Sunday, January 31, 2010

My New Toy!

I got a new toy.

I've acquired some new cooking utensils and gadgets in the last month to make cooking more efficient and do some cool things. My latest addition is an immersion blender, which is basically a little gadget that you stick into (aka "immerse") into the bowl/pot you have food in to blend it up. It's very low maintenance, easy to clean and use. And only cost around $30.

So Ben and I have eaten like toothless old people this weekend! I pureed and blended the crap out of our food, using any excuse to use my new gadget. Saturday night, I made a sort of root vegetable soup with squash, yams and parsnips. It was ok, but I honestly wasn't the hugest fan. The best part about it was using my new toy.



I also made apple crisp, which was much yummier. The last time I made an apple dish (applesauce), Ben commented how good it would be to put some vanilla ice cream on top. So I granted his wish this time, stopping at Oberweis for some delicious vanilla to top off the crisp.



Last night (Sunday), I decided to make a Pair of Purees - potato puree and butternut squash puree. Both were quite yummy! I also made applesauce - this time, I didn't have to spend forever cutting them up. Just let them bake and then blend them up with the new gadget. The consistency was perfect- just like real applesauce. Yum!! Served all three with some asparagus. Delicious!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

We don't have all the answers

Ben and I just finished watching Bill Maher's documentary "Religulous." We went directly into watching the State of the Union address (me) and playing computer games (him) so we didn't really discuss the points in the movie, and I won't be surprised if we don't. Although now I feel a little inclined to bring it up, but only because I'm thinking about it. Religion is a big issue in a lot of relationships, but in ours, it's been a total non-issue throughout. I know people who have broken off relationships because of religious differences that couldn't be overcome or major compromises that had to be made because of it. All I have to say is "Thank GOD I don't have to deal with that!"

If I even believe in such a being.

Religion isn't something I know a whole lot about or care to talk or debate about. I might just be a huge contradiction when it comes to being religious. I think it's pretty routine to associate religion with one's attendance to services at a religious institution. My church life went like this: Baptized in the Catholic church because my grandparents (Catholic) threatened to disown me if I wasn't; even though I am not and have never been Catholic. Started going to church - Methodist (like my mom was raised) when I was young. Was very involved in music at church all the way up to high school graduation, therefore attending church often. In the end of this time, I questioned religion a lot but enjoyed the music, so continued on. I actually met one of my best friends as a middle schooler questioning my beliefs in youth group - she was too. In college, I was not into church except for a short try at a church close to campus, hoping to meet some new friends (it didn't work- they were very cliquey). When I moved back to St. Louis, I immediately went back to my old church, becoming very involved again in music. People who go to church, if reading this, might be surprised about my questioning my beliefs, considering I'm pretty well known in the church for being active in it.

Which brings me to my beliefs. Let me explain: I have no idea what they are. I don't really enjoy listening to sermons or prayers or scripture. The service I go to has a sermon and a little of the other stuff, but mostly is music. That is the reason I am attracted to it. When I sing, I feel wonderful. I could go as far as to say I feel the spirit inside me. What spirit, I don't know. I like to think of it as my grandma being with me. I know I believe in spirituality. I'd like to believe in a better place for the afterlife and for those people to be with us in spirit. Sure, that works for me. The other stuff, more fundamental, more, well, religious stuff.. I dunno.

I'm one of those in between people, but I like going to church (most of the time - when the sermon is 40 minutes long, I question it!) I actually suspect others who attend my service are in between believers like me, but of course, no one would talk about it openly.

Which brings me to the idea of religion within relationships. Ben is pretty anti-church, although I've managed to get him to church several times to watch me perform in different capacities. He just doesn't feel comfortable there. Which is fine with me. Though I like it when he comes and watches me because it makes me feel good to look out and see him supporting me. We very rarely talk about religion. Although I don't consider him an atheist - because I know he has some spirituality in him outside of organized religion. We have many common interests but we also have some unique interests that the other doesn't share. I think that is important in a relationship, because being your own person helps you really feel secure in who you are as an individual rather than a couple.

