Paula Deen Riding Racism

I felt that I needed to post a blog regarding this. I am not really that big of a fan of Paula Deen. I love cooking shows, but her cooking is not really my style. I am more of a Cooking Channel girl. Food Network lost me long ago when every other show on their channel was Guy Fieri with his God awful 90s hair and Smash Mouth front man persona. Stop trying to make 90's hair happen. It's not going to happen. No sir. I'll take Nadia G's alterna-gourmet or Alex Guarnacelli over Guy, Rachel Ray's polypy voice and Paula's artery clogging crap ANY DAY. 

That being said, the recent controversy over Paula Deen is complete bs. Let's start out with a few facts. 
1. Paula Deen said the n-word.
2. It was said at a plantation themed wedding almost 30 years ago.
3. The woman suing her is white.
4. Did I mention she said this in 1986?
5. 1986! I wasn't even born. My parents were still honeymooning.

Just let all of that soak in like Dawn soaking into the grease soaked pans that I'm sure are a daily thing around the Deen household.

27 years.

Now Food Network has fired her. The same network that gave Sandra Lee two other shows after she made that ridiculous Kwanzaa cake. Frankly, I found that cake more in poor taste than something Paula said almost 30 years ago. 

The trailer park called, Sandra. Sadly, not even they wanted you back.

Here's my thing. Paula said that she is sorry for having done this 27 years ago and that she isn't like that anymore. There are athletes that have raped and murdered. They are still athletes. Michael Vick murdered dogs for entertainment. He's still a football player. Michael Jackson admitted to sleeping in the same bed with young boys. If you bring this up to anyone, they freak the hell out and tell you to focus on his music not his personal life. Frankly, I think his music sucked about as much as he sucked off litt- okay, off topic. Back on point. I just don't see how rape, murder and child molestation (even if just alleged) is less of an offense than saying a horrible word 30 years ago. It wasn't until recently that I stopped saying "you're so gay" or "man, that's retarded." It was part if the vernacular in the 90s and early 2000s. We evolve. We are constantly learning. I'd never do that today. 

I'm not condoning her actions, but isn't it a bit odd to bring up her language from almost 30 years ago? It sounds like someone is trying to cash in on her royalties. Either way, it really doesn't effect me. I never really watched her show too much. I am just not a fan of how politically correct people have become. Had this happened recently, I'd be livid, but 27 years ago? Come on.

Now, on to more important things. We need to stop Ina Garten. Just stop her. She's a horrible individual. She wouldn't even let a kid with cancer cook with her. She makes me want to slap babies and drown puppies. Also, my Coq Au Vin is 10x better than hers and I'm only a semi-fem douche. 

She even pops her collar like a douche. No wonder Jeffrey is never home.

I Believe I Can (stir) Fry

It finally happened. The Unwed Husband and I finally moved into our own place. It was an extremely long process. We started off in our own place in my hometown in Texas, moved to Idaho, came back a year later and worked our way back to the top. Now we're here and it's been awesome. It seems that I started my culinary ventures backwards though. For the past two or three years I've been cooking for families. Now I'm finding it hard to cook portions for two people. All that means is leftovers though. Nobody is really complaining. 

That being said it's time for me to get back into what I was trying to do in the beginning. I really need to keep this blog up and running. It's pretty ridiculous that I've left it abandoned. That's not cool at all. Maybe, if I had more comments and shares, (old school MySpace like-whore say what? JOIN MY LIKE TRAIN EL OH EL!) I'd have an incentive to write more. Ahem.. 

Just kidding, lovelies. It's honestly 100% my fault. I've been busy and lazy and sometimes I honestly just forgot. My apologies.

Now it's that part of the blog post after the apology where I act like a parent that neglects their children and I lavish you with gifts in the form of culinary knowledge. Usually these gifts include either chocolatey pieces of Heaven or cheesy comfort foods that will put you in a euphoric haze that will make you forget alllll about how crappy I am at keeping up with the whole blogging thing. Well, not this time. See, lately I've been on a bit of a health kick and my meals have become a lot healthier. So, this time, I'm going to act like a real parent and I'm serving you veggies and healthy protein with seafood. An Asian fusion, and you're going to like it, or else I promise. 

