Comfort Food Weekends

Weekends have become the only time that I leave my computer in my bag and phone in my room. I don't grade, choreograph or think about all the administrative work for my companies (Light Switch Dance Theatre & Jazz Is.....Dance Project). As an artist weekend can be like any other work day, but I have been trying to be a human and not a droid. With this in mind I find  all I want on the weeks is comfort food! However, still trying to keep my Mommy dancer figure and be economical (cause dancers are not going to pay themselves) I have had to be creative in what I choose to cook. These meals also still have to function as dinner, lunch, and then hopefully lunch again for at least the beginning of the week. Let me highlights the my favorites from the last couple weekends.

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole....yes! Started with olive oil, tsp of butter, chopped garlic and half on a huge yellow onion (seriously huge!) in a hot pan. Once, the onions became a little translucent the frozen broccoli florets (a bag and a half) entered the game and then covered the pan and let them steam a bit. In the meantime, I made some pasta (bow tie my fav with this). In to one pot went pasta, light cream (pint), one tbsp of butter, tsp of dijon, cheddar (extra sharp), salt and pepper (to taste). I let them mingle with the broccoli, garlic, onion and then pour everything into a casserole dish that was lightly buttered. Then, topped it with more extra sharp cheddar then into the oven it went (about 350 degrees for 15mins) to get nicely golden with a bit of crunch from the cheese on the top. Oh my DAMN! It was amazing and meal just got better each day. if you need a side, simple salad...you do not need for more with this meal.

Sausage Sage Poor Man Risotto! When you cook this one you will want to stick your whole face in the pan with no shame. Now, this idea came from my friend Samantha Widder of the Four Wild Boars (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Four-Wild-Boars/324632864316471). I have a tons of Jasmine and Brown rice and I could not think of anything that would last to make with it. There are plenty of rice recipes but nothing was making me excited...until Sam sent me this idea. Here we go....get excited! Started with olive oil three cloves of chopped garlic and one large yellow onion. Then, I added to the hot pan chunks of turkey mild sausage (4 sausages...a pound and half) (cause as we have discussed,I don't eat pork, but please feel free to use pork....pork it up!). As they start get  a little brown I added one tbsp of butter and 2 cups of jasmine rice (cause that is what I had) and then a palm full of dried sage (did not have fresh sage, but if you do use it). I let the rice take in all the flavors in the pan before pouring in two cups of water and two cups of chicken stock (get all the bits off the bottom) and salt & pepper to taste. I turned down the heat, covered and let it cook (please, let it cook..don't mess with it). Once the rice was almost cooked I poured in a cup of light cream. Seriously, PEOPLE, seriously! This meal...was...there are just no words! BOOM THERE GOES THE DYNAMITE!  Thank you, Samantha Widder...this meal made tears come to my eyes. Even now just thinking about it...so good!

Homewood, AL!

Over the weekend I spent time in Homewood, AL for work. I had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful Birmingham Museum of Art where my newest dance piece "Etched" will be performed in November. Then, I stumbled upon O'Henry's Coffee one morning on my way to the rehearsal space (Children' Dance Foundation). Right then, my life changed with a cappuccino espresso chocolate chip muffin. Seriously, the the most luxurious moist piece of heaven I have ever had in my life and I am not a muffin eater! I took and chance and it paid off! When I got to the end of my feeding session, I really questioned whether it was worth eating the parchment paper it was so good. 

Now, I was there for work and did not have a lot of time or money to spend on food. For major meals, I went to the local Piggly Wiggly (makes me giggle every time). However, I did decide, of course, that I just had try the local beer; so I picked up Truck Stop Brown Ale from Gadsden, AL. Amazing...smooth, with a light finish of sweetness at the end from the honey. This went perfect with my Amy's Bean Burrito (ha...fancy!). What was lovely about this beer was the food pairing suggestions on the bottle. It was much appreciated and a nice touch. Now, back to O'Henry's Coffee...everyday instead of wining and dining myself, I would stop at O'Henry's to try another dessert after long rehearsals. The second day was the Caramel fudge cheesecake...oh MAN!!!! So good....on top there was crushed walnuts, caramel, and chocolate shaving, in the middle traditional cheesecake, and the bottom was chocolate fudge with a basic graham cracker crust. Surprisingly, this dessert was not as sweet I was thinking it was going to be but a perfect balance of sweet & tart with amazing texture. The last day of my trip before going to the airport, I stopped by to get something basic; traditional cheesecake...again, AMAZING!!!!!! Sweet, buttery, and tart.

