but its time for a move to make room for a relaunch of sorts
involving
more food, more stories

more, of well, many things.

i am now writing at
commonplacetable.wordpress.com

i recently read Supper of the lamb: a culinary refletion by robert farrar capon, an episcopalian priest who has a great love of food.  He writes in a way that transports the reader to feel as though they are actually sitting in his kitchen, drinking sherry at his counter while he meticulously chops an onion.  The onion which he challenges you to spend AN HOUR with to notice its intricacies.

For him (and me as well), eating a good meal begins well before sitting down to the first fork-full.  The onion exercise is one stop on the path to restore the institution of proper cooking, a process that “involves the slowness that we forget we actually have time for.”  A simple meal is the goal, though the preparation is anything but.  And the work poured into each dish is meant for a sit down dinner party versus a cocktail party, in his opinion requires nothing from its guests but their physical presence…But when a [host] sits me down at his/her table, (s)he declares himself willing to let those sitting with him/her into his own life.

Consider the higher distress for which earth has no cure- that major, vaster burning by which the heart looks out astonished as the world and in its loving wakes and breaks at once.  The most splendid dinner, the most exquisite food, the most gratifying company arouse more appetites than they satisfy…we embrace the world in all its glorious solidity, yet it struggles in our very arms, declares itself a pilgrim world, and, through the lattices and windows of its nature, discloses cities more desirable still…we were given appetites, not to consume the world and forget it, but to taste its goodness and hunger to make it great.

Playing it safe is not Divine.  In a world that so regularly winds our clocks and breaks our hearts, that laughs at caution and cries from every corner for extravagation-only outlandish hopes can make themselves at home. 

Capon’s general persuasion is to “cook fancy and just plain eat.”  he lives on the philosophy that it is better to eat a really good (ahem* full of calories) meal and practice fasting than to constantly eat mediocre food.  I love his thoughts regarding breakfast by calling it an unmerciful meal in which “very few people are fit company at that hour…it is a time to be left alone with one’s thoughts.”  the best breakfast consists of good crusty bread, quality cheese and real butter.  this is also meal in and of itself, fit for lunch or dinner.  though simple, it truly is the meal that satisfies.  give me a good glass of wine and i will be wishing to join you in a quaint french town.  this simple recipe for cuban bread, taken from the book, really is quite simple to make.  and the saltiness of it, makes the loaf disappear quickly.

CUBAN BREAD

4 T yeast
1 T salt
2 T sugar
2 c lukewarm water
6 c flour

dissolve yeast, salt & sugar in a coffee cup with some of the water. mix the remaining water and some of the flour in another bowl until you have a batter. stir in the contents of the coffee cup and add flour until you have a manageable dough. knead well, adding flour till you have a fairly stiff dough….keep kneading.
place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise until doubled. when risen, cut in half. shape into 2 plump, round loaves.
sprinkle some cornmeal on a greased baking sheet and place loaves on the sheet and let them rise for ONLY FIVE minutes. cut a generous cross in the top of each and place them in a COLD oven. set the temperature to 400 and place a large pan of boiling water on the bottom oven rack. bake for 45 minutes for the crustiest homemade bread.

[photo courtesy of madgerly]

oh the silence has been deafening in my own ears. and blinding to my shut eyes. but slowly i am able to look what is staring at me in the future and put down
words, even if just a few at a time (and they may find more air time here).
some occasions are to monumental, too incredible to not put down for recollection and tribute.
like this past weekend. in my beloved seattle. the city that made gray clouds in my soul; however, now has become a place of refuge,
a place i am refilled by relationships that only grow stronger over many miles.

on my second return since my departure, i must brag that i was flown back by the contribution of many friends,
who paid for not only a round trip plane ticket, but for a delectable brunch made by yours truly. though this weekend was the result of a scheme to see me more, to bring a [random] yet expectant group together,
it also was the culmination of what i am putting into practice, slowly, for the next phase of my life.
a surprise to really no one but myself; it revolves around an abundant table of well-prepared food and enticing dinner companions.

my confidence is growing and expanding. how can it not when 18 people, with generous pockets and a thesaurus of praises,
heap unending compliments, showing their support, yet also their ability to receive.  (easier, of course, with full bellies and wooed taste buds.)

