tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14790878866662265472024-03-14T11:00:18.892-07:00Mouth Full of FoodN'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-50017991762396651032013-09-16T18:59:00.002-07:002013-09-16T18:59:20.496-07:00My New SkinI could kick my own ass for not writing more regularly on this blog, but over the past year I have felt very exposed and raw and until now I have not had the ability to tactfully express what has been going on in my head. <br />
I am in a space that is uncomfortable for me to talk about. I'm sad, frustrated, angry, stressed the list could go on. Last year we had the blessing of being granted the opportunity to open our restaurant. A very generous gift from some family members. We bought a building, started the task of putting together a team of talented individuals to help with the lengthy process of renovation and construction.<br />
At the same time our wedding planning and catering business went crazy and we were again blessed with lots of business. So much that we decided to simultaneously open a second location so that we could cater out of it while we waited for the original building to be constructed. <br />
Biggest mistake of my life...<br />
Our Granite Bay location was beautiful. The food that we produced great, our reviews were amazing, we were packed every weekend, but in the end we failed to keep it open. <br />
I take full responsibility for the failures that we had in that location. I put trust in individuals that seriously today the sound of their names make me sick. It's like fucking Voldemort from Harry Potter, you can't say their names around me. I've got five of them and I seriously can't hear their names without fanaticizing about doing some shit that would catch me 20 years in the grey bar hotel. I let individuals intimidate me about their worth in our company and let them hold me hostage with their "abilities". My ambition blinded me to the true nature of some certifiably crazy ass people.<br />
In the end when we finally cleaned house and got back on track it was too late. Not that it was too late to continue doing what we were doing in Granite Bay, it was to late for Ian and I to stay in love with that location, with the financial toll and continued drama that we still had to face due to these assholes we hired. We had to make a decision to scratch it out for another two years in Granite Bay and possibly lose everything or cut off our dying arm and refocus our efforts, our money, our love and using "what we know now" to be more successful downtown in our original project.<br />
American media loves to pump us women up that we can do it all and have it all and I drank that damn Kool-Aid like it was life water. Hell I was first in line with a Big Gulp cup. REALLY!? So what did I get out of being overly ambitious, over scheduled and naïvely trusting? <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKTRO5IFzyfq7gfJOsv6C45uQTsCDTukwH0wOo6cg7Xwq64Y0yKjw9FrkhlrGr6tCJlkwSkxwimvDP6PANTwDE_B14CRZxnqAokqMnVDxqsXExaVjukjruMvLfYgNMe1z8cY4FIFcFPc/s1600/Kids+in+Sedona+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKTRO5IFzyfq7gfJOsv6C45uQTsCDTukwH0wOo6cg7Xwq64Y0yKjw9FrkhlrGr6tCJlkwSkxwimvDP6PANTwDE_B14CRZxnqAokqMnVDxqsXExaVjukjruMvLfYgNMe1z8cY4FIFcFPc/s320/Kids+in+Sedona+036.JPG" width="320" /></a>I lost a really pure innocent version of myself that I don't think I will ever get back. Almost two years later I am a meaner, less trusting boss. I've been humbled and embarrassed, disappointed my family members and therefore hate myself everyday for these disappointments.<br />
All I have left is to believe that our circumstances will change, that someone will see how hard we are working now and believe in our brand. I am so tired of fighting, but it's all I know at this point. I found a term today called a "Frustrated Entrepreneur", I almost started to tear up after reading this article about a guy that went through the same hell that we did, but came out successful in the end.<br />
The past 19 months have been an awakening for me. I'm changed. I've had to take a harsh look at myself, who I am as a business owner, mother...a wife. I'm trying to except new revelations about who N'Gina really is and it's really scaring the shit out me. Could I really be turning into the one person that I never ever wanted to be? <br />
I don't know...<br />
Maybe the recognition that for the past year I haven't been the nicest person to be around is enough to change it. I was extremely hurt by "friends" that I trusted. Taken advantage of by people that were in my tribe. Forced to keep hurtful secrets of others true nature, while I suffered quietly. My heart was crushed and felt so stupid for believing in these motherfuckers. So now I'm this mean shell of a bitch that just can't let anyone new in. I've sliced people out of my life all in this effort to gain some control over my personal life and business. <br />
Tomorrow is my birthday, I'll be 37. When I put my head to my hands and really think about what I want, I can only say that I need a better year. Hopefully with our new home and new business, that we are fighting to make come to fruition, it can be a better year. I want simplicity, I don't need to be over scheduled to feel accomplished, I just want to feel secure in what I have in my life. Healthy family, strong marriage, blessed life. We'll see what the universe has left to dole my way, I just ask that the universe be gentle.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-73483885061744161472012-09-04T18:51:00.002-07:002012-09-04T18:51:38.132-07:00Do You Hate the Yelper or Hate the Game?So I've been debating on whether I should write this post for a while now. Since opening the restaurant two months ago, as expected, we have gotten our share of Yelp reviews. The majority have been great with strong neighborhood feedback and support. Some reviews... not so much. Let me first state that I am NEVER against a negative review. I believe in constructive criticism, I ask for it when I touch the tables of my guests. BUT what I am against is the anonymous bashing that happens on Yelp. Guests, rather than speak with an owner or manager, go home and make salacious statements behind the protection of a made up user name and a random avatar.<br />
My staff and friends have said, "N'Gina, don't take it personal!" "Don't justify their comments with responses." The administrators at Yelp hold the same attitude, but today after a talk with my Executive Chef Robert Birnschein, I changed my mind. He said, "N'Gina, defend yourself." He was right. Yelp gives people the platform to hit me below the belt and per Yelp's etiquette guidelines, I am not allowed to defend myself, explain myself or simply say, "Ya know what...you have no idea what the fuck you are talking about!"<br />
For eight years I have worked my ass off to get where I am. Sacrificing my family's financial security, doubting if the decisions I am making are the right ones. Up in the middle of the night silently in tears because I feel that I'm failing as a mother, business woman, wife, and daughter. Being an entrepreneur will make the strongest individual one insecure ass person. Livelihoods rest on my shoulders.<br />
Every guest that walks through my door I fight for. I want to know how we can improve; I want to know how we can make your community better through our business. I've never been afraid to have a face to face conversation and learn from those that we provide a service to on how to be better. Know that about me, but from this point forward I will not tolerate the anonymous Yelper. Your cowardly reviews, filled with bullish statements, demeaning comments and overall lack of tack is disgusting. You are the reason restaurateurs hate Yelp. If you do not like something that a company is doing have the chutzpah to talk to someone that can change it. Have confidence that the owner of that company will give you an ear and listen to you. You cheat us out of the opportunity to change and be better with your Perez Hilton-esc reviews. You benefit no one; even other Yelpers recognize that your reviews hold no merit. So why do it...? Why?<br />
Maybe this trend of bashing is something that I should just get used too. We see it in the media and in Paparazzi magazines on the newspaper shelves. People love scandal and drama. If this is the direction that this society is going in, I have to tell you, I not down with it. I won't sit and silently let it happen. I was raised that way. I will fight for my name and my company and my staff. Simply put, that's how I roll. Boom.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-7656706405598433412012-07-10T22:40:00.002-07:002012-07-10T22:40:25.718-07:00Hide The Plates Ian, Mama's About to Lose It!I would love to write that the past three months have been an amazing whirlwind of entrepreneurial excitement and that everyday I wake up feeling excited for a new day, but real talk...I want to throw dishes up against the wall. I'm stressed, frustrated, overwhelmed, and irritated. That all said, I do realize how blessed I am, I do appreciate all that has happened over the past year and everyone that has helped us get there. But DAMN, my biggest gripe is that there is such a lack of understanding from people that I thought were in my tribe. You know that saying that, "True friends are the ones who never leave your heart, even if they leave your life for a while, even after time apart you pick up with them right where you left off." Well shit, there are some folks that I can't leave five minutes without freaking the hell out.<br />
"How come you didn't call me back, answer my text, return my email, show up to my party? WHY WHY WHY?" "How could you be so rude, forgetful, inconsiderate...." and the list goes on.<br />
Well let me answer some of those questions...I don't have a damn life folks, actually wait...I have too much life! I get woken up at 6am by a five year old, I make school lunches, clean dishes, make coffee, answer the first 20 emails in my inbox, search images for my brides, get two kids in the shower and dress them and take them to school by 9am. <br />
