Happy with Hazel

Photo: the spread

Being a gracious host takes a lot of practice and learning. You can read books on it. But it's not the same as doing it yourself. Being a host does not only take place in your own home but also when out when you invite people out or are introducing people to each other. Being a gracious host is an important skill to have and something I am most definitely learning still!

 Last Friday was the first time I officially hosted an event and it was with the help of my sister. I was helping her host a Motives cosmetic party and I like make up so I actually wanted to host this party. My sister called the event, "happy with hazel," and even made the cutest Invitations. 

First came the menu planning. People sometimes ask me where my ideas for food come from. I think my food muse is always nearby and she is there to always inspire me. Sometimes it's a dish I've seen on a menu or recipe. Recently they really are inspired by trips to the farmers market. "Come try a fresh date." "What would you do with this?" "Cheese plate or make bacon wrapped date." Ooh ok. I will do that!

Cocktail of the night:

Mezcal Mule 

Mezcal, ginger beer, lemon, lime, and mint. Later in the evening this had cucumber. 

Dish #1: bacon wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese.  You just take bacon cut in half. Remove pit of date and stuff. I stuffed mine with a soft sheep cheese. And then wrap with bacon. Use a toothpick to hold together. This can be prepped night before, and then just thrown into oven right before party. While this dish is good served hot, it is also good served room temp. So it's easy to prepare in advance. 

Item #2 was a rustic hummus. Hummus does not have to be blended. You can smush beans halfway. I used white and garbanzo beans, mix it with purple onions, avocado, garlic, cilantro, parsley, tahini, lime. lemon, and a good olive oil. I served it with lavash crackers. This is a good thing for a party because you can prep it night before and your guest will have something to eat right when arrive. If you prep night before I suggest adding avocado right before serving though. 

Dish #3 "crack a plate" Brie on just made crostini, served with a peach bourbon or Arabian apple jam. 

Dish #4. Fries with parsley and Parmesan. I just used frozen shoestring fries, baked, added freshy gratsd Parmesan and parsley! 

Dessert: 

cardamom and orange choclate ice cream served with a lavender shortbread cookie and dressed with a sweet guerztiminer "almost vinegar" 

 This was supposed to be served with fresh figs I had picked up but forgot about it when serving but nobody noticed of course. But sad I have a basket of figs to eat by myself now. 

See. Hosting and menu planning is easy peasy. 

So lessons learned.

For the guests that stayed later they even got an "appetif" of ginger pineapple keffir water served with strawberry, cucumber, lemon,  and mint. 

1) my place is small. And it gets hot when I cook. Guest were sweating up in here for as long as the oven was on. I would have tried to get all the baking done before the guest arrived. This was not possible though bc most guest pretty much arrived soon after I got home which was I was expecting of course. Regardless it was not something I took into acct when I had planned the cooking while they arrive. Also a good host will not still be prepping while guest have arrive. But remember I was helping host and was not main event thrower. 

2) write down every component of my menu somewhere such as a board. I wrote down my menu. But I did not write down ALL components. It was helpful though. As I read it and went "oh yes oh yes I wanted to make fries." I forgot to add the figs in the moment too as I mentioned.  I also forgot to add cucumbers to the cocktails. Darnit! 

3) remember the name of items you served. Everyone liked the cheese but what did I say when everyone goes, "what type of cheese is this?" I actually just realIzed now I could have looked in the trash for the wrapper and go above and beyond. But instead I blurted out it was called "crack a plate" at the market. Hah. 

The cocktail:

Mmm fries. 

The "appertif" of keffir. 

Just a reminder

2nd grade

Teacher:  Why aren't you doing your work? 

Me: "oh I was daydreaming." 

 

Lykke Li -WCW (woman crush wed)

I skipped Outsidelands this year. I've been going for 3 years in a row, but I wanted to be responsible and paid bills and school loans instead of spending almost $400 on a concert ticket. That is called, being an adult. Although I guess we all carry debt, so maybe I could have just gone on carrying it. Anyhoo I did miss a Lykke Li performance, so I was happy to find out she had show the Fox Theater in Oakland. I heard it was a great venue, so thought this was a perfect opportunity.I first discovered Lykke Li, maybe around 2008. Around that time, I had finished culinary school, but was uninspired to look for something in my field, and trying to figure out what to do with my life, I started listening to music more and here I found Lykke Li.

