Fishing for summer

With summer just around the corner, many are excited for the endless sun and fun times for all. What is your favorite part? Is it the ripe fruits, the long days, the sun, the water, the weather, the time, etc.? Whatever the case, summer is loved by almost everyone, especially in my family. I know one of my favorite parts is basking in the sun with my friends and family. However, my most favorite part of summer is the ripe fruits that come home with my mother from the grocery store. There are watermelon, pineapple, peaches, oranges, and many more that are ripe around summer time. When I eat watermelon, all I can think of is sitting by the pool and eating a whole watermelon by myself. This might sound far fetched, but believe me; I can eat a whole watermelon alone.
Eating watermelon reminds me of my farm in the summer. We always have big barbecues down by the pond with the whole family (grandparents, cousins, etc.). I think it is important to spend these times with family because you never know how many times you have left with the whole family around. So, In that case, we prepare tons of food. We cook hamburgers, hot dogs, and ribs, all of which I love. Along with the barbecued meats, there are baked beans and fruits galore. I love getting all my food and going to sit on the dock overlooking the serene water of my pond. After dinner, right when it’s getting dark, my dad, sister, and I take our fishing poles and fish on the bank of the pond. At this time of night there is the best fishing because it is the feeding time for the fish. It is always fun to see my little cousins try to fish with their kiddy poles that don’t even have hooks on the end. At the end of the night, we all sit around and bask in each other’s company on the amazingly beautiful summer night.

Vieques, Puerto Rico

Have you ever gone out of the country on vacation and found yourself more interested in where you will eat rather than the sites you will see? This happens to me and my family every time we go on vacation. Eating is the most fun activity for us because we can sit down with a great meal at the end of a busy day and talk about what we did and then top it off with a great dessert. This spring break I vacationed in Vieques, Puerto Rico. Vieques is a small island off the coast of San Juan. As soon as you visit Vieques you “fall in love with the island” (anonymous). The natives are very nice and welcoming but most of the island is made up of retired people who spend their winters in the sun. This is how I came to be in Vieques for my spring break. My cousin’s grandparents are some of these retired peoples and I was lucky enough to snag their house for spring break. My favorite part of Vieques was the food because it was prepared all on the island and was usually something I could not find at home in STL without paying a large price. The first night in Vieques was my favorite because we went to the best restaurant in town, Coconuts. Many feel that “coconuts was the culinary highlight” of their trip in Vieques (TravelmeisterNYC70). There I had the fish and chips which was prepared with their own breading for the outside of the fish. It was the best fish and chips I had ever tasted because of their special blend of spices and breads for the crumbly outside of the fish. The array of dishes at our table was phenomenal. Then we ordered dessert. I had a something that was essentially a cup of chocolate with whip cream on top. I’m not sure what they did, but there was something in the chocolate that made it especially tasty. Throughout the whole time I was there, I was fed well because of the generosity of the natives and their talent at cooking. I can easily say that my whole family was changes by the amazing food and people Vieques had to offer.
For more reviews on Coconuts and other restaurants in Vieques, click here!

You know when there is a big snow during the night, then you get that feeling that maybe you wont have school the next morning. There is always that anticipation when you are waiting for school to call your house and tell you that you don't have to come. This is the same feeling I get right before I take cookies or cake out of the oven. There is the worry that it wont turn out good or that no one will eat them because I have burnt them. There is a sad feeling inside of me when these situations do occur because I care so deeply about cooking that when I fail, I feel like i let no only myself down but the people who were supposed to share the delight with me. For me, cooking is not a hobby or something I feel like I have to do, it is more of a safety for me. “When I write of hunger, I am really writing about love and the hunger for it, and warmth and the love of it and it is all one.” This quote said by M. F. K. Fisher really reflects how I fell about cooking and how it goes along with the hunger I have to learn more and more about cooking. It is something i can count on everyday, something that will make me happy even if my day has been horrible. I think I get this passion for cooking from my grandmother. She cooks a feast everyday just for my grandpa and herself. When we go and visit her, she is hiding away in her "hole" (the kitchen) because I think that's were she feels the safest like I do. If you asked her, she would say that cooking is something she has to do. When really, if someone else tries to cook, she almost looks threatened and tells them there is nothing they can do to help. This also signifies her love for cooking and the safety it provides for her. She is not a hermit by any means, she is just an all around good cook who sincerely gets into her food and thinks of it more as more to her than just a tasty treat. When asked why she likes to cook she said, "because it makes me feel creative. I like making challenging and crazy recipes because it is fun because and a challenge."

