Gold Fishes

You cannot expect a gold fish to become a pet. No matter how long you feed it and talk to it, it will not remember a thing. You cannot eat gold fish crackers and call it lunch either. My son would argue with me on that one. But Gold Fish Crackers are not a meal. You can't expect anything from gold fishes. They clutter your counter top, dirty the water tank and swim in circles. Even though you know how lame they are, you can enjoy their non-company and stare at them for hours but that's about it. Cannot expect more from gold fishes. Especially not empathie.

I had a gold fish friend. Well, she was worse than a gold fish because at least, gold fishes do not drain your energy and seek for your help, support and advice all the time. They simply forget. A gold fish friend is worse, since they expect things from you but forget their own role in the relationship. I should have known she was a gold fish this entire time. I know better now and that is all that matters.

Tortino Cioccolato

It's been a while...I felt like I needed to live more and write less for a few weeks.

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day last week. Mine was so magical that I had to take a moment to gather all my thoughts together for my upcoming posts.

Even though it should be Valentine's Day every single day, we do love to celebrate that day dedicated to LOVE. And this year was our tenth Valentine we celebrated, Komar and I. I must say, it has been such a long time where I haven't been thrown out of my culinary comfort zone. Food shocks are such memorable times for me and all that week-end, a sublime mix of a tingly palette, excited taste buds and curled toes were on the menu. (ok, that could sound pretty disgusting....). lol. One word: wow.

The week prior, I watched Bizzarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern. That episode took place in Venice and I was drooling and so wished I

was there with him, savoring those fresh Venetian grilled and marinated octopus and dishes simmered in squid ink. I have tasted many exotic dishes but never have I tried squid ink. It was definitely on my bucket list as far as food adventures.

So we ended at this charming Italian restaurant, in Historic Downtown Leesburg, called Palio. The menu du jour was featuring a grilled octopus salad on baby arugula. I ordered it expecting a little salad with calamari like salad. This is what I got instead:

A gigantic delicious marinated and grilled octopus, just like on the Bizzarre Foods! The one I so wanted to eat. And it did not stop. Everything I ordered left me with my mouth and eyes wide opened. So many surprises. The kind that make me feel like I'm traveling. And the timing as well. I didn't expect finding any restaurant offering such authentic dishes in this area. I was in love and in food heaven.

I even got to taste freshly made linguini cooked in squid ink that day too. And to top it all, the dessert was to die for: Tortino Cioccolato. Warm chocolate cake, Vanilla Gelato, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt. My eyes got so wide opened after the first bite. If that doesn't put you in a good mood, I don't know what will....

Discovering new food, or anything new with Komar is amazing. He is the best partner for that. We ended the evening at a pub and got to hear a friend play live with his band. What a night....and...What a week-end...and mostly....What a man! Sigh.

Super Bowl of Chili Con Carne

Who said the Super Bowl was all about testosterone and couldn't be romantic?

Tonight, I plan on bundling up and cuddle with my honey while watching the game. I don't care for any of those teams but I surely hope the commercials are funny and clever...(that's pretty much the only reason why I enjoy watching the game, besides from a perfect reason to binge on some good comfort greasy food).

Here's my sexy Chili Con Carne recipe featuring some chocolate chips, beer, and a hint of cinnamon.

Ingredients

2 1/2 lb. lean chuck, ground
1 lb. lean pork, ground
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 cup finely chopped onion
8 oz. hunt's tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 can beer (12 oz.)
3 Tablespoons chili powder
2 Tablespoons instant beef bouillon (or 6 cubes)
2 Tablespoons cumin, ground
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons oregano leaves
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon coriander, ground
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa or chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon Louisiana hot sauce
1 teaspoon cornmeal
1 teaspoon flour
1 teaspoon warm water

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Finely chop, or process the onion, garlic and chile.

3. Heat the oil in a large ovenproof pan (with a lid) or cast-iron or enameled Dutch oven and fry the onion, garlic and chile until soft, on low for about 10 minutes, then add the cardamom seeds, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and red pepper flakes.

4. Stir the oniony spiced mixture together and then add the chorizo, sliced into 1/4-inch coins, letting them ooze their paprika-orange oil.

5. Drop in the cubes of beef, turning them in the pan with onion mix, to brown the meat.

6. Stir in the tomato paste, ketchup, drained kidney beans and diced tomatoes. Add the water and beer and bring the chili to a boil.

7. Once bubbling, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the chili and give it a good stir. Put on the lid and transfer to the oven.

7. Cook at this low heat for 3 hours. Once cooked it is best left overnight to improve the flavor.

I know some people love to pair their Chili Con Carne with cheese, sour cream on top of Fritos chips, some others with any type of potatoes or fries and some love their Chili with plain white rice..

Enjoy!

Happy Chinese New Year!!

Another opportunity to make New Years resolutions. My Rabbit year resolutions: think more like a rabbit, eat more raw veggies and create my own luck...(like a rabbit?)

Wishing you happiness, love and prosperity for the year of the Rabbit. :)