>Clay Pot Chicken

>The 30th president of our country, Herbert Hoover, once uttered these famous words of hope and positive thought for our nation as we went through tough times of another era: “A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.” Now I of course agree with the first half of the sentence but not the latter portion…in my view we would be a better nation if he finished the statement with “…and a bike at every post.”

At any rate, the chicken-in-a-pot theory is a good 0ne…on a cold night like we had last night it permeates the house with both warmth and an intoxicating aroma…gives the house a sort of homey Norman Rockwell feel.

And rather than cooking a chicken in a “traditional pot” I chose, last night, to cook it in a clay pot. The beauty of clay pot cookery is twofold: Firstly, everything is contained to one vessel. And secondly, the meal–no matter what it is–is guaranteed to come out moist and Delicious…the food steams as it cooks…you basically put it in the oven and leave it for a while.

(To learn more about clay pots, or if you’d like to purchase one, click here, here, here, or here.)

The recipes, of course, are seemingly endless, but this is how I made mine:

The first thing in preparation for clay pot cooking is to soak the pot in cool water for about 20 minutes. The clay actually absorbs some of the moisture which in turn steams your food as it cooks. I simply open the pot in the sink and fill it with water, transfer it to a counter, and let it soak while I prepare the other items.

Next, after removing the giblets, wash your chicken inside and out with cold water.

Then pat it dry.

This is not necessary, but I like to put onions and garlic in the chicken’s cavity…as the chicken cooks it flavors from the inside-out. Herbs and chilies–or whatever flavors you like–work well also, but there wasn’t nary a fresh herb in the house.

Added fat is not really necessary with clay pot cooking, but I like to rub a little olive oil one the chicken (butter is good, too), and then season it inside and out with salt and pepper.

I also like to truss a bird before I cook it…and again, this too is an optional step, but being a professional cook I am compelled to use classic cooking techniques…even at home. Trussing a bird keeps it in a neat package and everything cooks evenly. (There are as many ways to truss a bird as there are cooks who truss them, but if you need a basic tutorial there’s a pretty good one at this site.)

You can place your chicken directly into the pot, but I chose to make a “bed” for it, using sliced onion, cabbage, and whole garlic cloves…this later becomes part of the meal.

After placing the chicken in the pot, surround it by whatever vegetables you have or would like to eat. I added baby carrots and a couple potatoes that I cut into thick slices.

Now here’s the best part (well, almost, because the best part is eating it)…put it in a cold oven (yes a cold oven), turn the heat to 450F, and fugetaboutit (forget about it). At 450F the chicken will take about an hour, maybe an hour-and-a-half to cook.

After about an hour check the temperature using a probe thermometer (stick it in the inner thigh, which is the thickest and last part of the bird to cook). The bird is done when it reaches 160F.

If you’d like the skin brown and crispy (which I do) remove the lid and cook it for another 20 minutes or so.

As the chicken and vegetables steam and bake they will excrete some of their own natural juices, which can then be made into a sauce or gravy…or the juice can be used in it’s most simple fashion as a form or poulet au jus, which is how I chose to eat my dinner.

I’ll finish with two words: simple and delicious!

Frigid

Well the storm that swept the entire nation–from the west coast straight through to the east–finally barreled through town yesterday and the previous night…bringing with it frigid temperatures. Here’s a picture of “the mule” just before my early morning commute (thankfully I have a mere mile commute these days). And yes it was (is) as cold as it looks…this morning it was something like 14F (-10c) with a balmy high of around 19 or 20. Brrr. Notwithstanding, I think winter is beautiful…the light blue hue of the snow is soothing.

>Frigid

>Well the storm that swept the entire nation–from the west coast straight through to the east–finally barreled through town yesterday and the previous night…bringing with it frigid temperatures. Here’s a picture of “the mule” just before my early morning commute (thankfully I have a mere mile commute these days). And yes it was (is) as cold as it looks…this morning it was something like 14F (-10c) with a balmy high of around 19 or 20. Brrr. Notwithstanding, I think winter is beautiful…the light blue hue of the snow is soothing.

Bicycle Powered Christmas Tree

A friend sent me a link a few weeks ago (thanks Suzy!) about Christmas trees in Barcelona that are powered by bike (click here to read the story). A series of bikes are attached to generators and passersby are encouraged to take a spin for a minute or two to keep the trees lit…pretty cool. There’s a similar set up in (not surprising and very timely) Copenhagen (click here). Too bad the States doesn’t take a similar approach with the tree at Rockefeller Center.

