Foodmomiac

An early morning date

Dylan with her Living Lettuce
Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac

Here is Dylan last year at the Farmer's Market. Tomorrow is the opening day of Chicago's Green City Market (Hallelujah!!), and we are going to be there exactly at 7am. Kindergarten starts at 8am, so it's going to be a big 'ol rush, but even if she's late, this is so worth it!

We are both super excited. I'll report in tomorrow with the details of our booty and a review of our breakfast crepes.

(P.S. I can't believe she was able to wear such a skimpy tank top last year at this time. It's pouring rain right now, and tomorrow morning is going to be CHILLY.)

Thank you!

Lucy
Originally uploaded by Paty bb

Thank you everyone for your well wishes. I ended up scrapping my written eulogy and just speaking from my heart. I think it was best. I don't do well with things that are pre-prepared.

The whole thing just sucks, and there is not much more to say. Luckily, there was a lot of laughter all week as we remembered my Uncle's funniest moments. There were just so many of them.

Anyway, I'll get back to my regularly scheduled programming tomorrow. Until then, here's a shot of the new baby in the house. She's a LOT louder than she looks, but we love her anyway.

I am in New York right now. Following an illness that lasted way too long, my Uncle Steve passed away yesterday. My aunt is obviously too emotional to stand up and say anything, so she asked my dad to do the eulogy. My dad is going to speak, but since he hates public speaking, I told him I'd get up and speak a bit too. I typed in my notes here, but I have no idea if this is what I'll end up saying. Somehow, the more special a person is, the harder it is to memorialize him. Words don't just seem to cut it, you know?

Anyway...

Describing my Uncle Steve to others was always a bit of a difficult task. Adjectives just don't do a very good job of expressing who he was.

Funny? Of course. But lots of people are funny.

Generous? To a fault.

Mischievous? Sure.

But, still, these words don't present a full picture.

The best way to do that is through the stories. And there are just so many of them.

I have no idea how this started, but my brother and I had the strange habit of chasing Uncle Steve around in a circle trying to bite his leg. Yes, totally bizarre, and, again, I have no idea why or how this tradition started. One day, we were chasing him around, I caught him, bit his leg, and my tooth fell out! My daughter is now starting to lose her own teeth, and this is one of her favorite stories.

Fast forward almost 15 years, and I had my first internship at Uncle Steve's company, Petry. It was a great summer, and he was the perfect Uncle. While he must have been alarmed watching me party with all of the older employees, he never said a word. At the end of the summer, he wrote me the sweetest note, telling me how proud he was of me. I pulled that note out recently. It meant so much then, and it means even more to me now.

My final story, though I could go on for a long time, took place the weekend of my grandparents' 50th anniversary. It was Thanksgiving weekend, and we all went up to the Nevele to celebrate. Uncle Steve was the official videographer, but simple recording of the weekend activities wasn't enough for him. No. He decided that he'd get EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE of the Nevele to say "Happy Anniversary Irv and Lil!" into the video camera. From the janitors, to the waiters, to the person working at the ice skating rink, he hit them all.

That story, and his whole relationship with my grandparents says so much about my Uncle Steve. As those of you who knew them can attest, my Grandma could be a tad overbearing, and my Grandfather a bit gruff. But Uncle Steve was never phased, and he brought out the best in both of them. A son-in-law of my Papa could have easily become the Meathead to his Archie Bunker, but Meathead had nothing on my Uncle Steve. He didn't have the humor. He didn't have the heart.

I'm so grateful to have had such a character in my life. He certainly shaped the person I am today, as I know he has for so many others that his life touched. I'm going to miss you Uncle Steve.

Weekly Menu and A New Addition to the Household

Lucy and Dylan
Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac

Meet Lucy!

Lucy arrived Saturday afternoon via an American Airlines flight from LaGuardia to O'Hare. The story of how and why we got her is kind of long, and I'm sure I'll share more over the next few weeks. In short, my uncle is very ill, so Michael and I decided to help my aunt out by taking Lucy. She is a four-year-old Border Terrier, and is already right at home in our house. Friday was a bit snotty on day one, but seems to be adjusting OK. She actually allowed Lucy to play with her for a bit yesterday. So interesting to watch the alpha dog dynamic in play. Dylan is THRILLED to have a dog that she can walk. Friday pulls way too hard on the leash for a child to handle her, but Lucy is a little thing, and exactly the right size for Dyl.

Anyway, the house is as chaotic as ever, but we must like it that way, right?