The dish I'm going to provide you with is inspired by local Chinese buffets. (Buffet? Healthy? Yeah. I know. Shut it. Nobody asked you.) I've lived in various places all over America and I've only found this in my hometown. I'm sure it has to do with the strong Latin American influences and the access to fresh shrimp daily. I really don't know. All I know is that it's freakin' delicious and I've mastered the art of making it. Right down to the shredded Iceberg Lettuce. Yes, Iceberg Lettuce. I have tried Bok Choy, regular cabbage and even endive. It calls for wilted Iceberg. Don't judge until you've tried it. And now, here is the moment you've all been waiting for, especially you, Evalinda.

Drum roll please... padadadadadadadadada

Jalapeno Chicken and Shrimp

                                    serves: 4

2 carrots sliced

2 chicken breasts chopped into 1/2 in pieces

1 lb raw shrimp, shelled and deveined

1 jalapeno, sliced

1 onion, chopped in large pieces for texture

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

2 tbs oil

1 C shredded iceberg lettuce

Heat oil in wok or large pan.

Once hot, add in carrots, onion and garlic. Cook until onion is almost translucent.

Add in chicken, jalapeno and all seasonings. Stir continuously and cook until chicken is no longer raw.

Add in shrimp, continuing to stir until shrimp is completely opaque (about 2-3 minutes) and be careful not to over cook it.

Remove from heat and stir in iceberg lettuce. Cover and let the lettuce wilt.

Serve over steamed white or Basmati rice.

Dinner Challenge!

A few weeks ago I had a friend of mine post two recipes, an entree and a side dish, and I had to cook them and post pictures. At the time I was living with someone that did not like onions or mushrooms. That made it even more challenging for my friend to find a recipe for me. In the end she came up with Jamie Oliver's Chicken in Milk and a recipe for Potato, Spinach and Red Bell Pepper Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette. I was happy about the warm potato salad but I was a bit apprehensive when it came to chicken in milk. It just didn't sound appetizing. I accepted the challenge anyway and I'm so glad I did. I made a few alterations to the recipes to suit my tastes such as adding 5 strips of bacon to the salad instead of the suggested one, and I used chicken breasts instead of a roasting chicken in the chicken in milk recipe.

I was so surprised to taste how amazingly flavorful the chicken in milk was. It was tender and lemony and the perfect springtime meal. I have made it three times since. The potato salad was sweet, salty, tangy and bacony. I even made it for Mother's Day.

Why does this matter? Because I want to do this again. I need everyone to suggest recipes for me and on the 1st and 15th of each month I will pick one entree and one or two entrees to cook, feature on this blog and on the Facebook page along with your name, pictures of the meal and the recipes.

• Recipes can be from other sites, cookbooks, family recipes, concoctions you've made, whatever! 
• I enjoy making both easy and complicated dishes. Overnight recipes are welcome too. 
• I enjoy food from different cultures. I'm very familiar with Italian, French, Indian, Chinese, Mexican and Spanish cuisine.
• Vegetarian dishes are welcome too.
• Diet friendly recipes are even okay. Low calorie, fat free, diabetic, gluten free; all fine.
• My family does not have any restrictions on what they won't eat. Onions, veggies, all proteins, etc. They're all welcome.
• Desserts are fine too.
• Keep in mind that I live by the Gulf so fresh seafood is easy to come by.
•  All I ask is that they at least be somewhat budget friendly. Meaning I can't make dishes featuring white truffles, but I can probably make something featuring Portobellos.

I can't wait to try some of the things you guys dare me to make. 

Chicken in Milk on a bed of fresh spinach with a side of Potato, Spinach and Red Bell Pepper Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette