Breakfast for Dinner

Breakfast for Dinner

I'm sure you do this all the time but just in case, breakfast for dinner can really be especially enjoyable. Something about the flavors at an odd time become magical.  The big AND to this is it's super easy and nothing is too serious.  Soft boiled eggs are little bundles of joy.

new street art findings

Black Bean Soup

I'm happy to add this soup into regular rotation.  The great thing about most basic soups is there can be lots of variations depending on what's on hand.  I can see this going full throttle if you make your own beans.  Here I used canned due to the time constraints and it was very hearty, full of flavor.  https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/quick-black-bean-soup-101661

I don't use the actual recipe but I do read them to get the idea so but Epicurious is always good.  For me, the fun of Mexican style soups is the toppings.  Here I did cilantro, green onions, avocado and Cotija cheese.

Stuffed Summer Squash Boats

Olives, Feta, capers and sausage filled these Summer Squash Boats.  On top a sprinkling of Panko Bread Crumbs.

Electric Word Life It Means Forever and That's a Mighty Long Time

Today, all day I kept thinking of my friend who passed months ago.  He just kept popping into my thoughts.  It was nothing specific, just his laugh or how he used to bother me - small bubbles of memory. As I was watching a movie later that night, he appeared in a scene as if he came back on purpose just to give a little wink.  I have run across him before but to have thought of him prior, makes the happenstance a little more incredible.  People die and no one knows for sure but many believe the spirit can come back or linger.  They may be capable of giving you little signs, to convey a proper goodbye or make sure you're okay.  But who is it really?  The easiest answer would be it's us forging our own reality.  I was drawn to that movie because subconsciously I had seen him before in that scene and wanted to see him again. Maybe that's true.  Maybe these signs are always out there it's us who have our blinders on just trying to get through our days and not paying attention to the universe. Very likely.  The more complicated and interesting theory would be it's really them.  Problematic because in our reality, they no longer exist.  We sent them back to God.  My gut opinion has always been a part of them never dies.  You could call it their spirit.  Or energy.  Or mass consciousness. That's a whole book of conversations right there.

But if we are to believe John's spirit still has some of his personality and history connected to it, then that is super exciting.  Because we understand consciousness uses individual brains as a host. But if a brain stops, then one imagines the spirit leaving but....is it capable of taking anything with it?  And the answer seems to be yes!  I've tried to keep up with all the new science that everything in the universe is indeed connected somehow.  But comprehending quantum physics and mechanics is a little outside of my capabilities.  However, it's not that different listening to scientists try to explain it to the layman and the psychedelic drug conversations of yesteryear.  If you focus, you can take that mental ride pretty far in understanding deep concepts.  If we're all connected and God is everywhere and in every thing, and consciousnesses is not the brain itself, but is capable of holding some of it's old host's make up, then its not far fetched that portions of that mass knowledge could manifest itself into apparitions, perhaps manipulate occurrences, move objects, etcetera.  Hell, what couldn't it do is probably the question.

I lost my brother recently and sometimes I talk to him, just throw things out there because I want him to know stuff about me or thoughts I've had about him.  Part of me really hopes he can hear it.  Other times though, I've considered conjuring him for a purpose.  Really making an effort to call him out.  I would know if I felt his presence.  I have bigger questions now.  Mainly I want to be connected to him in some way because I didn't get to love him enough, before he left us. I told him in cards what I thought of him and apologized for being a shit sister, but I was always so curious about much of his life, wanted to hear his stories.  Afraid to pry, as he was very private.  Being reserved myself I wanted to be very respectful.   Even now, I don't want to bother him.  I figure there may be lots to do up there, what with getting to know all the ins and outs of the after life.

Similarly all day I sort of knew I was going to make Summer Squash boats but then had to figure out the steps to make it true.   These food plans don't happen necessarily during conscious effort, it's more between thoughts where my recipes are made.

For Chris's wifey:

Ingredients:
2 large summer squash
chicken sausage
black olives
capers
organic feta cheese
bread crumbs
minced garlic 
1/4 sweet onion diced small
olive oil

• Preheat oven to 350
• Cut and gut the squash boats, salt and pepper them generously, spray with olive oil and put in over for about 20 minutes.  Don't throw out the guts, chop them up for the filling.
• In the meantime cook your sausage in a pan with garlic and onions until done.
• Chop up your black olives, finger shred your feta and combine everything in a bowl, except bread crumbs.
• You're ready to fill your boats - scoop in your filling, top with bread crumbs and spray with more olive oil.  Put back in oven for about 15 more minutes.  Done.

