Gay or Nay #1

For an event last night, I helped out with the tapas for an event.  My contribution:

Munster, olives, and pepperonis. 

Cooking with the Stars: Pineapple Chicken Curry

Saturday, the gang from True Blood brought over the ‘fixins for Pineapple Chicken Curry.

Despite many pleas, no human blood was used in this recipe. That’s not to say, there was no blood involved…

…let’s just say that Tracy Morgan got a little gung ho when we asked him to cut the pineapple.

Also, for whatever reason, he thought it was a costume party, so he showed up dressed as The Bride from Kill Bill. He really is as crazy as his character on 30 Rock.

Neil Patrick Harris proved himself—yet again—a superstar.

He really has a talent for gaying things up with garnish. Add that to your resume along with those twin Emmys.

Now for the big test. Let’s ask “How Sue see’s it.”

“Now I’m not saying I won’t eat it because it’s disgusting. I won’t eat it because it’s Asian.” She’s probably not going to be invited again anytime soon after that outburst, but we do love her.

Some good news: Roseanne showed up with desert.

The bad news: she thought it was BYOD—Bring Your Own Dessert.

All in all, though, it was a great evening with everyone including Chedner (the boyfriend) and Moving Horizon. I’m glad they didn’t mind my conversation gaffe… asking NPH is he’ll have my babies. Also, if you see anybody from True Blood, ask them if they know where Roseanne is.

From start to finish:

		Cooking with the Stars, Season 2 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

An Open Letter to Fast Food Femme Fatales

And now another disjointed post as my vacation begins to wind down. I admit to eating out a lot more than I should. My roommates love the smell in the house when I cook, but sometimes I'm a very lazy person. (As has been the case with my writing for the past few days). I am no fast food connoisseur, but I have my opinions.

Wendy's, you are the hip place because you are cheap and not McDonalds. As spring arrives, I will no longer need the warmth of your day-old baked potatoes and hamburger-meat chili. The fries have been a little salty as of late, but I forgive you because of the new spicy chicken nuggets.

Burger King, you were always so blaze. You never really caught my attention until you changed the spices on your fries. You're like the unnoticed middle child and maybe that's why we get along. I really shouldn't like your rodeo cheeseburger, so please stop selling them.

McDonalds, we are still not speaking. Sure, I may have my relapses since Supersize Me, but you told me those childhood lies and lured me in, but I'm done. What's this I hear about smoothies, though?...

Subway, I'm not sure what to believe (esp. with this Jerod character of yours). I'm happy to see vegetables and colors in my meal that are not coated in sugar. Thank you for multiple bread choices and offering to toast my bread. With 200 subway points from the last 3 years, you always seem to give me an odd look when I decline to use them. Even more so when I say I'm saving up for my own toaster. Also:

KFC, you're also on my naughty list. I left the day I found out you'd given up your baked beans and don't plan to forgive you anytime soon.

Arby's, inflation is ever so evident thanks to your commercials. 5 for $5 became 5 for $5.95 and now you've abandoned all of that for a pathetic excuse for a dollar menu. Times are hard, I know.

Taco Time, I know I can depend on you for one healthy thing, my bean and veggie whole wheat burrito. You remember how I like black and not refried beans and I thank you for that.

Sincerely yours,

GMB

I’m Not That Boy, Part 2

Extraordinary Reprise

It had been a long week, so I treated myself to a session of retail therapy. I’d spent my first two weeks after finals enjoying the break by going on a series of first dates that didn’t really go anywhere. In the first week of break, I managed to go on as many first dates with guys as I’d managed in my entire life with girls (and although I learned a bit from each of them, for the most part I’ll be skipping over those adventures for the moment).

Then, for the first time in about four years, I saw him. He was working in the mall in the cookie shop. A mental image of the lace-up jeans jumped immediately into my head. Oh. Ohhhhh….

I walked through the mall for a few minutes trying to decide what to do. Should I talk to him? Play it cool? Flirt it up? Ignore him completely?

Finally, I gathered the courage to say something to the confident, handsome, smart, talented boy across the way.

“Hi, do you have any hot chocolate?”

It was a safe segue into the conversation. Nothing too obvious, though it was completely uncharacteristic of me to buy hot chocolate at the mall.

“Um, would you like that with or without coffee?”

“Tempting, but I’ll go with the regular.”

He put the cup under the machine and pushed the button. Speaking over the static sound of the machine, I went for it. “You’re Cole’s friend, right?”

“Cole who?”

“Funny laugh, kind of loud, plays the piano…”

“Oh Cole. Of course I know Cole.” He smirked a bit and went back to my drink.

I grinned.

“So how do you know him?” he asked turning his shoulder as he put the lid on the cup.

“He’s my best friend. We’ve known each other for nine years now. I’d trust him with my very life… and do on occasion,” I joked.

He shook his head in amusement. He sat down the steaming cup of cocoa and rang me up.

“When I saw you here, I wondered if you remembered going to the ‘Emperor’ Concerto years back.”

“Wait, wait a second… That was you?” His eyes got big and he laughed a bit.

I pulled out my driver’s license to prove it.