>Bicycle Powered Christmas Tree

>A friend sent me a link a few weeks ago (thanks Suzy!) about Christmas trees in Barcelona that are powered by bike (click here to read the story). A series of bikes are attached to generators and passersby are encouraged to take a spin for a minute or two to keep the trees lit…pretty cool. There’s a similar set up in (not surprising and very timely) Copenhagen (click here). Too bad the States doesn’t take a similar approach with the tree at Rockefeller Center.

Porta Biciclette (Window Bike)

The image was found here, but the little icon says SuperEdo.it

What the…?

I’ll be the first to admit that it’s difficult to find places to store bikes (I have six…three are parked in my living room; one hangs from the ceiling on a bicycle pulley system). But I have to admit I’ve never seen anyone hang a bike out a window…pretty ingenious.

>Porta Biciclette (Window Bike)

>

The image was found here, but the little icon says SuperEdo.it

What the…?

I’ll be the first to admit that it’s difficult to find places to store bikes (I have six…three are parked in my living room; one hangs from the ceiling on a bicycle pulley system). But I have to admit I’ve never seen anyone hang a bike out a window…pretty ingenious.

Early Morning/Cazenovia Park

This photo was sent to me by my cousin, Joe Verrastro, artist and photographer. He sent it in response to a post I wrote recently regarding my own thoughts on spirituality (click here to read it)…one way he gets in touch with the Divine is through his lens and his art…and it’s easily apparent. It’s a shot of Cazenovia Park (commonly called Caz’ Park in Buffalo) in the early hours, thus the title of the photo is the same as the title of this post.

Caz’ park is a city park and part of the Fredrick Law Olmstead Park System (F.L.O. also designed, among many others, Central Park in NYC). This photo, I think, epitomizes not just Urban Simplicity but simplicity in general…tranquility. Looking at it makes me want to just sit on the ground with my back against a tree and rest for a while…forget about the harried pace of life and just rest (thanks Joe!).

If you’d like to learn more about Cazenovia Park, click here and here. If you’d like to read more about Frederick Law Olmstead, click here.

>Early Morning/Cazenovia Park

>This photo was sent to me by my cousin, Joe Verrastro, artist and photographer. He sent it in response to a post I wrote recently regarding my own thoughts on spirituality (click here to read it)…one way he gets in touch with the Divine is through his lens and his art…and it’s easily apparent. It’s a shot of Cazenovia Park (commonly called Caz’ Park in Buffalo) in the early hours, thus the title of the photo is the same as the title of this post.

Caz’ park is a city park and part of the Fredrick Law Olmstead Park System (F.L.O. also designed, among many others, Central Park in NYC). This photo, I think, epitomizes not just Urban Simplicity but simplicity in general…tranquility. Looking at it makes me want to just sit on the ground with my back against a tree and rest for a while…forget about the harried pace of life and just rest (thanks Joe!).

If you’d like to learn more about Cazenovia Park, click here and here. If you’d like to read more about Frederick Law Olmstead, click here.

Winter in Buffalo

Ahh…those first few times it snows each year isn’t it beautiful (though it seems to have come significantly later the last few years…hmmm). I have always loved the change of seasons and particularly the winter (though not as much as I get older). It’s these first few snow showers of the year that make me feel like a kid again when I’m out in it. After riding my bike the short distance home from work I could see that the (car) drivers were like lunatics (I saw two fender benders) but still wanted to be in the elements so I walked to the health club for a quick steam and very short swim. I love to ride bikes in the snow, but after seeing how people were driving this evening it felt safer to walk. I had a rather harried day at work and the walk helped…how could you not smile when walking in those big fluffy flakes.

>Winter in Buffalo

>Ahh…those first few times it snows each year isn’t it beautiful (though it seems to have come significantly later the last few years…hmmm). I have always loved the change of seasons and particularly the winter (though not as much as I get older). It’s these first few snow showers of the year that make me feel like a kid again when I’m out in it. After riding my bike the short distance home from work I could see that the (car) drivers were like lunatics (I saw two fender benders) but still wanted to be in the elements so I walked to the health club for a quick steam and very short swim. I love to ride bikes in the snow, but after seeing how people were driving this evening it felt safer to walk. I had a rather harried day at work and the walk helped…how could you not smile when walking in those big fluffy flakes.

Easy (and delicious) Winter Frittata

Well first of all if you are a regular reader of this blog you can see by the picture at an earlier post this week that I have not gone grocery shopping…it’s mostly the same ingredients pictured. But it’s how you use and interchange the ingredients that makes things interesting, I suppose.