what is next?  as i wrote my adviser earlier this week (receiving an extremely supportive, excited response): one of the difficult personal challenges i have faced is how to incorporate myself as a creative person into social services.  the reality is, i have always been passionate about food- from growing produce, to preparing a meal, to sitting down with people while eating a simple, delicious meal- and how something so seemingly simple is in reality the basic way we build relationships.  and somehow this fits into my thesis project and moreover, plans i am creating to incorporate that which is my passion, into my future. 

those of you who have been eating at my table for years or for brief stints in your life, i’m sure,
are finding no surprise in this change of events.

SHAKSHUKA.
{adapted from smitten kitchen and sunday suppers}

1 onion chopped
2-3 jalapenos chopped finely
4 cloves of garlic
1 cup crushed tomatoes
2 cups fresh tomatoes chopped
1 t cumin
1 T paprika (smoked paprika will blow you away)
6 eggs
parsley
4 links good, fresh raw chorizo

Heat olive oil in iron skillet (or dutch oven or whatever is available) on med-hi. Add onions and jalapenos and saute until lightly browned. Add garlic and saute for 1-2 more minutes. Add in cumin and paprika. Add 1/2 cup water and all tomatoes. Turn to med-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, begin frying chorizo links over med-high heat in a cast iron skillet until firm, but not fully cooked.  Take off heat and with a sharp knife, slice pieces on the diagonal.  If the meat is cooked enough, it will hold its shape.  Return slices to the cast iron skillet and fry until fully cooked.

At this point the simmering tomatoes should be ready.  Right before serving, crack 6 eggs on top and cover with a lid. The eggs will poach in the tomato sauce and be done in 5 minutes (based on preference of egg doneness). Top with fresh parsley. It can be served with pita but I prefer good, fresh, crusty, rustic wheat bread. Additional yummy toppings include feta.

{photos courtesy of nathania. kitchen courtesy of the parzyboks}

From blossoms comes
this brown paper bag of peaches
we bought from the boy
at the bend in the road where we turned toward
signs painted Peaches.

From laden boughs, from hands,
from sweet fellowship in the bins,
comes nectar at the roadside, succulent
peaches we devour, dusty skin and all,
comes the familiar dust of summer, dust we eat.

O, to take what we love inside,
to carry within us an orchard, to eat
not only the skin, but the shade,
not only the sugar, but the days, to hold
the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into
the round jubilance of peach.

There are days we live
as if death were nowhere
in the background; from joy
to joy to joy, from wing to wing,
from blossom to blossom to
impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom.

- Li-Young Lee

i will take one dance class (did not)
i will read two books a month. (almost)
i will make three wildly inappropriate decisions (i made 2)
i will hand write four letters a month (maybe 2)
i will complete five sewing projects  (almost done with #5)
i will have coffee with six strangers (did once)
i will practice self discipline seven times a week (probably not)
i will allot myself eight hours of sleep each night (not consistently)
i will complete nine credit hours of grad school (6 done, working on the next 6)
i will run ten miles in one stretch (5…keep trucking)

i’ve not really been able to put down what i want for 2011.  on new year’s, i toasted to becoming a lincolnite, which is pretty huge.  not really sure what that means but i envision, having random acquaintances, selling preserves at the farmer’s markets, local business’ knowing my name, having and going to dinner parties, participating in some art/creative collaborations, knowing other bikers.

other things i do know i want to do:

. go through the artist’s way again
. make reading the book of common prayer a habit
. take boxing lessons
. find a community development project to join
. keep running
. go to new orleans
. learn how to become a french cook/baker

i feel as if 2011 crept in while i was figuring out settlements. i think bit by bit i will be able to take hold of the reins and whip into action, what potentially could be a smashing year. as i close out this decade and begin a new one.

2011, i gladly welcome you.

i can’t stop listening to this new found gem.  it’s made my top album of 2010.  maybe i should be more savvy and reflect my pitchfork influenced tastes, but really, i want to indulge in my rediscovered love of hip hop.

too beautiful too not post.

JR- the 2011 TED prize winner.