Papel Picado

Papel picado is the Mexican folk art of paper cutting. Usually they are elaborate designs. It is kind of like a doily or a snowflake. They are displayed in times of festivity such as religious holidays, Day of the Dead, weddings, quinceaneras, and christenings.

When we were in San Antonio many houses had them displayed. I really wanted the flags and Chuy found them for me. Now, we are not Mexican. Not even close. But we just love all of the Mexican folk art and traditions. Our living room is full of it. People may just think the "flags" are tacky (especially with the plastic flamingos on the lawn- they do not help), but tacky is in the eye of the beholder. What I consider tacky.. actually probably is tacky to most. For some reason I am just attracted to some of that crazy stuff.

I can see us retiring in Mexico.

Moped Rides

So lovely to hang onto your favorite person while scooting around in the night on a moped.

Welcome Back!

I would like to express how ecstatic I am to have two things back in my life:

1. Chocolate Ice Cream- being lactose intolerant was very upsetting when I had to give up my Turkey Hill Dutch Chocolate Ice Cream. I recently found out that the Lactaid Brand now makes chocolate ice cream.

2. Flats- My feet somehow decided they were going to be particular and hurt every time I put on shoes. Then I woke up and I could not walk on one foot. My metatarsals dropped and that was the end of cute shoes especially flats. As most know, I had to give away/sell most of my shoes to people/consignment stores. This upset me very much. I got custom orthotics (expensive) and my chiropractor told me that I need to buy well structured shoes and slip in my orthotic. A lot of the shoes that are very structured are also ugly. Skinny jeans/dresses/skirts with flats/flat boots were finished. This all happened last year. With much continued searching I have found a cute, well structured flat that my orthotics actually fit in and my feet never hurt!  Check these out if you have similar problems. I got them at Macy's. I could not find them on the website, but they have them on zappos. I am usually an 8, but got an 8.5 because my orthotics are thick.

Privo-Pateo-Eggplant-Nubuck

Turkey Meatloaf

I whipped this up when I got home from work. It is easy and so yummy. Turkey is a great alternative for a leaner meal. It can dry out fast since it does not have as much fat as beef so keep an eye out.

1 lb lean ground Turkey
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup bbq sauce or ketchup (I like bbq suace because it gives it a little kick)
1 egg
1 tsp worcester sauce
1/3 cup dried chopped onions (I was out of a fresh onion- maybe about half a medium onion)
1 tbs dried parley (I was out of that too- about 2 tbs fresh)
2 tbs finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp minced garlic (about 1 clove garlic)
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Glaze
Equal parts ketchup, bbq sauce and worcester sauce. I just did enough for a glaze and did not really measure. Few squirts of the worcester sauce and ketchup and one plop of bbq sauce. Squirt and plop are accepted terms of measurement in this household. Glaze on top when you have about 15 minutes left of cooking time.

Form into loaf pan. Cook at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. I served this with brown/wild rice with corn, carrots and peas. Cook rice as desired. I added equal parts sweet corn, frozen peas, and shaved carrots. I used half a can of sweet corn as the measurements for all. Again, I just eye-balled it. If you do not like those vegetables then switch it up. I usually use fresh veggies, but we have been in and out of the state traveling and I have not been buying much produce because it will just go bad.

If you are concerned about eating the correct portions then make mini meatloaves using a 1 cup measuring cup. Place on a baking sheet and cook the same way.

Southwest Meatloaf

2 pounds ground beef or a mix of veal, pork, and beef
1 cup panko bread crumbs
3/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup corn (thawed if you used frozen)
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup salsa (set aside)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl besides salsa. Shape into a loaf pan and bake for about an hour and 15 minutes. You want the internal temperature to reach 160 degrees. Warm the salsa in a bowl in the microwave and spread over top (unless you are okay with cold/room temperature salsa).

Lentil Herb Soup

2 slices bacon chopped (optional) or 2 tbsp olive oil
(You keep the fat and add to pot to sauté onions/carrots/garlic but I found the bacon didn't produce 2 tbsp so I used the bacon grease and then added a tbsp of olive oil)
1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
4 small to medium red potatoes (optional)
1 14oz can diced tomatoes with juice
1 lb bag lentils
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
1 tsp Italian herb blend
8 cups chicken stock and/or water

Optional:
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped and 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped (add during last 5 minutes of cooking time)

Cook bacon if desired. Place grease and olive oil (if needed) into large soup pot and heat over medium heat. Add carrots, garlic, and onions and simmer til onions are golden brown (about 6-8 minutes). Add diced tomatoes with juice, Italian seasoning, lentils and chicken stock/water. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover. Let simmer for about 35-40 minutes or until lentils are tender.

This is when I cook the potatoes. I leave the skin on but you can peel them. Quarter them and cook to desired softness. I let them cool and then at the last 5 minutes of cooking I added them to the soup pot. You do not want them too mushy, which is why I do not cook them with the soup. Add the bacon if desired. Add salt and pepper to taste

You can also use homemade chicken stock. I am working on a homemade chicken stock recipe I got from a family member. You can freeze the stock into small jars already measured out so when you need it for recipes likes this, you don't have to thaw all of it.

Serve soup with Caesar salad and garlic French bread.

Freezes well for about 4-6 months so long you use air tight containers.

Coconut Milk Grilled Corn and Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon

Our friend, Chuy, made both of these wonderful treats for us while we were visiting San Antonio, Texas.

Coconut Milk Grilled Corn

1-2 cans of coconut milk depending on how many ears of corn you are grilling. They have the carton size of coconut milk, but you just need to use little by little.
5-6 ears of corn, husks off

Pour milk into bowl and glaze corn. Grill corn for about 8-10 minutes until glaze melts into corn. Do not burn corn.


Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon

1 whole pineapple, peeled and chopped into bigger pieces (about three to a skewer)
Ground cinnamon or grate fresh cinnamon sticks. Chuy had fresh cinnamon already grated and I feel that it made a difference than the powdery ground store bought cinnamon.

Sprinkle onto both sides of the pineapple and skewer. Place on grill for about 8-10 minutes. Serve alone or with some vanilla ice cream.