It takes a long time to become young.
Pablo Picasso
Hello Peeps!
I don’t suppose that expression is in vogue any longer, or that last one for that matter, but I am terribly inept at keeping up with such things, and I suppose, rather tragically unhip. It’s okay. I am also feeling summer slip through my fingers, along with keeping up with the blog. We’ve had so many activities in our normally quiet life that I am having a hard time balancing anything. Today, however, I am making a little extra effort, one that you can capitalize on, too. Believe me when I tell you that this recipe can change lives and elevate dinner parties to great heights. I can’t tell you how many people swoon over this. The best part? Two ingredients! Three if you need salt. No kidding!
Greg and I first had this mighty fine sauce at Juanita’s Uptown (sadly it disappeared years ago) in Denver with our super fun and rather cosmopolitan friends the Dews. They lived in an apartment straight out of Dynasty, complete with an elevator. The fun part (aside from their ebullient personalities and crazy personal histories) was the consternation on the part of the elevator operator when Susie hollered, “Beam them up Scotty!”
Anyway, the sauce came as an accompaniment to steamed mussels, which I love. But it tasted so totally yummy that had I not been on good behavior (despite one of Bill’s stellar and killer margaritas in my belly) in the company of friends and strangers, I could have forgone the mussels and warm tortillas, eaten the sauce with a spoon, and licked the bowl. I kid you not.
I tried for ages to replicate the magic concoction with dried chipotles, cheese, flour, and just about everything else I could think of. Then I was lucky enough to have one of the waitresses in a Geography class (hello college days) and she divulged the not so secret ingredients. Chipotles in adobo sauce and whipping cream. Seriously? After all my hard work? That was it? Yup.
Whipping Cream
Chipotle Chiles in Adobo Sauce (available in the Latin section of the market)
In a small saucepan, add some cream. You decide how much – I use anywhere from 1/2 cup to 1 1/2 cups, depending on how many people will be eating it. Add a little bit of the chipotles (I blend the entire contents of a can, as it is usually whole chiles, in a food processor until fairly smooth and store in a jar in the refrigerator), stir, and taste. Add more if the flavor seems too creamy or you want more spice. It’s really up to you. Heat the sauce over medium until bubbly. Allow it to reduce until thick. Pour it over whatever strikes your fancy – chicken, pork, beef, mussels, enchiladas, a firm white fish, or a bowl full of beans. You could also stand next to the stove, grab a stack of tortillas, dip them in the pan, and go to town. It’s all good.
Enjoy!
I’ve got two terrific titles for you today, and a little alliteration, which is always fun. Both are Norwegian and awfully good.
Buddy follows Kristoffer, a young and carefree billboard hanger who chronicles his everyday life via film. Nothing is kept from the camera – laughter, the heartache of a recent breakup, and crazy behavior receive equal time. When he and his friend/roommate Geir decide to jump from a third story window into a dumpster at a local news station, the pair are nearly caught, and Kristoffer loses some video tape in the process. The station actually likes what they see, forgive his and Geir’s trespassing, and offer them a weekly spot on a popular show. They and their third roommate Stig (who hasn’t left their apartment complex for two years) become local celebrities. The future looks bright for rising star Kristoffer, but problems ensue when his increasing popularity causes his friends and his relationships with them to suffer. It’s a great story about true friendship – what it really means to be a Buddy.
Hawaii, Oslo follows the paths of several strangers on the hottest day of the year. Frode and Milla are overcome with grief that their newborn baby might die. Two young boys search for their mother after the loss of their dad. Institutionalized Leon has a date made ten years earlier to meet his childhood sweetheart Asa. Leon’s brother, Trygve has a weekend leave from prison to visit him on his birthday. At the center, touching all of their lives, is Vidar, a nurse who can see the future in his sleep, or can he? It’s a great story about the power of dreams and finding what is most meaningful in life.
In summer, the song sings itself.
William Carlos Williams
Pride is a funny feeling. At times, it can be an almost overwhelming presence casting an enormous shadow and causing a lump in the throat. Other times, it is more subtle, that rosy glow on a smiling cheek. Or, as it is for me in this moment, a flash of joyful tears.
The source of my joyful tears is the fantastic music of a former student from my ever so brief period of teaching high school English. It was a rather unfortunate beginning for me and Daniel, actually. I came in two weeks after the school year started to help with overcrowding, and though I was excited and academically quite prepared, I never anticipated the hard feelings being uprooted from other classes would stir up in my students. Daniel was among the worst instigators, making it very plain that my presence was not welcome. Fortunately for both of us, I turned out to be something unexpected and likable and was forgiven in time, even praised by my big hearted students, and again, Daniel led the pack.
