You See It's In the Blood

Mexican Take Out Dinner for Two

Brklyn Burro is a great Mexican spot far enough down the road that we don't get it often enough but on this day I tried the Family Platter, for two and fortified it with more hot sauce and guacamole (the least I could do).  I thought it was a great deal and enough to make 4 tacos with plenty of leftovers.  I love that they give roasted scallions, a way to this girl's heart.  I love me a green onion on the side of the plate, it reminds me of my mother.  She always had a little side green, a pepper, radish, avocado, green onion on her plate.  And it really is all about the sides and condiments for me too.  That's the color and excitement of any great meal.  

That morning I started the theme off with these delicious pulled pork breakfast tostadas.  Crispy carb-free torts with cheese, pulled pork, fried egg and jalapeno pesto.  

It Takes All Kinds of Kinds

Mock Shake and Bake Chicken, Brown Rice and what I'm officially naming Mexican Cabbage Slaw

If you like a fresh, crunchy slaw, you may like to make a vat of this.  The only time stealer is cutting vegetables but this is when it can feel like art if you allow yourself to get into it.

Red cabbage (sliced thin)

Apple (your choice) (julienned) *sometimes I use Granny Smith, other times a sweeter Gala

Carrots (shaved)

Red onion (sliced thin)

Jalapenos (seeded and diced small)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (a dash)

Apple Cider Vinegar to taste

Lime (1 squeezed over and wedges served alongside)

Cilantro (garnish and mixed in)

Lots of salt and freshly cracked pepper

Let this sit together awhile to develop flavors.  I'm not a traditional coleslaw gal much, although I do enjoy it when it's not too sweet.  This Mexican take revs up the vibrant colors and flavors.  It's summery and refreshing.  It makes a great side for burgers, chicken or Hot Dogs and gets better the more it marinates.  

Green Grape Organic Chicken with Store Bought Sides

When you want to eat good but you just can't engage yourself to go in that kitchen and cook.  Green Grape grocery has organic rotisserie chicken.  They need a layaway plan for those suckers though.  But a tired girl needs desperate measures.  Plus they have really great tasting sides that someone makes with thought and care, like this peppery coleslaw and potato salad.

Can't You Hear Me Knocking?

A fun lunch for a bad occasion. Our good friend was being sent to prison. Not a good day. We needed to say goodbye or good luck or something although all the words seemed wrong. Do you ever wonder if you make any difference at all in any person's life? Your words or your concern, your gestures, your intent. People say beautiful things to me occasionally but within a few hours I usually forget they ever said them. I usually think they are just trying to be nice anyway but I know what the real truth is.
When P overshoots and tells me something too nice, I immediately wonder why he felt he needed to go overboard. Am I that big of a mess? Why would he patronize me?

I try to be sincere when offering advice or encouragement. I don't have any answers I know that but you got to come up with something at times like these. Like the freak that I am I had brought with me to the restaurant little cut out picture figures of all of us so T could put them up on his wall and think of happier times. A pic of P's from the back carrying a 12pk of beer home on a cold winter day. A pic of me trying to look badass with my bike gear on crossing a bridge and so on. But I lost the nerve to give them to him. After hearing all of his new reality, it felt like a mockery. So there they were looking up at me from the bottom of my purse as if to say good job asshole.

Even the food which was amazing by the way, fell a little flat. Beef brisket and pulled pork sandwiches from the Smoke Joint. Sides of mac and cheese which I think was their best ever, baked beans, corn bread, coleslaw and BedStuy potato salad. These are winning dishes. We ate and talked, but I don't remember the food at all this day.