Sep 29, 2008

What's cooking at The Chrysalis



Amidst all the activities over the weekend I found time to participate in the monthly food blog party. Zlamushka at Zlamushka Spicy Kitchen is the host of this affair. It's the bloggers cook and tell affair appropriately named tried & tasted. After happening upon Z's beautiful site recently I continue to look foward to each month's event. This month's menu is coming from Monsoon Spice. Using the abundance of okra in our garden, I have attempted to recreate the Bhindi Fry. The only change made was using shallot in place of the small onion. Here is my contribution: sent over to Z.

The REDSKINS have officially closed Texas Stadium!!

Did you see it?Wide receiver James Thrash #83 of the Washington Redskins celebrates his pass reception touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Texas Stadium on September 28, 2008 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

I love the way Randle El gave praise to source of all his strength in the post game interview. He made it plain that all his abilities come from the Lord who gives him all his strength. If you have the opportunity do look at that.

Sep 26, 2008

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EHL FDIC

Sep 22, 2008

Photo of the Day: Redskins Wk 3

Washington Redskins' Carlos Rogers (22) runs past Arizona Cardinals' Steve Breaston (15) and Larry Fitzgerald (11) after intercepting a pass during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Landover, Md. The Redskins won the game 24-17. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

As I relish this this week's win, I am preparing my heart for Sunday's game. Romeo and company here comes the team. Let's get them boys!!!

Sep 21, 2008

What came out of the Chrysalis Kitchen?

Greetings,

How was your weekend? Mine was wonderful as usual. I say as usual because I look forward to the weekend with great excitement because I get to spend lots of time with my loves. DH and food! So with all that love I made 'green seasoning'. Yep, I made my own green seasoning instead of waiting for my dear brother to send me some from Guyana. With inspiration from Cynthia, the Chrysalis Green Seasoning was made.

With all that creative juice flowing, I even made labels for the bottle I stored it in. And that felt especially good as my friend at I'm Definitely Up to Something mentioned in her post recently. I could not agree with her more and say that it really feels good when you are doing your part to preserve the environment. This by the way, if you are from the Caribbean you should know a lot about. I remember every container that was purchase had the potential of being used for something else so that is ingrained in me. So to act on the slogan “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, I reused a store bought spice bottle and outfitted with a label to make it my own green seasoning bottle. See photos below .

Ingredients

Spring Onions - 6 bundles

Garlic – 3 heads separated and nuked for 10 seconds in the microwave for easy peeling.

Mint leaves – 1 supermarket clamshell about 4 ounces

Oregano leaves – 1 supermarket clamshell about 6 ounces

Cilantro – 1 bundle

Flat leaf parsley – 1 bundle

Scotch Bonnet pepper – 5 or to your taste (from my garden)

Yellow or Spanish onion – quartered

White vinegar – ¼ cup

Kosher salt – ¾ tsp (optional)

Directions:

  • Trim, clean and was the onions, cilantro, and parsley; and pepper while wearing gloves
  • Slide garlic cloves from their peel
  • Wash and strip oregano and mint leaves
  • Combine all the herbs together in a large bowl
  • Pour enough vinegar to cover blender or food processor blade
  • Add a portion of the combine herbs and blend to desired texture
  • To remove excess water/vinegar pour green seasoning into colander over medium bowl
  • Combine green seasoning with salt; full storage container and enjoy.
The Chrysalis fresh green seasoning (more)

Stay tuned for homemade pesto from the basil abundance in the garden. Take care and stay well, Del

Sep 17, 2008

Join ING Direct in Downtown DC on Sept 21st for cycling, fun and savings!


Bring the whole family to the inaugural Capital Criterium on September 21st. We'll be downtown - decked out in orange - right next to Freedom Plaza (Penn Ave NW at 12th). Like the best things in life, it's free and there'll be so much to see and do.

  • Professional cycle races throughout the day
  • Prize giveaways – including a chance to win a bike!
  • Famous ING DIRECT convertible on-site

Visit capitalcriterium.com for more info.

Sep 15, 2008

Everywhere else on Monday


How was your weekend? Mine was fabulous because I spent time with the family basking in love and celebration. My DH and I went to the wedding ceremony and celebration of his first niece which was very intimate and beautiful. And if I cared about nothing else, the food mattered to me. Despite being a hotel catered event, I was impressed with the menu which included some jerk, rice and peas. Even though neither of them represent the country we're from, I was still please.
However, the disappoint we shared was about the cake or the lack there of. How could you have a Caribbean wedding and not have black cake? Please tell me if I was expecting too much. But of course you cannot please everyone, so to the bride and groom congratulations. Here are best wishes for a wonderful life together.
From my heart and experience I wish you as much happiness and joy in being married as I have found in mine. There is no secret to what will work magically; however, I do know that once there is respect, communication, sex and trust you can make it work. What do you think? What works for you in your relationship? While on celebrations, congratulations to my friend Selwyn and his wife who recently found out that she's pregnant. Way to go my friend!

