holiday ballyhoo

shopping around the day after halloween, i noticed that retail was ready for christmas.  what happened to putting the xmas stuff up the day after thanksgiving?  i feel like i barely had time to digest halloween and then we suddenly skip thanksgiving and go right to xmas?  it's annoying because it makes me feel rushed and that it's time to start thinking of gifts for the holidays, which isn't the reality.  i'm glad i'm not a frequent mall shopper.  when it comes time to shop for xmas, i'll keep it to the city and online stores as a mall protest.  i'm sure they'll really miss my $300.

aside from the holiday ballyhoo, i'm doing great!  i've been taking airborne every 4 hours on the dot and what ever sickness thought it was going to make a home in my body must've found a new place to live.  airborne kicked the germs, i hope.  since we're traveling on thursday i've been paranoid about getting sick because there's nothing worse than being congested on a plane, aside from being the "sick person" in the tight space that everybody looks at with disgust and fear.

last night we watched the original texas chainsaw and it was very gruesome.  what can you expect i guess?  there was a character in a wheelchair and all the bad stuff was happening to him but at least he didn't get killed first.  i can't believe i've had this dvd for 8 days, backing up my netflix queue.  if you've seen the latest remake of tcm, i'd pass on the original because it's half as entertaining and twice as graphic.  overall a c-.  i haven't been impressed with netflix's shipping or receiving speed this time around.  they used to be a lot faster but now it takes nearly 4 days to receive a new one in the mail.

i had a burst of energy to cook last night.  i made chicken soft tacos with homemade tortillas.  i think i have curse of the tortilla...every time i make tortillas something goes drastically wrong that evening.  maybe the fresh dough hits the brain like a craze-inducing drug.  who knows?  if you'd like a crazy night of your own, here is the recipe for the tortillas i made.  maybe you'll have better luck! :)

aunt b's tortillas:

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt (min.)

1/4 vegetable oil (but lard if you want it the traditional way.  do not use caola or olive oil because both have a strong taste.)

1/2 c. warm water (maybe a splash more if it is too dry to work)

mix the dry ingredients thouroughly then add the oil and water.  knead the dough until it is a uniform consistencey.  let it rest in a bowl, covered,  for 15-30 minutes in a warm area.  if you don't have time to let the dough sit, that's fine- they just won't be as soft and fluffy.  once you have let them sit split the dough into even balls- make 8 (or less if you want a larger tort) or so.  roll out each ball with a rolling pin on a well-floured surface, or use parchment paper (this is what i do).  heat a cast iron pan on medium high and lightly grease if you think it'll stick (i used a stainless steel pan without grease and it did the trick but the key is to not let it stick or burn).  once your tortilla is rolled thin to a size of your liking, put it in the pan and cook on each side for about 1+ minutes.  you can gauge when it is ready by the texture, appearance, and smell (do not overcook because they will become stiff).  when they are done put them in a deep dish and wrap them with in a clean dish towel so they stay warm while you finish up the rest of the dough.  butter or fill generously and enjoy while they are warm (they reheat in the micro like a charm, give them 10 seconds)!

soft taco chicken filling:

boneless skinless chicken parts (i prefer breast)

dashes of garlic powder

dashes of salt and pepper

cumin to taste (but not too much because then it tastes like indian food)

chili powder to taste (you can be generous here.  use a good one, the better ones are typically sold in mexican markets)

1/8 c. beer (a few splashes)

1/8 c. olive oil (a few splashes)

cut the chicken into small pieces.  heat the pan with olive oil so it gets very hot, medium to medium high (i like using a nonstick pan so i don't have to use too much oil).  add the chicken and sprinkle the spices on top (it helps if all of the spices are mixed prior to adding to chicken so flavors can distribute equally).  pour a few splashes of beer into the pan and let it simmer for 10 minutes.  be sure to turn the pieces so they cook on both sides.  this recipe comes in handy for taco or burrito filling and as a salad topper.  chicken can also be subbed with ground turkey or ground beef.  enjoy!

Comments

[Norma]

Even if you are a Democrat and a Kerry supporter, this sounds like a great recipe. Thanks! Cute dog!!

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