“Wow. You changed a lot.”

Looking up, I noticed there was another customer. “I should let you go, Ianto, but I’m glad I ran into you,” I said with intonation calculated to reveal my interest.

And with that I left satisfied, but an analytical mess. Should I have asked for his number? Was I not forward enough? Did he get the message? Did I chicken out? Did I seem fake?

A few days later, Cole gave me a call. “So… guess who I heard from for the first time in a few months.”

“Who?”

“Ianto. Oh, you’re a sly one,” he said. “Ianto is very picky, but you sparked some curiosity. Of course, I confirmed his suspicions that you were gay and single. Why didn’t you tell me you ran into him? It’s not like I live for gossip, but really two of my best gay friends into each other?!”

“Well, I wasn’t exactly sure about the situation,” I said hesitating what exactly to tell him. “And I’m still not. He does have really cute eyes and those pianists forearms, though!”

“I suggest you find him on Facebook and see what happens. He may be a hard one to please, but he’s definitely not a floozy or a flake.”

That’s just what I did. I found him, sent him a cute message. “Hey, I just had a little talk with Cole. I just thought I’d say hi again.”

Within a couple of days, we’d exchanged numbers and figured out a first date. He took me to a local sushi place.

“The menu is movie-themed. Pick any one you want. There are Top Gun, , and Princess Bride rolls.”

After examining and musing over the menu and other warm-up topics, we decided upon Joe vs. the Volcano and Arachnophobia rolls.

“You can’t be serious. You’ve never been here? It’s the best place in town for sushi.”

“I’ve only recently gotten into food of the world. Cole and my friend Stacia introduced me to sushi a while back. We were the only ones there, so he could tell his inappropriate jokes.”

“He used to be such a prude. I guess getting engaged to a woman and then coming out can do that.”

“There was a lot boiling under the surface, and he’s healed a lot since then….”

It was nice to be able to start a conversation over our mutual concern for a friend, over his quirks, and over his talents. We also talked about the horrendous Excel assignments from the class we had together and then reliving that night at the symphony.

“I remember you and Cole flipping through the pages of the score. That was really endearing. Really,” he said smiling and looking me in the eye.

I blushed. “Well, I know that you and Cole and sit back and understand it just by listening, but it’s harder for me.”

“Then that woman shushed you! Some people! It’s not like you weren’t trying to enjoy it as much as her. You know, Becky and I giggled a little at that point.”

I put my head down, smiling, to hide the fact that I was turning even redder. “Well, at least I didn’t show up in lace-up jeans!” I teased.

“You remember those?! I still have those!”

Ianto had managed to break through all of my barriers in a single night. He was attractive and funny. Cole had already voiced his approval. And he was intelligent and challenged me.

End, Part 2.

Cooking with the Stars: Speedy Chicken Posole with Avocado and Lime

By no means do I intend for this to become a regular thing, but I have to share this amazing recipe. It comes from the magazine Sunset: Living in the West. The recipe is a spicy soup with a southwestern flair.

Jacqueline and Cole came over for dinner and brought along a few guests. If I were to rate my recipe, it would definitely get a 4.5 out of 5 (because I’m impossible to please as many will tell you…. Just kidding… sort of… ask Cole).

They brought along some special guests who helped us cook and enjoy the meal. Ryan Reynolds brought over the ingredients.

Lady Gaga helped with the cooking. Here she is mincing the onions and the garlic.

Glee’s Sue wasn’t the best dinner guest. “You call that posole?! I know hunger strikers with better taste!”

Here’s the recipe (again, from Sunset: Living in the West):

Time: 45 minutes. This dish, using canned hominy, takes a fraction of the time needed for regular posole. Serve with warm corn tortillas.

Yield: Serves 4 or 5

Ingredients

3 large poblano chiles (1 lb. total)
6 garlic cloves
1 large onion
2 cans (14 1/2 oz. each) white hominy
1 1/2 pounds boned, skinned chicken thighs
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano*, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons ground red New Mexico chiles*
Garnishes: sliced avocado, lime wedges, cilantro sprigs, and sour cream

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler. When hot, broil poblanos on a baking sheet until blackened, turning as needed, about 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a food processor, whirl garlic to mince. Cut onion in chunks and pulse with garlic until chopped; set aside. Drain hominy; set aside.
3. Cut chicken into 1- to 1 1/2-in. chunks and sprinkle with salt and 1 tsp. oregano. Heat oil in a 5- to 6-qt. pan over high heat. Brown half the chicken lightly, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer meat to a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken.
4. Reduce heat to medium-high. Add onion mixture and remaining 1 tsp. oregano to pan and sauté until onion is softened, 3 minutes. Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, microwave broth until steaming, about 3 minutes. Add ground chiles to pan and cook, stirring, about 30 seconds.
5. Add broth, hominy, and chicken to pan. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer to blend flavors, 10 minutes.
6. Remove stems, skins, and seeds from poblanos and discard; chop poblanos.
7. Stir poblanos into posole and cook 1 minute. Ladle into bowls; top with garnishes.

*Find Mexican oregano at well-stocked grocery stores, along with ground red New Mexico chiles.

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