In November I will be back, I vow to try the Seven Layer Caramel cake from O'Henry's and then I will search for the best BBQ in Birmingham, AL (feel free to make suggestions)....it shall be done. If you are in the sweet quaint town of Homewood, AL please take the time to "treat yo self"  to O'Henry's Coffee for the coffee, tea, quiet atmosphere and, of course, the desserts. Also, try the local beer...so worth it!

Poor Man Risotto

My Mother-in-Law arrived this past Thursday and we were low on food. Out to eat and grocery shopping was not an option (cause no contracts have been signed...feel me!?). What did I have? I had brown rice, yellow onion, garlic, broccoli florets, and baby bella's...I thought okay what could make this meal seem planned and extraordinary. Boom goes the dynamite! Risotto...but not with orzo pasta..nope with brown rice. Then, I had to figure out how to make it sexy like risotto...something you just want to stick your face in! Then, I opened the fridge and Light Cream appeared from the heavens (not really, folks!). Okay....here we go, chop 1 onion and 2 cloves of garlic, place in a huge skillet with olive oil to sautee. Then, in goes the baby bella's...sautee (let them work out in the skillet with onions and garlic a little), then add in frozen broccoli florets, thyme, pinch of oregano (and I mean....a PINCH), and then salt and pepper to taste. Then, add 1 tablespoon of butter, 2 cups of rice (let it sautee first...move it around to let it make friends with the others), and 2 1/2 cups of chicken stock and 2 cups of water. Turn down the heat and let it cook! Move it round a bit, then continue to let it cook! Right as it looked like all the liquid  has disappeared add in 1 cup of light cream (add a little bit more salt and pepper to taste). Let that cook and OMG, Poor Man Risotto is there, looking at you, asking you to love it! Here is the thing with this one, tasting along the way is EVERYTHING...if the rice is not done add more liquid and let it cook....if it is too bland add more salt and pepper. Good, good, gooooooooooood stuff and even better the next day!

Turkey Bacon!!!

The past week has been crazy. Today, Thursday, has been b*tch slapping me all day....not appreciated Thursday! What a better way than to end this crazy awful day but with bacon. Now, here's the deal...I don't eat pork (long story, but it has nothing to do with religion, politics, etc.); so, Turkey bacon it is going to be in my belly! However, I am also really in the mood for pasta with a tomato light cream sauce....done, done and done, Folks. Here we go: cut bacon into perfect little squares, saute it with chopped onion and garlic in olive oil. Then, add in a large can of diced tomatoes (or fresh...go for it!) and let it get all good and yummy adding in some basil, oregano, and thyme (salt and pepper to taste ALWAYS!)..simmer simmer and turn off the heat. Pasta done (thinking penne, but spaghetti would also work really well...yes, it matters!), toss into sauce and at the last moment add in light cream and good Parmesan cheese! Here's to good eating for me and mine!

Fried Green Tomatoes!

Yes! Green tomatoes were on sale yesterday at Grovesnor Market in Bethesda, MD. I thought, well, I have pita bread, turkey bacon, and corn meal at home; so all I need is some arugula and smoked Gouda and we are off! Last night, I served up Fried Green tomato pita sandwiches with Balsamic vinaigrette, arugula, smoke Gouda, and turkey bacon (fried). Enough Said!

Dinunch!

