Dedicated with love to: CHRIS & BETH
Over the phone my son, Chris, and I tried figuring out what day we could
spend some "family time" together..... It took 5 weeks, for an "opening"
in our schedules!
During these past five weeks not only have I been missing my husband, I have been
missing Chris, Beth, and my grand-dog Berkus . They live in Atlanta, in a very
nice area close to Perimeter Mall. It's only a forty five minute drive , that is, if
I- 85 and 285 are not collapsed with rush hour traffic, road work, or accidents.
The distance between us is not great, yet we don't get to see each other very
often. Only once or twice a month. Why? They juggle jobs and school. I
juggle....blah, too many things! But, thank God, there is a day when our daily
life's routine permits us to make room for a "quality time visit" to enjoy each
other's company.
I had seen them last, the night before Pepe's trip. Which means, of course, over
a month. Chris was at the end of his college semester...and that meant all his free
time is dedicated to studying. Therefore, we waited for his two week break to make
plans. Finally, we set aside Wednesday the 31st. That was only 2 days away! After
talking with Chris, I wondered ...that day I had to work...hmmmm, dinner would
have to be cooked either the day before, or it would have to be something fast!
I love cooking for them. This time ...I'd rather not. To be in the kitchen, would
take time away from conversing with them, and I really didn't want that to
happen. Still, I would probably end up cooking as always, and just in case I
mentally reviewed their favorite dishes to see which I could prepare.
Chris and Beth love my "frituritas de maiz" or corn fritters. That could be a good
choice...I only needed...
1 (8oz) can cream style sweet corn...
1 tsp baking powder
two eggs....
about 1/2 a cup flour
1 tbs. sugar and a couple pinches of salt. Hot oil for frying...
I imagined a drop of batter to test the oil...
WOOOOOOOOOO!!! I could see them frying and the aroma!
I just love them....!!!!!!!!!!
the batter puffs up and turns golden brown...
I could see myself savoring one! I can't resist them..... I always have the first one out
of the pan! OK, but what should I make with it? A pork roast would have to be cooked
the day before. No, better not. A roasted chicken with my mom's "adobo" would be
delicious, but I didn't want to have them waiting on dinner...they can't leave too late! How
about some pasta? No...they had that last time. Paella? no...too many ingredients.
Lentils? Lentils and what else? Oh, cream of carrots and butternut squash...Chris
loved it when he was a kid! Or maybe pork chops, rice and yuca with "mojo"...
but Chris likes black beans withit, and I like to add plantains!....Forget it,
that would mean too much time in the kitchen! But...but...but...maybe I can just
go with thin "filetes" and home fries. Nothing in this world like potatoes fried in
good olive oil...the sprinkled with salt, and I could make an avocado salad to go with it.
That sounded good...Chris would love the fries. Beth would love the avocado salad.
I only needed.........
Red firm tomatoes, ripe avocados, onion and a lemon...
How I would cut the avocado? It didn't matter ...slices or chunks...
I saw myself squeezing lemon juice over it ...
then slicing the onion...
and adding the tomatoes ...
I then wondered if I had the ingredients for the dressing. I went to the kitchen
and looked in the cabinets. Great, I did! I only needed 2/3 cups of olive oil, and
1/3 cup of red wine vinegar...1tsp sugar ...a couple of pinches of pepper
and... about 1/4 tsp salt.
The steaks...I could stop in "La Potosina" on the way home. After all, thin steaks
are so fast to pan-fry and all I had to do was add some mashed garlic, oregano,
salt and pepper.
Yeap...One minute on one side ...turn ...another minute ...DONE!
I liked that idea.
and my favorite part is making the "salsa" at the end by adding some water,
bringing it to a boil and condensing it. Ay, que rico!!!
I imagined Christopher's plate..
I imagined Beth's plate...
Yes, I think I will stick to this plan. Sound good and they will enjoy it!
Wednesday came around. I was at work dying to leave early so I could start
with dinner. The phone rang. It was Chris!
-"Hey mom! What's the plan for dinner?" He asked in a good mood.
-"Ahhhhh....I thought something simple, filetes con patatas... why?..."
-"Just thinking, would you like me to bring pizza? You always cook...
let's just relax."
-"Oh, you don't have to...I can make something". I just didn't want him
spending money...but it sounded great!
-"No, you know ...I'm on my way to your house, and close to a restaurant
that a friend of a friend owns. Caprese,...it's called Caprese, right over
by Hamilton Mill, and thought I could bring two pizza pies over!"
I said to myself, pizza pies....he said pizza pies! I don't know why
that sounded so funny to me! What I did know ...is that it meant:
"YOU -OUT- OF- THE -KITCHEN".
-"Oh, yeah! I know the place! It's really good. You know Chris ...I WOULD
LOVE TO HAVE PIZZA!"'
-"Outstanding, I will bring a couple of pizza pies and we can chill".
-"Chris did you bring Berkus?"
-"Yes, of course".
I smiled...we all love Berkus...and he loves Alonso so much!
-"Great, I wanted to see him! I'll see you guys around 5 Ok...bye!
I got a customer!"
After taking care of the customer I decided to clock out a little early, and
dash to the produce section for a bag of spinach and some tomatoes. I would
make a simple salad of spinach, tomatoes and onions drizzled with my
vinaigrette dressing! Pizza and salad.... THAT WAS IT!
I drove home happily...I couldn't wait to hug them! Chris and Beth make such
a nice couple, it's a joy to spend time with them. How on earth did my son find
such a nice girl? ...How on earth does she put up with Christopher's "eccentric"
character?... Oh, yes, what a pair...I guess that's what makes their visits so
much fun!
I couldn't wait to be at home. I couldn't wait to see them
coming up the stairs with Berkus and 2 pizza pies.....
So sweet and thoughtful, and I bet those two pizzas were the best ever because of it!
Posted by: Barbara Shallue | 01/26/2011 at 05:40 PM
This was really a "based on a true story" story! I was
very relieved...never had enjoyed pizza more!
Posted by: Juana | 01/27/2011 at 12:37 AM