1st Quarter Ice Cream Report Card

The people closest to me know there is nothing that gets between me and my ice cream. This simple dessert is a staple in my diet. I'm not a one flavor girl- I am always tempting new delights in the frozen custard isle, shop and in my own kitchen. Recently I took home two new tries of Haggen Dazs (I also brought home one-tried and true-java chip)- I of course unveiled each one promptly and took a spoon to them. I am here to say- Rum Raisin is awesome. So sad- I have been missing out on it for so many years. It always seemed like such a matured and old person kind of ice cream- what with the hint of liquor and dried fruit- but I gotta tell you throw that notion away if you ever have shared it with me. The truth is this flavor is sophisticated- but not stuffy. The other flavor I perused is Amaretto Almond Crunch- not as good as my other new find- but good. It had too much crunchy sugary crystals in it for this CG.

To sum up: Haggen Dazs Rum Rasin: A+

Haggen Dazs Amaretto Almond Crunch-B

ummm....excuse me miss

Gone are the days of willy nilly travel.

A couple of nut-jobs saw to that, trumping spontaneity-all because they could not let peace and innocence alone. The new security precautions in our airports 'round the world produce not only some of the most interesting people watching but from time to time also advance surprising comic relief. Did you know that you can not board a plane with a tortilla press? I didn't. In an effort to reduce the weight of my checked bag on my return home from our friend to the South- I unloaded my precious industrial tool into my carry-on bag not thinking much of it. While attempting to get through the security clearance it was seized from my belongings- and separated from the destiny it was to have with me. In one clean swoop our dream of sharing the tenderness of creating the earthen-hearty and warm masa discs-was shattered. Apparently, a tortilla press has some kind of weapon capability that I was completely unaware of. I was such a naive suspect- attempting to carry that contraband into my mother land. Well without too much resistance I parted ways with my metal ally.

Once inside the border of my home country, I went through standard border control inspection and declarations. Upon admitting that I had a stow-away sandwich in my purse I was immediately whisked to Aisle 1 in the Dallas, Texas airport. The criminal substance I was was concealing between two slices of bread was the meat so many people love to hate-ham- or jamon (the proper name from the country of origin). It is the protein that several religions have deemed un-pure. Now our country- the gorgeous U.S.A. has formed an alliance against "the other white meat" - being of the foreign persuasion. We are now a prejudiced pork loving country. Again- who knew? This all comes about, because as I was informed the U.S. has been spared from three particular diseases that the rest of the world is subject to. Foreign pork seems to be the carrier of at least one of these diseases, and so the U.S. Pork Association maintains its standards in U.S. bred pork by not allowing migrant pork into the country- at least via a life raft of carbs.

make it two- and take heed

Moments ago I discovered yet another doll in the Rosca.....this means two things- One I am to host another party (now it is mandated that I issue two- with my finding of the two little alien plastic white figures I have discovered buried within the layers of feathery bread) and Two- I am consuming a humorously lot of pan dulce (sweet bread)!!

With the envelope of another year just being opened- and it already evident how people are eager to jump inside it- and shed all of their perceived transgressions against their body- it provokes me to share a burning sentiment I hold very close to my heart. I have a philosophy in regard to food and one you can stitch into your shirt and apply to all facets of life. Do not deny yourself things you enjoy....it is a sure fire way to fall flat on your face. Deprivation to oneself is down right absurd. Of course you have to always reckon if your indulgence is physically or morally abrasive to you and your character. This in check- you are only doing damage to yourself. A healthy sense of self-pampering is the best way to assure self-confidence and in turn be able to give of yourself better. Once you allow yourself the freedom to enjoy- you are sure to find you will need less of whatever you are desiring. Guilt produces the most disgusting of recourse. Be free.

Understand that my strong feelings on this subject have not come with an innate understanding of the matter. I constantly battle my own demons on this front- and are ones I will constantly have to fight to be the champion of. It is the sum of my own experiences that I can defend my thoughts with this quantity of passion and righteousness.

Food is the window in which so many observations can be made- that billow away from the true subject- the nourishment that one puts into their mouth and consequently ones body- and manifests itself dawning light on the kind of people we truly are, our habits, our temperament and our view of the world and the people in it.

i guess its party time!

