May 24, 2008
May 19, 2008
The Midnight Snack - GUACAMOLE
I may not be the food network when it comes to preparing food, but I know my way around the kitchen enough to make a MIDNIGHT SNACK!
Tonight's midnight snack is GUACAMOLE.
Now, there are plenty of recipes online and in cookbooks so this won't be that different to those of you who already make it. However, I've learned a few things I like and dislike over the years with my travels and my time living in Santa Fe.
NOTE: Young musicians that are afraid of the kitchen, listen up here. These Midnight snacks aren't hard to make, so instead of running out to the drive-though at your local fast food joint, why not give this a try. It will taste a lot better and be healthier too. At the same time It could make for a good mind break from recording, it's a win-win situation so lets begin shall we?
First of all, I'd like to start this off with a few rules here
RULE #1 - ABSOLUTELY NO MAYONNAISE is to be used in the Guacamole!!
RULE # 2 - Repeat rule # 1 33.4 times so you don't forget. There are some recipes that call for this and it truly scares me more then something that's really scary.
Now, moving on to the ingredients list.
Hass Avocados or 3 Large - I get the large ones when I'm at Costco of all places. They're really good, almost guaranteed for it to taste amazing every time. Make sure they sit for a few days until they get slightly soft., not too soft though!!
Okay, moving right along.
1 Tomato - Take the seeds and squishy things out of it first. Then chop up the tomato.
1 Red Onion. Today I only have a white onion, not as good so do try and get a red one. You only really need like a quarter of it, don't over do the onion! finely chop it up.
1 Jalapeno or Serrano Chile - I prefer the flavor of the Jalapeno, sometimes I'll add two if I want it to be spicy. Of course, it really depends on the jalapeno. I've had some that have no heat what so ever and some that'll rip your head off!
Cilantro - Now, cilantro might not be for everyone but if you like it, it's okay to add it. I like cilantro in there so I chop up a hand full size or and add it in there.
Add some pepper a little bit of chile powder. If you choose, a little bit of red chile flakes, not too much now.
1 Lime - I like to squeeze about 1/2 half of the lime and mix it up in there.
Garlic Salt - I like this better then fresh garlic. Nothing against fresh garlic, but it just gets too Garlic'ie for me if it's added. Don't be affraid to add some of this in there, I like to add it, mix it up, add some more, just do it to taste. If you use regular salt, don't over do it, the garlic salt seems to work fine. After you're done and you want to add a touch of regular salt on the top to bring out the flavors, fine but for God's sake, don't get this thing too salty, it's easy to do and then there's no turning back and your Guacamole is doomed!!
Fresh Graded Monterrey Jack or Sharp Cheddar cheese (Don't worry, only for garnishing). I prefer the Sharp Cheddar Cheese, adds a nice extra flavor on the side.
3 Beers (2 for drinking during the prep time and 1 for drinking while eating the guacamole. In my case, I'm drinking light beer. Yes I know what you're thinking, but I'm trying to look presentable for the summer tour so it's ok)
Now start with chopping up your tomato and 1/2 onion along with your jalapeno. Depending on how spicy you want it, add more or less jalapeno but don't skip this step if you don't like spicy food! Take the seeds out and mince some of it up, you gotta get that flavor in there, very important. Oh, put some gloves on or something when de-seeding the jalapeno. Last thing you want to do is accidentally touch your eyes after. Been there done that, no fun.
Now, around this time, I usually like to stop for a quick snack. I'll slice a piece of Jalapeno and put it on a chip with a few pieces of cheese and have a few sips of my beer. Warning: do not do this if you don't like spicy things.
Ok, now cut the avocados in half with a knife and take the center seed out. Use a large serving spoon and scoop out the inside and put it into a bowl. In my case I'm using a Molcajete. Nothing fancy, just happens to be my favorite thing to use for this.
Note: on the left in the picture below - I recommend strongly that you have an extra bowl to put your trash in, makes things go a lot quicker. Also, by this time you should be finished with the first beer. Please take this time to grab a new one and continue on.
Take a whisk and spoon start smashing and whipping the avocado, the whisk helps get a nice texture. (They don't usually tell you that in the cook books, they'll usually say to use 2 forks but I find that a whisk does a better job.) If you have a Molcajete, you can use the stone to start smashing the avocado as I did but then I like to use the whisk after a bit. This is a good time to add a few pinches of chile powder and sprinkle some garlic salt in too.
Go ahead and add your chopped tomato's, jalapenos and onions. I don't usually add all of it, I add to the point of where I think it will be enough. I'll save the rest for garnishing later.
If you have a cat, you may not want to let the cat hang out above where you're preparing food. Cosmo is giving us a perfect example of what not to do. There is a slight chance they may jump down into your food. Let's just say I've learned this from past experiences.
Finely chop the cilantro and mix it in.
Add salt to taste. Make sure when you add salt, you get it mixed in well. Add enough to where it brings out the flavor throughout but not to where it's too salty. At this point, I like to add about 1/2 lime juice and a touch more of Garlic salt. Mix it up again to where it's all getting blended and add your garnishing.
And there you have it - Enjoy!
May 18, 2008
IMG_1978.JPG
Originally uploaded by stromo.
Came across this picture while drinking coffee this morning. I can't tell you how many times I see this plane out my window while traveling. I always seem to pass this plane but never seem to be on it. Looking forward to going back someday. HERE are a few pictures I took while I was there.
May 17, 2008
Herbie takes catnap while Stevo practices guitar
Don't worry everyone, Herbie is very much alive, he just sleeps like that.
May 15, 2008
Todays thoughts...
