Recipe Friday: Cuban Chicken

This is a prized family recipe. I thought long and hard if I wanted to share it with you and ultimately decided that it wouldn’t turn into some kind of underground phenomena (though its that good so the possibility remains) where I’m going to be at a dinner party and have it served to me with the cook taking all the credit for coming up with this amazing dish. College Boyfriend wanted the recipe but I wouldn’t give it too him- that’s how much I prize this dish. The origins of the dish are somewhat of a mystery. My mom has been making it since the early seventies and she claims that the recipe was from an Asian co-worker of hers. She’s not sure why its called “cuban” chicken but she swears this is how the recipe went. She does not know where the co-worker came upon the recipe.

Ingredients:
1 bay leaf
Onion, chopped in long slices not finely
Green pepper, sliced into strips
Raisins
Olives
Oregano
Basil
Tomato Sauce, plain, very large can (28oz?)
1 chicken cut up

Assembly:
One reason I like this dish is that there is very little preparation involved. You need a big stock pot, cutting board and a knife, that’s it! To start, put a little of the tomato sauce on the bottom of the pot and add some of the spices. Then add the chicken pieces (remove the skin from all the pieces but the legs- the sauce needs a little fat), the onions, green pepper, bay leaves, raisins (half cup?) and olives (more than you think would be good, they become amazing! and its okay to add a little olive juice) more spices and another layer of tomato sauce. Cook it on the stove top for an hour and a half and it becomes fall off the bone good. You want it bubbling but not too rapidly so the bottom layer doesn’t burn.

When you serve it, ideally you should have rice or cous cous as a base on your plate. I usually serve it family style with the pot in the middle of the table and have both a ladle and a strained spoon as serving wear so you can get the chicken pieces but also the good stuff in the sauce. It’s best if everyone can serve themselves because its hard to gauge who wants what in their good sauce. Once you have your rice/cous cous base, add the Cuban chicken but make sure you take all the peppers, olives, raisins and sauce that come out with it. The raisins will be plump, the peppers soft, the olives tangy but the taste is truly amazing. If you have leftovers, try it over pasta.

Bonus: While its slowly bubbling along on the stove, your house will smell delicious!

A Day with Seuss

Up, Up, Up. A great day for Up.
Up in the morning. Up with the sun.
Up with the roosters and chicks, to have fun.

Lets go to the park. Park, Park, Park, Park.
Down the slide, Up the slide. How many times can we do the slide?
Look at the cars, look at the dogs.
Listen to all the ooohs and ahhhs.

Quick! Hurry! Rush! Lets run to the bus.
Let’s go to the Zoo, to the zoo just we two.
At the zoo, we’ll meet your sweetie and her dad
to see animals, tractors and sand you’ll be glad.

Goats are scary, goats are weird, goats are all over here.
Look at the goat moving around.
Look at the goat, look what he’s found.
My pants! The goat is eating my pants!
Zoo lady help! The goat is eating my pants!

The barn was hot. The line was long.
The tractor was not worth the throng.
But for your cheer, I’ll wait for John Deere.

The sun is hot. The sun beats down.
Down goes the sweat. Down, down, past my frown.
The bus is late. The bus is full.
Lunch is at home, but your belly is here.
Woe is the lady who had you whining in her ear.

Asleep! To the crib you go!
Thanks for playing, hope you enjoyed the show!
See you later, be sure to sleep well, the afternoon promises to be swell.

When I Say It Out Loud, I Sound Like A Teenager

I’ve been having a series of conversations with my parents about what I’m “going to do with my life.” As my dad pointed out a few weeks ago, I still have 30-35 years left in the workforce, I might as well make them count. I had another interview last week for a job that I know I could do well but wasn’t exactly qualified for. I have a hunch I’m not making the cut for the second round (somewhat relieved because I only own one suit) and I don’t blame them but at the same time I’m a little disappointed- I coulda been a contender, I coulda been somebody.*

My parents are panicking, they think I’m wasting my life away, that I’m going to wake up one day 50 years old without any possibility of employment or fulfillment. They worry that the longer I stay home, the more I’ll be typecast as a “mom” rather than a “worker bee” in an interview. I’ll admit to you that I have thought these thoughts too, that I have panicked about them as well but I disagree with their suggestions (go back to school for an MBA, go to law school, get a job with a consulting company). The problem, I don’t have any alternative suggestions.

I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up (which I’m feeling like happened already). I need career help. Aaackk! Am angst ridden teen with no direction! At least I have better skin- no wait, I don’t even have that right now.

Sigh. Part of me feels like I should just get a job doing something. But then I think that I always wanted a career and I should focus on getting one off the ground. Part of me thinks we need money now and that I should get a job doing something just to bring in additional income. Part of me thinks that if I find a temporary job I’ll never leave it because I’m change-resistant like that. Part of me wants another baby. Part of me thinks that having one will totally thwart any attempts at a job for another year, if not more. All of me doesn’t know what to do.

I feel like I’ve posted about this so many times already, that I’m going around and around with the same thoughts, stuck in a cycle of indecision. But really I just don’t know what the best answer is. I know there isn’t one right answer but I’m getting to the point where I need some answer.