While on relationships let me touch on this issue that has been on my mind for the last few weeks. Usually when I attend family functions are I am the person that takes the most photos. I am also usually the one to take the most natural photo that really catches people in their elements. Do you remember the family function I spoke about recently? Well I took some photos as usual and got myself into some good trouble.

I got in trouble because I took the photo of two five years old kids that their parents consider inappropriate. But then again, I did not clarify whether taking the photo or the pose the children had was inappropriate. You see, I went to them and said let’s pose for picture and pose they did. Without full description I will say that the pose were for grown and intimate people. I immediately showed the images to the parents who comment that they know better than to take photos like that since they are relatives.

For me that was finish and as usual I sent out the photos to group a few days later. About a week later I received an email from the girl’s mother with the following: I finally took a look at the Pictures. I glanced at the pictures of girl and boy that said night and didn't see all of that. Because, I was not looking hard enough. Now, I know you know me by now and I would think that you know boy’s mother too, especially when it comes to our kids. I don't think that those pictures are appropriate. The next time you see such behavior, I think you should stop them and let us know. Now, I can only imagine. I'm speaking for myself. I don't know if boy’s mother has seen the pics since. Now that's up to her. But knowing her I don't think this will fly. Let’s be adults about this, so this will not happen next time.”

With my mature self I did not respond to that email. Reason being is I am of the opinion that me taking those photo was like someone holding a mirror in front of the parents and saying look how much your children know. In addition I feel that even though we are relatives, unless you and I have that can of relationship I will not discipline your child. Please let me know if I am wrong for thinking like that, and what are your feelings about other people disciplining your child. More so, how do you feel about people who do not have children of their own disciplining yours?

Until we pick up this gaff again, take care and stay well. Del

Photo of the day

Antwaan Randle El #82 of the Washington Redskins leaps over Santana Moss #89 after Moss scored the go ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at FedEx Field September 14, 2008 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)


Like many Redskins fans I am relishing the first regular season victory of the Jim Zorn era. My favorite photo from yesterday's game is this one. Let's go Skins.

Sep 2, 2008

To Nawlins


Greetings,

I trust that you took may advise and had yourself an awesome weekend giving and receiving great love.

As for me I had a wonderful time which included satisfying all things food addiction. The highlight of my trip was the curried roasted chicken. For the rest of the family it probably the award winning carrot cake I made and treated them to. It might have been the tasty organic Malabar spinach with fried banga fish. It all started with me getting my visual fill of home by visiting Taste Like Home for my weekly dose. And boy was I drooling, did you see that curry Cynthia prepared, that’s all I say to that.

Shortly after that my sister and I made a trip to Little Guyana. What my eyes beheld at the fish market made me giddy with excitement. It was pre-roasted chicken ($2.49 per lb) like Cynthia used to make her curry. Since we did not know where to find a live bird that fitted the bill. Visiting the market there felt almost like home with all the sight, smells and sounds. To top it off, we girls had the special treat from our brother (since they guys cook tastier than women) who cooked the roasted chicken into a very tasty bunjol curry. Thanks Wayne.

And with the wisdom of my DH we made it home yesterday with sunlight to spare. We left while all the festivities were on the Eastern Parkway and made through the Holland Tunnel in a record 3minutes whoo. How was your trip home?

In other things congratulations to my friend on his column. I cannot wait for my next trip for some curried duck done the same way on my next trip.

Here is a bit for my New Orleans post; as the friends that I made there remain in my prayer. Please remember then in yours as they go through their dejavu. They say they'll never forget, but we will always remember. As the country focused on NOLA and Gustav this weekend I reflected with familiarity as they mentioned and panned to different sites and streets. My DH and I had the privilege of visiting NOLA a few weeks ago and stayed in the French Quarter. I attended the BIG National Training Conference.

Even though we did not visit the Ninth Ward I can say that the evidence of Katrina was still very visible. Please check out these photos taken by my supervisor during that time. The one thing that really bothered was the fact that they still have the tomb (NOLA superdome) standing. Most people there besides the visitors looked very tired and worn, despite race and color. There were no supermarkets close to where we stayed on Poydras St, but that was ok since you can take a trolley or taxi to the other district for proper grocery. This definitely will let you know when you are out of the safe area, proceed at your own risk beyond the police cars. Please help me understand how the people manage with a 9% consumer tax!

To my disappointment I did not venture out to any of the fine dining. Therefore I cannot honestly report on the food. However, I did hear great praises from the other people in our group. I was honestly too scared to try due to my allergies to shellfish and pork and since most of their foods contain either or both I refused to try. I am sure that those of you with food allergies can relate. Everytime I think about it I remember this story. Considering all things I give the trip a C, my hotel an A and the venue a B. So here is to Nawlins for better days and a speedy recovery.

Until next time, take care and stay well, Del.