Most morning I'm not even combing my hair. Once I get to work it's the next 20 emails, 20 phone calls and texts, fix the computers that have crashed, deal with invoices, vendors, payroll, brides, staff issues, marketing, graphic designers, more brides...oh shit the computers are down again...FUCK! Oh did I tell you I haven't eaten breakfast, and I usually don't eat my first meal until 2pm. My day is full of playing catch up and putting out fires, peppered in with pissed off friends that really don't get what being REALLY busy must mean.<br />
If I don't return texts, it's because I'm putting my kids to bed or reading them a book or cooking dinner when I get home. If I don't return a phone call, it's because after talking to people all day long...I'm mentally done. If I don't go to your party it's because I HAVE TO WORK, I run FOUR businesses, am raising two kids and trying my damnedest to be a good wife, though I must admit I've been a bitch to the poor guy lately. <br />
My father told me when I was younger that your true friends you should be able to count on one hand. Being in this industry you make a lot of "friends". It's the nature of the beast. But I am learning that Ol' Pops was spittin' some serious knowledge and maybe I need to check my inventory. <br />
So as I sit here typing with my hairy ass legs, bushy Bert from Sesame Street eyebrows, un-combed hair (because I get no time to myself) I am realizing that I need to handle my life and family first. These dramas that keep popping up are not worth me pouring energy into. "Keep you circle small, girl!" That's what Dad would say...I am posting this link to an article from another blogger. <a href="http://www.thefreedomexperiment.com/2011/10/28/55-gentle-ways-to-take-care-of-yourself-when-youre-busy-busy-busy/">http://www.thefreedomexperiment.com/2011/10/28/55-gentle-ways-to-take-care-of-yourself-when-youre-busy-busy-busy/</a>. When others make me feel like douche bag, I like to read this. Helps me remember that it's ok to say, "No." Keep your tribe small folks, keep it small. I will be taking a personal technology break for a week. No personal emails, phone calls, texts, Facebook...I need a break. I need take back to 0 and recharge. So see ya on the flip side!<br />N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-80324602979041733262012-01-21T09:09:00.000-08:002012-01-21T09:09:34.349-08:005 Ways to Know Your Man REALLY Loves You!As women we sometimes challenge our husbands and test their undying love and commitment to us. Sometimes we take it too far...that said I have a little story about the day I almost gave my husband, Ian, a second bout of Bell's Palsey...<br />
It was about 7am and I had been up since 5am cooking turkeys for an event in Folsom. Everything was running on time, kids were up and I was getting them ready for school and the sitter, coffee was brewed, dog was feed, the usual at the Kavookjian's. Ian, like always, loooooves to peak in on my cooking and in his culinary observations of my turkeys says,"Ya know you have too much liquid in this pan." I glared over at him, not in the mood to hear hear his critique. How dare he! I've been runnin' thangs since 5am, you glide down the stairs after your hot shower and get your already prepped coffee and you wanna tell ME I have too much liquid in the pan! I responded with," It's fine, go away."<br />
He leaves. About a minute later I notice the oven smoking and I don't think much of it. It happens, drippings fall from the pan onto the hot oven bottom and smoke. I open the oven to take a peak and that's exactly what is going on. Ten more minutes pass and the amount of smoke pouring out of the oven is getting noticeably more intense. I think, "Maybe he was right, shit! I'll pour a little liquid out." I open the oven and BAM fire is pouring out of the oven like someone opened the gates of Hell. I scream," IAAAAAAAAAAAAN, FIRE!" He jumps down the stairs and pushes me out of the way and grabs the fire extinguisher. The fire alarm in our house is now blaring at an inhumane level of noise, the house is filling up with smoke, our kids are screaming, the dog is barking and like in a movie everything fades to black and all I see is the oven and my turkeys. I scream at Ian,"NO! NO fire extinguisher, you need to save my turkeys!" Ian looks at me in awe and shakes his head and proceeds to put the fire out with his hands and a large kitchen towel. Mom of the year over here, not thinking "Holy shit our house could burn down!" "Where are the kids?" "Did the dog get out"....nope save the damn turkeys.<br />
Ian gets the fire out and burns his hand in the process. He stands up and turns to me,"What did I tell you! I told you woman, you don't listen!" He cleans up the oil and fat off the oven floor and places the turkeys back in. He turns to me and explains that the oven might smoke a little more, but it will be fine, just DON'T open the oven again until they're done. I nod my head in understandment and then he walks upstairs with the first aid kit to nurse his wounds. I can hear him telling me that he might have to go to the doctor and get this hand checked out, maybe miss work. I feel horrible, so horrible that while he is talking to me about his pain, I open the oven again to just peek at my babies, see if they are ok. BAM! Fire pouring out of the oven again. Repeat previous scenario, but this time I grabbed the kids and the dog and got them outside! (insert wry smile)<br />
"Are you fucking insane woman! What did I just tell you!" screams firefighter Ian as he battles round two of flames. I don't know why I open that oven the second time. It was just talkin' to me. Saying "N'Gina...take a peek. It's ok, Ian won't be mad this time. Open me!"<br />
Ian re-burns his hand and I say to him," Well at least you get to stay home with me today. (insert another wry smile)" His response,"Hell no I'm not staying home with your crazy ass today!" I give him the baby kitty eyes and he's done...he's staying home. <br />
We clean everything up, go over a fire safety plan with the kids, send them to school and the sitter and Ian helps me load everything up for the drop off in Folsom. As we are driving down there, I am apologizing profusely. Making jokes that he is the only man that can literally and figuratively put out my fires. He's warming up. He starting to laugh again...and then...<br />
"Oh Shit!"<br />
"What N'Gina!?"<br />
"I forgot the gravy!"<br />
"N'Gina!!!"<br />
He's not smiling anymore. We get to the dropoff and explain that we need to go back and get the gravy. Ian tells me to tell them that it will take at least an hour, I nod my head and tell the host it will take 30 minutes. Ian looks at me with pure shock and awe in his face. He runs to the car, jumps in and speeds off. I set up the food and in my head I'm thinking could this day get any worse, and then it does. I remember that we've forgotten one last thing. Ian has my cellphone so I can't call him and let him know. My stomach feels like it has a skyscraper collapsing one floor at a time inside, I am a wreck with nerves. Ian's gonna be pissed. <br />
After setting the land speed record at 120 miles an hour (not joking), Ian returns about 40 minutes later. I rush out the doors to greet and him and nervously whisper, "Um baby, we forgot the rolls too, but they forgot that we were bringing them." <br />
I watched as Ian's pupils dilated out like a crack head hopped up on Meth. The blue was completely gone, just icy black globes staring at me. The veins in his neck started pulse out like a juiced up UFC fighter. This is what a man looks like right before he chokes his wife to death. I was staring it right in the face. His right eye twitched, and I was like," and here's round two of Ian's stress related Bell's Palsey coming back." But Ian's a good man, he relaxed, took a deep Ujjayi breath and grabbed my arms and forcefully whispered, "We ain't sayin' shit!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrNcCqlooayjBZzRokVJ-TGyr2BJEuwH_9freWTU0tWTUFwWzY2s0AF2i9C44vb0jG6f9Hp_TBUQPY8lpdv2c3aJmgFWTtqZnTN8UCuVynVsQ_JjV-ISvxZqcAQ8tmkhHHzjJD-vdDZM/s1600/DSC00862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrNcCqlooayjBZzRokVJ-TGyr2BJEuwH_9freWTU0tWTUFwWzY2s0AF2i9C44vb0jG6f9Hp_TBUQPY8lpdv2c3aJmgFWTtqZnTN8UCuVynVsQ_JjV-ISvxZqcAQ8tmkhHHzjJD-vdDZM/s320/DSC00862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After we dropped off the gravy and said our goodbyes, we drove next door to our favorite Mexican joint Casa Ramos. We walked inside and bellied up to the bar. The bartender came over and asked, "Hello can I get you started with something to drink?" Ian responded, "We'll take two shots of tequila and two Dos Equis Amber." The bartender asked, "And what can I get you for lunch?" Ian retorted pointing at the bartender," Oh I just gave you our lunch order Buddy!" We all laughed. As the shots went down and the beer began to wash the adrenaline off of us, I turned to Ian and cooed," We make a good team, thanks for putting up with my shit." He smiled and said, "I love you N'Gina, but you make it hard." <br />
So in short, if after you set the house on fire twice, burn your man's hand, make him speed through Citrus Heights to retrieve forgotten items, and then drop a bomb that you forgot something else that he might have to go retrieve, if you're still alive and he's still talking to you, your good! He loves you, you've got him on lock down for the rest of your lives. N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-43754452117612471832011-09-01T22:56:00.000-07:002011-09-01T22:56:59.143-07:00Change is in the AirSo today I started my first round of interviewing interns to assist me in this wedding planning thang. Unfortunately for me, I forgot that when you decide to start a detox a week before, when you get hot and start to sweat that you smell like "The Whole Earth Festival" in Davis. Ugh!!! Five interviews, three hours, and the whole time I'm thinking, "Damn I'm earthy?" If I was at Burning Man I would have got hella numbers. With my birthday looming 17 days away, I'm trying to bring balance to my life and that means asking for help and getting it; as well as eating healthier, exercising and getting some alone time to reflect on what is going on. I hope that I will find a great candidate to help me with the future of our growing company and I hope that tomorrow the 15 swipes of deodorant that I put on holds up to round two of interviews. For now, here is the recipe for the smoothie I have for lunch everyday that gives me that wonderful Height Ashbury aroma. I'd give it up, but I have lost 6 pounds in a week and my skin looks fuckin' awesome! So I'll keep drinkin'!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sweatandthecity.com/2011/06/recipe-customize-it-superfood-green-smoothie/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIS9QM1ex-pKjXD-KwVyK0Dazi-u9dbKwYzjkGNXlfXl8T_IJ1wBdUHLVag0GACHj8kd9Yp5usvX6KslCP6njarBTKCYQMfedPBdAgep76jNPTOfc7dLwaSpzf78g71D77hbLnv4dbDU/s1600/145537210_MC1YdfYL_c.jpg" /></a></div>N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-1068921846582654922011-08-18T14:28:00.000-07:002011-08-18T14:28:52.675-07:00Drowning on Dry Land<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzj-eYVCb-Dik3zzexR2SJN16dInbBVqnqUUCzIxtUTrjtpNZiC3ZxLf0lqPxXWmUiGaYf_V1Nz9OUxNWxKIg6e9VMvvv9ciZG7dxMugfWRsHCDgp5Ku3KPcT_cBvdiu1WH78cXPaK8w/s1600/x_34f58241_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzj-eYVCb-Dik3zzexR2SJN16dInbBVqnqUUCzIxtUTrjtpNZiC3ZxLf0lqPxXWmUiGaYf_V1Nz9OUxNWxKIg6e9VMvvv9ciZG7dxMugfWRsHCDgp5Ku3KPcT_cBvdiu1WH78cXPaK8w/s1600/x_34f58241_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzj-eYVCb-Dik3zzexR2SJN16dInbBVqnqUUCzIxtUTrjtpNZiC3ZxLf0lqPxXWmUiGaYf_V1Nz9OUxNWxKIg6e9VMvvv9ciZG7dxMugfWRsHCDgp5Ku3KPcT_cBvdiu1WH78cXPaK8w/s320/x_34f58241_large.jpg" width="320" /></a>I feel like a super scumbag that I have not given this blog more attention. Life has completely gotten out of control for me and finding the time to write a blog has, again, been shoved in the back of the closet to collect dust. I asked for this life, so I really can't complain. Our catering business has grown into an all inclusive wedding planning business that is booming, new business projects are coming together that will launch in the next two months and in late 2012. I am making efforts to honor the requests to spend more time with friends and family and also try squeeze in four gym sessions a week for my health that my mother nags me about. My calendar looks like class notes, with everyday filled with two to three meetings or projects or whatever! Then add the daily "shit-to-do" cook two meals, take care of the kids, grocery shop, etc....it's exhausting...and I'm tired...<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">So all this ambition and what I am left with at the end of the day is an overweight, pissed off, slightly buzzed woman that just wants to be left alone. How do I find some peace and balance. I can't even take a yoga class without worrying how bad my daughter is crying at the daycare center. Real talk there are days that I just want to walk away...from it all. I see how weaker people do that. In the end I never would, but I need some help and I need help my way. </div><div style="text-align: left;">A friend of mine suggested hiring an intern, and you know what...that is a fucking great idea. I need someone who's not my friend, who wants to learn this industry and when I say "jump" his or her feet are in the air. I'm not the stereotypical "bitchy" boss. I have strong business standards and a stronger work ethic and I expect the same from those that work for me and with me. You don't own two businesses and about to start a third without having your shit together. </div><div style="text-align: left;">So I'll try this intern thang and see how it unfolds, maybe this is the catalyst that helps me find balance, or allows me to grow my business even more. I've said this for months,"I'm not trying to be Wonder Woman, I'd rather be part of the Justice League." I promise that the food based posts are on their way and will be more often. I just gotta play a little catch up. Thanks for hanging in there while I find my life preserver. <a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/13503177">image via "we heart it"</a></div>N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-70315989422711166662011-04-15T11:45:00.000-07:002011-04-15T11:45:27.543-07:00Ruling the World is Harder Than I Thought<div style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Tumblr_l960twe7ds1qcbbt9o1_400_large" class="img" id="main_image" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/4274574/tumblr_l960twE7DS1qcbbt9o1_400_large.jpg?1286571860" /></div><br />
The past couple of weeks have been a crash course in time management and multi tasking. Our catering business has picked up so much that we are going through the process of expanding the company and renaming and seperating the catering portion of the company from the part that will be the restaurant one day. Happily to say by the end of this month Eight American Bistro will branch off into Private Events by Eight. It will be a full service event and wedding planning company, that specializes in wedding cakes, florals, decor and vintage furniture rentals. It's a big jump, but it's what we have been pushed into by request of our clients. My motto has always been that we will "come from a place of yes" and by coming from a place of yes we have reaped the rewards of growth and recognition.<br />
Now my husband can't stand that that has been our motto because there have been times that I have taken on crazy request, such as booking a catering on the same day that I was to give birth to our daughter. But I have a superwoman complex, what can I say! Inevitably I always pull it off, but I suffer when at the end of the day I am a wreck of exhaustion and stress. Juggling kids, husband, family, friends and business has left no room for me and last night I crashed. <br />
The whole week I have been juggling meetings with brides, trips to the flower wholesaler with kid in tow and preparing for our photo shoot this weekend for our new website and advertisement with The Knot.com and The Wedding Channel.com. and add into that planning a "Mother Daughter Day" with my family and Isabella's Welcome to World Party next month. So I cracked yesterday afternoon. Both kids were crying, screaming, refusing to do what I said. I was consuming sugar like it was water to stay awake. I called my mother and begged to come over to her house for some help.<br />
Once she got home, I rolled over and she took the baby, gave her to my father, looked at my hair (which was in Celie from the Color Purple mode) and said, "You want me to braid your hair right quick?" With a deep exhale I said, "Yes, please."<br />
Later that night on my way home, I had the car radio quietly playing jazz and was thinking to myself how wonderful it was to have my mother in my life. It brought me back to one my favorite memories of her. When I was kid on Sunday's she would clean our room, wash the bed sheets and braid our hair. So that night we would be snuggled up in clean, warm, fresh out of the dryer sheets and hair that was tight and smelled of Sulfur 8 hair moisturizer. She would kneel next to us and say our prayers with us. I just remember feeling amazingly safe and secure and that things were taken care of. Crazy that sometimes what you need to reboot isn't a trip to the spa, but maybe just to be taken care of by somebody that knows you best and has been doing it for years. When I got home, the house was clean (thank you Ian), Isaac was snuggled in our bed with my husband, and the world was alright again.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-12478691392713890612011-03-28T09:32:00.000-07:002011-03-28T09:32:16.362-07:00I ate frosting for breakfast...and lunch."I think my lungs are full of gold luster dust." That was my sister's only complaint Sunday morning after helping me pull a twelve hour wedding cake build off on Saturday. Some friends and ex co-workers are getting married today and they asked if this novice baker could make their wedding cake. I have to say I love the opportunity to make wedding cakes when I can, but they do scare the shit out me. I guess because it means so much to the people that I make them for and I want the couple to be truly happy with the cake that they receive. I hope that one day, maybe, I will stress less over people's cakes, but maybe it's good that I care too much because it keeps me on my game and striving to do more and better.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLo8-ugU2mkaZ_AeiLpPqiyhcXDOhWJS0JaQAJfqxg78jNt42MVyKt5XtCO-5TVfZJSu6FvRQ6nDwM9Lh4ST-7sSadDLGjBQNxk6zKuaS43DZnsu6AsoGGfcaL7LNRHMxHjoXQNsgKKM/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLo8-ugU2mkaZ_AeiLpPqiyhcXDOhWJS0JaQAJfqxg78jNt42MVyKt5XtCO-5TVfZJSu6FvRQ6nDwM9Lh4ST-7sSadDLGjBQNxk6zKuaS43DZnsu6AsoGGfcaL7LNRHMxHjoXQNsgKKM/s320/075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDX3n85fFwQnzhkwU-C2wB7RrcQ1q58l3yuid44CSdZPG1MhFklqwoxq_k3YV3r3Sm9jvcmNgXmoN-5AuZ-b8CWdtqkSLEJ0msl1kwZp7H9EfVYUyR4BjyHYEUnnCcPWLm3Dd8KB1SHU/s1600/076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDX3n85fFwQnzhkwU-C2wB7RrcQ1q58l3yuid44CSdZPG1MhFklqwoxq_k3YV3r3Sm9jvcmNgXmoN-5AuZ-b8CWdtqkSLEJ0msl1kwZp7H9EfVYUyR4BjyHYEUnnCcPWLm3Dd8KB1SHU/s320/076.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I have to give a big shout out to Kate Sullivan from "<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ksull13">Spread the Love</a>", she made the most amazing custom large gumpaste roses that we used on the cake along with some store bought flowers that we enhanced. When I opened the box to see two roses, when I only ordered one, (but she wanted to make sure the color was right) I swooned! I'm pretty sure my neighbor heard me screaming, "Hells yea!" Please go check out her Etsy shop, she makes custom flowers and other great sugary goodies! Thank you Kate the flowers were amazing!!N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-56058666246087937532011-02-05T11:36:00.000-08:002011-02-05T11:36:25.540-08:00Where's the beef? It ain't here!<div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://theppk.com/wp-content/themes/ppk/images/books/large/veganomicon.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="257" /></div><br />