One of my favorite recipes from my grandmother is her cream peas.
Cream Peas:
1 tbs butter
2 tbs flour
1 cup milk
1 package peas
stir in butter, flour, and milk. Keep stirring until the mixture is thick, but not too thick. Then dump the peas in and cook them until warmed. Make sure it doesn't not come to a boil so that the milk does not curdle.

I recently saw the movie "Julie and Julia." My grandmother reminds me of the famous cook from the movie named Julia Child. They are so similar because they both enjoy cooking, but most of all, eating their creations. In the movie, one of the most famous quotes from Julia Child comes when her husband asks her what she really likes to do. "Eat," is the first thing that comes out of Julia Child's mouth. I think if my grandmother were to be asked the same question, she would answer the say way.
For more information on "Julie and Julia" the movie, click here!

Funfetti Cake

The word “food” in general is defined by dictionary.com as “any nourishing substance that is eaten, drunk, or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, promote growth, etc.” However, to me any many others, food is so much more than that. Food is way to have an excuse to meet with someone or have then over for dinner. It is a way to share emotions, whether they be friendly or happy. The most recent food I have made is a funfetti cake for my friend’s surprise birthday party at the Blueberry Hill restaurant in University City. If you have ever eaten a funfetti cake, you would know that it is extremely fun to eat and is loaded with bright and crazy colors. One blogger on Sazze.com exclaims, "nothing screams fun quite like Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix!". This cake represents my friend more than any other cake because she too is crazy and fun to be around. The cake I made for her was more than a sweet treat for the guests of the party but was also a gesture from me to her about our long friendship that has been strong forever. The cake displayed her favorite saying with which I drew on the cake by hand with icing, not an easy task. The best part was that the cake did not have to be perfect for her because I knew that she would love it either way and she would know that I spent a long time preparing the party and the perfect cake for her special day.
The recipe for the funfetti cake is here:
- 1 box of Pillsbury funfetti cake mix
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup oil
- ½ cup water

Blueberry Hill is one of the most well-know musical bars in St. Louis. This St. Louis landmark was opened September 8, 1972. Since then it has hosted many of the world’s greatest artists such as Chuck Berry who still plays there once a month. Blueberry Hill is also famous for their unbelievable hamburgers and veggie burgers. One review by Frommer states, "the hamburgers are among the best in town." There is never a night where they do not sell out of their burgers. While there for my friend’s party, I noticed many of the people around me having the veggie burger. Though I am not a vegetarian, I opted to try the veggie burger because it is said to be one of the best. When I first tasted the veggie burger, I was unsure of its quality. Though, soon I found myself wanting another bite. The atmosphere of the restaurant was extremely welcoming and I saw many people having a great time with people they had just met. Blueberry Hill is another one of the many ways my friend and I look forward to meeting each other while enjoying a meal together. Her cake and the dinner at Blueberry Hill set the stage for the most amazing and fun party I could ever have planned for my friend.

For more reviews on Blueberry Hill, click here!

Creatures of Habit

It is part of human nature to be a creature of habit. Whether it be wearing the same belt everyday that you have had forever or having the same morning routine, it is remotely impossible for humans not to find one task in particular that become part of their nature. "I’m totally a creature of food habit. Breakfast is almost the same every day (turkey bacon, fried egg, cantaloupe and OJ." This quote from Gary sums up his creature of habit nature. Perhaps the most common habit of humans comes from their inner stomach that yearns for the same meal when going to a certain restaurant. An example comes from my mother who always orders the same salmon salad from Stir Crazy whenever we eat there. "I don’t branch out too much when it comes to food." This quote from shelbygrapes shows that many people are satisfied with their same meal and that many do not like to branch out when it comes to food. However, some may think, I try to switch up what I eat at restaurants, while this is definitely true for some, others find this task overwhelming and unsatisfying. The people in my family of four definitely feel that ordering different foods all the time is an unhealthy task for the simple minded. While my mother always orders the same meal from Stir Crazy, I always order the same burrito from Chipotle. Though my family does not go out to eat as often as we used to, on the occasions where dining out is a must, we go back to our creature of habit ways and order the same comforting meal that we know and love.

