MY FIRST ORIGINAL RECIPE!!!! SOUTHWEST CHILLI!

I wanted to take a stab at chilli last night so did my normal "cram for the test" video surf to find out what the heck goes in a chilli!!!  As a recovering non red-meat-a-holic,  I had no idea where to start aside from that mound of ground beef in my fridge!

I watched a few videos and thought I'd try something different...my own recipe incorporating what I liked from the videos I saw and...let's not lie...what I had in my kitchen!  The result,  a SOUTHWESTERN AMAZING CHILLI that will wow all who get to partake in the goodness.   I would love for my readers to give this a try one Sunday during the NFL games (or whatever games your watching) and let me know what you think.   I  think it is combo of meat, beans and seasonings work perfectly.   You taste and then the spice kicks in...it's amazing in my opinion.  OKAY,  let's have a look!  Here is what you will need.

1 Jalapeno Pepper (Cut w/seeds removed)
1 Large Onion diced
2 Cloves of Garlic finely chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper Chopped
1.5 - 1.75 lbs of ground beef
(Get your spices out!)
1-1/2 Teaspoon of Chilli Powder
1-1/2 Teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
2 Teaspoons of Cumin
1 Teaspoon Oregano
1 Teaspoon Red Pepper Chilli Flakes
a small bunch of fresh parsley
2 Tablespoons of Tomato Paste
14 Oz. of canned tomatoes
14 Oz. of canned beans.  I did mixed but do whatever your feeling
2 cups of beef broth (or throw a beef cube equivalent in 2 cups of water)
a cup of frozen corn
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cheddar Cheese and Sour Cream to throw on top ;)!

Okay...it's a lot I know...but it's SO WORTH IT!  Follow me kids...

Heat a large dutch oven or equivalent over medium stove top heat and add a good lug of extra virgin olive oil...let it get nice and hot.
Add your onions, jalapeno pepper and garlic...let them work for a good 7 minutes.  Toss in your green peppers and let all cook for about 3 minutes (All of these times are approximate...just keep an eye on it)
I add a little salt and pepper to help the flavors get a workout.
Throw in your ground beef and break it up so all sides can start cooking.

Get those spices!  Add your chilli powder, cayenne, cumin, oregano and chilli flakes and give those a good stir.  Add your fresh parsley now also.

Go ahead...dip your nose down in there...take a whiff...yeeeeeeeah!  Smells good doesn't it ;)!?

Okay...focus.

After about 5ish minutes once the spices and ingredients have gotten through their introductions to each other...add the tomato paste and canned tomatoes.  Go ahead and add your beef broth and stir all ingredients.  I sampled at this point to see how my spice levels were.  This is usually where my "it's too bland" paranoia kicks in...so add some salt and pepper if you think it needs it.  You should get a kick of spice after you taste..if it isn't hot enough,  add another Jalapeno OR Red Pepper flakes.


Turn your heat down so all can simmer.  Let your chilli work for about 15 minutes (No, I haven't forgotten about the corn.)  Go ahead and throw the corn in and leave for an additional 15 minutes stirring and tasting occasionally to monitor your flavors.  Add your canned beans and let all simmer for a last 5 minutes.  I turn the heat off and leave it for a few more minutes so all can thicken up but that is up to you...

While my chilli was cooking,  I made some quick rice using CK Broth instead of water and adding a ladle of the broth from the chilli to give it that south western feel.

Once your chilli is done,  grab a bowl and over your rice (if you made it) ladle some of that spicy goodness (that's the chilli) into the bowl...Next,  shred your cheddar cheese (or Pepper Jack if you can get it...not available over here in the UK) and add a dollop of sour cream.  Serve hot so the cheese melts into it ....take to your friends and loved ones and find a comfy seat so you can kick your legs up and take in all of the compliments.  It is GOOD!!!  (SEE DISCLAIMER BELOW)

Try it and let me know what you think!

DISCLAIMER:  Now, I have to be honest...some of your recipients will go rogue and throw in an extra cup of FIRE!  My boyfriend's weapon of choice is canned jalapenos and chilli flakes.  This ain't my style but that is what makes cooking so much fun...you can DO YOU ALL DAY LONG :)!  Enjoy the chilli kids!