So two weeks ago my girl Kelly Ditto came over to make dinner for my husband and I. While I was full o' baby, she and my other friend Jennifer Ditheridge had been wonderful about stopping by and bringing some din din and some seriously good laughs. She and Jen are definitely on my short list of people that crack my ass up! It's funny because whenever we'd go out while I was pregnant, the three of us look like a Golden Chocolate Creme Oreo. Two Amazonian beautiful blonde's, with this short little round chocolate sister in the middle. (Side note: I am eating some right now...sorry I was pregnant and they were talkin' to me when I walked by them on the shelf at the grocery store and I can't just throw away half a bag of Oreo's just because I'm not pregnant anymore... that's wasteful!) <div><br />
So on a healthier note, Kelly made these vegan empanadas that were off the hook. She got the original recipe from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Veganomicon-Ultimate-Isa-Chandra-Moskowitz/dp/156924264X">Veganomicon</a> and tweeked it a little bit. They were ridiculously wonderful. Now originally I was going to retype the recipe and post it, but this recipe is so long that it makes Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" look like lite reading for a Sunday afternoon. That coupled with my new job as hourly milkmaid, has me short on time for typing. I must also warn that it does take a long time to make these empanadas, about 2 hours and 30 minutes, but they are SO worth it if you have the time. Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian or a carnivore I highly recommend adding this cookbook to your library. </div>N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-5353504129260184462011-01-06T07:35:00.000-08:002011-01-06T10:21:35.366-08:00En mis sueños soy Halle Berry...and then I wake up!So as of late I have been doing alot of fantasizing. In my flights of the imagination I wake up naturally, in a large bed, the room smells of peonies. I've got a body like Halle Berry and my hair is already perfectly coiffed. Next to my bed there is wet cappuccino waiting and when I walk out to my connecting balcony overlooking the ocean, a spread of smoked salmon, fresh fruit and Mimosas await me.<br /><a href="http://missdenacherie.tumblr.com/page/1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aIyZ2LxvhB6hhc4lfI4dkayMX1MAW1_huTMUkwfnYvvBzGfnY21RJj7YX3TNFG4c10gyJzpjCcOclpTg61HynyLft0vg1jrd5VDY21eTry9i7MikPzVBbX3rbhVKo4YdgnI0DUjJUZ4/s1600/tumblr_lcl5fe50Jq1qf5r30o1_400_large.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559116003686719970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aIyZ2LxvhB6hhc4lfI4dkayMX1MAW1_huTMUkwfnYvvBzGfnY21RJj7YX3TNFG4c10gyJzpjCcOclpTg61HynyLft0vg1jrd5VDY21eTry9i7MikPzVBbX3rbhVKo4YdgnI0DUjJUZ4/s320/tumblr_lcl5fe50Jq1qf5r30o1_400_large.jpg" /></a></a>Then reality (a.k.a Isaac's fist) smacks me back into the real world. I've got seven inches of bed on a California King, while my husband has the other sixty five and sharing that seven inches with me are a dog on top of my legs and a three year old, sleeping on my face. I lay there in agony feeling my body turn blue from human and animal tourniquets. My body looks more like giant kiwi and my hair...two words...Don King. Yea I went there.<br />I did unknowingly sign up for this nine years ago when Ian in his locs and cigarette hanging from his lips asked, "Yo baby, what's yo name?" and then asked if he could take me on a first date to Napa. He had his A-game on that day, so I should have known that it would end in marriage, two kids a dog and plan.<br />So since I can't throw the Calgone in the tub and whisk away to Big Sur on tough parenting days, I'll settle for some dreamy food that gives me the same feeling. My fav that I just fall in love with over and over again are Spanish Tapas. There are only two places in Sacramento to get them and one is overpriced and the other only hires women that are made out of piss and vinegar. Sorry I know that was mean, but these broads are the most angry, impatient, rude employees on the planet. I've never had good service there and niether have any of my friends, but we tolerate it because it's the only place that we know of. The places that I desire are <a href="http://www.zuzunapa.com/http://">Zuzu</a> in Napa and <a href="http://www.cha3.com/">Cha Cha Cha </a>in San Fransisco. This recipe is for Cha Cha Cha's Cajun Shrimp via <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/CHA-CHA-CHA-CAJUN-SHRIMP-50041610">Epicurious</a>. One of my favorite dishes that they have made over the years. I hope that you enjoy it too!<br /><br />INGREDIENTS<br />1 1/2 cup Cajun Spice Mix<br />12 oz dark beer<br />2 cups heavy cream<br />1 lb peeled shrimp, medium<br />1/2 tsp red pepper flakes<br /><br />CAJUN SPICE MIX<br />1/2 cup sweet paprika<br />2 1/2 Tbs cayenne pepper<br />2 1/2 Tbs garlic powder<br />1 1/2 Tbs ground black pepper<br />1 1/2 Tbs ground white pepper<br />1 Tbs dried thyme<br />1 Tbs dried oregano<br />1 Tbs salt<br /><br />Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container.<br /><br />PREPARATION<br />In a heavy saucepan, mix cajun spice mix and beer. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk to make a thick paste. Don’t let it burn.<br />Gradually stir in cream to make a smooth sauce. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 8 to 10 minutes or until sauce becomes thick and turns a rich rusty color.<br />Add shrimp and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat and cook shrimp over low heat for 2-3 minutes or until shrimp are opaque. Serve with fresh baguettes.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-28834179323392324822011-01-02T06:43:00.000-08:002011-01-02T09:30:23.223-08:00A Better Life through PBS?So yesterday was the first day of the new year and the hippie, spiritual, Stevie Nicks side of me thought that the day would be filled with inspiration and relaxation. I was wrong. It was one of the most trying days that I have had in a while. The son was in "hella crazy" mode, the dog refused to go outside to the bathroom, except to jump in the damn compost bin and eat out of it like it was a Chinese buffet and the husband was gone rafting all day so I was on my own. Eight and a half months pregnant, short on patience and long on irritation.<br />I walked by the opened bottles of Napa Station Cabernet and Scaia Corvina on the kitchen counter like ten times. I felt like one of the crackheads on Celebrity Rehab jonesin' for a sip. After getting everyone that was irritating me down for a nap, I settled for a <a href="http://mouthfulloffood8.blogspot.com/2010/08/ready-for-change-of-seasons.html">hot chocolate</a> and some PBS; and sat there on the couch watching Wayne Dryer tell me how to materialize the life that I want through visualization. I have heard this about a gazillion times; I watched "The Secret" and read "The Answer" and even realized going through my library that I have a Wayne Dryer book. But something that he said stuck with me as I thought about the events of the past year.<br />2010 was a year of feeling that Ian and I were doing "big thangs" in terms of getting this restaurant off the ground. In six months, we secured two separate investors, found our dream property for the restaurant, had the greenlight from the city of Sacramento to create a super "green" establishment and in the matter of a week lost it all. Deposit gone, property gone, investors adios and just as we were dusting ourselves off and getting ready to start over again, two blue lines on a pregnancy test put the kibosh on all of that. I think I cried for about a week straight. Visualize your wants my ass.<br /><a href="http://weheartit.com/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557637200452226594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfavdWVosMzjB3oVwruZNCC1HXetmNLq9aDqbOTI-wIgdvBjakHrumBHPsOqozfOf3EKJ5pi6PsDKkhIsJEKsPltUWvA99N6grhLwbQZBjlfzg9mEhQnCj6uI4Wi_K_7P7YaTbKs6TXw/s320/tumblr_ld5mycrAbM1qbvu3jo1_400_large.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br />Dryer talked about when things don't happen according to your visualization it's for a reason, and after the fact Ian and I realized that. This pregnancy has been wrought with complications and if we had tried to open our first restaurant during that time I can't say that me or this baby would be here today. But that's not the thing that stuck with me. It was about living in that life that you want and staying positive. On my Facebook profile I have a statement that says, "I only hangout with people that make me laugh". For some reason I didn't do that alot the later half of the year. Things got serious, friends lives around me got complicated and as a result I got mentally weaker which manifested itself into poor health. Now I'm not saying that I didn't want to be there for my friends that needed me, but like any athlete you can't overexert yourself and not refuel. I didn't make sure to continually refuel myself with the people in my life that make me laugh so hard that I make that wheezing sound and tear up.