This week's menu:

Sunday: Last night Michael cooked dinner, and it was great. Homemade burgers, sliced potatoes and onions cooked in a foil packet on the grill, French green beans

Monday: Marinated skirt steak, potato salad (a joint Michael/Danielle venture, made yesterday), iceburg wedges with bleu cheese and crumbled nitrate-free bacon

Tuesday: Something without red meat!!! I'm thinking eggplant casserole and steamed artichoke

Wednesday: Spaghetti night? I might have something else, but I can NOT remember what else we bought.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday I'm in Santa Barbara with my ladies, so the family will have to fend for themselves. I know hot dogs are on the menu for one of the nights.

Recipe Index

This is a work-in-progress, but I'm attempting to re-index all of my posted recipes so that you can more easily find what you are looking for. Let me know what you think.

By Preparation Method

Casseroles
Crockpot
Make Ahead
Pantry Cooking

By Ingredient

Apples
Beans
Beef
Cheese
Chicken
Corn
Eggplant
Eggs
Ham
Lamb
Pasta
Pork
Rice

By Course

Dessert
Hors D'Oeuvres
Main Dish
Side Dish

By Type

Comfort Food  
Soup
Vegan
Vegetarian
Weeknight Meal

I am indeed a full-time mother, and yes, my daughter does watch Hannah Montana

  WIL_06.JPG 
  Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac

Sorry for the long post, but I'm feeling very up in arms lately, and I just need to vent.

First, let me state this. I am ALWAYS AND FOREVER a mother to my children. When I am at work? Still a mother. When I'm out on a date with my husband? Still a mother. Even when I leave next weekend for my women's only trip to Santa Barbara wine country, I will STILL BE A MOTHER. I am thrilled that there are moms who choose to stay home with their kids. I am not one of those moms. I love coming to work everyday. It's part of who I am. It doesn't make me any less of a mother though. I have been seeing an increasing number of bloggers lately (stay at home moms) who refer to themselves as full-time moms. This offends me to my core. I don't support the Mommy Wars. I do not want to start an online brawl about this. I simply want to state that wording like this is offensive and hurtful. It hurts my feelings.

OK, second! This post makes me want to scream. My daughter is six-years-old and yes, she loves and watches Hannah Montana. I resent the implication that I am raising a slut. Here's an excerpt of what Rachel Campos Duffy has to say in her piece:

My oldest daughter is eight years old and High School Musical, Hannah Montana and the like are not permitted in my house. I don't want my girls emulating a teenager in a micro-miniskirt and thigh high stockings - I don't care how benign the bubble gum pop songs are. Moms like me are called a lot of things - controlling, prudes, and helicopter moms. Why? Because we'd rather our girls aspire to be astronauts or veterinarians rather than gyrating wanna-be "rock stars"?

OK, first of all, Hannah Montana doesn't dress that way. She is always modestly covered, and even ends up looking ridiculous half the time because she has t-shirts on under a spaghetti strap dress. Second, I want my daughter to aspire to be ANYTHING SHE WANTS. Right now, Dylan's greatest joy comes from music. Every day features multiple dance parties in our house, and she and I have spent a lot of time together creating a "kids mix" on iTunes. She wants to listen to it all the time, and she frequently sings along on her microphone set (greatest Christmas gift ever - thanks Moppy!)

So, you know what, Rachel Campos Duffy? I will let my daughter watch Hannah Montana and High School Musical, because those shows make her want to get up and dance. And then I will get up and dance and sing right along with her, hoping that when she grows up she'll be anything she damn well pleases.

Why I'm Losing My Mind - And Some Links!

So, here's my dilemma:

I do too much in the morning before work. It's always insane, and I am frequently crabby about it. HOWEVER, I do not like doing these things the night before. At night, I am worn out from my work day, from my children, from getting dinner on the table and from life. I just want to sit and read or watch TV. I don't want to do chores.

