Now we have 2 Chef Bonitas!
Harmony Vally Farm
Imagine my surprise when a friend asked me what I am doing in Wisconsin... and showed me this blog posting on the Harmony Valley Farm website:
Friday, April 8, 2011 - Chef Bonita
I arrived at Harmony Valley Farm just one week ago and already I have been pleasantly involved in the Farm. I will be cooking lunch for the busy farm crew. I awake each morning to the roosters crowing and the baby kids bleating for their Moms. I look out my window and can't help but smile as the baby goats scamper up, over and around their Moms. Monday will be day one for crew lunch and I am serving Goulash, Spinach salad, and Garlic biscuits. The rest of the week goes like this: Tues.- Spicy Black Bean Chili with Pork, Cornbread Muffins, and Applesauce; Wed.-Stuffed Peppers, Mashed Parsnips and Turnips, Pickled onions, Date Cookie Bars; Thurs.-Rhubarb Lentil soup, Vegetable Foccacia, Fresh fruit; and Fri.-Oxtail Stew, Brown Rice, Roasted Root Vegetables, Chocolate Chip Cookies. I will have to let you know how the crew responds to the menu. Posted by Chef Bonita at 1:29 PM
OK, how much do you think I want to cook with this other Chef Bonita? She is living my dream! (For those of you who don't know, I spent a lot of my childhood cooking on a farm and my heart has never left.) Awesome job Doppelganger Chef Bonita! I hope that Zander & I can visit Harmony Valley Farm some time so we can cook together.
Friday, April 8, 2011 - Chef Bonita
I arrived at Harmony Valley Farm just one week ago and already I have been pleasantly involved in the Farm. I will be cooking lunch for the busy farm crew. I awake each morning to the roosters crowing and the baby kids bleating for their Moms. I look out my window and can't help but smile as the baby goats scamper up, over and around their Moms. Monday will be day one for crew lunch and I am serving Goulash, Spinach salad, and Garlic biscuits. The rest of the week goes like this: Tues.- Spicy Black Bean Chili with Pork, Cornbread Muffins, and Applesauce; Wed.-Stuffed Peppers, Mashed Parsnips and Turnips, Pickled onions, Date Cookie Bars; Thurs.-Rhubarb Lentil soup, Vegetable Foccacia, Fresh fruit; and Fri.-Oxtail Stew, Brown Rice, Roasted Root Vegetables, Chocolate Chip Cookies. I will have to let you know how the crew responds to the menu. Posted by Chef Bonita at 1:29 PM
OK, how much do you think I want to cook with this other Chef Bonita? She is living my dream! (For those of you who don't know, I spent a lot of my childhood cooking on a farm and my heart has never left.) Awesome job Doppelganger Chef Bonita! I hope that Zander & I can visit Harmony Valley Farm some time so we can cook together.
The State of Education in America
If For all you teachers, parents, students & people who know them: Yesterday's The Daily Show focused on Education in America for the whole episode. Jon Stewart's perspective is as insightful as always.
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Everything is amazing right now and nobody is happy
Louis CK had me laughing with my morning coffee. It is good to be reminded about how great our lives are!
Why am I sharing these clips? Health is not just about diet & exercise. It is also about maintaining a healthy attitude and supporting your community! |
After two years in the United States, Michelangelo's David is being returned to Italy.
The proud sponsors for this historic cultural exchange are:
Maddy the Cat's (less than) 5 minute Wintertime outdoor adventure
(Click on pictures or hover mouse over pictures to read the captions)
Please do not follow Maddy's lazy wintertime lifestyle.
Go outside and play every day!
Remember: Life is more fun when you play.
Go outside and play every day!
Remember: Life is more fun when you play.
My friend Monica wrote a beautiful story about family, food and sharing love.
Monica Bhide with her sons Arjun and Jai
My Sons and the Magical Red Fairy by Monica Bhide on January 27, 2011 ·
in Once Upon A Story...,Recipes & Online Cooking Classes
(for the Spiced Potato recipe and more of Monica's stoires, click on picture)
My boys and Lal Pari I grew up in a house full of girls. So when my son was born, I was at a loss. How would I learn to mother this miracle? I knew nothing about sports: holding a racket or hitting a ball were alien concepts. I was into classical dancing, debates, cooking, reading, writing… but I had no idea how to raise sons.
