La Comida Fantastica recipies

Ginger Steamed Crab
The crab legs are so easy to prepare. It only takes a few minutes. In my family, it is a right of passage to spend hours and hours and hours cracking and devouring crab legs. Oh the memories!
To serve 2:

• All the crab you can eat! (we went with a paltry pound and a half)
• Fresh Ginger, about two inches
• Fresh Garlic, two cloves
• Couple Scallions
• Side salad w/ fresh squeezed lemon
• Melted butter (optional)

1. Wash and scrub the crab legs (mine were a frozen managers special, saves money and bought me an extra day).
2. Crack legs with a cleaver (or heavy knife) to create opening for the steam.
3. Boil about an inch and a half of water. Place steamer basket in pot of boiling water (you can also use an aluminum pie plate with holes poked into it resting on a metal cookie cutter... frugal genius, yes I am)
4. Slice up about an inch of fresh ginger ans at least one garlic glove (two of my favorite ingredients I am known to go waaaaay overboard on, so use your own taste preferences). For even more delightfulness, slice up two scallions then drop all into basket.
5. Place your crab on top of this culinary yum-fest. Cover.
6. Steam approximately 5-8 minutes.
7. Serve alongside a light salad of greens, thinly sliced red onion and lemon-juice (Happy Husband added tomatoes for color). You could also melt some butter to dip your crab meat in, but you wont need very much.
8. Crack away!

(Modified) Catalan Fish Stew
I love shellfish, all kinds really. Buying all the different varieties gets quite costly when you live in a landlocked locale like AZ. I make use of great sales and the freezer section of my grocery store. Saves cash and time at the store. Serves 2

• 1/2 Bag of Mariscos Mix (Mixed shellfish, and fish, you can find in the frozen section), defrosted
• Few threads of saffron, infused in water (I used 2 tsp. Tumeric -no water, because saffron is dang pricey, and I love the color of Tumeric)
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• Tsp olive oil
• Clove garlic, chopped
• Tsp. thyme, chopped
• Bay leaf
• Red Bell Pepper, chopped, seeds discarded
• Can No-Salt Added diced tomatoes
• Tsp Paprika (I prefer Hungarian, but use whatever you have)
• 1/2 c. fish stock
• 1/2 c. ground almonds (I chopped then beat them in a plastic bag)
• Thick and crusty bread

1. Cook onion with olive oil until golden, but not browned (about 10 minutes). Stir in garlic, herbs, and bell pepper 5 minutes until pepper is softened. 
2. Add in tomatoes and paprika, simmering 5 minutes. Stir in stock and saffron and a splash of water. Simmer 5-10 minutes until sauce is reduced. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
3. Dump in the shellfish mix. Reduce heat to low, cover and and simmer another 5 minutes. If you have clams and mussels still in the shell, remove any that are cracked or will not open.
4. Serve immediately with the tasty bread (even older bread will soften up a bit).

La Comida Fantastica

We've been eating pretty well in our little house. I have created (well, re-created from my Ethnic Cuisine cookbook) might tasty dishes of the sea as of late.

Garlic-Ginger Steamed Crab Legs

 

Spanish Seafood Stew (w/ yummy saffron)

If you're curious I'll tell you how to make these delicious pescatarian meals.

The Final Days of Her Single Life

Last weekend I traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate my dear friend, Jamie's, bachelorette party. I had an absolute blast, especially being that it was my first Girls' Trip (I have been to Vegas many times, but this was the first without Shawn, or a pack of fraternity boys). We took in a hysterical show (which I am now protesting since they didn't hear any of my screams to drag Jamie up on stage), ate incredible food at the society cafe, gambled (I am not a gambler and only parted with $20) at the old stomping grounds of O'Shea's, we laughed, danced, and took aspirin in the mornings with our Pink's Hot Dog Lunch.

Enjoy the final days of your singlehood, Jamie! I am so excited for you to walk down that aisle into the arms of the man of your dreams. He's a very lucky man, indeed.

Viva Diversion!

Viva Amigas!

Viva Amor!

P.S. Natalie... you're on deck. Us old marrieds are passing the veil on to you!

Happy Hearts and Roses Day

"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."

- Judy Garland, timeless actress.

That is a quote I copied from my Daily Love emails. The letter from the editor makes a beautiful sentiment that today "is not about PROVING your love to each other, but

instead continuing to strip away the layers that prevent love from emerging in your relationship. There's no need to prove your love to that special someone with some grandiose display (though we're not saying you shouldn't be creative or over the top).

Today is a day to express your love, but what is the intention behind it? Are you trying to make up for all the times you didn't express your love in one big statement? If so - fail.

Today should set the TONE for how you treat each other EVERY DAY in your relationship. It's wonderful to celebrate V-Day, but you don't have to have only one day where you REALLY celebrate each other."

For a little bit of love in your daily life, go to "TheDailyLove.com.  

As for our little family, Pre-V-Day was a fun experience.