Here's my tour of her music and what it means to me. I'll have to start with her first album. Indulge me, I need concert/music friends!

So one song I first liked was "Let it Fall" where she talks about how she likes to cry. Sounds familiar? Funny thing I could not understand her, so I thought she was saying "So happy" and then I found out she was talking about crying, and I liked the song even more. A happy tune with sad words. I like the contradiction
"I like it salt. I like it wet. I like my makeup in a mess. So I weep. It feels so good when I let my water fall. And I won't stop until my tears are all shed."
 I like to indulge in my sad feelings. Listen to songs. Watch a certain movie. And I can cry for  a whole week too. Oh to be a girl.
http://youtu.be/CMOOVUhxXcg


"Little Bit" -- "Hand's down I'm too proud love, but with eyes shut it's you that I am thinking of. I think I'm a little bit in love with you but only if you are a little bit in love with me."  Is that possible to be a little bit in love? Nope.
http://youtu.be/G6Qqhhlb3T0

Dance Dance Dance. "I was a dancer after all." I've always said, "I can't dance." But then I grew up and realized that I can. Maybe in my strange way but I can, Here is a version of Dance Dance Dance, which is with Bon Ivar, another band I love. But try to look for the one on her album too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fgbTvfCgSk

"Everyone but me." For those days you don't feel like being in the crowd. "Everybody is dancing. I don't want to. Everybody is drinking, I don't want to. Everybody is using, I don't need one." Maybe the club isn't good all the time right? I've had a lot of these moments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wkDfujp0CQ

OK. For her 2nd album. A lot darker and a little more poetic.  
You can tell with the first single on the album. Watch the music video and see how mysterious the lyrics and the video has become. But this still a good catchy song. "I follow you to deep sea baby." Love that. Since I love the ocean. But the video made me LOL, because I decided to wear cute heels to the concert, and then I took the BART home, and then walked barefoot home. Yah I did. She runs barefoot in the video. And that kiss is so good in the video.
http://youtu.be/vZYbEL06lEU

Ok I Love this one "Sadness is a Blessing." You must watch this video. Shows you how cookoo she is. And I mean that in a the best way possible "Sadness is a blessing. Sadness is my boyfriend. Sadness, I'm your girl." I could not agree more with that line. I would not be as happy as I am if I were never sad. And I'm single now, so sadness you are my boyfriend. I'm your gal. I've begged him not go. Yes I've done this too.
http://youtu.be/Xu-b3u5jDiU

For most recent album you wonder, "Who has she fallen in love with and left and longs for?" This album is more painful to hear.
This one is called "Sleeping Alone." 
Cannot get used to. Cannot forget you. Will I get used to sleeping alone?  I never used to. I didn't get to, never get used to sleeping alone. Tomorrow's a long time. Getting so alone. I love you a loved you a long time. I loved you long. Someday somehow. Somewhere down the line. You save your heart for mine we'll meet again. Will I get used to? Cannot forget you. Don't want to get used to dancing alone." Dancing alone. This is just what I just did. I saw the show alone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB1aoelO_Ow

One more. And also a good one.
never gonna love again
"Every time the rain falls think of me on a lonely highway. How can we turn around the heartache? I'm never gonna love again. Baby wait a long time, before you love somebody new. Can we start all over again because I'm never gonna love again?"
Ugh OK,. Heart hurts now. Must stop writing.

http://youtu.be/O-tMD2Tqt5w

And to end WCW, Lykke Li said during her show, "This is the girliest city I have every been to!" Hah. Cute.

Dinner and drinks in the Mission

I planned dinner with sister, baby, and a few coworkers a few months ago. We stopped by Lolo's for southern Mexican cuisine. And then Chino's for Contemporary Asian cuisine. Both are good small bites plus drink kind of places. Are you seeing a trend here? Yeah. I like places with drinks and small bites. Hah. I just realized it's just another way I have turned into my dad. 