Garlic be damned! These potatoes will be AMAZING!!!!

I have mentioned in prior blogs that I'm hosting my first Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people! (YIKES)...so test runs of my recipes are in order.  Last night I tackled a ghost from my past.......mashed potatoes.

Rewind to Thanksgiving circa 2005.  These were the dark days when the Southern Stump (that's me) could not even boil water...let alone prepare a dish.  I wanted, however, to prove to my family (and myself)...that I was growing up and capable of doing grown up responsible things.  I offered to make the mashed potatoes for our Thanksgiving feast.

All started well but .....after the potatoes were mashed and I was adding the spices and other ingredients...something went horribly wrong.  You see,  I was preparing garlic mashed potatoes and where the recipe likely (in hindsight) called for one bulb of garlic...I read "1 lb" of garlic...you can see where this is going.

The smell of these potatoes could have wiped out the entire population of Transylvania.  The look of horror on my sister-in-laws parent's faces when they dug in (not to mention my immediate family who did the right thing and said 'They aren't THAT bad') was horrifying!  So you understand,  I have something to prove this year now that I'm a pretty decent cook!

I am re-tackling the GARLIC MASHED POTATOES!!!!

This year,  I am cutting back (WAY back) on the garlic...sticking to one or two cloves so you get a hint of flavor and not a bitch slap in the face and bad breath for a month!  I am also adding about a half cup (3/4 - 1 cup) of Parmesan Cheese which is not overpowering at all but adds an additional richness.

I was working on these last night in my test kitchen and when my man came in,  I warned him as I spooned yet another tablespoon of butter into my saucepan...that this is Thanksgiving Test Kitchen and it ain't light on the calories or fat content ;)!  Paula Dean would be so proud ;)!

Anyway,  here they are (along with some roasted veg and lemon grilled chicken).

Like a girl who blacked out on Friday so cuts WAY back on the alcohol for the next 3 weeks,  I think I'm still ooooober sensitive to the garlic taste and might even drop it to one clove only!   On Thanksgiving,  I will hope for the best and strategically put my head down as everyone samples.  Hopefully it will only be enough garlic to kill the demons of Thanksgivings past ;)!

"I was so excited...I had to walk away"

I got to meet a friend for lunch last week in Kensington at the cute lunch spot "Bumpkin".  I had a beautiful quiche with roasted tomatoes.  The restaurant was so adorable and I always love a kitchen that is visible to guests so you can see your food being prepared.  The green tiles were a great color along with the wide array of mirrors that were scattered throughout the restaurant.  Completely random,  but I also LOVED the wallpaper in the bathroom!  It is what I imagine it would look like if diamonds and snowflakes had babies.   There was a little hiccup with the service as our waiter waited on my friend to finish her soup before bringing out my food as she ordered salad also.   We ended up waiting 45 minutes for lunch as we didn't realize that was the hold up.  Oh well,  the food was well worth the wait and was as I like it...fresh and delicious!

After lunch,  we went to an art show and got our culture on...a great afternoon.

I also met my 1st London friend..Alyssa for coffee last week and she demanded I make my way to the flagship "Paperchase" store.   She was confident I would like it and thank god I took her direction!  This store changed my life...when I walked to the 2nd floor and saw the Christmas decor,  I was so excited...I had to walk away.  I felt my heart rate rising!!!  Hot Pink Christmas Trees!?!!?  Glitter Jesus in multiple colors!??!!?!  I couldn't contain myself!!!  It was as if a disco ball had exploded all over December up in there!  I LOVED IT!!!!  I also had an amazing experience in the gift card section where I found a) "Mrs. and Mrs" and "Mr and Mr" cards for gay couples (Love my gays and LOVE when they are recognized and allowed to share in the joy of greeting card receiving for their commitment ceremonies) and b) I found SHIRA and HEMAN cards!!!!!!  Any store that recognizes the single most important cartoon of the 80's is in my top 10 FOREVER!!!!

I have gone back twice since my first visit and I think I might be closer to convincing my boyfriend that a hotpink Christmas tree is a good idea...even if it is only the 2' size for the guest room!!!!