So when he found me on Facebook recently, I gladly accepted his offer of friendship. What I didn’t expect was the music. Though Daniel sang in the choir at school, and was quite good, I might add, I could never have fathomed that this sweet and oftentimes goofy (we have that in common, to be sure) boy (ahem, man, Ms. Sohn – he’s in his twenties!) would have such great lyrics and music to share. Seriously, the more I listen, the more I like it, and not just because it is his. I am not that kind of person. It is marvelously layered and just the kind of music I enjoy – with a little of this and a little of that to make a fine package.
What’s more is Daniel’s fearless nature about his music. He is out THERE, promoting, recording, packaging, selling and generally believing in himself. I am just so proud of him and truly believe that with his passion, talent, and smarts, he’s headed for the stars! But you don’t have to take my word for it – give his music a listen (please buy some, too, I did!) and remember the name Daniel Van Dyk.
Oh, and Daniel, let’s get a picture together sometime soon – the ferris wheel, while not at all shabby, is a poor substitute.
If we had keen vision and feeling of all ordinary life, it would be like hearing the grass grow and the squirrel’s heart beat, and we should die of that roar which lies on the other side of silence.
George Eliot
It is Wednesday, and I cannot seem to wake up. Not that it being Wednesday has anything to do with it. I was tired yesterday, too. I actually fell asleep while listening to the radio, fully upright, in a chair. The minutes between 3:30 and 4:00 lost to a vortex of slumber. That is usually a hubster move. Bless his gigantic heart, that handsome fella can sleep anywhere, anytime. I tend to be more of the Goldilocks variety, so it came as quite a surprise to me.
It’s dahlia time in the garden, beautiful dahlias – such marvelously constructed flowers. And August. How is it August already? Maybe I’ve slept for longer than I recall. Maybe I haven’t been awake for a long time. Do you ever feel that way? Or maybe the opposite? Sometimes I wonder if, on those days when I am thoroughly spent by 8:00, and Charlie Rose, no matter how fascinating the guest, seems an impossibility, I’ve been so very awake, so hyper aware that my senses cannot take one more bit of noticing, feeling, smelling and collapse blissfully onto my pillow. Is that it? I wish I knew. I am my own mystery, gentle readers, truly.
Sure, there are things I know about myself, but so much more that I can’t quite put my finger on, so much that keeps me wondering. In some ways I like it, but in others, I just want some answers or a bit of clarity. Maybe an impressionistic painting. Who is going to paint a Van Gogh of my life? A good question to ponder on a sleepy Wednesday.
What question would you like answered?
The whole earth was brimming sunshine that morning. She tripped along, the clear sky pouring liquid blue into her soul.
Theodore Dreiser
Singing the theme song. And no, she is not being beamed away in the process – just an ill placed light pole.
Two great minds that go great together (like Reese’s!).
Spock and Uhura
Khan!
Those compression chambers get me every time.
A preview of next season…
Awesome Portlanders!
Dang it, Portland, you are awesome, really. Filled with fine sights, lovely weather, a love for the environment, and that sometimes zany creative spirit, I can’t think of a finer place for this red roofed writer to call home.
Take, for instance, this past weekend. The hubster and I had a fine outing to North Portland (NoPo if you are so inclined – I am not) for a play-like production of an episode of Star Trek, “Space Seed” to be precise. First, I just love that a group of people would think to do this - a live production of an iconic television show, why not? Second, to be supported by such masses of people, Trekkies and non-Trekkies alike (peace and harmony!), that there was scarcely a place to sit within earshot after we arrived (90 minutes before showtime, I might add). Seriously, how cool is that?!
Anyhoo, it was a grand time, and though the set was rather simple, it was better than alright: the singing of the theme song, the sound effects, the witty repartee, and, of course, Captain Kirk battling with Khan(!). Called Trek in the Park and put on by Atomic Arts, it is word for word, blow by blow, and laugh for laugh accurate. I never thought it could be so fun!
We followed our adventure with a stop at one of our world famous food cart restaurants (Portland is ranked number ONE in the world for street food according to Budget Travel). A place I’d been wanting to try for ages, it didn’t disappoint. A perfect end to a terrific day, but I won’t spoil it with too many words. I’ll let the pictures do the majority of the talking…
Grilled Cheese Gromit!
Get on the bus…
Sip some bubbly…
Eat a sammy – The Jalapeno Popper and The Jersey.
Be Happy!
Nothing that is can pause or stay;
The moon will wax, the moon will wane,
The mist and cloud will turn to rain,
The rain and mist to cloud again,
Tomorrow be today.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
