Brie, Please!

In walks Marian happy and excited as usual especially when she is talking about her favorite subject: FOOD! How was your day I asked. I need some Brie she tells me. Oh are you making dinner. No its for my French class. OK, Marian proceeds to tell me how she had to choose a item made in France to research and present to the class. She explained the process of making Brie. You would have thought she was explaining how a Diamond is mined. Mom I love talking about food. Oh I know and anyone who spends a moment with you will know.

 I run to the store to pick up items for dinner and Marian's Brie. Marian calls just before I turn down our street. You will see me in a minute, I explain. She meets me at the door the moment I arrive home and starts to turn in circles a she cradles the golden triangle package of brie. This is exactly what I wanted. Im glad. She places it in the refrigerator and hums up the stairs to finish her homework. In walks DH from a long day. He opens the door and spots the Brie immediately ( he is a very detailed man, he notices everything). Brie? He asked with a puzzled face. Its for Marian's French class. He smiles and closes the door. I appreciate DH and how he respects the other chef in the house.

Giggles and squeals

" Marian, Marian ohhh Marian", I firmly spoke, "speak to the man". I could hear Chef Marcus Samuelsson talk so sweetly and kindly to my 15year old as she held her breath for each word he spoke. He told her that she sounded sweet and he hopes that she comes up to visit his restaurant.

Marian was thrilled to speak to her 1st celebrity chef. Her DF is up in Delaware for business and being a Foodie he could not resit the temptation to visit a Harlem restaurant. To his delight Chef Samuelsson of The Red Rooster was walking out as DH walked in. He was very gracious he took a picture with DH and spoke with our daughter on the phone. Marian did every thing she could to contain herself enough to talk to him. I heard her say hello and thank you. At that point she fell face down on my bedroom floor kicking, arms flailing and squealing. She got up gasping for air and smiling so big it took over her face. Wow! is about all I can say.

Thanks DH for going up to Harlem. Thank you God for teenage girls and moments that make them squeal.

A porkloin tale

In November last year right before Thanksgiving day. My household was excited. I was excited about spending time with family, relaxing and all the delicious food to inhale. My husband was excited about his upcoming cooking marathon. Marian was excited about preparing her own dish for
thanksgiving. Our son was intensely researching the web for a elaborate pasta dish to have on the menu.
Yet the big day became more hectic, fast and challenging, at least for me the closer it got.

You see the past holidays in our household have flown by quite smoothly. I would credit this to my "Dear Husband" and his passion for food & a detailed presentations. You see DH loves to cook so for the past 18 years he prepares a elaborate menu that he formulates throughout the year. I do part of the shopping a few days before with a extensive time consuming lis that he prepares. I am grateful for girlfriends who enjoy cooking and shopping and tell me where to find the best deals.

Knowing that are up and coming chief wanted to prepare a dish for the holidays I asked her what did she want me to add to the shopping list. "A porkloin" she said beaming. I was surprised by her request. She informed me that on a recent outing with one of my girlfriends (who loves cooking and shopping) the girlfriend had bought a porkloin and told Marain how she was going to prepare it. I added it to my list.

Later that day I met up to shop with my helpful friend. I informed her that along with all that DH requsted that Marian had a request too. She smiled  at Marian's request and was not surprised. My friend chose a porkloin for me. Since my diet is mainly veggies and fish, I needed her help.

Marian was home when I returned from shopping she owwed and ahhhh'd over her porkloin. She was beaming over her vision of what she was going to do with her meat.

Shortly after DH arrived home. He was excited to see all the groceries on the table. He went to get comfortable and returned to do inventory. He noticed the porkloin. "Oh I see that you got a porkloin I can....." "MOMMIE" Marian yelled! I quickly took action." DH, Marian asked me to buy that porkloin" I informed him. If you want me to get another one I will, but you can't touch my babies porkloin".  Puzzling he look at me he didnt say another word. He kind of smiled and retreated to the rest of the inventory to make sure that he had everything he needed to begin his cooking marathon.

Funny, I never imagined that I would need to take a stand for my daughter's right to a porkloin.

Fish stew for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

When I arrived in the kitchen at 5:50 this morning I could smell it simmering. I knew she could not resist her Baba's fish stew. She informed me that she was taking some for lunch. I prayed over her as I fixed her hair. We scurried up to the bus stop with our furry companion. A brown and white coker spaniel that we call Cinnamon of course.  I was grateful that daylight savings came this weekend so our morning walks our now bathed in daylight.