At any rate, I came home somewhat late for dinner this evening and was famished. I also ate poorly at lunch today so I wanted to make something that was healthy and filling, but also quick. After checking the meager ingredients in my fridge I decided on a frittata. I always enjoy an egg dishes for dinner, and this one was loaded with vegetables. Simple and quick…and man did it hit the spot. Anyhow,this is how I did it.

Preheat your oven to 350F, then chop the broccoli and cauliflower and microwave the potato until it is “just cooked” (yes, I actually own a microwave…a small one; I use it rarely, mostly for reheats, and I just purchased it–my first one–last year). Then saute everything in olive oil until it begins to brown.

Add a a couple eggs that have been mixed with a few tablespoons of milk (and sea salt, cracked black pepper, and whatever other seasonings you’d like). Lay a few slices of cheese across the top and transfer it to the oven.

If your oven is sufficiently preheated it will only take the frittata about 5 minutes to cook. It was delicious. The pictured frittata, along with a perfectly ripe pear, and a glass of wine…I am one happy and content individual right now.

>Easy (and delicious) Winter Frittata

>Well first of all if you are a regular reader of this blog you can see by the picture at an earlier post this week that I have not gone grocery shopping…it’s mostly the same ingredients pictured. But it’s how you use and interchange the ingredients that makes things interesting, I suppose.

At any rate, I came home somewhat late for dinner this evening and was famished. I also ate poorly at lunch today so I wanted to make something that was healthy and filling, but also quick. After checking the meager ingredients in my fridge I decided on a frittata. I always enjoy an egg dishes for dinner, and this one was loaded with vegetables. Simple and quick…and man did it hit the spot. Anyhow,this is how I did it.

Preheat your oven to 350F, then chop the broccoli and cauliflower and microwave the potato until it is “just cooked” (yes, I actually own a microwave…a small one; I use it rarely, mostly for reheats, and I just purchased it–my first one–last year). Then saute everything in olive oil until it begins to brown.

Add a a couple eggs that have been mixed with a few tablespoons of milk (and sea salt, cracked black pepper, and whatever other seasonings you’d like). Lay a few slices of cheese across the top and transfer it to the oven.

If your oven is sufficiently preheated it will only take the frittata about 5 minutes to cook. It was delicious. The pictured frittata, along with a perfectly ripe pear, and a glass of wine…I am one happy and content individual right now.

A Christmas Vow

OK, first a couple of things. I sometimes post with “spiritual overtones,” but rarely overtly religious…this, though, falls under the latter. And while I truly believe that all major religions walk the same path and lead in the same direction I identify myself as a Christian, albeit a progressive Christian. Sometimes I think I am so liberal that some may not even recognize me as a Christian…but I am. Meaning I try (italics very intentional) to live my life according to the teachings of Jesus the Christ. Not an in-your-face-I-need-to-convert-you sort of thing, just an internal and very private monitor on how to live my life. I remember a quote by the Dalai Lama I heard (I’m not sure if I read it somewhere or if it was when I saw him speak) where he suggested that you should stay with the religion that you were brought up with, that you are familiar with, because they are all rich and full in their own way (I’m totally paraphrasing). But I am still drawn to an eclectic group of teachers and writers (see the side bar, For The Inner Journey), particularly, New Thought, Metaphysics, and those from the East. One such writer (and teacher, sage, philosopher, prophet, poet) is Paramahansa Yogananda…his writings and lessons have had a profound influence on my life and spiritual journey. So on this second Sunday of Advent I offer you this prayer from Paramahansa Yogananda. It’s one of my favorites and can be found in one of his little pocket-sized books, Metaphysical Meditations. It’s a vow, actually, and I can only hope to be so self aware someday to abide by his words. To learn more about Paramahansa Yogananda, click here.