When the older one, Jai, was about four, he asked me to tell him my favorite childhood fairytale. It made me uneasy. My favorite tale? It was about an Indian fairy princess, Lal Pari (The Red Fairy) who lived in a golden castle. She had seven brothers whom she loved and took care of. Of course, there was a witch who tried to lure her away but the brothers always took her care of their sister. She had a magical pot in which she could make anything her heart desired and it never ran out of food. The food only finished after she ate from the pot. I worried that this story was too “girly” for my son and then worried about cultural context.. he was being raised in the US and this tale was from my childhood in India, would it even translate?
But then I remembered when I had first heard the story. My parents and I used to live outside India but every summer we would go home to our homeland and stay with my grandparents. There was a old lady in my grandma’s house who would tell me tales of Lal Pari. She and I had nothing in common – she had never been to school, spoke no English and had never left India. Yet, her stories carried me through the summer and became memories and a critical part of my life. I figured since the stories translated for me so perhaps they would for my boys.
My original Lal Pari tales would end in her marrying a prince. My son loved adding his spin and sometimes the princess would be a doctor, usually a veterinarian, and would end up marrying Shrek. Other times, the gentle princess would be transformed into a superhero and have lasers, and sing along with Barney. I was grateful that he could take my stories but transform them to his world.
Jai grew up and outgrew Lal Pari, and then seven years later, my new son wanted to know about the fairy that he had heard about from his brother.
But this time, it was different, Arjun, three, would not add anything to the stories. He would simply listen, often looking lost. I wondered if my words made a difference. He would ask questions like “Does Lal Pari fly?” “Where is Lal Pari’s mother?” “Who taught Lal Pari how to play cards?” “Why does Lal Pari love her family so much?”
It was a Monday night, I remember now. I was away in NYC all day for meetings and reached home late at night. The boys were in Jai’s room and I stopped to listen at the door.
Jai: Lal Pari was going out to the market.
Arjun: Bhai (brother), she doesn’t go, Mama said she flies.
Jai: No, people cannot fly.
Arjun: But Mama said.
Jai: Okay, fine. She flew out and there she met Shrek and Lightening McQueen.
Arjun: No, Bhai, Mama said, she met her friends at the market and that is where is bought bananas. I think Mama is like Lal Pari. When is Mama coming home. I miss her.
Jai: Okay, okay. Yes… okay.
I opened the door to the room to have both boys come running towards me and pounce on me. They wanted to cuddle with me in my bed and have me tell them the Lal Pari story.
So without changing, in my business suit, I lay down with them. Jai lay on the right side and Arjun lay on the left.
I told them about Lal Pari going to the market. She went there each Sunday to buy food for her family. She bought tomatoes, and potatoes, and ginger, and garlic. She bought long slender bananas and plump round apples. Her brothers, who were with her, helped her pick out the ripest mangoes and carried the bags home in their shining new Lightening McQueen car.
There, she made spicy potatoes in her large magical bowl. Her bowl had been blessed. The food in it never ended until Lal Pari took a taste. Of course, Shrek stopped by for dinner with the family. They all sat together at the table, thanked God for the food and ate as they laughed and played silly games.
Lal Pari served herself at the end and the food was now gone.
I was so busy with my story that I forgot to see if the boys were listening. They had both fallen asleep in my arms.
You know, we all say that life doesn’t come with instruction books. I think that is why God made kids. Mine teach me how to love them, how to guide them, and how to nurture them. In return, I am blessed with watching them bloom and blossom in my home. With Lal Pari, and Shrek and McQueen and that never ending bowl of spiced potatoes.
in Once Upon A Story...,Recipes & Online Cooking Classes
(for the Spiced Potato recipe and more of Monica's stoires, click on picture)
My boys and Lal Pari I grew up in a house full of girls. So when my son was born, I was at a loss. How would I learn to mother this miracle? I knew nothing about sports: holding a racket or hitting a ball were alien concepts. I was into classical dancing, debates, cooking, reading, writing… but I had no idea how to raise sons.