We broke into our Rosca de Reyes early. This is a traditional egg bread that is formed in a huge ring- it is covered in a dusting of sugar and dried fruit and is served for New Years Eve and New Years- and it can be found all throughout the Christmas Season. It is reminiscent of challah and cardamon bread- a yeast bread with hints of sweetness. As I was devouring my chunk of this lovely treat my fingers treaded across a little plastic figure. The plastic figure is hidden inside the bread and is representative of the baby Jesus, and the one that gets the doll in their piece of the bread is the baby Jesus' god-parent and is supposed to throw a party for His christening. My piece was the one in which the little doll was hidden......so I guess I'll just have to throw a party!! ......As if I needed an excuse!

a very important day

Some days you measure worth by mere accomplishment and others you measure by the quality of your consumption. Today was one of those days where both factors merged into one. Today was Chile Relleno day! I had been waiting all week for this culinary pleasantry! Today was blocked out on the social calendar for this single item. Cati- my aunt's right hand lady, scored a home run on these babies- we had the traditional- queso (cheese) filled, and a picadillo (ground meat with Cati's own sophistication of pine nuts, raisins)..all of course served with hot corn tortillas- oh my...I was over the moon. Even though Cati and I have a language barrier between us, I do believe we have an understanding of hearts. I think she quietly enjoys the gusto in which I adore eating...I do believe she finds a certain level of satisfaction when I not only clean up my plate but ask for seconds- a trait I inherited from my Pops!

After this divine entree, much to my delight, I was taken down memory lane- Cati surprised us with fried plantains and her cream sauce....I have yet to have them ever as good since my last visit- which as mentioned prior was a long time ago!

Yep- I am one happy chica!

(reveling in the loveliness of plantains and cream sauce-

and being a little bit of a smart aleck in my dad's direction as he has been craving them just as long as I)

....15 years of salivating

My Tia immediately upon my arrival in Mexico City presented me with a host of activities and events she coordinated for the two of us to participate in a fashion that is uniquely hers. With this full range of activities given, she also provided a window of opportunity for me to address any special requests that I wanted to engage in while visiting the City. I almost immediately mentioned my need, my desire and the quest that would fulfill a 15 year yearning. Some would reserve this type of longing for deep, heavy things- but no no- not this chica..folks I pine for Argentine beef! When my Pops and I had visited our Tia long ago in this ancient, sprawling, and crazy city we were first introduced to Cambalache- an Argentine restaurant in downtown Mexico City. The memory of how good that meat tasted has never left me. The allure here is that you are served this sizzling plate with a slab of steak prepared to your liking (which if I can interject any CG advice here- medium rare to rare- always on beef!!) to your table and is served with the customary condiment- chimichurri. Adding to the flavor is the way in which the meal is consumed, each person throws their fork and knife on the platter and carves off a bit of the meat for themselves as they go ensuing an immediate intimacy as only can happen when truly dining in a communal type fashion. So tonight was our night to revisit where I fell head over heels for this wondrously simple and impressive meal. My Tia and I dined in greatness at Cambalache, at her favorite table, great drinks, fabulous service. Let me pause- we are talking servers waiting in every alcove watching your every sip and bite, so they can sweep up and fill your glass when it gets a little low and your plate needs changing-five stars- bravo. The meal was great. I must say though that the most fabulous thing I walked away with in addition to a nice light feeling by lilting a couple of drinks back and the blessing of a divine meal- was the company. These moments had are ones to be cherished-ones I know I am lucky and privileged to partake.

My first Posada

On Sabato (Saturday) I attended my first Posada- which is a traditional Mexican Christmas celebration in which the Nativity is re-enacted. However this particular party I attended was a Posada in name only. It ended up being more of a "who's-who" party. The host of this party is Kikon- an Asian man that was born in Peru and then moved to Mexico City- I suppose to seek better exposure for his talents. He is a singer and an actor. Kikon is very warm and funny and all guests are put at ease with his charm and hospitality. My Tia Nan whom is my host, interpreter,chauffeur and social coordinator- is in the entertainment biz in Mexico City- so much of her friends and acquaintances are someway or another in show business themselves.

Immediately upon arrival there were video crews swirling around with their cameras and mics in tow- and interviews poolside were already being conducted with a famous actress -Maria and a very famous singer-Dulce. There were at least two different TV stations represented and at least one magazine and one newspaper all at the posada to conduct interviews and to record the events of the evening.

Essentially the party ended up being a gathering of partaking of spirits, food and laughter. I made friends with the English Speaking types- since my Spanish is bordering on this side of horrible! Funny thing- I took Spanish in High School and I took a bit of Italian a few years ago- but when I was in Italy trying to communicate in Italian- the words that would come to me were Spanish, now being in a Spanish speaking country meagerly attempting to communicate- the words that keep flooding my mind are Italian! Go figure!

All the ladies were bestowed a gift from Kikon- the ladies that he knew more intimately received a lacy little pair of undies in accord with the Mexican tradition- in either red-symbolizing love or yellow-symbolizing wealth. For those that were either maybe above the age threshold of bestowing racy little things or that Kikon did not know quite as well were given some super cool earings. One of the actors that was at the party- Enrique- was indignant of Kikon's sexist partiality in gift giving to the ladies- and he insisted of its injustice- he was then given a gift of his own-in proper order, that being boxers.

Needless to say this group certainly knows how to have fun and I made friends easily- and was very glad to partake of Kikon's annual Posada.