A Christmas Vow

“I will prepare for the coming of the Omnipresent baby Christ by cleaning the cradle of my consciousness, now rusty with selfishness, indifference, and sense attachments; and by polishing it with deep, daily, divine meditation, introspection and discrimination. I will re model the cradle with the dazzling soul qualities of brotherly love, humbleness, faith, desire for God-realization, will power, self-control, renunciation, and unselfishness, that I may fittingly celebrate the birth of the Divine Child.”
–Paramahansa Yogananda

>A Christmas Vow

>OK, first a couple of things. I sometimes post with “spiritual overtones,” but rarely overtly religious…this, though, falls under the latter. And while I truly believe that all major religions walk the same path and lead in the same direction I identify myself as a Christian, albeit a progressive Christian. Sometimes I think I am so liberal that some may not even recognize me as a Christian…but I am. Meaning I try (italics very intentional) to live my life according to the teachings of Jesus the Christ. Not an in-your-face-I-need-to-convert-you sort of thing, just an internal and very private monitor on how to live my life. I remember a quote by the Dalai Lama I heard (I’m not sure if I read it somewhere or if it was when I saw him speak) where he suggested that you should stay with the religion that you were brought up with, that you are familiar with, because they are all rich and full in their own way (I’m totally paraphrasing). But I am still drawn to an eclectic group of teachers and writers (see the side bar, For The Inner Journey), particularly, New Thought, Metaphysics, and those from the East. One such writer (and teacher, sage, philosopher, prophet, poet) is Paramahansa Yogananda…his writings and lessons have had a profound influence on my life and spiritual journey. So on this second Sunday of Advent I offer you this prayer from Paramahansa Yogananda. It’s one of my favorites and can be found in one of his little pocket-sized books, Metaphysical Meditations. It’s a vow, actually, and I can only hope to be so self aware someday to abide by his words. To learn more about Paramahansa Yogananda, click here.

A Christmas Vow

“I will prepare for the coming of the Omnipresent baby Christ by cleaning the cradle of my consciousness, now rusty with selfishness, indifference, and sense attachments; and by polishing it with deep, daily, divine meditation, introspection and discrimination. I will re model the cradle with the dazzling soul qualities of brotherly love, humbleness, faith, desire for God-realization, will power, self-control, renunciation, and unselfishness, that I may fittingly celebrate the birth of the Divine Child.”
–Paramahansa Yogananda

It’s The Little Things

Yesterday I was out doing errands on the mule (my predominant winter bike) and stopped at a local bike shop for some advice. I needed to replace a shifter cable but I’d be darned if I couldn’t find how to remove it. I had taken the shifter off the handlebars and the cable seemed to be encased in the mechanism with no entree. So I presented the experts with my dilemma. Yes, they said, it is a little difficult and sometimes confusing, but it’s not all that difficult. What you have to do, they added, is while it is still on the handlebar (with the grip removed) give it a gentle tug and rotate it counter-clockwise and it will separate into two pieces, exposing the cable end. OK, I thought why don’t I do this while I have it in the shop…so I did. Like this, I said, as I gently pulled and turned…then to my (and their) chagrin, I heard a cracking sound followed by the sound of small pieces of plastic hitting the floor. Apparently I pulled a tad too hard (or the grip has simply been through too many Buffalo winters)…at any rate it was rendered useless.

After what seemed like an uncomfortably long silence one of the guys says, well the good news is that if you buy a new shifter the cable comes already attached. They also threw in a free pair of grips for free (which I was there to purchase as well)…they’re good people, there at Campus Wheel Works.

At any rate, after going the past month as a single speed (not fixed, just single…never fixed) I finally have a shifter that shifts perfectly again (and handlebar grips that are not constantly sliding off)…it’s the little things, sometimes, that can really make me happy.

>It’s The Little Things

>Yesterday I was out doing errands on the mule (my predominant winter bike) and stopped at a local bike shop for some advice. I needed to replace a shifter cable but I’d be darned if I couldn’t find how to remove it. I had taken the shifter off the handlebars and the cable seemed to be encased in the mechanism with no entree. So I presented the experts with my dilemma. Yes, they said, it is a little difficult and sometimes confusing, but it’s not all that difficult. What you have to do, they added, is while it is still on the handlebar (with the grip removed) give it a gentle tug and rotate it counter-clockwise and it will separate into two pieces, exposing the cable end. OK, I thought why don’t I do this while I have it in the shop…so I did. Like this, I said, as I gently pulled and turned…then to my (and their) chagrin, I heard a cracking sound followed by the sound of small pieces of plastic hitting the floor. Apparently I pulled a tad too hard (or the grip has simply been through too many Buffalo winters)…at any rate it was rendered useless.

After what seemed like an uncomfortably long silence one of the guys says, well the good news is that if you buy a new shifter the cable comes already attached. They also threw in a free pair of grips for free (which I was there to purchase as well)…they’re good people, there at Campus Wheel Works.

At any rate, after going the past month as a single speed (not fixed, just single…never fixed) I finally have a shifter that shifts perfectly again (and handlebar grips that are not constantly sliding off)…it’s the little things, sometimes, that can really make me happy.