The Spice of Life!

I have a new addiction and I feel like the first step to curing it...is to talk about it...admit you have a problem.  What am I hooked on?  Heroin?  Acid? Crack?....no...worse.

I am addicted to the Indian food at "Spice of Life" in my neighborhood.

For 10 pounds (around $15.00),  you can get a starter, main dish, side and rice or Bread.  This is a lot of food and the cook staff at Spice of Life know how to make a mean curry dish.  They pride themselves on their always changing menu and fresh ingredients.

It has gotten to where the dining staff know my boyfriend and I when we walk in and they know to get my Gaymers Cider ready.  Our meal always starts with poppadoms (a light crispy dry bread) with a beautiful dish of sauces for dipping.  My favorite is a chili lime sauce with actual lime rinds...it sounds strange but it is AMAZING.

When I started eating meat again a few months back,  my first lamb dish came from Spice of Life and now I always order the lamb dish while there.  Tonight I had a minced lamb served with peas in a red sauce.  It was medium hot and amazing.

We ordered Peshwari Naan tonight..  Naan is an oven baked flat bread that comes in many variations.  You can get it w/minced lamb inside (my favorite) or with garlic for example.  Peshwari Naan is a sweeter version with nuts and sultana grapes dried inside.  I wasn't a fan of the sweet flavors with my firey curry so would go back to a more savory flavor on my next visit.


As far as Indian food goes,  this is the best I have ever had.  It was an amazing evening,  amazing food with my amazing guy.  What a great way to start the week.

Spice of Life is located at 260 Lee High Road in Lewisham.
If you are ever in the area,  stop in for a meal that will not break your wallet and that you will not soon forget!

United States Customer Service - 1 Blackheath - 0

I realize it has been a few minutes since I posted and I apologize.  The adjustment to London life has gotten the better of me over the last few weeks and I haven't been in the mood to do much of anything.  I am having a hard time with a few things here and the main being the interaction between strangers in everyday life.   


I was at the grocery store on Sunday looking at deli meat for some sandwiches to be served to guests we were having over that afternoon.  All of the sudden I felt an elbow to my rib...a man in his late 50's/early 60's was nudging me out of the way so he could reach some ham.  I was so shocked and the NY in me won vs. my zen side.


(laughing) "Ummmmm...I must be in your way.  Let me let you get in here."


No apology, No "excuse me", No "Screw you...I hate women" (I would have even been okay w/that to be honest).....he just carried on reaching for the deli meat.   To be fair........maybe he was deaf.


Fast forward 10 minutes...I'm walking down the sweets isle in search of something Halloween themed for our guests when all of the sudden,  I feel a pinch at my ankle.  I quickly turn around and a woman (late 50s/early 60s again) has clipped me with her shopping cart.  


NY'er attitude came back.


(Laughing harder this time) "Seriously?  Do you need to get by?"


This time I was mad.  Again, no response.  To be fair,  maybe she had never stepped foot out in public until this day and didn't know how to interact with society.

Now some would say,  that I need to lighten up and learn not to automatically attack back.  I thought about it later that maybe it is a good point in some ways...but,  maybe people also need to learn basic respect for strangers.  If you bump someone and come into their space,  say "Excuse me...sorry about that".  If you run over a foot w/your cart,  say "Oh no, I'm sorry!"  ANYTHING!  It is unacceptable to me that people disrespect each other like that.  It is one of my biggest pet peeves and something that I get REALLY challenged by over here.


:::::::Breathe in......Breathe Out::::::.....Now....something I LOVE HERE!!!!   


THE FOOD!  ....That is what this blog is primarily about so let's move on!

I walked to Blackheath today,  a dream neighborhood about a twenty minute walk from where I live.  I wandered through all of the cute gardening, kitchen and boutique(y) shops.   I knew I hadn't reviewed anything in awhile (and I was thirsty) so I wandered into "Boulangerie Jade",  a cute french bakery in the heart of the Blackheath neighborhood.  