*Never actually seen Rocky- any of them!

Product Review: Silicone Bundt Pan

CBHM was wondering if the Silicone bundt pans that I mentioned on Friday are really as good as all the hype. I wondered this for years, through many broken bundt cakes and many impossible cake removals, until last week when I FINALLY gave in and bought one at Target.

I had heard from friends that silicone bakeware in general was fantastic but I did no research in which brand was best or if there were any variations in companies. I just went to Target and bought the first one I saw. I also happened to pay only $4 for it because it had no price tag and the cashier suggested that we make up a price and when I suggested $5 he nixed it saying it was too high and that $4 was more likely, so we went with that.

So last week was the first time I tried the pan and I wasn’t sure how much to grease it, if at all. I went with a little vegetable oil but used less that I would have in a traditional metal pan. It was wobbly when I put in the batter but there was never a moment that I was afraid of it tipping over and spilling. I was nervous putting in the oven because you have to hold it by both sides but you can’t bring them too close or the batter will splooch out. The cake cooked evenly, but possibly a little brown on the top (bottom when cooked.) I inverted the cake while it was still warm and it slid out of the pan with nary a crumb left inside. I didn’t need to run a knife around the edge or bang it on the counter or curse at it until I was reminded that there was a child in the house. The pan cleaned up nicely, there was one spot of discoloration that I can’t get out but I’m fine with that. Bonus: since its so smushy it stores really easy!

Overall, I was very impressed with the pan and am considering buying a silicone muffin pan and possibly a round cake pan as well. If you’re in the market for new bakeware, I would make the move to silicone bakeware.

Recipe Friday: 'Memba Me?

Recipe Friday has been on a hiatus because I haven’t cooked for company in awhile and the food I cook for just us doesn’t merit extensive discussion.

This week I’m not actually having company but I cooked so many interesting things last week that I want to talk about them. I’m going to start with a dessert this week and do some of the other dishes in the next few week. Onward to the cake!

Glazed Orange Bundt Cake

Sounds awful doesn’t it? But no! It was so great! And so easy! The batter was straightforward and called for the zest of one orange plus some orange juice so the orange flavor was intense when you ate it. The glaze (which also had orange juice) made the cake look glossy and pretty but didn’t take over the taste of the cake. The cake was more of a cake to have with a cup of coffee or tea, not so much of a moist, rich, dessert cake but it was perfect end for a summer meal.

The batter made huge cake but I used my new silicon bundt pan and the beast slipped out without issue and didn’t break at all. I had 8 adults for lunch and was left with enough cake to give some to the garage staff and the door staff.

Cake

3.5 c of all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

2 stick unsalted margarine

2 c granulated sugar

6 extra large eggs

½ c vanilla soy milk

¼ c fresh orange juice

2tsp pure vanilla extract

grated zest of 1 orange

Glaze

½ c fresh orange juice

¼ c confectioners sugar

2 tb margarine

Publish Post

Assembly

1. Preheat the oven to 350

2. Cream the margarine and the sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time beating well after each egg.

3. In a measuring cup combine the soy milk, orange juice and orange zest.

4. Add the dry ingredients alternating with the liquid.

5. Bake for 55 minutes (check it though at around 47-50). Invert right away and let it cool on a baking rack.

6. While the cake is cooling make the glaze. Boil for 5-8 minutes (mine took a little longer) until it is syrupy and coats the spoon. Really boil for a long time.

7. While the cake is hot brush it all over the with hot glaze. Cover generously. Let it stand at room temperature until the glaze sets. Store the cake for no more than 3 days under a cake bell at room temperature. Do not refrigerate it or the glaze will become sticky due to the humidity in the refrigerator.

8. Serve and enjoy.

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Thing 1

I was walking home from the grocery store (or as we refer to it “the market”) and I see a pregnant lady with a little girl about Fussbot’s age slowly walking down our block. When our paths crossed the little girl came up to Fussbot’s stroller and was very friendly. I took Fussbot out and the kids started playing and walking around together. I got to talking to the mom and she seemed pretty cool. Her parents live on our block and she’s staying with them as they are in the process of moving. She wanted to know what kid stuff was in the area and what I do with Fussbot during the days. We chatted for awhile and ended up exchanging phone numbers. I texted her tonight to see if she wants to come to the park with us tomorrow morning but I haven’t heard back, I’m curious if she’ll come. I’ve never picked up anyone on the street (though really, I felt like she picked me up) but I got a good friend vibe from her and I figured I could use a few more mom friends in my life right now.