When I returned to the kitchen to prepare my husband's juice I saw the remains of Marian's breakfast. Fish stew. Marian has never been one to eat a traditional breakfast. By the time she was 9 her breakfast became whatever dinner was the night before. No bread, cereal or eggs just meat & veggies. This stew that my husband mastered after his fast meets all of Marian's requirements. Her dad (my hubby) is a incredible cook. His stew contained cilantro, potatoes, kale, onions, garlic, salmon, scallops & tuna. I could not resist so I had a serving for lunch as well.

She returned home this afternoon tired as usual. She dropped her bags, took off her shoes and asked if she could have some fish stew now and for dinner later as well. I nodded. With her IPhone in her hand & ears, feet tapping while humming she devoured the stew.  It was soon time for music classes and errands.

When we returned home I greeted hubby who was stretched out on the couch with Cinnamon right by his side.  I heard the refrigerator slam and heard a sigh "Baba" Marian yelled. "You ate all stew". I checked there was about a cup of stew left for her and I to share. Marian began rambling in the cabinet. Hubby was in the kitchen quite annoyed. "Marian what are your doing"? She finds the biggest pot she can find. "The next time you make the stew use this."We will" I assure her. She adds her portion of the stew to a bowl of packaged Asian noodles. Feet tapping, while humming she devours the stew.

Navigating life with my budding chief

Mommy Marian announces. "I am making fried chicken"OK I say through clenched teeth. You see my precious daughter the budding chief has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome & Dyslexia. With the Asperger she is always happy. I often say Marian has the joy the world did not give and the world cannot take away. The challenge with this disorder is she is often oblivious to how her decisions impact others.

This current announcement will greatly impact her father(my husband) who will be home within the hour.  He has been on a juice fast for 40days.  He has lost a significant amount of weight and wants to go another 20 days.

I encourage her to get started immediately, to use the ventilation fan and clean up as she goes. Marian begins her rhythm of smiling, humming & twisting about.  She cleans, pours, dips and fries her bird.  Within the hour she has produced a perfectly golden brown fried chicken. Look Mommy. beautiful I respond. Her timing was almost perfect. The kitchen was clean and there was no sign of the chicken which was already in the fridge when her father arrived. She and her brother ate enough during the cooking process and decided to save the rest for lunch tomorrow. My Marian's world somehow fits just right with us particularly her cooking.

Twitter is necessary

Marian has become a very knowledgeable chief thanks to her use of the social network. "How do you know that Chief Irvine did that"? I asked surprised. I am following him on twitter. Mom did you know the food trucks were in Memphis? No, did you read that on twitter? Yes. Wow I am learning so much from Marian about the latest news about food. She continues to follow her passion day and night: cooking. It is the topic of every other conversation. She evens knows the lay out of her restaurant and what plates she will use. I wait with anticipation to that day. But until that day comes their is joy in cooking on this journey, shared by the traveler and the observer.

A dish worth the cost

It is good to know what you are going to make before the day begins. I find it quite helpful to have a focus. Being married with kids and a dog I easily get distracted. So today I needed Marian's enthustiactic reminder of the importance of getting all on the list. She even typed it in my grocery app on my touch to assit me. Her eyes have been on making this rich dish since we got the November food newtwork magazine. My grand total after trying to decrease the 4 meats to 3 was 58.00. Marian this is a expensive meal I informed her. She was surprised to hear the amount. The 3 meats and needed spices made the dish pricey.

Marian enjoyed toasting and milking the bread for the meatballs. She happily discussed the theme for her upcoming 13th birthday. Her party will be based on one of her favorite food network shows. She wants to discuss the plates, types of food needed and whom the judges would be. I am trying to cut the onions into quarters but desperately looking for my matches because if I don't use the candles flames to block the onion gases I will be crying a river. At the same time I am reminding Marian to do the next step of her part of the cooking. The dog is picking up onion dropping and my son is holding his stomach as he crumbles over and states that he is starving.

Along with being easily distracted cooking is not my chore of choice but of duty and honor. It is my husband's passion and is now our daughter's passion as well. Her love for cooking and excitement about food makes my labor worth it. Not only do I get to help her learn to cook but together we learn more things then I ever knew(or wanted too).

Our dish turned out yummy. My husband loved it and so did my picky son. I treasure these moments that we have to taste life together and see what we can make.