This is the Day of the Expanding Man

Freddy, who ran our favorite Mexican Food Truck, aptly named Freddy's Food Truck, retired to focus on his art, but will from time to time pitch a sidewalk tent nearby to sell homemade salsas and these tamales.  

Pictured with my homemade tacos, was half of a sweet peppery pork tamal.  His wife seasons the meat and tops with a roasted red, slightly sweetened pepper sauce. These were wrapped in banana leaves.  I admit, I am a bigger fan of corn husks because it's all about the corny masa for me.  But they also must have the right ratio of filler to masa in order to be extraordinary.  There's nothing worse than a thick dry lackluster tamal.  These were really good. I'll compare them to a surprisingly tasty ham and pineapple pizza when you really wanted pepperoni and mushroom. 

Stewed Chicken Tacos

No matter the filling, I'm a huge fan of the Test Kitchen way of taco'ing.  You need a ripping hot oven. Paint oil on your corn tortillas on both sides, cheese the bottom with your choice of melty cheese for 10 minutes (450) on a baking tray, then top them quickly before folding.  They are crispy, crunchy and the best part is you can make them all at once and serve right away.  I'm just realizing you could bean and cheese your Tostadas using this method and leave for another minute or so before topping.   What a time saver!  

How Can a Loser, Ever Win

Taco's again but featured on my new taco plates.  I sat down a few weeks ago and drew out what I thought would be the coolest invention, a colorful plate that would house tacos but give enough room for sides and salsa.  As usual with most good ideas, a quick Amazon search took me to these gorgeous plates.  And of course, they are stackable and have probably existed for millennia.  All my best ideas have been taken already.

Nothing could I improve upon. Dishwasher & microwave safe, hard plastic, no drip sides whatever, whatever...

Sometimes Amazon gadgets really can change your life.  This below was actually from Temu, for $1.79.  A ground meat masher.  It's been a game changer.  One of my least favorite tasks is to break up ground meat.  This is worth every cent. I had the idea to gift these to everyone I know.  Even vegetarians could use it to squash whole tomatoes in the pan, which is another dreaded task of mine. 

ground beef separator

cord organizers

As are these cord organizers.  Do you struggle with pushing these cords into cupboards and find yourself wrestling to get them tucked away?  I put them on my toaster, Cuisinart, blender, coffee grinder, slow cooker and mixer.  You can get all three of these for less than 25 dollars. Check out the links if you want to change your life. 

Tacos presented festively

Together We Burn, Together We Burn Away

Tostada's versus Tacos

With the mainstreaming of Taco Tuesday and just about everyone loving tacos, I am coming out today as a Tostada advocate.  They are similar, in ways. The main deviation lies in the tostada's flat bed, the crunchy base, in which to mound a sufficient layer of meat and creamy beans to act as the glue for all the other stuff.  It changes the bite entirely from a taco, which is generally folded, soft corn tortillas with meat, onion and maybe some pico de gallo and lime.  A handy delicacy that I would never refuse but different, nonetheless.  More of a treat, the taco, while tostadas for me, are an event.  Hefting the loaded disc up to your mouth, trying to balance the serious, savory items on the bottom and then all the colorful, fresh, cool sassy bits on top.  The mullet of Mexican food, one might say. Whether it be cabbage or lettuce, tomatoes, onions, there is always room for cheese, sour cream or guacamole and then cilantro, green onion, jalapeno slices. In fact, it's almost impossible to stop stacking! THAT full pyramid of delight is what really makes Tostadas my choice.

In this world, there are taco people and tostada people.  As I concentrate on our universal connectivity, I can't help but notice there are also key differences, you really can't ignore.   In a similar comparison, the other day P likened he and I to Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy from Uncle Tupelo, rivaling Midwestern mates who went on to create separate careers and bands.   I would say, a great example of a taco and a tostada.  He claims I'm Tweedy, the goofy one who people originally discounted as not as talented but who has an odd spunk that made him more attractive to the masses and who went on to have the bigger success.  He being Farrar, the moody, introspective genius that didn't quite get the kudos he deserved, but as he says, clearly the more talented of the two.  I don't know about all of that.    

All I know is, in my recent past I would swim in the broody, sun-downing sounds of Son Volt.  Jay's voice for me, brings up the sweet, summer's end smell of my Midwestern youth, regret and lost hope.   A field of lightning bugs at dusk, loud chirping of crickets and that stale beer stench in my car from the night before.  That was comforting to me, to wallow in bleak memories.  Lately, I am not as much a fan of embracing the past gloom.  Romantic as it can be, it's not a healthy place to dwell for too long.

Tweedy is much more optimistic and celebratory.  Music you can clean your house by, energetic and uplifting.  When he sings on problems, you know he'll continue on and there is no fear of him giving up.  Even though he's struggled with addictions, his problems seem more simple, common and relatable as he relays them in interviews. 

In my summation, I guess we are a mixture of both at any given time.  But I always thought I would be Jay.  I guess I'm just a Tostado person in love with a Taco. 

