Take me to paradise, or Arizona...

Welcome to paradise is how they should have greeted me as the cab door opened! To my surprise when I arrived, I was let out on a rather quiet, unassuming  cobblestone circular driveway. I was directed to walk through an old alcove and entered a small lobby (which was more like a quiet room with someone awaiting to check me in.) After being checked in, I was ushered off to my honeymoon villa (I was upgraded.Further confirmation that this WAS paradise!) Everything about this resort was magical from the water flavored with the fruit essence of the day, to the smell of warmth and burning wood that would drift over the resort every evening. After a short morning workout, I decided to stop and get breakfast  from T.Cook's, the only on-site restaurant that boasts homemade pesto which is served during all banquet/meeting meals. I also might add, there is a fireplace inside the dining area and they feature entrees cooked in the fireplace. I picked up a coffee and granola and fruit to take back to my room. My first bite could be likened to what it's like to eat your first meal after fasting for a day or two. The fruit was a simple mixture of blueberries, strawberries and blackberries but they were the sweetest and juiciest I've ever had. The granola was homemade and lightly sweeten with honey and toasted to give the most wonderful, crunchy finish.

My second best meal would be the plump lobster ravioli that I had for dinner during one of the group meals. The pasta was al dente and the lobster was abundant! 

By the way, my mysterious paradise is known as The Royal Palms Resort & Spa. 

Year of the Ox

No, I'm not Asian, but I do like to celebrate the Chinese New Year. By "celebrate" I mean go to Chinatown, enjoy some dim sum, watch the parade and see some street performances. (One year I was invited to a  Chinese New Year dinner celebration, by my friend Joanne, complete with red envelopes. I never knew there was so much money given for this holiday!) So many people come to Chinatown around this time of year that it really brings an added excitement to an already bustling area of New York. 

All Because It's Carnival Time...

Turning my mind to new thoughts as we are in the midst of Carnival season  in New Orleans. I've been receiving parade and weather updates I can't help but remember when  I was little how exciting it was to have my grandpa break out the hand crafted latter seat for my sister and I. We'd have to eat dinner a little earlier on the night of a parade so we could stake out a spot on the parade route. The most exciting two evenings were the Saturday and Sunday before  Mardi Gras day. Endymion, the parade known for the longest floats, would roll Saturday night. Then, Sunday night was Bacchus and my mom would make lasagna and garlic bread-(not sure why that was the meal of choice) and we'd walk about 4 blocks to the parade route to see my dad. He would pelt us with beads. I often would wish that he wouldn't see us because it was so painful to be hit in the face with beads when your face and hands are already cold, but you felt obligated to catch them because if you didn't someone very close to you would snag the precious loot! You have to understand, during Mardi Gras, plastic beads and cups are the most treasured items around-better than gold and silver! Our evening of bead-catching and running down St. Charles Avenue after floats would end with  king cake. Everyone would fight over what color sugar (purple, green or gold) they wanted on their piece. Sometimes you had to just suck it up and have a piece with two different colors on it. If you were not so lucky you'd get stuck with the piece with the baby and that meant you'd be providing the next cake! 

Holiday Withdrawl..

So I've been a VERY bad blogger, but I've made a commitment to change in 2009! I'm not sure if it's my friends, family or food but I'm missing home. I was lucky enough to spend 7 days back home for Christmas.

Whenever I know a trip home is pending, I start a list of all the places I want to go, things I want to see and restaurants that I must go to.  Even though I had more time than usual this trip, I still found myself unable to make all the food stops that I'd planned. I guess when you're  dining on shrimp poboys and pieces of sushi the size of my hand, you should be careful not to eat too much anyway. One of my favorite meals on this trip was a dreamy shrimp/oyster poboy from Domilisie's and I was able to share the experience with Heather and Willy while they visited New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl!

The Original Kitchen Table

It doesn't have to be the weekend or a holiday for everyone to gather at this table.  A great sale at the grocery, a mid-week birthday or just a visit to drop off some peeled pecans can spur a small gathering which always brings out a smorgasboard of food. 

This is the kitchen table at my grandparents house. Having recently moved back into their home post-Katrina, they've been testing out some new kitchenware with some family and friends.  

Nothing is formal. A mix and match of plates, an assortment of flavored, flat sodas decorate the table. Wine served in glasses or mugs.

  

It's so good to see a gathering back in that kitchen. I can't wait to have my first post-Katrina holiday meal at that table!!

A Fire Like No Other

Well, it was extremely intense!  It  started so innocently, I was talking with a co-worker recently about my  "craving of the minute" when all of a sudden she mentioned she had cooked a large pot of Bhagari Jhinga and offered to bring some the next day. I wasn't sure if I had tried this dish before but I'd be a fool to                            discourage such an offer!

True to her word, the next day she arrived with a sampling for me- all neatly packaged. I warmed it all and made a little rice to accompany it. The first taste was good the garlic, curry, clove- all were distinct but came together in one harmonious dish. Then all of a sudden, I felt some heat and as the seconds past it became stronger. Before I knew it, the heat hit in a  major way and my heart started racing- as if it was trying to escape my body. In the end, all was fine but I might need to embrace the heat with a little less gusto next time.