<br /><a href="http://weheartit.com/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 143px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557637715899667426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bXyML7f03d5l8anc30qwb02Zgqop0N5tRzsBJYooJSLBf0wu3jlRwIRyCTZNaF5w2ZIXAwnUJcWVh8K3OcJlCefvwBi_kKabkzL7BWb-qKrYHrs2PAm8WSs2u-PBLnvTY70fMdZ4-q0/s320/tumblr_ledhg3ndc91qa4w2fo1_500_large.jpg" /></a><br /><br />So my New Year's resolution is that I will make an effort to surround myself with positivity this year. I will take inventory of how much sadness, pain and antagonism that I take in and make sure to combat that with equal if not greater amounts of their antonyms. I always say to my <a href="http://www.izillatheterrible.blogspot.com/">sister</a> who LOVES horror movies, "I can't watch the "Grudge 3" without watching "The Carebear Movie" after it." Those are words to live by friend! So remember, negativity can come in many forms, people that you interact with, the evening news reporting about murders and a weak economy, commercials for antidepressants and even Facebook post from people that have nothing better to do than complain EVERYTIME they post. If all you read and listen to is how the world sucks, then guess what... your world will. </div>N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-59669699487924099482010-12-20T07:38:00.000-08:002010-12-20T08:58:09.924-08:00Mo' Betta with Butta?As of late, I have really been craving to try out some new recipes; push the limits of what I know how to do and add some tricks to the bag. So last night I thought that I would dabble in some Indian cuisine and try making Murgh Makhani, also know as Butter Chicken. Now there are about a hundred different versions of this dish and how you can prepare it. I choose a recipe that didn't involve a trip to Peshawar and wouldn't take three days to make. (I was short on time, and dinner hits the table at 6pm in our house.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5ZMdX_pfiunETmrCHPlHsIoss6BVGpyx6GJ3IsFBpYbyRL7AN1ah__HVpRVgY1FvQVykMXseTuVvw-cDJlfd5kpOMrTTynzgo7Ehrt4E3rQ1tkMUobKnvIyjN01lPeqmZOnOBxcfX2w/s1600/Butter+Chicken.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5ZMdX_pfiunETmrCHPlHsIoss6BVGpyx6GJ3IsFBpYbyRL7AN1ah__HVpRVgY1FvQVykMXseTuVvw-cDJlfd5kpOMrTTynzgo7Ehrt4E3rQ1tkMUobKnvIyjN01lPeqmZOnOBxcfX2w/s320/Butter+Chicken.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552807354535689106" /></a><br />As usual, I did have to tweak the preparation of it. The original recipe technique for cooking the chicken would have dried it out in my opinion and I also wanted more of a puree of the "gravy" versus a chunky stew that this recipe called for.<br />I have to say that it was a success, because Ian had fourths and now there's barely any leftovers. I would like to try this dish again, tweaking it a bit more. Alot of the online recipes called for fenugreek, which this recipe did not call for, and garam masala which after an hour in the grocery store with a three year old telling me he needed donuts and pudding, I had no more patience to look for.<br />So please try it, enjoy it and tweak it as you like!<br /><br /><strong>Ingredients<br />For Marinated:</strong><br />800 grams of chicken cut into pieces (preferably boneless)<br />1 tablespoon slightly sour yogurt <br />1 tablespoon(s) vinegar or lemon juice<br />1 teaspoon(s) each of coriander, cumin and red chili powders<br />1 onion finely chopped <br />2 teaspoon(s) each of ginger, garlic pastes or finely chopped ginger and garlic<br />salt to taste<br /><br /><strong>For the Gravy<br /></strong>4 large tomatoes chopped<br />4 tablespoons butter<br />1 tablespoon fresh cream<br />1 teaspoon(s) each of coriander, cumin, red chili and black pepper powders<br />2 teaspoon(s) each of finely chopped ginger and green chillies<br />salt and sugar to taste<br />melted butter, fresh cream and finely chopped cilantro leaves for garnishing<br /><br /><strong>Preparation</strong><br />Heat half the butter and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or olive oil on medium-high in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add the chicken along with the marinade. Par cook chicken so that the outside is browned, but the interior is still raw. Pull the chicken from the pan and set aside. (Make sure that the dish that you put your chicken in has high sides. You want to retain the juices from the chicken to add to the gravy later.)<br />There should still be some remaining marinade in the pan. Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining butter in a saucepan and add the red chili, coriander, cumin and black pepper. Fry for a few seconds. Add the chopped tomatoes, sugar, salt and cook uncovered for about 7 minutes till the puree thickens and the fat separates. Pull the mixture off of the heat and carefully pour into a blender. I suggest that you wait a couple of minutes to let the mixture cool. <strong>IMPORTANT:</strong> Most blenders have a removable plastic cap that can be used to add ingredients to the blender while blending with out having to remove the entire lid. When blending hot items, I suggest removing this cap and using a kitchen towel to cover the opening and slowly pureeing the ingredients as not to splash yourself with hot gravy. After you get a smooth puree, return the gravy to the saucepan. Stir in the cream and reduce the heat to low.<br />Add the chicken and chicken juices, chopped ginger and green chillies to the simmering gravy. Sprinkle salt to taste if needed. Mix well. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes or till the curry and chicken is thoroughly heated through.<br />Just before serving pour melted butter over the curry. Garnish with a swirl of fresh cream and finely chopped cilantro leaves. Serve with Jasmine rice and Naan.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-50119778282977437972010-11-19T13:47:00.000-08:002010-11-19T15:14:50.528-08:00Robots and RavioliWhen your doctor puts you on bed rest starting at month 5 of your pregnancy, by the time you get to month 7 you start to go a little crazy. Hormones coupled with wanting to get the hell out of house start to get at you and you start thinking of crazy scenarios, which by the way is driving my husband crazy. So the latest "Girl Interrupted" delusion that I had was, "Does Ian still love me?" I could slap myself for even typing it, but I went there.<br />So for the past week I have been acting like a damn fool, trying to get a response out of my man that reinforces his passion and love for me after 8 years of being together. I will give you an example...<br /><strong>Crazy Ass Act #102</strong>: Dancing in front of Ian, while he's trying to watch TV, wearing my son's Transformers' helmet, half naked and talking sexy through the helmet's microphone so that I sound like Optimus Prime.<br /><strong>My Reasoning</strong>: He's a Sci-Fi geek. He's gettin' two great taste that taste great together. Hot wife and super sick Sci-Fi hero.<br /><strong>The Reality</strong>: He laughed his ass off, didn't think it was hot and pleaded with me,"N'Gina Saran Kavookjian go sit down somewhere, anywhere and PLEASE take the helmet off!"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uOBSbOIiBZxZikVj_iiPsL-gIufy9Lez5J9Yln-2caVObyYoIcm8LpDOnK7PC4eWcCEs0Xec-Lf9po7quCmlauXdotT2B0S3OXJcSfQ0Mra2H8L_xY819S_7i2wBH5caAzMnn_l3xUo/s1600/OP_crop_crop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541400404361497874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uOBSbOIiBZxZikVj_iiPsL-gIufy9Lez5J9Yln-2caVObyYoIcm8LpDOnK7PC4eWcCEs0Xec-Lf9po7quCmlauXdotT2B0S3OXJcSfQ0Mra2H8L_xY819S_7i2wBH5caAzMnn_l3xUo/s320/OP_crop_crop.jpg" /></a><br />Ok ok ok, failed attempt. Now I know that that kind of behavior would only really be tolerated and or appreciated by some dude at Comic Con, or with a man that likes to play W.O.W or Dungeons and Dragons. So I changed my game plan...<br /><strong>Non-Crazy Ass Act #702</strong>: Home-made Pumpkin and Butternut Squash Ravioli with Braised Chicken Thigh Meat for dinner.<br /><strong>My Reasoning</strong>: The boy likes to eat<br /><strong>The Reality</strong>: He loved it. Complimented me a thousand times, gave me the biggest kiss and said," THAT is why I married you!!!"<br />Eureka!!!! I followed it up the next night with some home-made meatballs and tomato puree on top of spaghetti. Got the same reaction times 10!!!<br />So ladies when you're feeling low and that your man isn't giving you the attention that you need, or you're friggin crazy like me and he is spoiling you with attention, but all the blood in your body has gone to your growing baby and not your brain...cook him dinner and put lots of love in it. It's alot more practical than dancing around with a robot helmet on your head.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-27760978436124275582010-11-07T05:52:00.000-08:002010-11-07T05:55:55.868-08:00Quick CreditWith my pregnant brain in overdrive I forgot to credit the photo from Erin L. from Yelp.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-25016321076368797712010-11-06T07:11:00.001-07:002010-11-06T09:16:08.794-07:00Ah Sweet Fried Goodness!I don't think that I have ever written a restaurant review on this blog. I tend to think that most critics are asses and would rather base my experience off of actually going to the restaurant and making a decision for myself. So I won't call this a review, but a compliment to some people doing a damn good job at cooking the BEST soul food in Sacramento; and when I say the BEST, I do mean it!<br />So this past Thursday, while hunting for bathroom tile, my husband and I were looking for a place to get something to eat. On the way to the tile store, off of Folsom Blvd, I had noticed a new restaurant called Mama Sue's Kitchen Chicken and Waffles. Out front was a very bored, ghetto fabulous young lady shakin' a sign trying in all her apathy to get people to come inside. I told Ian that we should check it out and got a, "Oh hell yea!" in response.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEtK9-LUJFC1HJ17vLat2_m9m_Gn8uIVkpFQC1yskPMJOLv3YExAlT3y8unJMwC5FvVqUe6T0yhgJblVko8ZvT_yyDl_AxHKM6k_jciyRPdg2556EoPIjPfsmdV3Yt8593avQFUqmpFw/s1600/l.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 81px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536464760900226882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEtK9-LUJFC1HJ17vLat2_m9m_Gn8uIVkpFQC1yskPMJOLv3YExAlT3y8unJMwC5FvVqUe6T0yhgJblVko8ZvT_yyDl_AxHKM6k_jciyRPdg2556EoPIjPfsmdV3Yt8593avQFUqmpFw/s400/l.jpg" /></a><br />After slapping Ian for looking at Miss Ghetto Fabulous's ample backside, we walked inside and took a seat. It was clean, roomy, smelled like grandma's house and had the old school jams on the radio. A very personable waitress approached us and gave us menus that we quickly scoured over. They had all the basics that you would expect on a soul food menu. Ian selected the Deep Fried Catfish with Greens and Mac n' Cheese and I ordered the Fried Chicken Breast and Waffle.