Magic Spice.

We have arrived in India this week. It has been awhile since we enjoyed a Sunday night meal at home. At a decent hour. Very productive catch-up day. I really love it when the only agenda is getting organized for the week.  Laundry. Grocery shopping. Picking up clutter. Cooking. Sounds dreadful now that I write it... but sometimes the normal routine tasks are comforting. Kind of like mowing the lawn. Satisfaction with finishing something and showing results.

Well, India was my choice this week. I must confess, I spent yesterday trying to connect with Belgium. But knowing the 95+ degree weather before us this week, it wasn't working for me. Hence the final switch to India. Now, we may not be serving up all the authentic foods that India exemplifies, we will be adding the influence of flavor in our meals this week. As I've said before, if Andy and I were traveling solo this year, our meals would be much different. Just trying to balance the kids palates in our meal plans.

Comfort food was the focus so Salmon was the main ingredient. We are so religious with our Salmon preparation and have only ever strayed from our lemon garlic dill to a campfire BBQ. Tonight, we introduced a new flavor. Indian spices. Garam Masala. I will admit, a few months back, there was a recipe that called for the same spice. I thought it was a liquid, like soy sauce. Marsala maybe:)

Apparently, it's really the "magic" spice, the heart of most Indian dishes. A combination of pepper, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, coriander and cardamom makes it spicy treat. We served the salmon with a store bought chick pea salad that was oh so refreshing, with a hint of mint.

I will confess, this is the first time we have ever prepared Indian food at home and I can't really recall ever dining out in an Indian restaurant either. So far so good. A delightful evening with a light and flavorful meal. Happy is.

Grilled Salmon with Indian Spices and Raita

1/4 cup coarsely chopped peeled fresh ginger 

1/8 cup vegetable oil plus more 

1/2 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon garam masala 

1 garlic clove, coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon ground coriander

3/4 teaspoons ground cumin 

1-pound center-cut piece of boneless salmon fillet, skin on

Raita (yogurt sauce)

110kKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt 

3/4 cup finely chopped peeled, seeded cucumber 

1 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish 

1 scallions, finely chopped 

1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Directions

Prepare grill (medium-high heat). Purée ginger, 1/4 cup oil, 1 tablespoon garam masala, garlic, coriander, and cumin in a blender until coarse purée forms. Put salmon into a baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Coat salmon with ginger pureée. Let marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir yogurt, cucumber, cilantro, scallions, lime juice, and remaining 1 teaspoon garam masala in a medium bowl. Season raita to taste with salt and pepper.

Brush the grill rack with oil. Brush off marinade for easier grilling, or leave it on for a better crust. Grill salmon, turning once, until it just begins to flake in center, 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer salmon to a platter. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with raita.

Churrasco Fantastico.

Our next Cuban meal this week was a Churrasco Cubano Cuban Skirt Steak, though I had a hard time finding in the grocery store so I settled for flank. I had 12 oz. of skirt steak in my freezer so I decided to make this meal all about comparing meat cuts. The flank won!  It has so much more flavor and denseness to it vs. the fattier cut of skirt. Both cuts of meat come from the same area of the cow between the ribs and hip. The skirt steak is the diaphragm muscle, long and flat with a tendency for toughness. The flank is the traditional cut used for London Broil. It too is long and thin and full of tough connective tissue. For this reason, marinading is mandatory if you wish to enjoy your steak.

I marinated the meat overnight and prepared a chimichurri sauce to accompany the finished meal. The flavor both with and without the sauce was so good. And we had plenty of meat left over to have our third Cuban meal a day or so later.

The day or so is funny, really. I had grand plans to come home and prepare Fajitas and Cuban corn. I stopped to say hello to our neighbors and finally was talked into having a beer. Well, lets just say we ate frozen pizza that night. Funny how life turns off road. Maybe it's really a sign to slow down in the path of the journey. I must remind myself that it's about the journey, not getting to the end of my checklist.

