Two Tickets to Paradise

I had a sick puppy in the form of a 60 year old dude on my hands, and since just the suggestion of a virus gets me feeling queasy, I opted out of all my usual meal prep and did the unthinkable, ordered take out for both lunch and dinner.  You know, because it feels like the world just might end sooner than expected and hey, wouldn't it be horrible if I never had a local Smash Burger before we bit it?

The first indulgence was Smash Burger delivery with fries and tater tots.  Slightly less than our corner burgers but more fun choices and toppings.  This is only a couple of blocks away so we can walk to get them in the future, if there is one, when we're feeling better.

Deniz Chicken Kebab platters with tabbouleh and another with chicken soup.  This is enough to save for a small lunch the next day.  Even though the waiters are surly old fucks in this place, the food can be highly special and tasty.  But don't go ordering American food (and why would you?) because I learned the hard way, it is not their expertise. 

While You're Still Alive, Kick it Out

A silly snack plate of the tiniest stuffed peppers and turkey pepperoni chips.  Turkey pepperoni baked in the oven for about 10-15 minutes turns into the crispiest tastiest chips!  Delicious!

To stuff these tiny peppers, I cubed up mozzarella sticks and used leftover meat and onions. A great use of leftover bits.  These small bites are smokey but not hot. 

A kicked-up Chicken & Cabbage soup

Starting with making real chicken & vegetable stock, I fortified this broth with celery, onions, carrots and lots and cabbage, small potatoes.  To the boiling broth a cup of freshly made hot sauce adds a giant kick and pop, along with fresh herbs.  Even if you don't like heat, you could make this salsa to act as a sofrito.  Soup can be exciting, it just needs a little help. 

Kicked Up Chicken and Cabbage Soup

1 pk of bone-in chicken thighs

Onion

Bay leaves

Celery

Carrots

Cabbage

Yukon Potatoes

Garlic

Cilantro

Better than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Flavor

A batch of fresh Homemade Hot Sauce* or your favorite brand of salsa

Salt & Pepper

Olive Oil

any other vegetable or herb

garnish:  limes, green onions

Put the chicken thighs with about 6 cups of water in a Dutch oven. Add salt and pepper corns, bay leaves,  1/2 an onion, celery base, Cilantro stems, carrots, 1/2 garlic bulb cut in half, and bring to a boil.  Once boiling turn to medium and low boil for 40 minutes, skimming the foam when necessary.  

Take out the chicken pieces when shreddable, and pass the broth through a strainer and discard your vegetables.  If you have a ton of fat, discard but leave some.

Shred your chicken and discard all fat and bones.

Put the broth back on the stove and add in all your chopped vegetables, the bouillon, and shredded chicken.  Let simmer until all the vegetables are tender, about 20-30 minutes.  Add in the hot sauce and herbs, stir, allow to marry for about 5 minutes and serve.  Garnish with green onions and more hot sauce, a nice squeeze of lime to brighten. 

*Homemade Hot Sauce (quickie style)

-1 large can of whole tomatoes

-2-4 whole jalapenos

-1/2 an onion

-3-5 garlic cloves

-1 tsp of chicken bouillon

-1 handful of cilantro and stems

-squeeze of lime

-salt & pepper to taste

Throw it all in a blender to your desired consistency.  Taste for salt and adjust as needed. 

If You Wanna Be Happy for the Rest of Your Life

Potsticker Dinner

Sometimes you eat a breakfast that is so filling, you need only a snack for dinner.  These frozen potstickers were a great idea and better than expected, especially with a homemade quickie sauce.

Quickie Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Rice Vinegar
• pinch of sugar
• sesame oil
• pepper flakes
• Chili garlic sauce
• scallions for garnish

In these days of fear, dread and danger, it's nice to make tiny celebrations of life with food.  Like Cher in Mermaids, I've found appetizers to be excellent instant parties, and prefer hearty snacks to a full meal any day of the week. Something about the seriousness of a sit down meal has always made me squeamish.  Whether it be chips and guac, nachos, or something like above, a frozen or boxed item paired with something homemade - lighter fare is where it's at.  Serve up some iced lemon seltzers or tea to go along and live your best life!  

Biggie Girl Breakfast with loaded omelet, potatoes and bacon

I make good use of my pizza stone by baking up my small cut potatoes to get a good crisp in less time.