I made a special breakfast in bed for the love of my life. He was snoozing and I was wide awake. The homemade-from-scratch pancakes, not in the shape of hearts, but filled with lots of love, were well recieved as was the coffee that I did absolutely no slaving over. Watched some of the boob tube then completing my mission to the market for dinner time groceries, and then the afternoon was in full swing.

The Happy Husband and I had a little picnic at Freestone Park in Gilbert, AZ.  We sat on the bank of the lake and took in a scene of floating ducks and geese, sounds of children playing on the playground, and the warmth of couples holding hands. 

Of course, little baby dog came with us. After 30 minutes, our lunch-dinner was done, Remy and Hubby took a short walk, and I read a page and a half in my current book. We decided to take the show on the road to Cosmo dog park. I love watching my pup make friends. 

He plays gently with the non-threatening puppies and high-tails it away from the bigger dogs. He's a lover, not a fighter. Covered in mud from the puppy-play-lake and burs from our picnic, we made our way home. Rem passed out, exhausted from so much happiness and Me and Hubby followed suit shortly thereafter.

On this very special February 14th, Hubby had two potted (actually, mugged) phalaenopsis orchids delivered to my office. He either pressed the "order" button twice or we lucked out on a two-for-one surprise! I thought that he would swing by the Fry's Grocery "Valentine's Express display in their parking lot! What a sweetie!

I keep reaching to take a sip from it!

Happy Love Yourself and Others Day!

Two Party Split

I will be travelling the great state of Arizona today. It is a day of celebration, after all. At 11a.m. I will be in East Mesa for a besties' baby boy's First Birthday!  I love this lil guy. That laugh! That giggle! At 6 p.m. I will be in Glendale having a gorgeous German feast for one of Hubby's besties' Birthday, too!

For those of you who dont know, this is the (I really feel that I am not exaggerating THAT much) equivalent of driving from Mexico (my house) to New Mexico (Heather's home) to California (Haus Murphy's in Glendale).

While I really, really don't like driving, I really, really like these two special guys.

Happy Birthday, Corwyn!

Happy Birthday, Antonio!

A Valentine for Hubster

Smooches to my Love! A very Happy Valentine's weekend, Mr. G. I am excited to spend all (okay, most) of my time with you and our Dog-Child.

J' adore

All the lovelies

 

 {Day Six }

Another reason to love my lover... his sense of humor. 

He is very held together when we're with others, 

but when it is just the two of us, 

he comes down to my silly level. I

ts pretty dang silly, and oh so much fun.

{Day Seven}

I love the way he plays with our pup!

Seeing him act that playful and loving and kind

reaffirms that, one day, he'll be a wonderful daddy.

One day.

{Day Eight}

I love the man's height!

At 6'2" compared to my 5'4" he makes me feel safe. 

Plus I am the perfect height to listen to his heartbeat while snuggling on the couch.

{Day Nine}

He loves the way I cook.

Almost as good as his Mom's.

Own Private Water Show

It may not have been Bellagio-level musically timed awe-inspiring awesomeness, in fact there was no awesomeness. Not even a bit. The geyser shooting from my house on Friday evening was pretty spectacular, though, and my dog thought the new pool formed over my patio-grass-rocks-(used to be dry)waterfall was pretty awesome. I, however, did not share the sentiments of my fuzzy four-legged friend.

In fact, I freaked as I was blasted in the face with icy cold water as I repeatedly tried to find where the break in the pipe was located. I ran around the house and cut off the water supply. Yes, a pipe froze, then subsequently burst in Chandler, Arizona.

This actually brings me to {Day Three} of the reasons and ways I love my lover.

I love my lover because he is good at just about anything. 

He has never played the role of a plumber, 

yet he miraculously made it happen that on Sunday morning, 

we were finally able to take a shower. 

(God Bless showers!)

I may have asked him to look like a plumber, crack and all,

but he assured me this was serious work and while he wasn't going to try to have plumber's butt

he wouldn't NOT try.

Always trying to make me happy, what a guy!

{Day Four}

I love that he wants to protect me and shield me from unpleasant things.

Even though, I feel I should know everything in the world,

I love and appreciate his shining armor.

He is my hero.

{Day Five}

I love my lover's eyes. 

They are so expressive! 

Deep deep brown, 

with little crinkles at the corners 

that tell me when he's really happy or just faking it. 

I love those little crinkles!!

I'll do a few "days" tomorrow, too. So I can get all caught up!

Listening to: "Gravity" by John Mayer

Reading: "Million Dollar Mermaid" the autobiography/memoir of Esther Williams

February is for Lovers

I have decided to take part in this lil LOVEFEST, since February is for LOVERS. I, myself, am a LOVER of all things LOVEY DOVEY, and hope to impart of my more squish sentiments on to you.

And so:

{Day One}

I love my lover's brains. There, I said it, I love this man's incredible intellect. 

He blows me away with how smart he is constantly.

If I were Dorothy, The Scarecrow would have been the one for me.

{Day Two}

(I am a Double Lover today since I am a little behind)

I love how we can't sleep without touching one another.

Be it fingers or toes, I always know that he is close.

And he is a great cold-feet warmer.

Listening to: "Endlessly" by Duffy