Key West Seafood Gratin

In case you are sitting around on this drizzly afternoon wondering what to serve for New Year's Eve or Day, I have a great recipe for you! For Christmas Day, I made a gratin with local seafood....delicious, kinda fancy, and very easy. I started with 1 pound of yellowtail snapper and 1 pound of shrimp. In a saucepan over medium heat, I warmed 1 cup chicken stock with 1 pint heavy cream. I cut the fish into chunks and peeled the shrimp. I cut them in half horizontally when I removed the vein, a trick I learned from Ina Garten. When the stock and cream are just at the simmer, add the seafood, stirring to distribute. Remove it after only a minute or so, using a slotted spoon to place in a casserole dish. Add a tablespoon of tomato paste, a few threads saffron, and salt and pepper to the pot, and adjust heat to bring to a boil. Simmer until it reduces slightly and taste for seasoning. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoon flour with the same amount of water, whisking to remove lumps. Bring liquid back to a boil and stir in the flour mixture, whisking to combine. Remove from heat after it thickens....only takes a few minutes. Pour over seafood. Top with a generous amount of panko, and dot with butter. Heat at 375 until bubbly, then increase heat to 425 for a few minutes to brown. Serve with rice. You can use any combo of seafood. Next time I want to try it with lobster.

Holiday Party Food, Pt 2

Well, the big day has come and gone, but there is still much to celebrate! I love the days between Christmas and New Year's. And that week is the perfect time to have friends over for a cocktail and some snacks. In fact, as soon as I get this post-Christmas morning mess cleaned up, we have several friends that we can't wait to have over. And depending on everyone's schedules, the visiting may last into the days after New Year's. Here are some things I will have on hand. You can't go wrong with a Christmas Margarita. We do 2 cups tequila, 1 cup triple sec, and 1/2 cup each of cranberry juice and orange juice. Make in a pitcher and keep in the refrigerator. A glazed ham can be sliced and served at room temperature, and made into sandwiches with small rolls or biscuits. I bought a Boar's Head Sweet Slice ham and glazed it with 1 cup Dijon mustard mixed with 1 cup apricot-pineapple preserves. Bake at 325 for an hour or so, depending on weight, until heated through. And finally for today, here is the easiest recipe for artichoke dip. Ever. Thaw one box frozen artichoke hearts, then coarsely chop them. Mix with 1 cup mayo, 1 cup grated parmesan, and 1/2 teaspoon each of garlic powder, salt and pepper. Bake in a small casserole dish at 375 until puffed and bubbly. It takes minutes to make, and everyone always loves it! :)

Christmas Eve in Key West

We are still having unseasonably warm temps for this time of year....80 degrees last time I checked. But it is sunny and breezy and the island was sure bustling as I ran my final errands today. I have come down with a cold, so I scaled back  my cooking plans and purchased goodies from some favorite Key West vendors. First I hit Imagination Station toy store for a final gift for under the tree. This shop is our locally-owned alternative to Kmart, and thank goodness they have been able to make it through the road construction that I'm sure has greatly affected business. Next, I hit Key West Cakes on White Street. I loaded up with 2 pounds of their delicious Christmas cookies, date-nut bread, and a little cherry cheesecake, one of John's favorites. Eaton Street Seafood was packed! I got a pound of KW pinks, two fillets of yellowtail snapper, and two crab cakes. I will saute the cakes when we get home this evening, and I will do a seafood gratin with the shrimp and fish for tomorrow. Finally, I went to Publix. Good grief.....it took me 10 minutes of driving around to find one empty parking space! I managed to gather my list without getting run over (or running over anyone myself). I've got lots of good stuff on hand for some great holiday cooking and eating. And John just got back from the liquor store, so now we are really set. Merry Christmas Eve!