When the older one, Jai, was about four, he asked me to tell him my favorite childhood fairytale. It made me uneasy. My favorite tale? It was about an Indian fairy princess, Lal Pari (The Red Fairy) who lived in a golden castle. She had seven brothers whom she loved and took care of. Of course, there was a witch who tried to lure her away but the brothers always took her care of their sister. She had a magical pot in which she could make anything her heart desired and it never ran out of food. The food only finished after she ate from the pot. I worried that this story was too “girly” for my son and then worried about cultural context.. he was being raised in the US and this tale was from my childhood in India, would it even translate?
But then I remembered when I had first heard the story. My parents and I used to live outside India but every summer we would go home to our homeland and stay with my grandparents. There was a old lady in my grandma’s house who would tell me tales of Lal Pari. She and I had nothing in common – she had never been to school, spoke no English and had never left India. Yet, her stories carried me through the summer and became memories and a critical part of my life. I figured since the stories translated for me so perhaps they would for my boys.
My original Lal Pari tales would end in her marrying a prince. My son loved adding his spin and sometimes the princess would be a doctor, usually a veterinarian, and would end up marrying Shrek. Other times, the gentle princess would be transformed into a superhero and have lasers, and sing along with Barney. I was grateful that he could take my stories but transform them to his world.
Jai grew up and outgrew Lal Pari, and then seven years later, my new son wanted to know about the fairy that he had heard about from his brother.
But this time, it was different, Arjun, three, would not add anything to the stories. He would simply listen, often looking lost. I wondered if my words made a difference. He would ask questions like “Does Lal Pari fly?” “Where is Lal Pari’s mother?” “Who taught Lal Pari how to play cards?” “Why does Lal Pari love her family so much?”
It was a Monday night, I remember now. I was away in NYC all day for meetings and reached home late at night. The boys were in Jai’s room and I stopped to listen at the door.
Jai: Lal Pari was going out to the market.
Arjun: Bhai (brother), she doesn’t go, Mama said she flies.
Jai: No, people cannot fly.
Arjun: But Mama said.
Jai: Okay, fine. She flew out and there she met Shrek and Lightening McQueen.
Arjun: No, Bhai, Mama said, she met her friends at the market and that is where is bought bananas. I think Mama is like Lal Pari. When is Mama coming home. I miss her.
Jai: Okay, okay. Yes… okay.
I opened the door to the room to have both boys come running towards me and pounce on me. They wanted to cuddle with me in my bed and have me tell them the Lal Pari story.
So without changing, in my business suit, I lay down with them. Jai lay on the right side and Arjun lay on the left.
I told them about Lal Pari going to the market. She went there each Sunday to buy food for her family. She bought tomatoes, and potatoes, and ginger, and garlic. She bought long slender bananas and plump round apples. Her brothers, who were with her, helped her pick out the ripest mangoes and carried the bags home in their shining new Lightening McQueen car.
There, she made spicy potatoes in her large magical bowl. Her bowl had been blessed. The food in it never ended until Lal Pari took a taste. Of course, Shrek stopped by for dinner with the family. They all sat together at the table, thanked God for the food and ate as they laughed and played silly games.
Lal Pari served herself at the end and the food was now gone.
I was so busy with my story that I forgot to see if the boys were listening. They had both fallen asleep in my arms.
You know, we all say that life doesn’t come with instruction books. I think that is why God made kids. Mine teach me how to love them, how to guide them, and how to nurture them. In return, I am blessed with watching them bloom and blossom in my home. With Lal Pari, and Shrek and McQueen and that never ending bowl of spiced potatoes.
What makes Bonita's belly happy?
Happy customers enjoy the hot chocolate tasting at Caffe Amouri. Read on to see how this helped make today a wonderful day for Bonita!
