Now I Need a Place to Hide Away

Sister's Homemade Pizza Pie

Back a week or so ago, when life was simple and no one had cooties, our main dilemma in my apartment was if we should eat the fatty pizza at Not Ray's instead of our amazing slices at Lean Crust Pizza next door.  Ah, the good old days.  And in another case of Twinsies, my sister made a homemade pizza and crust way over in Colorado because simultaneously neither of us could last one more minute without chomping into a big slice of this Italian treat.  Looked so great!

Not Ray's Stuffed Meat Slice

I've been craving these stuffed meat slices from Not Ray's down the street.  But because all fast food is feeling like it could kill us the whole hour after eating it, we agreed on only one slice each.  I'm pretty sure that's all you could eat to be honest without going into cardiac arrest but my eyes and stomach always strongly disagree. 

You've Got to Pick Up Every Stitch

Little did I know when I made this slow cooker pot of black beans just a couple of short weeks ago, that beans would possibly be the daily dish going into the next months.  With Americans asked to shelter in place for an unknown stretch, what better dried good to have on hand but beans (and rice) of every variety.  I would add pasta but there is no nutritional value, although I'm sure I'll be eating some for emotional reasons.  Every food has purpose, amen.  But any legume, a great healthy option for long term.

I was slow to warm to the slow-cooker this winter but I must say how fun it is to just throw all your fresh ingredients in that beautiful black shiny basin just to open up hours later and find such genuine magic?  Beans, water, bay leaves, garlic, herbs, jalapeno and a smoked turkey neck.  Once softened, I added cumin, salt and nature added the rest.  The whole process feels very witchy, I love it!

Beans are so hearty and satisfying.  They truly stick to your ribs so it's hours before you even consider eating again which is another hidden bonus for the oncoming duration.

Stay tuned for potentially dozens of bean ideas.  If you're worried about the bloating and gas, try some caraway seeds.  They're not only full of nutrients but they aide in digestion.

This could easily have been black bean soup with the sausage cut up and distributed, a little more broth.  But this day I chose to serve as a bowl of beans with a sausage side.  If you have flour tortillas, please eat this like Indian food, sopping up the broth with your tort spoon somehow enhances the experience.

If Chicken Little Tells You That the Sky is Falling

Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder

A slow roasted pork shoulder is never a bad thing and the aromatic vibe in the apartment is very soothing.  If you get one on sale, they practically give it away but full price you're in for some bucks. 

Vinegar, red pepper flakes, spiked all over with garlic slivers, lots of salt.  I put it in a pre-heated 425 oven for 1/2 an hour before reducing it down to 325 and letting it go forever or until you just can't take it any longer.

We had a rare morning off together so we walked through a couple of neighborhoods to Clinton Hill for a nice Mexican Breakfast at Castro's.  There are hills around Brooklyn but I don't see this one, although they say it exists at 95' at it's highest point. However Boerum Hill is flat and not sure why it was named as such.  Cobble Hill I ride up everyday to work.  Of course there is a giant one in Park Slope.  That 9th Avenue bike ride you have to take standing up almost completely in order to scale it and you don't peddle once coming down for about 5 longs blocks. Manhattan was named by Native American's meaning island of many hills.  It's hard to see those unless you take a boat around the island. Then you'll notice all the high cliffs and bluffs along the sides, pretty remarkable. 

Chilaquiles with Chile Verde Sauce 

As was this breakfast and time spent with the old ball and chain.  There is so much going on in the world today that it's great to just sit and listen to how someone else see's it all.  To either connect on similar thinking or argue your point if you see it so differently.  When you can ease someone's weary mind there is a simultaneous comfort to yourself as well.  It's important right now that we all believe we can get through anything with grace.  When you are blessed with a good friend in a partner, you can set these conditions and believe that you'll be strong enough to weather anything.  On this day just two weeks ago we certainly knew of COVID-19 but it was not a constant topic of discussion as it is today.  Everything has changed in the city but not the least of what is to come I'm sure.  Suddenly, we are at a new time with unclear outcome.  So it's great to know in this sunny morning, we were not just having an easy breakfast but preparing and arming for possible struggles ahead.

Castro's Restaurant in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

Huevos Estillo Pueblo