But then, we end up with mornings like today:

• 6:00: Wake up
• Shower
• Get Dressed
• Finally unpack suitcase from New Orleans trip
• Get laundry ready for the laundry-doing dog walker
• Take dog out
• Try to get Max to pee. Get told, "Max pee already. Max flush." Oooohkay then. Get undies on him and bring him downstairs.
• Attempt to find the right Dora for Max on the On Demand list. Apparently "Stuck Truck" is no longer his favorite, and the "Explorers" one makes him cry. Seems to want something called "Dora Babies." This is not an option. Spend 5 minutes selling him on "Stuck Truck." Finally convince him and push play.
• Make latte
• Saute onions, green peppers and chopped up chuck roast for tonight's chili, add seasoning, dump in crockpot with bottle of beer, can of crushed tomatoes, can of black beans, can of hominy (veggies and meat were prepped on Sunday, thank God)
• Sign Dylan's daily parent teacher communication sheet, add note that she is going home with a friend
• Clean Sigg water bottle for Dylan's lunch box
• Make lunch for Dylan (genoa salami and yellow mustard on wheat bread with crusts removed, can of fruit cocktail, small box of pringles, small baggie of sugar snap peas)
• Put lunch and homework folder in Dylan's backpack.
• Feed dog
• Give dog medicine: giant chewable probiotic pill and smaller antibacterial pill that must first be dipped in peanut butter
• Load and start dishwasher
• Clean non-dishwasher safe dishes
• Get recycling compiled and on the counter for Michael
• Wash my lunch bag from yesterday since the oil from the hummus leaked all over it
• Brush teeth

On another note, I have two posts up today on sites on the Well Fed Network!!

A Dish of a Lifetime in New Orleans

Beyond Farmers' Markets and CSA's

Weekly Menu - Week of 4/28/08

Weekly menu
Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac

We spend so much money on food each week, and are making a concerted effort to be better about it. Yesterday, we all went to Costco, and stocked up. The goal is to pack lunches (a bought lunch at work is almost always at least $8) and make dinner every night. Friday nights we typically go out as a family, and Saturday night is date night. We might alter the Friday night thing (go to a BYOB, or bring in take-out), but Saturday date night is practically a religion for us. That's not going anywhere.

Some of the things I bought at Costco include:

Ribeye Steaks - We had these last night and were kind of disappointed. I always opt for Ribeye over tenderloin because it's so much more flavorful, but these had practically no flavor at all. I have four more in the freezer and am now dreading making them. Any tips to bring flavor to a flavorless ribeye? Marinate in beef fat (a la Top Chef)?
Sugar Snap Peas - Dylan and I love snacking on these. She requests them in her lunch, and I packed them in mine as well. They are also great in salad (but not for Michael - they weirded him out).
Baby Cucumbers - Another great lunch item. These are grown hydroponically, and are delicious. I love them in salads or plain for snacking.
Haricots Verts - These small French green beans looked gorgeous, and since they are already trimmed, they will be super easy to prepare for a weeknight dinner. I'm thinking garlic and almonds.
Sabra Hummus - Yum, yum, yum
Vacuum-sealed Carnitas - I bought these because Stefania recommended them. Can't wait to try them on Thursday!
18 organic, free-range eggs - Passover is done, but we still have lots of matzoh in the house. Turns out both kids love Matzoh Brei!
Feta Cheese - It's not as gourmet as block feta, but I love getting the giant container of crumbled Feta from President. It's so convenient for omelets and salads, and both kids love it.

The Menu:
Sunday: Ribeye steaks, oven-baked potato wedges with alioli (Spanish dipping sauce similar to aioli), Greek salad
Monday: Lemon-marinated chicken thighs, haricots verts, rice
Tuesday: Crockpot chili, cornbread
Wednesday: Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad
Thursday: Carnitas with corn tortillas, Caribbean black beans

If fried chicken is wrong, I don't want to be right!

  Best Fried Chicken EVER 
  Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac

I'm trying to figure out how to tell you about Willie Mae's Scotch House, but I'm feeling a bit tongue-tied.

What can I say that hasn't already been said by Jason Perlow?

How do I tell you how much it means to be eating here after it was closed for so long post-Katrina? Words don't seem to cut it when you can instead see actual photos from the re-building process.

Everyone from Bon Appetit to the Food Network has declared Willie Mae's the best fried chicken in the country, and I won't argue with them.

The skin was crispy all over. The meat was juicy beyond belief. The accompanying red beans and rice were amazing. Give me an adjective that can be used to describe delicious food, and it would work here.

Yes, we waited over 30 minutes for a table and then over an hour for our food. Yes, we waited another 45 minutes for our cab to show up when we were done (tip we gleaned from another table of foodies sitting nearby - invite your cab driver to eat with you!). I would do it all again, though.

When you are talking about the best fried chicken ever, all the waits are worthwhile.

Look what happens!

Originally uploaded by Paty bb

I leave for three nights and all hell breaks loose.

;-)

Off to make a seder for tonight. I still have lots to share about New Orleans, and will! Stay tuned.