<br />Food hit the table not 15 minutes after we ordered, it was steamy hot and the plates were busting over with Southern goodness. We jumped in and started to partake in the ecstasy that was Soul Food. I peeled back the crust on the chicken and immediately knew these people were not playin' around. The key to GREAT fried chicken is to always season the meat as well as your flour. Many places in Sac neglect to do this, so after the crunchy crust falls off your chicken, you're left with bland meat to dig into. At Mama Sue's you could see the seasoning on the meat and I knew that this was going to be good.<br />I went to take a bite of the chicken and was quickly scolded by Ian that I had to take a bite of everything together with the syrup. Ian likes to remind me that he, in his red beard, freckled, Irish glory is more black than me. So I did as I was told and I think a small tear spilled out of my eye. Vanglorious!!! The chicken was well seasoned and very balanced, the waffle was buttery and fluffy, and the syrup was not over the top sweet. On their own, everything on the plate was great and together they were only better.<br />Ian's Catfish was delicately breaded and so moist on the inside. The greens were perfectly savory and full of meaty pork bits. Now the Mac n' Cheese was not all that, but I've been spoiled by Esquire Grill's Mac n' Cheese. Once you have a four cheese Mac with a Bechamel base you can never really go back to Mac n' Cheese made with processed powdered cheese substitute.<br />We surprising ate every last drop. We were full until 7pm that night. We sat there completely satisfied.<br />I broke off the last piece of fried chicken skin and looked at Ian and said,<br />"Do you know what this is?"<br />"What?"<br />"This is Chicharones for Black people!"<br />"You're stupid N'Gina"<br />We did the full people's laugh, which is like two "huh huh's" and then paid and thanked our waitress.<br />So if you are hankerin' for some seriously good soul food, you need to go to Mama Sue's. The prices are super reasonable, the food is fabulous, service warm and inviting and did I mention they have all you can eat Fried Chicken on Sunday's! Whaaaaaaaat!<br /><br />Mama Sue's Soul Food Kitchen<br />10113 Folsom Boulevard<br />Rancho Cordova, CA 95670<br />(916) 363-3977<br /><br /></p>N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-33843247082027745662010-09-27T13:47:00.000-07:002010-09-27T14:01:58.235-07:00It's My Anniversary...But I'm Not Drinkin' Champagne...But I Wish I Was!It has been a full year that I have been writing my blog. I tried to think of some really creative post about my year in retrospect, but I've been there and done that in previous posts. So I am re-posting the original post that started it all. It's actually my favorite post that I have written. Thank you to everyone that has read and continues to read my blog. The next year has alot in store, with a new baby on the way, catering business really picking up, and the seeds that we sowed this past year coming to harvest in the upcoming months. Life is good and getting better. <a href="http://mouthfulloffood8.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-got-full-on-this.html">http://mouthfulloffood8.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-got-full-on-this.html</a>N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-12539784987882720262010-08-22T12:41:00.000-07:002010-08-22T15:09:59.817-07:00The I Do's and Don'ts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKYz6eyYuNJX-iP0WVP0Obaw5Ld9pggIolS8Ong0qLhgGhxU6ypw7Yz-mUaB4FidAq-v2zRjsWboZd0vA01WMDbip3EntV2DoZsrJbNZdtf4lsde1hXm8yYPiiP_LlT0ws-4qUfwMOns/s1600/msw_fall_06_piped_dotted_xl.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 256px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508358169380736562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKYz6eyYuNJX-iP0WVP0Obaw5Ld9pggIolS8Ong0qLhgGhxU6ypw7Yz-mUaB4FidAq-v2zRjsWboZd0vA01WMDbip3EntV2DoZsrJbNZdtf4lsde1hXm8yYPiiP_LlT0ws-4qUfwMOns/s320/msw_fall_06_piped_dotted_xl.jpg" /></a> For us at Eight, the fall is the beginning of our wedding season. The weddings that we are catering this season absolutely run the spectrum of style and size. From a traditional big Italian fete to a modern art gallery cocktail party. With my own anniversary this past week, it got me thinking about the things that brides and grooms do right and wrong in the planning of their big day. This will be a short list, but here are my top 3 things that you shouldn't and should do to ensure a memorable and fabulous day.<br /><br />1. <strong>Leave the peanut gallery at home</strong>: The average wedding cost between 10K to 30K. That's the cost of a car! It's a big and personal financial commitment. Would you bring your whole family and all your friends to help you buy a house? Then why would you bring them to a cake tasting, dress fitting or food tasting and let them make the decisions? The day is about you and your partner, not about what your best friend, mom, little brother wished they could have at their wedding. PLEEEEEASE couples allow yourselves to make a deep personal decision that is just for you. Not your guest or your family. (Even if they are paying. Because a monetary gift is just that a GIFT! You don't tell people what to do with a gift.)<br /><br />2. <strong>Plan ahead</strong>: If you are having a shot gun wedding, more power to you. No really. For those that are not having one, please don't act like you are. Plan, plan, plan. So much goes into planning the big day. Get help and get help early. Find a friend that is in the industry and ask them for advice. They will be able to steer you in a proper, money and time saving direction to help plan out the big day. Friends in the industry will turn you on to insider tips on how to get the most bang for your buck.<br /><br />3. <strong>The entire West Coast doesn't need to be invited</strong>: This is the one piece of advice I give out to everybody I know who is getting married. Nobody ever listens and after they get married they always say, "Wow you were right." No shit! Having a rave for a wedding will exhaust you. Unless you are a raver. We had 50 people at our wedding and it felt like a night of 50 unfinished conversations. The guest that you invite took the time to buy you an expensive gift, travel across the country to be there and sit through your ceremony. They deserve more than 30 seconds of, "Thank you for coming." Our rule was if we hadn't had dinner with you in a year, then you weren't invited. Harsh rule, but it kept the numbers low and the cost down. It made it intimate. My sister got married a year ago and she had 500 people at her wedding reception. It was a par-tay, but that many people in a dark warehouse with booming music scared the shit out of my son and after being there for 20 minutes I had to leave. Missing everything about my sister's wedding reception. Very disappointing and not very intimate. Something that she regretted later.<br /><br />So take the time to figure out what you want and how to get it. Let the conversation be between just the two of you and remember you(hopefully)only get married once. Though you may renew your vows, the next time around some loved ones might not be there to enjoy it, so just do it right the first time.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-24896123777546668072010-08-11T17:18:00.000-07:002010-08-11T18:23:48.671-07:00Ready for a Change of SeasonsSo today was a cool 84 degrees in Sacramento, but throughout the day we had a beautifully cool breeze that made it feel like the beginning of Fall. It got me aching for Fall so badly. Fall has always been a time of restart for me. In younger years, I would usually move around this time, start a new job, begin school. Fall has a smell that is so unique and I caught a glimpse of that today. Wood burning pizza ovens, sweet pipe tobacco, pencil shavings and cool air. Going to Apple Hill with Danielle and Clint Hostetler, new leather boots and of course, the Renaissance Fair....YEAH I USED TO GO...I AIN'T EMBARRASSED...AND I USED TO DRESS UP TOO!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTPuy9OglPOn7QDsIemRK6yMyWahDZrB05h7AuzpgmwXc0gTS6c6084OeDS5dff4ZJe-gB44r34Ol7nzCHnDnB4tlHD0lVn_x1t0-vJG_xpYzxX_rupGF3tDLFsMoAdbUiO1PBMNubI0/s1600/Hot%2520Chocolate%2520in%2520a%2520cup.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 357px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504319517931358722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTPuy9OglPOn7QDsIemRK6yMyWahDZrB05h7AuzpgmwXc0gTS6c6084OeDS5dff4ZJe-gB44r34Ol7nzCHnDnB4tlHD0lVn_x1t0-vJG_xpYzxX_rupGF3tDLFsMoAdbUiO1PBMNubI0/s400/Hot%2520Chocolate%2520in%2520a%2520cup.jpg" /></a><br />As of late food has been a cold, evil mistress for me, so for this post I will be referring to my favorite Fall drink. Chili Pepper Hot Chocolate. Ah Jesus, Mary, Joseph how I love a good cup of spicy hot chocolate. The only way that I drink it is with a dried red chili cooked into the milk. The heat hits you on the back of the throat in such a lovely subtle way. So when the weather gets a little more chilly in a month or so, I highly suggest making a cup and snuggling up on the couch with a good Law and Order marathon. You know I will be. <br /><br />Spicy Hot Chocolate<br />2 cups milk<br />3 0z dark chocolate or 2 tbsp dark cocoa powder<br />1-2 dried red chili pepper<br /><br />In a small saucepan heat milk, but do not bring milk to a boil. Slowly stir milk. Crack the dried red chili pepper into milk and continue to warm milk. If using cocoa powder, add to milk and slowly whisk to incorporate ingredients. If using chocolate bars, pre-melt chocolate. Short cut, melt chocolate in the microwave starting at 30 seconds. Remove and stir chocolate, if not fully melted, place in microwave and at 10second intervals continue to heat and stir until melted. Pour melted chocolate into your desired mug and then slowly incorporate the milk, stirring until all ingredients are fully incorporated.