I have always scorned couples who couldn't do anything without each other. Ben and I spend much of our time together, but are free to do our own thing if we want. I wouldn't have a problem with him hanging out with his buddies without me. Ditto for him. I remember in grad school, when I had a friend who got married and had to ask her husband if she wanted to do ANYTHING on her own. Really ask his permission! She had to stay home and make his sandwich for lunch because he couldn't/wouldn't do it for himself, or transfer his laundry to the dryer for the same reason. Ridiculous. I never want to be that person- I want to be my own, to have my own free thoughts and actions. And I want him also to be able to freely think, disagree with me if needed, have his own thing to do. If religion is one of these things, no problem. I can't exactly preach my beliefs when I don't even know what they are!

So no, I don't really know what I believe. What I do know: church brings me something positive in my life, so I'll keep going as long as I get good feelings from it.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Adventures with Spanish Food

Last week, looking at the menu of a tapas restaurant made me nauseous. I was surprised at my reaction; I thought that 6 months post-Spain trip, I'd be over it.

I was wrong.

My first two trips to Spain were in 1997 and 2000. I stayed mostly with families who knew that I was a vegetarian and cooked for me, and we didn't eat out very much. I remembered the food as being decent. This trip, I got a way different, new perspective on Spanish food.

It all started in Madrid. We landed there and went to our "welcome dinner" at a Tapas restaurant. Of course, the menu was pre-set and everything (even the salad) had meat on it. I told the waiter that I was a vegetarian and he asked if I liked asparagus. Why yes, I do. But not the pickled white asparagus that he then brought me - complete with a huge blob of mayo. Double YUCK. I had to move it away from me- the scent was overwhelming. The scent of the pickled asparagus combined with the fishy anchovy looking tuna fish on the salad, meatballs and other meat dishes made me want to wear a gas mask.

Now don't get me wrong, I have lived with meat eaters all of my life. My parents eat meat, my boyfriend eats meat. Everyone I'm friends with eats meat sometimes. I have eaten countless meals alongside people eating all sorts of meats. I've even cooked meat a handful of times (hey, I'm trying to be a good domestic partner here!)

The welcome dinner was just the beginning. I ended up eating bread and cheese for the next 3 days. I couldn't find anything to eat! Even salads. Out of desperation, I offered to take a group of kids to the Hard Rock Cafe so that I could get some overpriced edible food. I ended up paying about $14 for a small house salad, but it was worth it.

Did I mention that Spain's menus always include foods such as blood sausage, tongue, tripe, and a wide variety of fishy foods, complete with eyes? And more - I've blocked out much of the nasty stuff that is frequently on the menu.

Throughout the trip, I was exposed to countless absolutely disgusting foods in combination with the cigarette smoke that is everywhere (every restaurant IS a smoking section) and hot temperatures. It was enough to keep me in an almost constant state of nausea. I gagged many a time throughout the trip. I just couldn't handle it. It got so bad that one morning, the other teachers were discussing foods (the gross ones) and I literally threw up right there. In my mouth.

I did have a couple good meals there. I went to a vegetarian restaurant, thanks to a teacher who took pity on my lack of any sort of nutrition and found it for me. I found one place - for our last meal in the home stay community- that had a great meal with some squash soup and pasta dish. And I actually found a vegetarian paella in one place!

Hence tonight's meal- the only thing about Spanish food that is tempting to me anymore. I made a veggie paella. Ingredients included yellow squash, zucchini, carrots, peas, asparagus, broccoli, spices (helloooo saffron!) and of course, rice. It was pretty good. Here is the finished product.



Maybe one day I will venture into Spain again. But one thing is for sure: I will take lots of granola bars!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Best Salad Ever!




