Fideo con pollo.

On my "Top 5 favorite foods" Mexican is somewhere in there. The usual made in my home is whatever the kids will eat...you basic americanized fiesta...tacos,quesadillas, enchiladas, but i guess i never really tackled the more authentic dishes. This one was inspired by a co-worker friend of mine Sophia (..of course ...she's mexican), who often visits her mom for some good QT and comfort food. She told me it was a comfort food for her when she was younger...her madre would make it for her when she was sick. I started by searing some chicken thighs and legs in a big ol pot, the threw some garlic, cumin, a bay leaf, salt and pepper, and some chicken broth (just enough to cover the chicken) and let it cook away...bout 25 mins. I transferred the cooked chicken and it's broth/juices to a large bowl. i then toasted the fideo noodles w some butter until golden brown ( and pleeze Hammer, don't hurt 'em, they burn easily..so keep and eye on them), the broth from the cooked chicken was then added to the noodles (if you have it.. I always think it's better to use broth instead of water for these types of dishes). As the noodles cooked, i threw in some corn ( just cuz i had some), but i am guessing this is the part where you put in your pre sauted peppers, and onions, none of which my guest that was comming over for really enjoys (damnit!!). and some crushed super tasty pomodoro tomatoes (this shit deserves its own blog). So as that cooks, i take the meat of the bone ( again...my dinner guest not liking the whole chicken on the bone idea...). Really, she is a good guest, and super duper friend. Simmer simmer simmer, stir stir stir, add more liquid if you noodles need it...and it's ok too if you added too much noodles, b/c if i understand correctly, its suppoed to be more stewy than a arroz-a-roni type thing. throw in the chicken, stir stir stir, hit the dinner bell, your done. when i looked at my pot it was perfect. noodles, chicken, corn, spices, tomatoes...comfort food...mexican style. i served this up with some avocado sprinkled with chili powder, some sour cream, and warm corn tortillas for mopping up. Totally good, My guest and I had two bowls, and I sent her home with lunch for the next two days. This is the kind of stuff that I love love love making.

Zucchini madness....

Tis the season for zucchini to grow so fast that you can't comsume it fast as they are growing. The girls enjoy going out in my moms garden and picking veges, tomatoes, and chili peppers. Amelia has a good eye at what is ripe and ready to be picked....Lauren on the other hand has a knack for picking things that aren't even growing...or are already dead. My mother has been growing these Korean zuks in her garden. They are a rounder variety, with a sweeter taste. I always take some home with me whenever i am there with the girls to visit. Suprisingly, my picky eating girls can't get enough of this stuff. Usually i will slice them into discs and then throw them in a little egg wash and panko bread crumbs, and fry em up...but it kinda defeats the purpose of eating veggies...right?? or no....? The zuk that is pictured was from a neglected zucchini that was hidden in the depths of the garden... it was a massive beast by the time that amelia had found it. When we decided to make something of it after making some phallic jokes to myself...i treated it like a squash, i scraped out most of the seeds, chopped them into strips ( only b/c the girls had asked for fries with dinner.... but they didn't specify what type of fries...they were not ammused when i delightfully told them they were zucchini fries...but they gobbled them up anyways...) threw in lots of cracked pepper, a sqeeze of lemon and some zest, minced garlic and salt, and sauteed these guys in some olive oil and a little tab of butter. they are even good cold right out of the fridge!

Beans Beans good for the heart....

You reallly can't go wrong here..Chickpeas, cukes, red bell peppers, onion, a good fruity olive oil, and an equally good balsamic vinegar.... a dash of garlic powder, red pepper flakes, cilantro, basil, salt and pepper, and there you have it...low fat, super healthy full of good things, refreshing and filling as well not to mention totally economical. People at work kept Ooooing and Ahhhhing when they glanced over at what i brougth for lunch. The cons.... the family had to put up with my bottom burps... but i couldn't stop eating it. The longer this sat in the fridge, the better it got. I kept going back to the fridge for just a few more scoops that i would place in one of the girls little bowls. I finally realized that i almost ate the whole thing when i figured i should take a photo..so this was taken on day three. I promise you will be the most envied at the lunchtable....and gassiest....HA!