I Got a Fever of a Hundred and Three

Made the official return to work at the big yellow retail box, minus the customers.  It was great to talk to humans I know and see them in the flesh.  It was also strange to be in an environment post-COVID, but mid-protests.  At the beginning of the day there was confusion as to who long we would stay because of rioting.  So many coworkers did get the virus while away and even though we had to sign a paper stating we would not discuss, the first story out of the main manager's mouth on the microphone at the rally was how he was rushed to the hospital with a high fever and went through a harrowing experience days after we closed.  I instantly thought of the moment that same week he made me shake the hand of a visitor from Spain that he had just flown back to New York with, this being before we even knew of the European influence, before masks but way after I had become preoccupied with germs.  I said to my coworker, not jokingly well let's start counting the days because they both just flew on a damn plan and that man was from out of the country.  This guy is super healthy, about my age, runs marathons and is impossibly tall as my husband says but I could see it in his eyes, he'd been through it and came out the other side, just like us.   So that erased any morsel of blame I may have wanted to put on him.  Plus, in reality that place was a cesspool with thousands of customers from everywhere, just like anywhere in Brooklyn so I could have caught it from just about anyone.  I learned of another main manager that has been battling cancer but somehow caught a mild case and recovered, thank goodness.  She's about half my size and I had worried she would never make it.  Lots of the 'youts' joked about their very mild bouts, just a little cough for a few days, loss of smell, a positive test and that was it.  But many folks lost family members and in general, being together was like being at a wake.  Seeing people you love sharing in some kind of weird grief yet there is some joy, certainly a comforting togetherness.  

Sweet Potato taco- A hearty and healthy mix of refried black beans & roasted sweet potatoes topped with queso fresco and slightly spicy dried chile salsa

Pollo Yucateco, Barbacoa, El Pastor tacos

Later, P had Tacombi tacos waiting after a full day of retail therapy.  

Swedish Meatballs, gravy, potatoes and green beans for lunch of course.

Only My Love Does It Good To Me

Coincidental Taco Tuesday 

Carnitas Taco

Pollo Yucateco - Chicken and Bean taco from the Yucatan

This was my plate, fortified with my own beans and rice

Al Pastor Taco on the far left - the one I wanted to try the most but didn't get to taste because I waited too long and 'someone' ate it.

Corn Esquites - Corn in a Cup!

Guacamole con Totopos - the best chips!!

I kept walking by this taco place that is just down the street, looking in longingly, after breaking up with my other taco joint.  Actually, they left me, the ole' Corona shut down.  So I'm feeling vulnerable, wounded, and slightly hangry.  I'm looking for a new love and I've seen Tacombi around, I mean it's a local chain, but a nice looking one.  Finally, today walking by earlier I saw the sign and considered it a sign - Easy taco enjoyment! Order online.  I just had to pull the trigger and invite these tacos to my mouth for dinner.  It was as easy as internet dating. I placed my order online and walked the two blocks to go pick up the sack and didn't even have to go inside.  I could totally get used to this type of introvert food pick up. They have a table that faces out, like all the local places that opened and the only human interaction is stating your name loud enough through your mask that they guy inside can hear you.  Every time I've walked by this place it's been packed to the gills, mainly because it's across from BAM but I often get timid to try new places that have any kind of complicated ordering process or I think will feel like walking into a party where everyone knows each other, except me.  Boo hoo! No, my nonsense actually goes beyond that.  I've been freaky uncomfortable where I have to feel good about the whole building, doorway, entrance, signage, tables and layout in order to try a new place.  Their tables looked so close together, so that and the large crowds have kept me away.  I do love their interior style and colors, very festive.  They started in the Yucatan as a VW van but grew exponentially here I see.  

I will definitely go on a second date as Tacombi showed promise and the price is right.  The corn tortilla was fresh, loved the texture.  Great guacamole and the chips were best ever.  The tacos overall were dressed beautifully and each had unique flavors.    

Time May Change Me, But I Can't Trace Time

June was a fuzzy blur.  Lots of take out food.  I found myself constantly in the need of emotional rescue.  P was advising me daily.  Giving me pep talks, prepping me for the next round.  I was bloodied with one eye swollen shut, had taken a few punches to the gut.  Not in good shape whatsoever. Nothing other than life was happening to me but that alone was enough to take me down to my knees.  I was weak and feeble minded.

I'm in what they call the 'change of life'.  And they ain't kiddin'.  What a whacked out trip it's been so far.  I'm sad, I'm happy.  I want to kill you.  I find you fascinating. I see, smell and feel stuff like I never have before.  Another moment I'm numb to the world.  Everything is new and scary or it's Groundhog Day over and over.  A continuous PMS cycle complete with cramps, high anxiety and a vat of worry.

I knew shit was getting weird when I started hanging with the feral cats.  I found where they stayed and would only sometimes bring food but mostly just go stare at them, take pictures.  I'd gaze at the water off the old piers and go into those deep Sybil trances while riding my bike popping awake only to be shocked at how long I was gone.

Yeah, my sister says when this is over I'll get a clarity and strong sense of self not yet felt before.  I'm all for that.  I even forgot who I was at this point. Be cool to be someone who doesn't cry every two hours. Been hovering in some purgatory of nothingness for too long.  At least they deliver here otherwise I'd be screwed.

Habana To Go

Beef and Chicken Tacos before the show