakes, turned on my ‘pump up song (Lisztomania by Phoenix) and got excited about my business and my future. I bobbed, swayed and sang my heart out while I was flipping jacks. But, with all of the excitement, it did not change the fact that the steady paycheck was now gone. So for anyone who is without work or just totally broke, here’s what I made on a light wallet (Latin Rice Dish, $8.24 food cost). Take that economy.

Latin Rice Dish

2 cups basmati rice
your favorite salsa – to taste
1/2 can black beans – rinsed | I prefer to make my own beans, but I was too hungry to wait
1/2 red onion – small dice
1/3 pound cherry tomatoes – medium dice
1 avocado – medium dice
handful of cilantro – rough chop
2 eggs – fried over medium/easy
1 lime – wedges
hot sauce – garnish to taste
s and p to taste

Add rice, 4 cups of water and salt to a small sauce pot; cook over high heat until boiling. Once boiling, turn heat to low–cover and cook for 15 – 20 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile cut all vegetables and rinse the beans. Cook eggs just before the rice is finished. On each individual plate layer the ingredients as desired. Squeeze lime and eat.

Posted in Latin Rice Dish | 3 Comments »

I just want a burger

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

I crave hamburgers. I have been ordering more patties than ever and daydreaming about one of Chicago’s epic burger joints—Kuma’s Corner. I tried to go there a couple of months back; I knew that long lines ensued, but the night I suggested the Mecca, I had no idea what was in store for my crew.

We arrived at the crowded bar and were slowly greeted by the hipster-pierced host who told us to expect two hours (of standing shoulder to shoulder next to the constantly opening front door) before sitting down. I was willing to wait for the grub, others were ready to eat; decision: onward and outward.

We hopped in our cars and headed to a different neighborhood to find a new bar, a new grill. The next stop, Hopleaf, turned us away with a two-and-a-half hour wait. We quickly sent Brian running up and down Lincoln Avenue in the freezing cold to find a no-wait eatery. He returned cold and out of breath with one promising establishment… that will remain nameless. The troops rallied and walked into the café extremely hungry, loud, and somewhat slaphappy. The hunt for dinner was now at the one and a half hour mark. We settled in at our table, ordered our drinks, and started noshing on pitas and hummus. Each group member scoured the menu and was ultimately lost at what to order. We had gone out with the thought of a Kuma’s burger, tried for Hopleaf and now were settling on this place. It did not sit well.

We discussed leaving, but where to? Any good food had a wait, but we did not want to compromise. Amidst the, should we go, should we stay conversation, our friend, Billy, found a hair on his pita.  We soon found out that hair number one had some friends, two actually. Yes, this was terribly disgusting, but since we had not eaten, we could not stop laughing about the situation. My friend, Jeff, practically spit out his beer he was laughing so hard. People were staring—we were those people. The ones who were mistakenly intoxicated, who could not stop laughing at their table and left without ordering anything except a round of drinks.

We ended up at a late night Mexican joint where we still had to wait 10 minutes before sitting down. The waitress served us our tacos and burritos respectively and they were devoured immediately. There was no talking, only eating. It was 11:15pm and we were somehow content with our night—really.

Although we were weirdly satisfied with our Chicago food hunt, it did not change the fact that I needed to fill the belly with a seriously delicious burger. I finally took matters into my own hands and constructed one heck-of-a burger, two months later. But it was worth the wait.

Burger

1 part ground bison
1 part ground chuck
1 egg
a few generous splashes worstechire sauce
minced garlic

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl with hands. Form small to medium height patties. Grill outside or on a grill pan for 6 to 7 minutes on either side or until desired doneness.

Caramelized Onions

1 yellow onion- julienne
olive oil
s and p
champagne vinegar

Heat a small skillet over low/medium heat. Add the olive oil and the onions. Cook onions until caramelized (approximately 15 – 20 minutes minutes). Season with salt and pepper. Finally add a couple splashes of champagne vinegar and cook off, remove from heat.

Cilantro Mayo

good mayonnaise
chopped cilantro
fresh cracked pepper

Combine.

Other Garnishes:
sliced tomato
spinach
sliced avocado
ketchup
and always serve on a toasted bun

Posted in Bison, Burger, Caramelized Onions, Cilantro Mayo | 1 Comment »

Oh Baby

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Life has been different. I eat cookies in bed; I lost the will to work out (until recently); and sausage, egg and cheese McMuffins are sometimes all that can get me through the day. The life change can be filed under: pregnancy. It’s true; I have a growing belly, a growing baby, and a growing appetite.

Brian and I are very excited for the little one to arrive; we have been told that the stork will make his delivery on June 28th. The sex of the baby will remain unknown, boy or girl; we don’t care. As our friend, Marta, put it, “we are just hoping for a human.” And while we are at it (the whole surprise thing), our name ideas will be a secret too; we guarantee a loaded baby announcement.

There are so many diet restrictions I encounter as a pregnant lady and most of the no nos are things that I really love (wah wahhh). Obvious indulgences like wine, beer, and sushi (I almost ordered a drink called: “Safe Sex on the Beach” this weekend); but then there are the unexpected staples like lunch meat (see ya later Potbelly’s), brie, goat cheese, and feta (I work at a cheese market). I won’t say life is rough, because it’s not; I am just trying to be the best mama I can be. All while dealing with the nausea, that turned into high emotions (i.e. random crying), that I’m hoping turns into this supposed pregnancy “glow” soon.

I have not been cooking at home as much, but am starting to get my groove back. So, for the last three months it has been take-out and restaurant going. Here are a few highlights:

Pizza at Crust (Fire roasted pizzas that are airy and crispy at the same time…just the way pizza should be. And don’t mind the over-promotion of the restaurant’s low carbon foot print on their menu, that’s great and all, but they should really just talk up the pies.)

Eight-Finger Cavatelli and Vodka Sauce at La Bella (Homemade cavatelli with a creamy spiked sauce proved to warm me up and satisfy my belly on NYE.)

Pad Thai at Bodhi (Sweet and simple pad thai done right. Add a little bit of their hot sauce and the dish hits every note.)

Salsa at New Rebozo (A good amount of heat combined with full flavored tomatoes and onions. Well done salsa goes a long way.)

Pot Roast Sandwich at The Depot (Pure comfort food, enough said.)

That’s all I have today, so from our home to yours,

Happy New Year!

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