My Life is Bedazzled
Published in Widowism by chefswidowWow you guys…
Yesterday was inspiring.
After writing about my nanny standup I received so many comments and email from all of you offering up fantastic advice, helpful hints, and even referring some people who are local. Awesome. You guys rock hardcore. Like Iggy.
I have since cancelled my reschedule. I knew all along that I shouldn’t have rescheduled but I was just so nervous that I am not going to find anyone. But after yesterday I have a plan. I have calls out to JCU and UC and have been trolling (sounds seedy) Sitter City. A few of you even sent me to real people who I am so excited to get into contact with. So thank you. Much needed and much appreciated.
Farm to Plate @ the Cleveland Botanical Gardens
I am also inspired by all of the readers that I meet out and about in Cleveland. I wasn’t going to write about it but it has been happening more frequently and I wanted to give all you fine ladies (and man) out there a shout out! Last night I attended the Farm to Plate event at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens and was happily stunned when Widow reader Anita came over to the Chef’s table and introduced herself. It was such a cool moment. It made my night. You guys inspire me daily! Molto Grazie!
Not that I got all that out time for some fun!
To thank you for reading and commenting and make my life a little bit cooler I would like to give one of you a gift. The lucky winner shall receive this:
A bottle of C.G Di Arie Sinfandel 2005!!!!
All you have to do is leave me a comment with your absolute favorite food and/or recipe. Biggie Smalls will pick one lucky commenter randomly this Saturday and I will announce the winner on Labor Day. Please leave me your email or link with your comment so I can notify you of your mega win;)
Bonne Chance!! (My French CD’s are actually working!!!!)
Am … I have “real people” to point you too as well, if you get stuck with the whole nanny situation….
I may not be connected in ANY other way in Cleveland, but this chick KNOWS sitters!!
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You look great in that pic!!
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Enter me into the giveaway … you know I’m a wine whore…..
Favorite Recipe? http://naomidoesfrugal.blogspot.com/2008/08/seared-ahi-tuna.html
my favorite food is homemade kobe beef pot roast with tons of root veggies tossed in – on top of really good crunchy french bread.
oh – or…. pan-seared sea scallops with a strawberry-basalmic glaze on a bed of spring greens. SO tasty… (which is why I’m really looking forward to the vay-kay to HH – all that fresh,fresh seafood!)
now my mouth is watering!
Luchitas azteca soup- chicken, avocado, rice, spicy broth- it’s all good
Love me some good Mexican food
Hope I win
dim sum
or the pandering answer:
Bar Cento Fries
I got ideas from your nanny standup comments, too! I love very close to JCU and never thought of tapping in there. I will be very soon!
As for fav. recipe we make what we call “taco rice” every week – we love it. It’s not fancy but it’s a good meal and has a ton of leftovers. A perfect working family’s food!
And I can’t help it – ever since moving here Bar Cento fries are a major craving. Sometimes I just can’t get them out of my mind!
My fav is an old Lola (pre Lolita) menu item that I still rave about, “slash and burn grouper w/ crab tater tots”!
My favorite food (wish I had the recipe) is the homemade pasta, meatballs and marinara from Mama Santa’s!
CW-My husband asked me to type this: His favorite food is the garlic mayo from Bar Cento. A guy who works at Bar Cento came into our bike shop and my hubby fixed his bike in return for large quantities of all the Bar Cento mayo’s. How funny is that?
This is my favorite recipe for a great night with the chef:
1 11-month old baby
1 bottle of wine*
1/8 lb. Leonida’s Cafe Manon chocolates
6 Leonida’s Orangettes
4 hours of Muddy Waters
Put baby to sleep. Open wine, pour two glasses. Drink while listening to Muddy Waters. Eat chocolate between sips of wine. Pour more wine, drink, and repeat until bottle is finished.
*Okay, maybe 2 bottles
I love all food really, but I would have to say my favorite food is any sushi from Parallax. The frites and mayos at Bar Cento are great too! My boyfriend and I are going to Germany this fall (where he is from) and he assures me that the fries at Bar Cento are what fries are supposed to be like!
Another option maybe, isn’t there a “nanny college” in Chagrin Falls? You probably don’t want to pay a “real” nanny right now, but I’m sure they need to do some sort of internship. The English Nanny and Governess school! That is the name of it.
love your posting today! Last night was bedazzling!
We’ve made this recipe for over 20 yr. and it’s our favorite. No matter who we’ve served it to, it’s always a hit. Something about the combination of flavors makes this the very best flank steak recipe we’ve ever had. Maybe with some fresh corn sliced off the cob, sauteed with some green onion and cumin in a little butter and potato of your choice. Delicious!