1 - I've been practicing up a storm this week. Also working more on song writing. Its interesting how a tempo change or moving the song a half step can make all the difference in the world. I've learned a lot about tempos, recording and writing while being around Ottmar. I've felt like one of those sponges that soaks up... actually, I don't really know what a sponge feels like, but if I did! That's what I would feel like -Soaking up all kinds of good guitar knowledge. Anyway, moving right along to thought # 2
2 - I gave a guitar lesson earlier this week. I think I did pretty good and fortunately I didn't freak the student out too much, I tried to be as normal as possible (which sometimes can a bit a bit difficult for me, especially after having my morning coffee). Anyway, I taught some rumba rhythms and he picked them up really quickly, he already seemed to have a grasp on the rhythms to begin with. I think I enjoy teaching and maybe I'll try to do more. However, if you want to know how to read or where the notes on the guitar neck are, I'm not your man. I play everything by ear - always have, always will.
3- When I get the extra time down the road, I would like to post a short rumba guitar lesson with a small video clip on here. I'll have to try it and see how it turns out first. Knowing how things go over here, the cat will jump up into my lap as I'm trying to show the technique. And knowing me I'd probably leave that in the footage because it would be pretty funny.
4- Yumiko, I haven't forgotten to post the upcoming "Midnight snack" for the Guacamole. I'll get to it as soon as I can!
SD
2 - I gave a guitar lesson earlier this week. I think I did pretty good and fortunately I didn't freak the student out too much, I tried to be as normal as possible (which sometimes can a bit a bit difficult for me, especially after having my morning coffee). Anyway, I taught some rumba rhythms and he picked them up really quickly, he already seemed to have a grasp on the rhythms to begin with. I think I enjoy teaching and maybe I'll try to do more. However, if you want to know how to read or where the notes on the guitar neck are, I'm not your man. I play everything by ear - always have, always will.
3- When I get the extra time down the road, I would like to post a short rumba guitar lesson with a small video clip on here. I'll have to try it and see how it turns out first. Knowing how things go over here, the cat will jump up into my lap as I'm trying to show the technique. And knowing me I'd probably leave that in the footage because it would be pretty funny.
4- Yumiko, I haven't forgotten to post the upcoming "Midnight snack" for the Guacamole. I'll get to it as soon as I can!
SD
May 10, 2008
Song writing / Taking a quick break...
Taking a quick break from song writing to grab a bite to eat. For some reason I've been way into fixing sandwiches this week, kind of new for me. Speaking of new, spending time writing songs with the guitar before I record is new for me too. On the Thira album, I wrote as I recorded. Didn't really have any songs written before hand, only a few possible song ideas I recorded. Spent a lot of time writing the music on the keyboard for that album and I think more so then on the guitar. Right now I'm trying to push myself a bit as I hear ideas in my head that I can't necessarily play as well as I'd like. Some of the ideas call for some new technique as I figure out these songs. Trying to find that fine line of playing things that challenge me but at the same time, I don't want to make things too difficult so that I wont be able to play my own music. Like I said, it's a fine line.
Anyway, gotta get back to work. In the mean time, check out the post below, it's a good one!
Anyway, gotta get back to work. In the mean time, check out the post below, it's a good one!
Everything in moderation. Then again, maybe not....
Getting back in the groove after spending the last few weeks unpacking and getting settled. Made some coffee this morning and sat down to practice a bit. Cosmo seems to be back into her schedule of wanting her morning petting before I practice. I was actually up before she was today which is rare. I called out to see where she was. 30 seconds later she came out from under the bed, her eyelids half open and quietly mumbled a meow as she staggered slowly past me towards her bowl. She must have been up late partying or something.
I'm enjoying the new material I'm coming up with. Some of it I can't play as well as I'd like but that will come with time. I can't stress enough how important it is to slow down if you are having trouble with something. Patience is very important when wanting to improve. When I was younger, I'd be learning something new and think "hm, wonder how fast I can play this?" I'd try playing it at blazing speeds and of course not sounding good at all, but I had to try! Who the hell knows why really, I guess it's human nature, or maybe too much coffee? (Yes, I know you've tried this too. HA, almost caught you denying it there buddy!)
Now days, I won't do that, I'll speed the playing up to the point where the technique gets hard to play or a bit sloppy to know my boundaries. I do think difference in speed and knowing what you can and can't do is important. Keeping a tempo is key in everything you do when playing an instrument. Don't forget to be honest with yourself too. You don't want to get stuck thinking you can speed things up before you're ready.
And of course have fun. I do take my practicing seriously but it's nice to just sit down and play with no boundaries as well. After all, I'm not running a military unit over here. As they say, everything in moderation. Then again, maybe not if you want to get good at something.
I'm enjoying the new material I'm coming up with. Some of it I can't play as well as I'd like but that will come with time. I can't stress enough how important it is to slow down if you are having trouble with something. Patience is very important when wanting to improve. When I was younger, I'd be learning something new and think "hm, wonder how fast I can play this?" I'd try playing it at blazing speeds and of course not sounding good at all, but I had to try! Who the hell knows why really, I guess it's human nature, or maybe too much coffee? (Yes, I know you've tried this too. HA, almost caught you denying it there buddy!)
Now days, I won't do that, I'll speed the playing up to the point where the technique gets hard to play or a bit sloppy to know my boundaries. I do think difference in speed and knowing what you can and can't do is important. Keeping a tempo is key in everything you do when playing an instrument. Don't forget to be honest with yourself too. You don't want to get stuck thinking you can speed things up before you're ready.
And of course have fun. I do take my practicing seriously but it's nice to just sit down and play with no boundaries as well. After all, I'm not running a military unit over here. As they say, everything in moderation. Then again, maybe not if you want to get good at something.
May 8, 2008
News + Journal page
After trying different looks for my blog this week, I've decided to go with this for now. I like to change things up every once and a while.
May 6, 2008
May 2, 2008
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