Too cute these 2! And thier outfits totally matched the theme of both restaurants we ate at. Lolo's had a lot of "green" upcycled art. Take a look at everything. The lamps were made out of buckets. A lot of doggie art. Tire rims. Just a fun place. And of course they have Mezcal. Yum. 

This has corn fungus w pasta in a green sauce. It sounds much nicer in it's native name (huiteloche?)I've heard it been compared to truffles. I had to get. 

Obligatory Brussel sprouts: 

Squid ink 

And then even after all this food we walked to Chinos. This is the only pic I have from chinos apparently left in my phone. It's a paper fortune teller. Fun. We were full by the time we got there! But they were nice enough to give us wings and lumpia on the house! Uh Yeah! Thank you! Also "Yay" for boba cocktails! Sounds awesome but all my balls ended up frozen and drink was super sweet which is would be ok if I wasn't so full! Frozen boba balls is not always a bad thing though. 

Yay. Alva will be closer

One of my friends, Alva, has spent a good time traveling and working abroad. I've gone to school with her since preschool, and decided I want to hang out around with her more around middle school when we became classmates. When we went to high school we were the only 2 in our group from middle school that ended up in our high school together. And then I also followed her to the same university in college, became dorm mates and then roommates even off campus. And then pretty much after that she caught the travel bug and has not stayed put anywhere for too long. But she decided to try settling stateside again. Unfortunately she will still be a little far away in Minnesota for now. Not sure if Cali will ever lure her back. She visited me over the summer to get a feel for it and in the end was not sure. Plus the job market in the education field in the state is tough. Happy to have you back Alva! 

Here's a recap of her trip her over the summer. 

Us at cha cha cha cha (hey funny we used to take cha cha lessons together. It was really ballroom dancing classes but I only got as far as the waltz and the cha cha) 

We went up to sacramento to see another high school buddy. Here's me at Capitol. 

I took her to Muir woods. We did the main walk and then went off into the dipsea trail. I like the main trail way better. Larger trees plus the stream. (I know where are pics of Alva?) 

We were able to celebrate another old friend's bday. You see the couples? And then her and I? Haha. Maybe this will be us forever. And I'm kinda ok with that. I've considered following her to Minnesota too (hah).

Met one her friends that she met while abroad at Outer Lands in the outer Sunset. You must go. Chef is now Bayani, who've I've mentioned in another post. I think I got too tipsy at thier bar. Place was renovated recently. And covered in the owner's personal collection of wood. (Heh)

Persian food at Lavash with our friend from Guam, Markie plus his fiancé. 

Things that blow my mind

This is the stuff I think about like everyday. 

When I pee, I'm peeing out my filtered blood. I used to just think that peeing was excess water. It's not. It's what's left from your kidneys filtering your blood. This is why you should reconsider what they say about taking vitamins because you will just pee out the excess. Does your kidneys need to do all the extra work? Your decision. I take some vitamins. I need vitamin d because I am barely in the sun and it will be good for calcium absorption. I'll take vitamin c when I am sick or about to get sick. And when you eat. Your intestines are pulling nutrients out to feed your blood so your blood can feed your organs. 

When I put on make up

I'm really walking around pretending I look like a just had the flush that women get when they orgasm. So when I put on my blush you bet I'm thinkin about that. 

When I drive. My car is being fueled by dinosaurs! Gas is made from that gunk deep under earth that the old forest and dead dinosaurs left behind. I'm so amazed! Thank you dinosaurs for helping me drive to work everyday. 

Why is the Starbucks lady on the cup holding her legs wide open?  Close them legs honey. 

Sometimes when I cook

Sometimes when I cook and I finally take the first bite I am so elated i dunno what do with myself. I think sometimes I feel almost a tear coming. Is that wierd? Lol. Maybe. Sometimes I think about what I want to make days before I actually get to cook it, sometimes I come up with it at the moment, but maybe all the anticipation and that feeling of accomplishment just builds up and I end up happy. My food is sometimes really simple. And l like that I can make something really fast too. Some of my blog posts have featured stuff I have made. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I make stuff and it sucks. But most of the time, I am happy.