One of the first food items that we perfected was the salad. Who knew how interesting and delicious salad could be? The best salad ever is a delectable mixture of:

-Lettuce
-Avocado
-Peppers
-Craisins
-Feta
-Pistachios
-Raspberry Hazelnut Dressing

A Masterpiece!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Experiments in Cooking

In cooking new things, one of the first foods I experimented with was zucchini. I read another blog post about all of the different things you can do with it plus had some excellently prepared zukes at Casa Schwartz and was inspired to try some myself. It all started with the zucchini boat. I brushed zucchini with some olive oil and topped it with Italian seasonings and feta cheese then baked it for 20-30 minutes.

Since then, I've used zucchini in a variety of ways. Cooking it in soup, zucchini flatbread pizza, zucchini chips, and tonight, zucchini fries. To make the fries, cut them up, sprinkle seasonings over them, and then bake them at a high temp (500 degrees is what I did). I used a combination of garlic salt, onion powder, cumin, chili powder and oregano. This is how they came out:

They were a little overcooked - and I have learned after two times of having sticky zucchini to the very NOT non-stick pan- that I need to use a different pan or some cooking spray first. They were pretty tasty nonetheless.

I also made another dish tonight that I tried before, but this one was better: curried chick pea casserole. I'm trying to eat more protein since I don't get any from meat, so beans are one way. The casserole has chick peas, curry powder, onions, garlic and some tomato paste. Top with some feta cheese and bake.


I served it with naan and over jasmine rice. Delicious! This is what our plates looked like.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Jardin de Sarah

Along with this whole cooking frenzy, my other major short term goal is to design, plant and cultivate a vegetable garden. Our new house has a southern facing patch of land where the previous owners grew a couple things - some herbs, squash and tomatoes that we saw. The soil is good, the light is great, and it's big. It has some fence on 2 sides where I can plant tomatoes and beans. My major aspiration is to build 2-3 raised beds with wood planks and fill them in with soil & compost to then plant. I am crossing my fingers that Ben & his dad will help me with this. Raised beds are the best method for growing, so I read. I think it will be awesome. I have a long list of things I'd like to grow, but I'll have to look at the space and see what I can manage. So far, the things I think of are:

- Lettuce/greens
- Broccoli
- Beans (different varieties)
- Tomatoes (*I've already ordered 3 heirloom varieties)
- Peppers (*ditto)
- Zucchini/Yellow Squash
- Garlic
- Corn
- Melon
- Asparagus
- Onions
- Carrots
- Celery
- Herbs... parsley, rosemary, thyme, etc.

I'm going to two classes at St. Louis Community College in the next two months, one on herb gardening/harvesting/preserving and the other on growing Spring Crops. I can't wait! I plan on throwing myself into this big time. I really want the satisfaction of cooking AND with things I grew. Just one more goal of womanhood... Feeding my family (ok, my boyfriend and dogs, but I might donate some extras to other family members!) with homegrown veggies. Mmm..

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Welcome to My World

The word "woman" is a pretty simple one, but it's one that I, even at 28 years old, have a hard time using when describing myself. Not that I'm immature (ok, sometimes I am), but I still feel like "girl" describes me better most of the time. Why this is, I'm not sure. While gender roles are pretty unimportant to me, I think that sometimes it is just natural to take certain roles being a female. One major thing is knowing how to cook. This is something I've struggled with. Well, not struggled maybe. Just really not cared about! Didn't try very much because I preferred to spend my time doing other things. Before we moved in together, my boyfriend Ben and I would go out to eat every time we saw each other - which was A LOT. We didn't always get expensive meals, but even a meal at Bread Company costs around $7 a person. It added up. When we moved in together, we wanted to stop eating out so much and start cooking more. We did, only going out twice a week: once for our Whole Foods Pizza special night ($8.99 for a large) and once during the weekend, whether it be go out to a restaurant or get take out. But our meals were pretty boring and didn't take much effort. So I decided to ask for a crock pot and a vegetarian cookbook for Christmas. Which I received. Coupled with some mega inspiration, I am transforming into a cook! I will chronicle my adventures in cooking and more in this blog - the things that are enriching me personally.