Sunday Supper: Steak Mole with Cilantro and Lime Rice
In an effort to cook more, a few months ago I began “Sunday Suppers,” in which I make an effort to focus on the process of cooking while making something completely new. Cutting corners on time or preparation is generally not what I aim for with these meals. Truth be told, I find it relaxing to get lost in my own world of music, recipes, and fresh ingredients. Plus, I’m a sucker for food porn.
Since some time has passed since our last Sunday Supper, I decided to stick with a meal that would be a crowd pleaser, and that’s typically anything Tex-Mex related. With that in mind, I decided on Steak Mole (Bon Appetit) and Gina’s Cilantro Lime Rice (inspired by Chipotle’s rice).
Conclusion: It was fabulous! Even though the Steak Mole is not complicated or time consuming (approximately 25 minutes to make), it felt like a great dish to help me get back into the swing of things. And I must confess that I found the mole sauce to be incredibly delicious. It could go on just about anything!
Culinary Adventures Continued
My culinary adventures took a bit of a hiatus, but have come back (hallelujah!) – and are hopefully here to stay. Maybe it’s because I’ve developed a distaste for constantly eating out. Sometimes I just want a simple dish that takes little to no time. With this goal in mind, I decided to make a fast and healthy dish from the New York Times; Spaghetti With Edamame, Parsley, Garlic and Olive Oil. Overall, it was really good. The freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top added just the right amount of saltiness. However, I definitely suggest adding in some red pepper flakes to punch up the flavor (if you like some heat). This was a completely easy and effortless dish that I plan on making variations of since it’s perfect for weeknight dinners.
Tonight we’re cooking up Steak Mole with Cilantro and Lime Rice. Photos to follow soon!
Weekend Snippets
It may not officially be summer yet, but the hot temperatures, sun kissed bodies, and ocean spray breezes beg to differ.
And yes, I’m still loving the ShakeIt app.
The return of …
The afternoon rainbow. This one followed me the whole way home.
(P.S. I love the Shake It photo app)
Jump In
Throughout the past few years I’ve followed several journaling artists; Sabrina Ward Harrison and Danny Gregory being two of my favorites. Both are individuals whom in some way I feel I “know” due to the emotions and experiences they have shared in their journals (also published books). I recently found out about Danny’s wife, Patti, passing and felt such grief because I somehow felt I knew her through Danny’s art and the words he spoke of her in his books. It’s amazing how much one can transcend through their art and the lives it can touch despite the lack of phsyical interaction.
Over the long weekend I spent some time re-reading through The Creative License and came to a page containing a quote from Patti Lynn Gregory, Danny’s wife, that I found to be especially helpful in taking on my next creative endeavor:
I’ve decided that after I finish my current journal (just a few more spreads left!) I will make the leap to an illustrated journal. Personally, it’s a huge step since I’ve toyed with the idea of creating an entire journal filled with sketches and doodles from everyday life. Despite the excuses I’ve used to prevent me from just doing it, there’s never going to be a “good” or “ideal” time to start this journal.
Time to jump in, feet first.
I love handmade gifts
Over the long weekend my mother came down to visit and surprised me with a handmade purse she created. I was completely taken back by how beautiful it was and how well she knows what I like; textures and interesting details. She said she was inspired to create it after a purple dress I wore out to her Mother’s Day dinner.
Needless to say, I am completely touched by her present and can’t wait to use it. Words cannot describe how wonderful my mother is.
Blossom
Lately I’ve noticed most of my time has been spent capturing moments or trying to savor them as much as possible. I’m unsure how I like this phase since I greatly preferred the idea of creating instead.
My creative space feels neglected. I still want to finish my art journal this month.
My only conclusion is that it’s time to backtrack and dig up parts of myself that have quickly become buried.
A swift kick
Too often have I found myself getting into a creative rut, so when I came across a post on Make and Meaning about Rutkickers, I felt a little better knowing that I’m not alone in this department.
In the past some of my favorite rutkickers have been:
- Stream of conscious writing
- Cleaning
- Exercising
- Singing out loud
- Calling a friend to talk
- Playing with Riley (our Beagle)
- Searching for new music
- Lighting candles all around my creative space
But even some rutkickers need a shake up, which has made me work towards new ones including:
- Enjoying a cup of lemon ginger tea
- Sitting on the patio and making shapes out of the clouds
- Mailing a friend a note just to say hi
- Flipping through a recipe magazine
- Doodling
- Taking a walk
Art Journal Sneak Peek
In the past week I’ve been working in my art journal more than usual which is likely a result of rereading Diana Trout’s Journal Spilling. After attempting some of the exercises, I realized that as much as I want my pages to look like the ones in the book, my style appears very mixed-media oriented.
While journaling last night, I remembered that I also set up a live video feed last week just for fun. Most of my journal pages are very private to me, but I figured a short flip through of the pages would make a good introductory video:
(Background music is courtesy of Ella Fitzgerald.)
Four little owls
My creative space entourage.