Turkey Kofta and Chick Pea Salad

Turkey Kofta Quick Style and a super tasty chick pea salad with avocado, green onions, jalapeno and lime.  Still slightly in my groggy state of being this month, I forgot to put out the yogurt sauce.
http://www.foodiecrush.com/grilled-turkey-kofta-skewers-with-yogurt-sauce/#

Mother and Child Reunion

I visited my parents and niece's family on another planet called Tucson during monsoon season.  I sometimes feel like there is a more defined difference then ever in states, even though some would say everything is the same now with mini malls and chains.  That is true but aside from the superficial, Tucson is a very contrary place to Brooklyn.  I experienced big rains and some flash flooding. It's beautiful the way the mountains surround the small feeling town even though it's huge in reality.  There is a beachy feel to the place, a relaxed welcoming atmosphere.

This is the hotel pool where I envisioned us all enjoying nights, relaxing.  No one even dipped a toe.

So much to share about this trip but I must bring in the food.  The winner for most outstanding was my dad's freshly made hot sauce that he knocked out of the park one day!  So much so that we had to sneak a bit back to the hotel for later like it was gold.   

This dish came out of a discussion on how to make it. One of my mom's homemade suppers from growing up.  My dad swore there was tomato sauce and I think the sisters said it was only fresh tomatoes but darned if he didn't make it taste just like my mom's.  Almost as good.  The right comforting flavor blend with warm torts.  These are the moments I live for.  Its a way to communicate with food and feel good memories. 

We ordered my dad a freshly made Banana Cream Pie and also got him a berry pie from another bakery on the way from Mount Lemon and fudge in two varieties.  His response was the ones Alisha gets from Marie Callender;s are really great.  That's a really great dad-ism but you'd have to know me to see how it's funny and not mean or sad, which it is too but I choose to ignore all that.  

I appreciated that pie I'll tell you what and my mom was able to eat the creamy part and I knew she'd love it.

Little Jade put this below on her watermelon and enjoyed the heck out of it. 

We made some turkey burgers one day that shouldn't have been amazing but somehow they just were. When my sister makes anything it always tastes exceptional somehow.

We had a gorgeous drive to Mount Lemon and at the top was this cool restaurant where we had a nice lunch with just the girls.  That was very special. The being there together on top of a mountain was enough for me.  Whoever wrote the menu, really had us at those descriptions though.

My niece and her husband have been like saints for my mom and dad. 

My mom perked up for us quite a bit.  She broke my heart and made me laugh.  I love her so much. Even though she wasn't familiar with me, she did have moments of recognition that I won't forget.  I got a few winks and nods, laughs and stares that I'll keep with me.  She had lost a son the week before whether she could express it or not, I feel she knew.  She has a strong presence regardless and I've always found her fascinating just as a person.

My great niece stole my heart and was sunlight all day long.  I felt like I knew her since she was born but finally I could experience her in the flesh, hear her voice and see that smile.  I could see how much she must help my dad stay upbeat.

Simultaneously I got a kick ass visit with my sister.  I have always loved my sister dearly and consider her a best friend. This was not a routine vacation but they never are.  Circumstances make it heavy to no one's fault.  We were just a week after my brother's passing so energy was drained and I think everyone felt a little weak.  It's the most important thing to see family but it's hard.  

I got turned on to Teeccino and hope to replace coffee altogether soon.  

I wanted to be as non intrusive as possible so we tried to leave before supper so the family could have some peace without visitors in the evening.  Its tough on everyone with these constant stays.  But that left us to fend for dinner each night and that became stressful, fatty but mainly good.

Thank goodness for GrubHub.  This lead to Mexican one night. 

Chinese Take out another. 

Burgers the next.

An old Italian Restaurant, the house made pasta with meat sauce. 

And the hotel had free breakfast that we tried to take advantage of whenever possible. 

The best food and overall good time was at the house though where the feeling of home somehow travels with my mom and dad.  However faint.