Last night we enjoyed our Cuban corn. We didn't however enjoy our kids going to Panda Express as Andy was prepping dinner. And actually asking for money? Really? We are having dinner!  I find that our kids have turned wicked on us this summer. Queens of the castle. Or should I say the Bed and Breakfast Inn that they've been camping out in. So I admit, I lost my bubble. I roared. I glared. They might be a little scared. Probably not. I closed down their laundry folding service and they will now be receiving their clean clothes, crumpled in a ball and thrown on their own beds to fold! I need to put the bridles back on them. For I am woman. I am invincible. I am strong. I am woman here me roar!

Churrasco Cubano Cuban Skirt Steak

1 1/2 pounds skirt steak (I used mostly flank)

Marinade
1/2 cup olive oil
15 garlic cloves
1 /2 large onion, minced
1 tsp oregano
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tsp salt an pepper
Mix together and pour in a zip lock freezer bag with the steak. Marinate in fridge overnight.

Chimichurri sauce
3/4 cup cilantro, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup vinegar (I used white wine vinegar, though would have used red if I had it)
1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped (I used 2 Tbl dried)
1/3 cup olive oil
Whisk together and set aside. Pour over steak.

Grill steak to likeness. Slice and serve with rice and black beans.

Cuban Corn
Sweet Corn
Mayo
Chili powder
Chihuahua or Cotija  Cheese (I used a shredded mexican white blend)
Fresh lime

Directions:
De-silk the corn, leaving the husk on. Soak corn husks in water for 30 minutes. Prepare grill. Grill, turning for 15-20 minutes. Remove husks. Paint the mayo on corn. Sprinkle with chili powder and cover with cheese. Finish with fresh lime squeeze.

Cuba has been good. Hurried but a perfect country to enjoy in the summer. Enjoy-

Love at First Bite.

We are settled in Cuba this week and learned a little history about the Mixto Cubano, aka Cuban Sandwich. This isn't exactly from Cuba as one would think and is somewhat controversial in the exact origin in Florida. Some would claim Tampa while others would say Key West. In the early 1900s, it was very easy for Cubans to travel frequently from Cuba to Florida for work and pleasure. It's said that they ate these sandwiches in Cuba over lunch hour while working in Cigar Factories and Sugar Mills and the transport of culture ended up in Florida. Others would say the Cuban Sandwich we know today came from the Tampa area where it appeared in factory cafe's.

Whatever the original place, it serves as a delicious warm yummy, stemming from the influences of Cuba. It was an easy pick. It may be because we had a pan of smoked pulled pork left over from Rib Fest. And the buns to go with it. And it was Monday; therefore simple was the key, not to be confused with Key West which make me want to go back. So Cuban Sandwiches it was.

Cuban Sandwich (my version)
Buns, foccacia, bread to place in a panini
Deli ham, sliced
Sandwich pickles
Spicy mustard
Swiss cheese

Assemble
Heat up Panini maker
Smash down
Eat

52nd Street.

We live in one of the best places on earth. On a little street in the middle of America. It's true. Every year for the past four we have gathered with our neighbors and a few friends to hang out over the 4th of July holiday. Sometimes on the 4th, other times near it. Four years ago, we had a friendly bantering as we gathered friends and family to compete in a casual rib cook-off. And because our family tends to put a theme on everything fun, Rib Fest was born.

We take this casually serious. We have judges, there are winners. And a traveling trophy for the winning Ribs. Which this year goes out to Matthew, our neighbor who has been perfecting his recipe since he fell short of the trophy last year.

Now in its 4th year, it has grown. We went from ribs to adding on a pie contest. T-shirts are now uniquely designed each year. Then the kids pie eating contest was added and kickball. Finally, this year topped it all. Live music was added with a young up and comer, Lilly. A dunk tank, face painting and water balloon toss. With the exception of a bumped head from the dunk tank and a firework burn, smiles surrounded the night.

Last year Channel 13 visited to cover the event, this year the Police Department came to say good night to our fireworks! Oh yeah. The theme was amped up to Rockin' Rib Fest.