Stir Crazy-
Stir Crazy is the type of restaurant that never seems to fail. They have great food, great service, and a great environment. The staff is incredibly nice and never disappoints when we walk in the doors for a great meal made by some amazing chefs. Their style of cooking is Asian with many flavors that most are familiar to. Though my mother always gets the same salad that’s made in the kitchen, my sister, father, and I always go up to the “bar.” The bar is a see-through glass window where the chefs stand in from of big iron pans. There they wait patiently for your bowl of vegetables and sauce so they can create your meal right in from of your eyes. The cooking takes a minimum of 5 minutes and then it is ready to be taken to your seat and eaten. I would recommend Stir Crazy to anyone who loves Asian food and a good time.
For more reviews on Stir Crazy click here!

Chipotle-
Chipotle is a great restaurant to go to if you need food fast that is not too expensive and is really good. Their place is always clean and homely where you can eat in or take out. My personal favorite is their barbaccoa burrito with guacamole, meat, cheese, and rice. This simple but pleasing burrito is fun to watch them create. The best part is that there are many other choices for your choice of a burrito. No one person has to order the same meal, it’s all up to you.

For more review on Chipotle click here!

Thanksgiving Meal

With the smells of Thanksgiving drawing closer in time, the buzz about what will be cooked is in the air. Though our family always cooks the same meal, there is always the outside chance that something new will make it on the table during the Thanksgiving meal this year. Over the past years in the Gilmore/Carman holiday meals, ideas for new foods are tried and sometimes rejected. This past year, one dessert in particular made the table during Thanksgiving. “Dirty Snowballs” are a delightful Oreo treat made with a overlay of chocolate. "I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert." ~Jason Love. This quote by Jason Love speaks truth to the thoughts of my family on chocolate. These balls of delight were fortunate enough to become a part of the holiday meal tradition. Though the holiday dinner table does not see much new action, the traditional meal is, and always will be, the best.

Here is my recipe for “dirty snowballs:"
- 1 package of cream cheese
- 1 package of Oreos
- 1 package of White bark chocolate
- Brown sprinkles
Steps:
1. Open Oreo package and grind Oreos in a food processor
2. When all Oreos in package are ground, put into a bowl
3. Put cream cheese into the same bowl
4. Mix cream cheese and Oreos grounds with your hands until fully mixed and soft
5. Roll the mixture into small balls around the size of a ping-pong ball
6. When all are rolled into balls, place in refrigerator
7. Take out a pot and melt the white bark chocolate until soupy
8. Take out Oreo balls and coat with the melted bark chocolate
9. After ball is fully submersed in the white chocolate, take out and place on drying rack
10. After all balls are coated, place a few sprinkles on the top while the chocolate is still wet
11. Let dry and Enjoy!

Here is another great recipe using Oreos!

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for your family and the food you have to eat. One of the largest necessities a person should have is a loving family who supports them and supplies them with food and shelter. I believe is it very important to spend time with family around the holidays because it is a great time to catch up and have fun with the people who will always be there for you. Sitting around the dinner table with all the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents, you lose track of time because of all the funny stories people have to tell. However, no family dinner would be complete without the food. The food is always prepared by the whole family, everyone has a job. They have generations of experience and years worth of recipes that go far back in time. The great part of holiday dinners is that the food brings us closer as a family. The meal is much more desirable when we all work together to prepare the best dinner possible.
There is one more component to a successful Gilmore/Carman Thanksgiving, a game of cards. The older women of the family enjoy playing cards together and keeping scores for a final winner at the end of the holiday season. The women play the same game every time we come together: Liverpool Rummy. This game takes at least two hours to complete. One may think they would become restless, but these women play to the end, until there is a final champion among us. The smaller girls of the family watch the women play, hoping and waiting for the day when they are invited to play the card game.

My Aunt Jessica makes most of the desserts for our holiday dinners. She also has an amazing blog on food. Click here to view her blog.