Halloween!!!

So this year was by far the worst year for trick or treater's. Can't even remember anyone having a really good costume! Halloween out here on the west coast just isn't the same as on the east coast. Just a different feel. Some people did decorate up their place a little.

My neighbors and I did dress up and hand out candy for a bit.

Used last years costume as a prop :P 

My neighbors friend made a strawberry jello brain. I added some fake blood around it, then made kids choose between this or candy. A couple of kids were brave enough to touch it!

 One of the reasons we discovered this year as to why we don't get a lot of kids is because they shut down an entire section of the streets close to us and people go there. Above was a house that allowed you to walk up on there porch with a light and a sheet to give the shadow effect. That's me in the gas mask!

 Me talking to some guy dressed as a cabinet

 Huge decorations!

This place put's on a alien show each year I was told. We got there a little late as everything was closing down at almost 9 pm!! Things close early out here on the west coast :/

Been Awhile

So I haven't written anything in about 3 months, mostly because I haven't had much going on. I've been cooking a lot and I just got back from a 3 week trip to the east coast as well as Halloween!!! Going to give you some random photo's from everything I've been doing :)

 Went to a friends farm in Virgina

 This was Pistol Pete! He was super cute and playful!

Even got to feed him :)

 Some awesome chili peppers that I brought home and have them hanging to dry

 Found a Praying Mantis hanging out in the garden

Picked a lot of stuff; tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapenos, and peppers. Sorry for my shoe!

 Went to Momofuko Noodle Bar in NYC and had some good ramen! This was smoked chicken ramen.

 Pork Belly ramen

 Shot of the ocean at the jersey shore

 And while I was in Boston I had to go to the best damn Chinese restaurant I've found in America; Gourmet Dumpling House! Above is beef with long horn peppers.

Juicy pork dumplings

Twice cooked pork. I can't tell you how delicious this dish is!

Halloween photo's coming next!

Keeping Busy

So it's been about a month since I posted anything but I've been keeping busy. I started to learn how to play the blues on the piano, slowly but surely getting better. It's all about practice, practice, practice, right? I have also been busy cooking.

 I cooked a second pork belly, this time smoking it with oak wood. I then marinated it overnight in maple syrup, toasted corriander and fennel seeds, cracked black pepper and Jack Daniels whiskey. The flavor was amazing but still having trouble getting that skin to be crispy and edible. One more time and I should have it right! 

My super cool neighbors bought me a dehydrator.....

 ....which I have bought to good use right away! Above are apricots from another neighbors garden as well as cherries.

I also made my own beef jerky. I marinated flank steak in soy sauce, Worcestershire, chili flake, honey, garlic powder and a little fresh garlic. Came out amazing!! More to come soon! 

Crispy Pork Belly

Sunday I went up to see a friend that I used to work with at The Daily Grill for a small BBQ. I decided I wanted to make a crispy pork belly which I haven't made in a long time. I have to say the best part about not working right now is being able to cook again. Even if it's just for myself, Andi, or friends it's nice to create!

I started off with about a 2 1/2 to 3 pound pork belly, skin on. Not making this for some time, I did end up making two mistakes. The first one is here: I forgot to poke the skin. When you poke the skin, it allows hot oil and fat to rise up and make the skin extra crispy. Best thing to use is a little metal skewer.

 The second mistake I made was in the scoring. This one wasn't to bad, I just went a little too deep. It still came out fine but the skin curled up a bit more then I wanted. You only want to go down just a touch. 

 Next I took hot boiling water and poured it over the skin several times to let it tighten up. This is also great to do with a whole chicken if you plan on roasting it. Makes the chicken skin tight, which in turn makes it crispier. 

 As you can see the skin started to curl up a little more then I wanted. Only hurt it visually :P

Next I scored the other side about 1/2 way through. This helps to get the marinade inside as well as when it's cooking.  

 To make the marinade I started with minced garlic and ginger, then added some lemongrass and green scallions.

 Pulled out the usual suspects(any movie fans out there get that! :P) of rice wine, dark soy, brown sugar, chili oil, and Chinese Five spice powder. I have to say I didn't really do quantities as I added a little of each and adjusted the taste. But if you need them I would do 2 Tbsp each of rice wine and dark soy, 1 Tbsp of brown sugar and Five spice, 1/2 tsp chili oil.

 But again, taste as you go. 

 I added in the chopped ingredients, mixed it together and their's your marinade!

I rubbed the bottom of the pork completely down with all of the marinade making sure to get in where I scored. 

I then flipped it over and let it sit in the marinade overnight uncovered. 

Also at this stage, I took a paper towel and wiped down the skin so it's totally dry.  

 Next morning I pulled it out and placed it on a small resting rack to cook it. I put it in the oven at 425 degrees for 30 minutes.

 I then pulled it out and rubbed the skin with a little EVOO(extra virgin olive oil) and some large sea salt. No worries here how much you add as you can always dust it off later if you don't want that much.

 I then reduced the oven to 250 degrees and cooked it for another 2 hours.

The flavor was amazing, I just needed to prick the skin. If was a little too hard to eat.

However, for not making one in a long time it came out great!

My Sophie

Today I had to make the hard decision to put my dog Sophie to sleep. She was 15 years old, had the heart and the will but her body just started to give out. I got her at the Buddy Dog Humane Society in Sudbury MA when she was 4 years old. Part Husky, part Lab she loved the snow and cold, hated the water and heat. We had some great adventures together!!

On our way to Lake Tahoe.

Living in Somerville MA shortly after I got her.

Down at Cape Cod, MA.

Living in Beacon Hill, MA.

Going hiking.

Resting after a long day! 

I found this Calvin and Hobbes cartoon that sums everything up best. 

She drove me crazy the last couple of years with her pacing and panting!! :P

I miss you and will always love you Sophie. You were such a good girl and an even better friend. :(