Memories in the making for our families and our friends. And we couldn't hand pick a better neighborhood to live in. A slice of America at home. Can't wait for next year!
Happy is.

Stars and Stripes.

Well, I'm still playing catch-up mode for the week. Yes, it's technically Sunday but I must capture the moments of our week. After the Olympic Trials whirlwind, it was time to go back to work for a day. And then another day off. Too many Monday's this past week...

The kick-off to celebrating the 4th of July began on Tuesday, watching the West Des Moines parade. It was only 110 degrees outside as we gathered with friends, cooler in hand. The kids collected candy and the adults chatted and complained about the heat. It was much too hot to go down to the end of the parade celebration party so we opted for Mi Mexico with our group in honor of America.

The 4th of July was a great next day. We visited Andy's uncle Morley in the hospital and then joined the same group of friends with all the kids at the pool for a day of fun in the sun. The only way a person could stand to be outside was to sit in water, sipping on cold beverages.

After the sun, we had everyone over to our house and served up an All-American Meal of Grilled Chicken Bacon BBQ and Corn-on-the Cob. Let's not forget the fresh basil pasta salad and sliced watermelon. It's funny how food traditions are assumed. Like buttering your corn. I don't remember exactly when it started but we have always taken a stick of butter and placed it on a plate. Then you roll your corn. It seems normal. My friend Beth thought otherwise. And she's a corn queen!

The evening ended with fireworks and a quick night of sleep before our second Monday wake-up call.

America. God love you!

2012 Olympic Trials.

This week has gone by so fast. We arrived home from vacation last Sunday and hit the road running.  Work on Monday came quickly and then I was off to Omaha with the girls to watch the 2012 Olympics Swimming finals. What an incredible experience. It was a short night for racing, around 15 minutes. The 50 Meter for Women, over in 25 seconds and the Mens 1500 Meter. It was a tease, really since we are used to sitting in a pool area for 2+ hours at a time.

We arrived and went straight into the Aqua Zone. A room of corporately sponsored exhibits that engaged in everything from simulators to signing posters to meeting a few athletes. This was my favorite backdrop, the American flag made out of lane ropes! The girls met up with Cullen Jones for a picture and the next photo is actually the side of a bus. It looks so real!!

It was now time to hit the pool area to watch the show. And a show it was. They had flames shoot up on the sides of the pool after every race and a huge backdrop waterfall that was like a electronic board with names dropping through the air.

The event I was so excited for was the 50 Meter with Dara Torres. She is my age, people. Incredible. Pictured here, Dara is wearing a blue cap. She gave it her all but came up a few hundredth's short, placing 4th overall. What a great journey she has had in the sport of swimming. Very inspiring.

After the 15 minutes of racing, the Beatles cover band popped up on stage and we were entertained with a concert. It really did feel like the entire event was like being at a concert. From announcing the athletes to recognizing the winners, what a great time. Michael Phelps pictured, shaking hands after earning the most points at the Trials.

The closing was dedicated to announcing the 2012 Men's and Women's Olympic Swim Team. 

All the athletes appeared and we clapped and cheered like proud American's. 

An experience we can cherish for years to come, or at least until 2016 when we cross our fingers that the Trials come back to Omaha. 

Happy is.

Home Sweet Home.

We made it home like clock work. No travel woes to be told. It was a culture shock to see the lush corn fields and pigs and cows on our drive home from KC. Not a palm tree or pelican in site...

Sunday was a day to get back to normal. Seven loads of laundry and grocery shopping was the order. It was so nice to stay home and eat-in for dinner. Usually salmon is my comfort food, but steak was the summer craving after seafood week. So Andy grilled a thick NY strip and served it up with sauteed mushrooms. And of course our healthy parmesan garlic potatoes and a side of healthy fresh green beans.

Such a midwest meal.

Now we're off to Omaha this afternoon to watch Dara Torres swim the 50 meter freestyle!

Happy is.