I am in such good luck today! I bought pasties at the new Cornish style Pure Pasty shop in Vienna, Va. SO GOOD! I had enough of the real deal when living in Britain to know a good pastie when I rapidly consume one...then greedily lick my fingers all the way to my elbows. You should try the Philly Cheesesteak. It is moist, flavorful and had a great chewy texture.
1 PM: Now working on my lap top at Caffe Amouri and my timing is perfect. They are roasting the ever aromatic Cubano bean blend and having a hot chocolate contest. My table is littered with sample cups of hot white, milk & dark hot chocolate.
Is my belly happy? Do you really have to ask?
I am in such good luck today! I bought pasties at the new Cornish style Pure Pasty shop in Vienna, Va. SO GOOD! I had enough of the real deal when living in Britain to know a good pastie when I rapidly consume one...then greedily lick my fingers all the way to my elbows. You should try the Philly Cheesesteak. It is moist, flavorful and had a great chewy texture.
1 PM: Now working on my lap top at Caffe Amouri and my timing is perfect. They are roasting the ever aromatic Cubano bean blend and having a hot chocolate contest. My table is littered with sample cups of hot white, milk & dark hot chocolate.
Is my belly happy? Do you really have to ask?
Cat food anyone?
Maddy recieving the adoration he expects.
Yesterday I made Maddy some (2 pounds!) of his standard cat food - poached chicken pureed with the broth and shreds of seared ham. It was a little too wet, so I added a a tiny bit of white cornmeal. Now the picky cat won't eat it! I guess the dog next door is going to be really happy with our food gift.
Follow up note from the next morning: Maddy accidentally got left out last night. He went for a bedtime romp & didn't come back before I fell asleep. No worries, though! Maddy slept in his comfy & well padded cat house on our patio. This morning he again snubbed his homemade food, even after I gently warmed it with fresh broth. Buddy the Dog is about to become really happy...and I have learned my lesson. No additives or fillers for the chef's cat!
Follow up note from the next morning: Maddy accidentally got left out last night. He went for a bedtime romp & didn't come back before I fell asleep. No worries, though! Maddy slept in his comfy & well padded cat house on our patio. This morning he again snubbed his homemade food, even after I gently warmed it with fresh broth. Buddy the Dog is about to become really happy...and I have learned my lesson. No additives or fillers for the chef's cat!
Why I need coffee to drink coffee
Aargh! I put too much milk in my morning coffee. Now I take a few sips... and add more coffee... take a few sips... add more coffee... until it evens out to how I like it.
Why didn't I just pour a little out and reset the cup to the way I like it? I don't know. I need to have coffee in me before I can come up with something clever like that.
As soon as I wake up, I will experiment with a new recipe for you: Sprouted Wheat Pizza. Wish me luck! (note from many experiments later - the sprouted wheat made a heavy crust. I will continue to work with it as I LOVE sprouting grains & beans! The gluten free version above is really good - if you allow the dough to rest & bake on a hot stone or pan. Please let me know how if works for you!)
(in photo: Chef Bon's new favorite coffee is Caffe Amouri's Holiday Blend)
Why didn't I just pour a little out and reset the cup to the way I like it? I don't know. I need to have coffee in me before I can come up with something clever like that.
As soon as I wake up, I will experiment with a new recipe for you: Sprouted Wheat Pizza. Wish me luck! (note from many experiments later - the sprouted wheat made a heavy crust. I will continue to work with it as I LOVE sprouting grains & beans! The gluten free version above is really good - if you allow the dough to rest & bake on a hot stone or pan. Please let me know how if works for you!)
(in photo: Chef Bon's new favorite coffee is Caffe Amouri's Holiday Blend)
Healthful living means
taking care of your community too!
If you want to find me, look for the lady with the giant ear of corn on her head! This week I am helping scouts sell popcorn. 70% of the proceeds go directly to the scouting pack. They use the money to help support their volunteer and community service work as well as all the hiking and camping trips they go on. Talk about using good food for good use! If you see a scout selling popcorn or cookies, or wreaths or mulch, or offering to do your yard work, don't just ask then what they are selling. Also ask why. You will hear some interesting stories!