Teriyaki Flank Steak
Amount Measure Ingredient — Preparation Method
——– ———— ——————————–
1-1/2 Lb Flank Steak — Score Meat; Pound
1/4 C Salad Oil
1/4 + C Soy Sauce
1 Bunch Scallions — Minced
1 Clove Garlic — Minced
2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 Tsp Vinegar
1/2 Tsp Ginger — Ground
1/8 Tsp Pepper
I add ¼ c plus an extra splash of soy sauce. Combine ingredients and marinate meat 1 hour at room temp, turning occasionally. Remove from marinade (reserving marinade) and grill on a hot grill for about 5 min. per side. Do not overcook. Slice meat thinly on the diagonal. Bring remaining marinade to a boil and serve over the top of the sliced flank steak.
i have a couple of friends that work at sitter city corporate offices in chicago – they are awesome! support them! : )
also my favorite food as of right now is saganaki – greek flaming cheese. yes, it is that good.
Nothing beats Mom’s zucchini bread, especially at this time of year when zucchini is overflowing!
ZUCCHINI BREAD
3 eggs
1 c. oil
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. unpeeled zucchini, shredded (I squeeze out excess water)
1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1 c. chopped nuts (optional) (I don’t use)
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp nutmeg
Beat eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla until thick. Stir in dry ingredients. Fold in drained pineapple and zucchini. Mix well.
Pour into 2 greased 9×5″ loaf pans. Bake in 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until wooden toothpick comes out clean.
Chef’s Widow site rocks. It’s also funny, well written, and highly entertaining.
Hmm, missed you both at Bar Cento last night. Although The Chef did stroll thru at one point. Sorry I don’t have much advice on the child care issue, but favorite foods I have. My fave at home is to make burritos with smoked chicken from my weber grill using lots of dried chilis and cumin and other spices. Fresh salsa with lots of garlic on the top and cheese, cheddar or fresh mexican style. Hope to see you on Thursday.
I wish I had some amazing recipe to add, but any recipes that I have do not compare whatsoever to my favorite dishes.
My all-time favority was the pumpkin ravioli from Bar Cento (I just raved about it so much that my friend is reserving the place now for her company party – and had to ask about the pumpkin ravioli)
but… the beet gnocchi at Bice made me just about lick the plate and is now my top favorite.
Awesome blog! I’m hooked!
Although I love gourmet as much as the next foodie, nothing beats Kraft Mac n’ Cheese. Takes me right back to enjoying TGIF Friday night tv with my family!
My favorite food lately has been Honey Hut chocolate pecan ice cream! I can’t seem to get enough of it…maybe I am just dreading the end of summer.
Hi There,
Hope the nanny search is going well! I found my daughter’s amazing sitter on Craig’s List. I can’t believe how lucky I was.
My fav. dinner to make is BBQ chicken burritos with lot’s of cilantro and monterery jack cheese. It’s easy and so delicious. It’s best with my husband’s guacamole and chips.
If you put ads at JCU and UC, I’d also recommend Notre Dame College (on Green in S. Euclid). I can direct you where to go with those (I work there). Let me know if I can help. I work directly with many of the students so I can always recommend a few if you get in a bind.
Melty-Chewy Goodness is the recipe that follows.
My favorite recipe has been in my family for over 30 years. It is called “Josefinas”. It is traditionally served on New Year’s Eve as an appetizer, but now I eat it year around by serving it to my staff at school. We always serve it with a chili bar at my staff luncheon.
Josefinas (from a Puerto Rican recipe)
1 loaf unsliced French bread (I also use a baguette and slice into small slices)
1/2 lb grated longhorn cheese (or colby/jack works well)
1 small can green roasted chiles
1 clove garlic
2/3 stick butter
1/4 cup salad dressing
Mix cheese, chiles and minced garlic. Add all ingredients together. The mix can be stored in fridge to use a small amount at a time. Cut bread in halves lengthwise and spread with cheese mixture, trying to cover entire cur surface of bread. Broil until melted and lightly browned. Cut in slices and serve hot.
Would be wonderful with the Bar Cento sangria.
Right now, in the late summer months, I happen to love anything tomatoes BUT my absolute favorite thing is fresh tomatoes and basil tossed with pasts. My mom didn’t call me pasta belly for nothing.
If it’s not Aug/Sept I love Vermouth Casserole. My mom made a quicker version of it with stew meat, cream of mush soup, vermouth and extra mush for me all thrown into a pot at once. I have upgraded the recipe a bit by browning my stew meat (I use chuck) after I dust with flour then adding different types of mush with some onion and garlic. I deglaze the pan with Vermouth to get up all the goodness and transfer it all to my trusty Le Creuset and let it cook at 300 for many hours. We serve it over buttered noodles. It has become the most requested dish that both of my boys ask for.
Love the site.
Homemade risotto. I make the best I’ve ever had, if I do say so myself. Whatever random fresh veggies I happen to have get added in at the end.
http://www.product-reviews.net/2007/08/22/logan-travis-the-youngest-contestant-in-the-miss-teen-usa-pageant/http://www.peggyjostudio.com/wordpress/?p=1423
http://www.techbanyan.com/537/high-school-lockdown/