They closed at 6:00


I walked in and noticed a girl was folding all of the chairs up inside and outside.  The woman behind the counter says to me "You can only order to takeaway".  (Eileen inner monologue "Hello,  How are you today?  No?  Okay......".) 

I was a little taken back as, like I mentioned,  they closed at 6:00....it was 5:35.   Now, I drink a lot of coffee and I know that it doesn't take me more than 30 minutes to drink it but I guess they were nervous I would set up shop and not leave.  Slightly annoyed but sill wanting something,  I ordered an Americano (Espresso and Water) and a Biscotti.


The coffee was coffee....good 


The Biscotti was quite amazing I have to say.   It consisted of Almond, pistachio, polenta, rum, lemon, flour, eggs, butter and sugar according to the cafe's website.  The interesting ingredient that stuck out and I noticed right away was the lemon.   It was not too strong but also cut the sweetness and added a citrus element.  I loved it and had never experienced that in a biscotti...and I have had quite a few of these.  I'm a dunker and these are the best for that!

Despite being challenged by the rude customer service,  I would go back to experience more of the Boulangerie Jade beautiful pastries and savouries....but I would try to get there at least an hour before they close...as you aren't welcome after that...

To see more about Boulangerie Jade,  read here:

http://www.boulangeriejade.com/

Mission Thanksgiving!

So, this year I'm hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for my parents and my new UK family.   The two groups have not yet met so this will be quite a gathering!

This is a holiday that will only be the "norm" for about 25% of us so I think I can get away with making a few rookie mistakes as I prepare my first meal for this important US holiday...and the only critical people will be my parents whom I think would compliment anything I made.  You see,  I could barely boil water 2 years ago and now I pride myself on my cooking.  I think (hope) they will be proud!

The restaurant, coffee shop etc. reviews will be back soon but for now...I'm so excited to announce my first side dish that will be prepared for my Thanksgiving festivities at my flat for my guests!  I cooked the Mario Batali "Babbo" version of Brussel Sprouts & Green Beans with pancetta and have to say....they were pretty darn good.  I thought about adding them to my Thanksgiving menu and my boyfriend said mid meal...

"You should make these for Thanksgiving"

It's official....they made the cut and are IN!!!!  Now,  I just need to figure out how to cook a turkey :-/

LET THEM EAT CAKE!

Last weekend was one of the best in London thus far.  I got to enjoy some amazing food, friends and good times at a wedding for our friends Claire and James and also got to visit the Cake Britain EDIBLE art exhibition.  This is the worlds only exhibit that is eaten at the end of its two day run.   Visitors were invited back on Sunday to enjoy the taste of what, until then, were just beautiful (and sometimes strange) sculptures made of confection.  

I think my favorite cake of the day was "Captain Fairtrade",  likely named for the charity which the exhibit supported.  All donations went to support The Fairtrade Foundation, a wonderful organization supporting farmers in developing countries obtain fair trading terms in an industry that is challenging for the weaker, smaller, farmers.

Captain Fairtrade was designed by pop artist Peter Fowler and executed by Michelle Wibowo,  cake designer and winner of many cake decorating contests.  It is about a foot tall and made from sponge cake. It also had glowing eyes which I thought was very cool...not sure you could eat those!!!  Of all of the cakes at the exhibit,  I think this design was the cleanest and most polished.  See her website here:

http://www.michellesugarart.co.uk/index.php

Honorable mention would have to go to the mini hamburger cupcakes complete with a side of fries...all edible!  I think the burgers reminded me of home so I'm biased!   They were created by the cupcake team, "Crumbs and Doilies" who deliver their treats all over South West London.  This team reminds me of "Baked by Melissa" in New York as they serve mini cupcakes as she did all over Manhattan...ahhhh memories.  They teamed up with artist Jon Burgerman (ironically his real name) to make these little fun treats for the show.  I thought they were cute.  See more of their stuff here.

http://www.crumbsanddoilies.co.uk/

I would recommend the exhibit but, as I mentioned,  the cakes were eaten on Sunday!!!!   Next year,  I'm campaigning to get the Duff Goldman and his "Ace of Cakes" team involved...now THIS is how you do cake!  I'm just sayin....

http://www.charmcitycakes.com/