None But Ourselves Can Free Our Minds

Halloween in Brooklyn 2024

Brooklyn is like a movie set during the holidays and even though the world would have us believe it's all gone to shit, there is still so much magic in this city everyday that if you never read an article or watched the news, you just might think everything was better than fine.

Voted on Halloween and then came home to bake a meatloaf and piled slices of it on roasted mushroom caps and bell peppers over corn meal mush before walking the neighborhood anxious to know how our world might change with the results of the coming election. 

Spike Lee's Studio

She is All I Need Tonight

I can't resist Corn Chips but try to eat them only on special occasions.  I'm finding there are a lot more days to celebrate when you're open to interpretation!  But there are always those leftover bits and pieces at the bottom of the bag, broken but still good.  Because they have so much flavor, they are better than bread crumbs to coat chicken and bake.  Crunch them up and toss them in seasoned flour and dip the chicken in egg first.  Onto a baking sheet at 475 degrees for 25 minutes. 

I had a little extra, so I dipped and tossed the zucchini slices on the pan as well.  The bird was very crunchy, mocking deep fried chicken.  A great use of expensive chips and you can feel good that you're not wasting. 

What a smart girl you are!!!

You Really Got a Hold on Me

Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers

Stuffed vegetables are never not great.  It's a wonder we don't make them more often. Cubanelle Stuffed Peppers are smokey without the heat, more delicate than the bells or poblanos, and the right size for stuffing. And because they are not as thick, they roast up fairly quickly.

Honestly, I don't know of a pepper that I didn't love roasted and stuffed.  They are still cheap, so bake up a whole pan and they work really well for lunch box meals. 

This time I simply stuffed with ground turkey, onions, garlic and cheddar but topped them with green onions, sour cream, tomatoes and cilantro and served with beans and rice.

The colors of Fall

Phoned in Halloween decorations around the hood

HeyI Here Comes My Girl!

Autumn in Brooklyn

I love to experiment with food ideas.  Once in awhile I'll invent something that not only tastes good, but is sort of, spectacular.  This was that day.  Roasted Red peppers are sweet and smokey, so delicious!  Stewed shredded chicken in a spicy tomato sauce is absolutely lovely, more commonly with Mexican rice or in a taco. Putting these two beauties together, could be stellar.  But what made these stuffed red peppers incredible, was an afterthought.  Instead of rice, I thought to spice up and smash a can of pinto beans with cumin, jalapeno and garlic and smear that on the base of the peppers....

....along with Queso Fresco, then the stewed chicken in the light tomato-y garlic pepper sauce, covered and baked for 35-40 minutes.  Once they were tender, I topped them with cilantro and more fresh cheese.  

Normally, cooks rely on others for compliments but let me tell you, when I brought out this gorgeous piping hot red dish and took my first bite, they burst in my mouth with all vibrant flavor feels. I just had to shout about it!  

Be Something You Love and Understand

Blistered Shisito Peppers

I had forgotten just how delicious and light these smoky Shisito peppers can be and super easy to blister on a hot pan.

These went very well with a quick pantry turkey chili that came together quickly and easily with canned beans and tomatoes, along with the powdered spices and condiments.  It's chili, right? Anyone can make it.  But somehow, this very common dish can be highly satisfying with very little effort and should be celebrated as an American treasure.  Fresh green onions and cold pickles brightened up the flavors.

It's Hard to be Humble

Shrimp and Sausage over rice with Chick Peas

Another meal prepared on a sheet pan but that could seriously use a green vegetable.  Green bell peppers would have been perfect.  This time I went for Turmeric, cumin, black pepper, chili flakes, and sea salt with olive oil for the seasoning.  

Again, all on a sheet pan and into the 450 degree oven for 20 , except the shrimp which go on the last 10 minutes.

In its way, these meals prepared with such little effort, challenge a cook's effect on food.  If food can taste this good without our help, fussing, turning or watching, as a cook, is quite humbling.