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-40347294976691921812010-08-01T13:30:00.000-07:002010-08-01T14:07:11.818-07:00It Ain't Your Snoopy SnoCones...<p>This week we are catering the California Fish and Game graduation dinner in Chico. When we were trying to come up with an idea for dessert, we wanted to do something cool and refreshing because cake wasn't going to work. Have you ever been to Chico in the summer? It's hotter than a black cow in a field with no trees. Fish grease is cooler. So we decided on sno-cones! Hells yea! (The sound of me patting myself on the back).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfNgCpY4tJuSrJ0k1w1I4aJ00ee7nQ9aXChMg4q780AsHnSKshPmFarhGnPAlELHws397C0PWasm4kqC3NuezbjmP2NeiJL-tqF7O4GfErTrpK-hZ8B00Vm5zlfEWHkRGavD4fMUOfEU/s1600/blackberry.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 199px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500549641668007266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfNgCpY4tJuSrJ0k1w1I4aJ00ee7nQ9aXChMg4q780AsHnSKshPmFarhGnPAlELHws397C0PWasm4kqC3NuezbjmP2NeiJL-tqF7O4GfErTrpK-hZ8B00Vm5zlfEWHkRGavD4fMUOfEU/s320/blackberry.jpg" /></a><br />So I decided, after being invited by my friend Nanc to go blackberry picking along Lake Natoma, to do a blackberry vanilla syrup as one of the options. I've got about four more syrup combinations to create and my hope is to try some really crazy flavors that people will be like, "What the...?" But when the eat them they'll be like, "Can you put a nipple on that syrup bottle for me and I'll finish drinking the rest!" So I will update you on how that goes, but for now here is the recipe for the blackberry vanilla sno-cone syrup.<br /><br />Blackberry Vanilla Sno-Cone Syrup<br /><br />1 tablespoon vanilla extract<br />1 cup water<br />2 cups granulated sugar<br />4 cups blackberries<br /><br />Take blackberries and place them in a blender with tablespoon of vanilla. Blend the mixture until berries liquefy. Over a bowl, strain the blackberry mixture so that all you have in the bowl is the juice of the berries. Discard the pulp, then set the juice aside. Add 1 cup of water and 2 cups of sugar to a pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Make sure you stir as it comes to a boil, and then boil for a minute. Remove the pan from the stove and allow the water and sugar mixture to cool. Stir in the fruit juice. Pour the blackberry vanilla syrup over your snow cone. If you have any left over, store in the plastic containers with a lid and put it in the refrigerator. It will keep for about a week.<br /><br /><br /></p>N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-38697879829084287862010-07-18T15:38:00.000-07:002010-07-18T16:34:17.346-07:00To My CheerleaderRecently a very good friend of mine, Nanc, asked if I had read the July 2nd post on <a href="http://orangette.blogspot.com/">Orangette</a>. She recommended that I take a read of the post and tell her what I thought. I popped over to the blog and took a read and instantly felt like I was reading pages out of my own diary. Lately I have had a major drain of my mojo and inspiration. Must be contagious because my sister spoke of the same ailment taking her over a couple of weeks ago on her own <a href="http://www.izillatheterrible.blogspot.com/">blog</a>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tNrvXn82QQVGPhqBN24H0LturPjCxrFpeeyo86_uALbVP6bna0S6bZkynFQQ4ibz5dlDXzc4-pqKklTbDQD7Mql1OKH-VU8h3IBpy0q05cKNtbpFQCoSNYGIZs7KQvpSONyj5DxyCTg/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495390350371860706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tNrvXn82QQVGPhqBN24H0LturPjCxrFpeeyo86_uALbVP6bna0S6bZkynFQQ4ibz5dlDXzc4-pqKklTbDQD7Mql1OKH-VU8h3IBpy0q05cKNtbpFQCoSNYGIZs7KQvpSONyj5DxyCTg/s320/13.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This whole journey of trying to open a restaurant and secure funds and having very little support emotionally from those that we really want it from has taken such a major drain on my spirit. The commercial development game is a lot like playing "Sorry" and getting your ass bumped back to the beginning over and over again. To the point that in a highly hormonal moment last week I just cried and said, "I don't want to do this anymore. Fuck this!" After my raging pregnancy hormones quelled, I was quite embarrassed that I had even uttered such nonsense. Even still my mojo tank was on empty and ideas on how to reinvent this process to obtain our dream had me at a loss.<br />In this life I truly believe that there are people placed into your life that will always feed you what you need, even if you may not realize it at that time. That food might be love, discipline, hard reality or inspiration. And after an hour long phone conversation with Nanc the other day I realized that she is my spiritual personal chef. When I walk through door beat up and ready to quit, she always offers up a hot plate of inspiration and positive energy for me to dig my fork into. She's got a great compass that points me into the right direction to pull ideas and get me off my ass. Not saying that I'm lazy, but making your dreams come to fruition is the hardest thing that you can do in this life, because sometime poeple don't understand nor support your passions.</div><div>That said, after reading the Orangette post I realized that I don't have to be a slave to always posting recipes, that sometime a great idea can get too big and that downsizing that great idea is not the loss of the original inspiration. And though officially 11 weeks knocked up, I can handle everything that is put in front of me.</div><div>So where do we go from here? Well in the next week I will be posting a link to our "Kickstarter" page. Kickstater is a website that allows entrepreneurs to post their ideas for funding. These projects range from art, films, book publishing and even help with starting a bistro. You can pledge a $1 or $1000. So since the banks won't help and the investors want my kidney and our new baby as part of the deal, we are going grassroots and doing it ourselves. </div><div>In closing, I wanted to thank every client that has helped our catering business grow, every friend and family member that said we unquestionably believe in you and know that you will reach your goal and a special thank you to Nanc Brennen, you are my soul sister and an invaluable friend in my life. I just hope that I give you back everything that you give to me.</div>N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-42795463943013768182010-05-31T19:38:00.000-07:002010-05-31T21:24:39.867-07:00Dinner for One<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomoMHtxu0N1AEI0qQxp_XSq68lCc284R1CBRRV_Lp9axXuJLEighFgY2ZS_sFk-YhyWOhfUVIH7_ZYje2gDiAWlbugNHgBNd-7wb1hqkACojQrPxSYscxj9rPlTK7ardTRJ6whW38Ask/s1600/food00038.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477654343410660002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomoMHtxu0N1AEI0qQxp_XSq68lCc284R1CBRRV_Lp9axXuJLEighFgY2ZS_sFk-YhyWOhfUVIH7_ZYje2gDiAWlbugNHgBNd-7wb1hqkACojQrPxSYscxj9rPlTK7ardTRJ6whW38Ask/s320/food00038.jpg" /></a> Today is Memorial Day and it has been pretty sucky so far. My husband went boating all day and then off to a BBQ, while I stayed home with the boy and cleaned the house with a pending case of bronchitis. Seriously, I feel like Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio from "The Abyss" when she purposely drowned herself and Ed Harris brought her back to life. Lungs full of liquid, burning chest. If that fine ass Ed Harris was here it might make me feel a little better. Lord a Mercy that man was fine! But to digress, with the boys out of the house at the BBQ, I got to do something that I have not done in a long time. I made dinner for myself.<br /><div>It was fabulous. I made whole wheat rotini with lemon cream sauce, roasted chicken, pancetta and asparagus. Had a big ol' glass of wine (which I'm sure doesn't help the bronchitis) and was able to eat my entire dinner SLOWLY. No getting up five hundred times to get a refill of orange juice, a napkin, a nothin'. It was vanglorious! So I am going to let you enjoy my dinner as well, try it at home and I ask that you sit down by yourself and enjoy dinner for one. </div><br /><div></div><div>Rotini with Roasted Chicken, Pancetta and Lemon Cream Sauce</div><ul><li>1 cup heavy whipping cream</li><li>1 cup grated Parmesan</li><li>1 tbsp chopped shallots</li><li>1 tbsp chopped garlic</li><li>1 tsp lemon zest</li><li>1 tbsp unsalted butter</li><li>salt and pepper to taste</li><li>1 chicken breast</li><li>5 slices pancetta</li><li>1 tbsp thyme</li><li>1/4 cup sliced yellow onion</li><li>1 cup chicken stock</li><li>olive oil</li><li>2 cups whole wheat rotini </li></ul><div>Preheat oven on broil setting. Lay slices of pancetta on a prepared sheet pan. Place pancetta in the oven and cook until crispy. Once crispy, lay pancetta slices on a paper towel and allow them to cool. Once cooled, crumble slices into small pieces and set aside.</div><div>Take chicken breast and salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breast. On either a hot pan or cast iron griddle add a little olive oil and sear both sides of the chicken breast. If in a pan add yellow onion, thyme and chicken stock. If on a griddle transfer chicken to a pan and add the previous ingredients. Place a lid on the pan and reduce heat. Roast until chicken is cooked through and then let chicken rest for 5 min before pulling chicken apart. Set shredded chicken aside for later.</div><div>Begin boiling water for rotini. Once water comes to a boil add rotini. In a medium sized sauce pan, add olive oil and bring to medium heat. Add shallots and cook until shallots become soft. Add garlic, salt and pepper. Once garlic becomes fragrant add heavy cream and reduce heat to medium/low heat. Slowly incorporate Parmesan and stir until Parmesan is melted into cream. Add butter and zest to sauce. Take a ladle full of pasta water from rotini and add to sauce. This will thicken the sauce. </div><div>Drain pasta once al dente and add to sauce along with chicken and asparagus. Cook until the ingredients are coated with sauce. Place in a serving bowl and top with pancetta and more shredded Parmesan.