Here are photos of simple dishes I have made.

This quesadilla. So quesadillas are easily a good quick savory meal to make. I try to find good tortillas. These are just "handmade white corn with green chile" tortillas. I would rather learn how to makes tortilla from scratch bc I am almost positive it is super easy. (On my checklist. I'm already imagining fancy tortillas in the bear fugue. Masa (lye treated corn) and duck fat tortillas. ) Mmm! 

And then choose your own cheese: goat cheese, Brie and apples, a good cheeder. This one pictured has alive and wells' raw tempeh, goat cheese, and a roasted padron peppers inside. Secret to quesadilla? Don't overstuff. Don't put more than 3 ingredients in it. Press the tortillas  together while cooking. Let cool a little bit before slicing so cheese can become sticky. 

In the background: that's a homamade pineapple, ginger, Kalamansi keffir. It is slightly alcoholic and has probiotics. Dubbed the fountain of youth. You must try it. But making it is a whole another ritual that I enjoy. It includes feeding my starter every few days. Making sure I don't use metal around it becaus metal kills the good bacteria in it. Anyway you don't know how happy it makes me to realize I'm pretty much brewing something!

This is a fried rice. So.. Yeah. I get excited when I have leftover rice because that means I can make fried rice! Sweat onions, add garlic until aromatic, add meat, add day old rice, add veggies (kale, mushroom, green onion, even frozen veggies),  drizzle with soy sauce. Top with fresh herbs of basil or cilantro. I have million versions of fried rice because it's so flexible, but this a pork belly fried rice. 

Pork chops! Ok about the easiest trick but so good. All you have to do is marinate it for at least one night! Even just a simple white vinegar and garlic and tons of black pepper marinade makes a wonderful marinade. But you can change it up. Marinate your pork in a mixture of citrus of lemon, orange, and lime. Add a bay leaf, onion, and garlic. Add annato powder. That is a good achote (Spanish word for annato) pork.

Do you like Jamaican food? Ok. Marinate your pork chop. In the same trio of citrus of lemon, orange, and lime, garlic, soy sauce, onion, 1/4 of an orange scotch bonnet pepper, plus jerk seasoning. This will make the best jerk! This can work for chicken too. 

This one was pan fried in balsamic vinegar served with a creamy polenta.

BLAT 

Nothing like a good BLAT sandwich. I like it on a good sourdough. I chose arugula over iceberg. 

Salad

This blue cheese, tomato, spinach, almonds,and arugula chicken salad. I panned fried breast that was dredge in coconut flour. And then threw it on a salad. 

Gnocchi

Pan fried gnocchi with veggies. I purchase freshly ready made gnocchi, pan fry in a good olive oil and butter,  and add it to sautéed veggies.

Other fresh pastas. Ok. Ok. I keep dried pasta around for emergencies. But I highly recommend you get fresh pasta. Easier for you to digest. Less processed. And taste way better. Dried pasta. Tastes like well, dried pasta. I can rapidly whip up something tomato/meat sauce based. Don't forget to throw some wine in! Cream sauces are also easy to put together, all you need is a base such as cream, milk, almond milk, (I've even had to use plain yogurt). And then you throw grated cheese, a freshly cracked egg and stir like a crazy person. I like mine with smoked salmon for meat. But you can also do bacon. Lastly for fresh pasta; you can also do a naked pasta, just lemon, garlic, pepper, oil, and whatever else you please. Try adding nuts like almonds. And a green veggies. 

Breakfast! Potatoes! Meat. Eggs! To make hash: onions, mushroom, peppers, garlic, Italian herbs. I like to poach my eggs. That's a Marquez? Lamb pork sausage from the butcher (pasta shop in Oakland)

Snacks. I'll even make a rustic hummus somtimes (smooshed beans instead of completed blended, with diced, red onion, cilantro, parsley,  and lemon) or make a salsa (fired roasted canned whole tomatoes, onion, peppers, cilantro, blend-add lime if possible)