After starving today (due to lack of food at home and funds to pick up something out), I have decided to go home tonight and make two meals. Both are my "I went out of town this weekend but I shouldn't have and now instead of being low on money I have no money, but I am artistically inspired" meals. The first  will be penne pasta with a garlic, spinach, tomato light cream sauce (you can get 6 meals out of this). The second meal will be (for lunch purposes only) a three bean (kidney, gorbanzo, and black) salad will green onions, tomatoes (cherry or cut up Roma tomatoes), and a lime vinaigrette (you can get 6 lunches out of this).Both of these meals will make me forget about the lack of funds in my account due to short trip away. Instead, I will eat both of these meals and think about how AWESOME Brooklyn, NY was to me and my two best friends.

Teaching Artist Gives Husband an Amazing Birthday Dinner

Lately, my Hub celebrated his 31st birthday. I was freaking out because like I mentioned in my last blog this dancer, choreographer, educator is on a major budget in the summer. Our family tends to think that our birthday last a month or so. One night the week before his birthday, I decided to make him an amazing meal on a budget. We made trip to Whole Foods and there was nothing available really....I picked up some cremini mushrooms, two steaks (on sale), yellow onion,and goat cheese. After putting our 3 year old to bed, I came downstairs, sprinkled salt and pepper, poured olive oil in a hot pan. Placed one steak in the hot pan for 3 minutes on both sides..then the other. I let them rest, I thinly slices the yellow onion and cremini mushroom, sauteed them in the same pan...I sprinkled salt and pepper, some dried thyme, then I poured in some balsamic vinegar in the pan. I then sliced the goat cheese and placed the circles of cheese on top the steak and place a fine helping of the mushrooms and onions on top and opened a fine bottle of Malbec...Done, Done, and Done! All that for under $12 a plate...Boom!

Teaching Artist Re-Discovers Cous Cous

Summer Camp, Couscous, and Cutting Costs

As an artist, my summers are spent teaching at various art camps around the Washington, DC area. While I absolutely love it, my bank account doesn't. A summer of art camp means a major pay cut for my family, so my usual splurges at Whole Foods and Yes! Organic Market are put on hold.

Instead, I've rediscovered the magic of Trader Joe's and Grosvenor Market. They're not just affordable—they're a goldmine for amazing, budget-friendly meals. I've been focusing on buying what's on sale and getting creative.

This summer, my go-to has been couscous. It's the ultimate chameleon of grains. It's cheap, fast to cook, and you can mix it with just about anything to create a dish that's packed with flavor and nutrients. Best of all, a big batch lasts for days, which is a lifesaver.

My current favorite combination is a simple tuna couscous salad:

• Couscous

• Canned tuna

• Green onions

• Chickpeas

• Tomatoes

• A lemon vinaigrette

• A little dill, salt, and pepper to taste

It's amazing how a few simple ingredients can create something so light, flavorful, and satisfying. This dancer knows how to eat well on a budget, and so can you!

Fredericksburg

March 2011, I was performing at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg,VA. I decided to check out the hot spots in Fredericksburg, VA since I was going to be there for a night. I went on Yelp.com and started my search for FOOD. I decided to go with the highly rated restaurant name Soup and Taco on Caroline St. It was Mexican Cuisine, simple and true. I started with the much talked about Black Bean Soup, rich and steeped in smokey chipotle. Then, I moved on to a entree with with fried corn tortilla with shredded chicken, pinto bean puree, jalapeno sour creme and sprinkled with cilantro. It was light and full of flavor.

My next stop was considered the best bakery/cafe in town, Elieen's on Caroline St. in Historical Fredericksburg. I walked into the beautiful church turn bakery/cafe, and I swear the atmosphere is the enough to draw you in. The high ceilings filled with the smell of fresh baked bread and I look over to where the pews probably use to be an there was a cased filled with French fruit filled tarts and decadent chocolate treats. I ordered the much talked about Maple Pecan Scone and the classic French Apple tart. The scone was the right type of dense with the light smell and flavorful taste of maple, then the nuttiness of the pecan filled my watering mouth with reminders the classic pecan pie. The tart was perfect with slivers of sour apple on top with a buttery  air filled crust on the bottom. Enough said!

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