</div>N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-83834634509219555862010-05-09T14:10:00.000-07:002010-05-09T15:16:09.753-07:00The Universe Trust FallSo I again I will start this blog with the usual apologies for staying away so long. Sorry! It has been a very demanding month. To say that recent events don't have me scared out of my mind would be a bold lie. My friends tell me that when you take risk you should be scared. But being scared is very uncomfortable for me and talking about it, puts me in a place of vulnerability that I have never been comfortable being in.<br />In 10 days we close escrow on a building that will be the home of our first restaurant. It's an amazing two story building that will house "Eight American Bistro" on the bottom floor and live/work lofts on the second. The later phase will be a penthouse on the third floor. The whole project will be a "green" project. Over 40% of the build will be with recycled products and the other 60% sustainable products. Everybody that is working on the project is soooo excited. It stands to be a catalyst for "green" urban infill in Sacramento. There is just one little problem. Though we have heavy investor interest to back the project once we own the building we still have not been able to rally all the funding towards the down payment to buy the building.<br />We had investors that were interested before we went into escrow to fund the entire project and entered into escrow based on initial meetings, but disagreements on the details of the deal led to a parting of ways.<br />So now here we are with the building of our dreams, and more than 165K short of making those dreams come to fruition. I'm trying to find a more poetic way of saying, "This fuckin' sucks!" But lack of sleep is depriving me of such eloquence at this time. The thing that scares me the most really is not that we may lose this building, it's everyone that is so excited about working on this project. From project contractors and consultants to future chefs and serving staff. This whole thing is bigger than Ian and I having the restaurant that we always wanted, it's the community that we have the opportunity to build. The new jobs that will be created, the shift in the way we construct buildings, how we responsibly tackle urban infill and how we take control of the food we eat and make, to ensure we live healthier longer lives....I'm scared to lose all that. It's bigger than just a fabulous location, though it is an amazing location, it's a year and a half of wanting something better for my community and fearing that it could all be gone because of 165 thousand stupid dollars. It keeps me up at night, it makes me cry in the shower so that no one can see, it has me praying to a God that I haven't had a relationship with in three years. It has me scared.<br />An advisor told me two months ago that I need to move forward with everything that I am doing to make this dream come true. That there will be times of uncertainty, but I had to trust in the Universe. That sometimes people hesitate to make moves because they feel they might not have all their ducks in a row. He said, "Make moves like you do have all your ducks in a row and the Universe will catch you."<br />And so far it has.<br />But I get more scared as we near this deadline and attempts to acquire the rest of the down payment just keep not working out. Maybe this is the part of the journey were I need to turn around, cross my arms over my chest, close my eyes and just fall.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-79825366578768681292010-04-09T15:06:00.001-07:002010-04-09T17:15:14.430-07:00The Search for AuthenticityIt's terrible that I have neglected the blog for so long. I treat it like a houseplant, hence the reason I don't have any live house plants...BUT I'm back and have so much to write about. This month has been the epitome of CRAZY. I went and saw this psychic in Folsom that said, "the next two months, you are going to be so busy it's going to feel like your life is falling apart." He was NOT joking! I'm so stressed out that for three days in a row I forgot to eat breakfast and lunch. That's busy!<br />So here is the scoop, we found a building that we want to open our restaurant in and are currently in a counter offer bidding war. We have potential investors, but they are from overseas and we don't know if they are legit, we are getting our backyard transformed into a organic vegetable garden for free and on national television, and this week alone I've been working on five caterings, been on the morning news and started working with my new partner for the launch of our online store at the end of this month! CRAZY!!!<br />And did I mention that 50% of my friends and family are born in the month of March, so it was like birthday party central up in this biotch for four weeks straight. Plus I had two weddings to attend, one in Sacramento and the other in New Orleans. And with that, it will be a wonderful segue into today's blog.<br />New Orleans, it's my birthplace, the home of amazing people and I was told even more amazing food. Well they lied! I went to New Orleans with my head in the clouds, expecting remarkable food on every corner. I thought that it would be dreamy and intoxicating, with heavy moss covered Live Oaks lining the streets and the smell of gumbo in the air. Southern hospitality at it's finest. I thought that someone would pass me by on the street and take one look into my hazel eyes and say, "Aww gurl, you is Creole fo' sho" and give me a spontaneous voodoo reading about my past lives in the South and my French ancestry. Jesus, what a wake up call I got.<br />The last time I was in New Orleans I was two years old. So it was my bad for imagining such a fantasy. The first couple of days were disappointing to say the least. It was no different from the super touristy jook joints that you would find in any city. My search for authentic southern food went unanswered for the entire time that we were there; we took local recommendations, magazines reviews, hotel concierge suggestions. All the restaurants, just one disappointing meal after another. I was heartbroken and hungry.<br />The best meal that we ended up having, was at a small diner called Clover's in the gay district of the French Quarter. We had just left a bar and we were starving. Through the rain, we ran four blocks down a filthy puddle filled street. Left our Bud Lights at the front door and stepped into gay nirvana. Drenched, we sat at the counter and after 10 minutes, were greeted by a soft bodied, overly pale, mid 40's order taker. After scribbling down our order, he posted the tag behind him on the cooks spindle. Our cook was long, lean and had the straightest hot comb pressed hair I have ever seen on a Black man. He had at least 20 different orders going the entire time. He moved from the fryer to the grill to the cold station with the grace of an ice skater. Lip syncing to "Single Ladies" while perfectly assembling my greasy spoon cheeseburger and talking shit to the slow, soft bodied order taker. "Girl, you better move a little faster! I ain't got time fo' yo' shit tonight!"<br />I, for the 30 minutes that we were there, was in heaven. Then Beyonce's coworker came around the corner. Eyeliner, size 0 Dereon jeans, and mad jewelry on his wrist. He danced around the diner which was no bigger than my living room, bussing tables and also talking shit to the soft bodied order taker. "If you was sick then WHY did you come to work?!" I told him that it wasn't fair that he, a man, could fit into size 0 Dereon jeans and I, a woman, could not. He snapped his hips back and forth and retorted, "It ain't my fault baby, lose some weight and I'll give you these jeans!" My reply, "Ewwww bitch!" It was all in fun and I tell ya it made the burgers and milkshakes taste even better.<br />On the plane ride home, my husband and I discussed how disheartening it was that we didn't get that Southern meal that we wanted of New Orleans. In our conversation, we realized that we had had an absolutely wonderful meal. It was at my Aunt Fran's house near Biloxi. We had stopped into Biloxi for two days to visit family and she had hosted a party while we were there. She made her traditional Southern favorites and it was authentic, memorable and satisfying. We had been so stuck on finding real food in a restaurant, that we neglected to realized that "real" Southern food is not available in restaurants, but in the recipes that family pass down from generation to generation. Thank you Aunt Fran, you gave me what I was looking for and now I know that real Southern fare is no further than my own family's cookbook.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-72252513920910067212010-03-07T07:38:00.000-08:002010-03-07T07:41:32.124-08:00And The Winner Is ...The winner of the Spring Basket from "Mouth Full of Food" is Connie Thompson! Congratulations Connie. Three runners up will recieve mini baskets for their efforts, so congratulations to Abi Robinson, Rachel Wallace and Stacey Ball. Thank you to all that entered, we will have more contests in the future with oppotunities to win excellent culinary prizes.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1479087886666226547.post-18916315651222783292010-03-05T10:22:00.000-08:002010-03-05T10:31:54.854-08:00As I Said, "Above Average, Potential Classic"Check out this blog write up on a very deserving young, female talent here in Sacramento. I have worked with her before,( post Oct.23 "It WAS Finger Lickin' Good") and she is an amazing chef. <a href="http://www.girlsonthegrid.com/?p=2670#more-2670">http://www.girlsonthegrid.com/?p=2670#more-2670</a>.N'Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467172282403859982noreply@blogger.com0