I'm a Hot Girl, I Do Hot Shit

After a morning walk and another treat of a Mom's Migas breakfast from King David's Tacos at Blank Street coffee, we noticed preparation for a major grand opening celebration.  The Slutty Vegan had closed up the entire block of Fulton, a major thoroughfare and had dressed tables, a kiddie bouncy house, DJs, press tents, and a NYPD presence along with a street-wide sized sign.  This was set to be a major affair.  A long line had formed starting very early and it became clear that this was not the owner, Pinky Cole's, first rodeo.  After researching, this was her 7th opening, already having much success in Atlanta and she is set to open 20 more locations by 2023 years end. 

She went into the old Broccoli Bar location.  This has been several restaurants over the last 10 years, including Not Ray's pizza who finally moved two doors down.

Chicken and Potatoes braised in pickled jalapenos

A few yards away, in my tiny kitchen, I was doing some experimenting of my own.  This will become a great dish invention the next time around.  As I've shared, its fun to Mexican-ize recipes, replacing ingredients to theme them differently.  As is the case with this developmental Mexican take on Chicken Scarpariello from Sip and Feast. I used jarred pickled jalapenos instead of Cherry Peppers, along with the brine liquid.  In my next trial, I will replace the sweet Italian sausage with Chorizo.  The variety of peppers will come from the Southern border and the flat leaf parsley replaced with cilantro.  Already, this was divine in it's original form.  Braising in the hot garlicky, vinegar liquid creates a sassy punch that transforms everyday chicken into something special. 

P at the opening ceremonies posing with all the hotties. Hilarious!

I'm sure Ms. Cole has also put her own incredible sass on her creations and I cannot wait to try them based on the online menu pictures.  Great ideas like this do not happen every day and her commitment to introducing vegan food is done with such flare and what looks like massive flavor washing, how could it fail?  I'm not sure I'd call it healthy, but she made Vegan food a thousand times more appealing for starters. She's bold and single-handedly and unapologetically, sexualized the vegan burger.  That in itself is a major feat. 

picture courtesy of Eater

Classy, Bougie, Ratchet

Oregano Olive Chicken recipe 

It's been a few days but I keep thinking about that Grammy performance by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.  First of all the Grammy's were so great this year.  I loved the way they put artists together in clusters and that it was full of real musicians.  We're all starved for live music, so to see full production performances was a treat.  The tributes are always tricky and I've said before, we can't leave it up to the award shows to properly honor these amazing souls that passed on because there are too many of them.  Instead we need dedicated TV time, a full show.  But I appreciated the John Prine song from Brandi Carlile. Lionel Richie made me cry, Bruno Mars is too good and Brittany Howard is no slouch.  Eddie Van Halen, I actually liked the solo video with the guitar shown.  It was concise and honestly, who can 'cover' his style?  That's right, no one. 

Oregano, olives, garlic, capers pimento lightened up these Chicken drums.  Apple, red onion pepper and cabbage with cilantro and red wine vinegar  made a nice side slaw.

Too similar to those popular singing competition shows, they filmed a little biography piece where you got to know the artist's story before their performance.  So, after hearing Megan Thee Stallion's strong support system background, along with her desire to keep it positive, I anticipated different.   Disclaimer:  I came entirely ignorant of her huge rising star.

No one I asked had watched the show, so I was left to form my own opinions, until this morning when many media outlets chimed in.   I'm less interested in the political side of the argument.   I was shocked initially by Megan's first song, which was catchy and the choreography and production was top notch.  Clearly, she worked hard and held a presence that I didn't feel from that Dua Lipa.  Maybe seeing someone so well put together physically (damn girl!), is why it felt so racy?  I couldn't help but feel like Megan was selling herself a little short.  Is she ratchet?  Because they just convinced me she was raised well, smart and focused.  Clearly she is young, fresh and gorgeous.  If I were her, I'd take a good look at Cardi who is only 2 years her senior.   Cardi has mutilated her body, and she's already made her giant platform stage bed.  She is who she is, love it or leave it.  Megan, could have it all quickly, but I hope she goes another way.  I say that lovingly, like I wish I had a nice Aunty that gave me advice back when, not as a judging prude. Their joint performance felt Ugly, Vulgar, Nasty!  

I was put off by the song's sentiment, sex for money, money equals power.  Yawn!  I see how that might feel empowering to someone who has felt no other means, but we've come a long way baby!  Strap on that guitar instead of a dildo Stallion!  You've got Beyonce in your pocket!  That is worth more than all the skank you can buy! 

Yes it's true, we wouldn't be talking about it if they didn't bump uglies and say and do so many vile gestures.  On the other hand, that's all sensationalized art performance made to get our chonies in a bunch.  For me the real musical awesomeness was, Harry Styles. That hook in Watermelon Sugar was so reminiscent of a Sade or a Steve Winwood vibe.  

Beautiful Boy!