Thing 2

When I was telling DMS of my friend pick-up I mentioned that she was pregnant. DMS stopped me and said, “when are we going to have another baby?” I was a little surprised, we’ve been talking more and more about when a new arrival might work, but he seemed so open to the idea that I just said, “whenever you’re ready.” He wanted to know if I was really prepared for two kids at home, handling both by myself, all the work that it involves. I thought for a minute and said that yes, I really was. I’ve been thinking about it on my own for awhile, and the fear and panic I felt a few months ago has somewhat abated. This is not to say that I’m totally ignoring the fact that the beginning months are going to be hellish and that Fussbot would be around 2 which I’ve heard is a lovely time in a toddler’s life. But then I think about having a new baby and Fussbot having a playmate and it feels right. I think about what I’m doing this summer with Fussbot and how I could be doing it next summer with two and it seems not only do-able but enjoyable. I haven’t gotten to that point where I’m consumed with having a child like I was right before I got pregnant last time but it would be fair to say that I think about it frequently and my heart does a little flutter each time.

One of the concerns I have about having another baby is my career, or rather the current lack there of. I feel like the time I’ve taken off now hasn’t really hurt me so far, but I wonder if I take another year or so off how that would look, how much harder it would be when I’m applying for jobs in the future. I don’t want to stay at home forever but I fear that if I don’t get a job before I have another kid, it will be exponentially harder to revive what bits of a career I’ve managed to string together so far. I also worry about the financial costs that come with another child. While a boy would obviously save us on clothes, there is still the cost of all the medical care, diapers, food and baby crap that comes with another kid. I worry that the tight budget would get even tighter and can we really do that. But then I think what if I apply to school now (I’m currently debating a Ph.D. program) and then start again in the fall and how the combination of kids and school feels like the right answer to a lot of questions.

I also feel some pressure by the weather. I know that sounds totally ridiculous but hear me out: Having a baby between October and March means that you are stuck in the house all winter because it too damn cold to take a baby out and its not advised to go for walks with them and such. Yes, it really is that cold here. I think about how much I needed to be outside and walking with Fussbot and how hard the winter was being stuck in doors with him. I know that for my health, I can not do that with a newborn and a 2 year old. I will not be in a good place if that’s my everyday reality. So I would really like a spring baby and if not this spring then I would seriously consider waiting until next spring. But that’s soooo long, can I really wait until then?

And then there’s the possibility that it takes along time to get pregnant again. I think that since we have a child already, the fear of not being able to have children is lessened (but not gone) and that I am better prepared to handle the ups and down that come with us trying to get pregnant. But the uncertainty of the makes all plans seem useless because who really knows what’ll happen.

So that was my day. I made a friend (maybe) and I thought about babies. A lot.

Fancy Meeting You Here

The problem with a secret blog is that when you have houseguests it’s really hard to blog. My Mom was here the last week and my Aunt stopped in for the weekend and between the sightseeing, hanging out, playing and cooking there wasn’t any time to sit down and blog without a nose over your shoulder asking “what are you doing now?”

It was very lovely having them over but we have a lot of ground to cover today.

1. I’m still not sure what to do about Fussbot and his speech evaluation. I lean towards no and have been talking to all the friends of fellow 15-monthers to see where their kids are with speech. It definitely doesn’t seem like Fussbot is so behind the pack, but rather on par with many other peers. Perhaps those peers are all at the bottom of the bell curve, but still, he’s in the curve. Also, today during music the teacher was doing some animal sounds (“and the snake said ssssss, and the lion went roar” and Fussbot for the first time imitated them. I asked him at home what sound the snake made and he answered “sssss” and when I asked about the lion he made a roar-ish sound. My heart burst I was so proud. It gave me hope.

2. I had a lying in bed before sleep freakout about Fussbot the other night. I was so worried that in my reluctance to do anything I was failing him. What if he really needs help and I’m just sticking my head in the sand? Why does wanting to doing the best/right thing for your child seem so complicated? Why do I stress about this most at 11pm?

3. Fussbot has never been comfortable with my mom. For awhile he cried if she held him or if he was alone in the room with her. I attributed it to the fact that my mom, who is so taken with Fussbot, often just wants to hug and kiss him until he squirms and runs away. I would always tell her to stop fussing with him, to just play with him but she didn’t listen. This visit, she stayed a week and by the end we were able to go out with friends for dinner and have her put Fussbot to sleep with no crying. I think she felt like he got to know and like her. She was really heartened by the fact that her grandson curled up with her often.

4. I’m reading this book and I realized that I don’t really care about the characters or have a strong desire to find out what happens at the end of the book. Yet, I feel compelled to read to the end just so I can have a sense of completion.

5. While my mom was here I made so many interesting dishes including: Mediteranian Wheatberry Salad, Salmon Cakes and a Glazed Orange Bundt cake. All of it turned out delicious and I would totally make them all again. I also invested in a silicon bundt pan and it works like magic. I was totally amazed.

6. DMS is done with nights! He’s home! Now! We are going to have dinner together. We are going to go to sleep together! We will wake up together! Yay!

7. We wanted to go away for July 4^th weekend with another couple but all the places we called are booked. I think we’ll do a day trip on Sunday but I’m a little bummed that we aren’t spending the weekend at the beach or by a pool or just somewhere that isn’t our apartment.

8. My first cousin’s baby is turning one in August. I’m sending her a birthday package but they live in Australia so shipping is expensive. I’m sending a CD from our music teacher but I want to send a little something else as well. Any ideas for something that is light or small that a 1 year old girl might like?