Holiday Party Food, Pt 1

I haven't been very good about blogging...we have been busy doing all of those things I wrote about in my last post. It's certainly been festive here on Duncan Street, for sure. The girls only have a few days of school left before the long holiday break, which means I only have a few days to do the projects that are best done 'kid free.' I've got presents to wrap and hide! And lots of favorite holiday foods to prepare. We will be inviting friends over for several small get togethers, starting this evening. And we are attending two parties tomorrow evening. So I need something to serve and something to take. My Cheddar & Blue Cheese Pinecone is perfect. It's my favorite holiday appetizer, and it couldn't be easier. In a mixing bowl, combine 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar, 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese, 3 tablespoons dry white wine, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons sour cream, and an 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Use an electric mixer to combine. Turn the mixture out onto a piece of plastic wrap and form into a teardrop shape, like a pine cone. Arrange sliced almonds, inserting some into the cheese mixture so that they stand up and pressing some onto the sides, to complete the pine cone picture. (see photo) Or, just form the mixture into a ball and roll it in chopped nuts and skip the whole pine cone thing......it's ok. Plate with some water crackers and grapes. Serve to your guests, or wrap and take to your hostess. I just made two from this recipe, and they only get better with age. Another easy and delicious cheese appetizer is Baked Brie with Spiced Winter Fruits. Combine a chopped apple, chopped pear, a handful of cranberries, and some orange juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer. Add cinnamon to taste, and a pinch of salt. Let cool in the saucepan....it will thicken slightly. Slice a small wheel of Brie in half horizontally. Place one slice on a nonstick baking sheet (or spray a baking sheet with oil) and top with half the fruit mixture. Place the second round on top and cover with the remaining fruit. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, and serve with assorted crackers. Both recipes are holiday classics at my house, and both recipes are in my cookbook. I actually dust it off this time of year and use it.

Christmastime in Key West

This island is a pretty festive place year-round, but I think Key West really shines during the holidays. The Christmas trees arrive at MARC House two days before Thanksgiving and go on sale the day after. Lights and decorations go up on shops and homes as soon as the turkey is finished. We decorate early here, extending the season of joy. And there is honestly a festive feeling in the air. Key Westers are extremely nice, but even nicer during the month of December. There are TONS of holiday events.....tons! A quick search on Facebook just found 65 in the next two weeks, and that doesn't include the major festivity of a Key West New Year's Eve. It's fun, especially if you have kids. I was invited to my first Parade Viewing party this year, with front row chairs and catering on Truman Avenue this past Saturday evening....no more sitting on the sidewalk for me! The joy on the girls faces was truly wonderful. Such a small town event....waving to people you know on the floats and scooping up the candy they toss. And in true Key West fashion, this event was also a fundraiser, as friends and clients of Poco Pelo Chic salon raised $12,000 for charity. This weekend we will be having lunch with Santa at Turtle Kraals on Saturday and making gingerbread houses at the Oldest House Museum on Sunday. I can't wait! :)

Turkey Posole

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that all those brined turkeys turned out juicy and flavorful. Our holiday was lovely. There were ten of us for dinner, and we really ate! After the big day, we enjoyed quite a few turkey sandwiches, but I only had enough leftovers for one replay of the entire meal. I used up my last Thanksgiving leftover yesterday, turning the remaining turkey broth and bits of dark meat into a delicious soup. Posole is a traditional Mexican soup, originally made with the head of a pig, but now generally made with pork. Posole always contains hominy. It's available in the canned vegetable section. Hominy is corn soaked in lye. The kernels become larger and have a richer, denser texture...very nice in a soup. So, to my pot of about four cups of turkey broth, I added chopped turkey, a can of diced tomatoes, one can of white hominy, a can of black beans, some chicken stock, and two packets of Goya Sazon seasoning, which is a mix of Latin spices including annato seed, which adds a nice color to soups. I chopped onion and red and yellow bell pepper and sauteed them in oil until softened and just beginning to brown, and added those to my soup pot. After simmering for a half hour, I tasted it and added a bit more salt and pepper. To serve, I crushed up some corn tortilla chips for the top. It was delicious....the best soup I have made in a long time. Glad we have enough for one more meal! :)

How to Brine a Turkey

I'm afraid people are going to start calling me the Crazy Turkey Brining Lady....the subject has come up many times this past week, and I've certainly done my best to share my enthusiasm. If you haven't already heard this in person at Isle Style, Publix or the Basilica School, here is how to do it:

In a large stock pot or brining bag (they have those now at the grocery store), combine about 2 gallons cold water with 1 cup kosher salt and 1 cup brown sugar. Stir to dissolve. Slice two oranges into quarters....do the same to two lemons. Toss in lime if you've got it or want to use it up. Add a handful of fresh rosemary stems, and a handful of fresh thyme stems. Add the thawed or fresh turkey - make sure you removed the package of giblets from inside the cavity! This needs to sit in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, and I usually do it overnight.

When it is time to get the turkey ready for the oven, remove it from the brine (discard the brine) and drain any remaining liquid by turning it upside down. Place in your roasting pan and dry with paper towels. Rub with softened butter or oil, and season liberally with salt and pepper, inside and out. I roast my turkey at 325 degrees. And here is another tip - start roasting it BREAST SIDE DOWN. About half way through, flip it over. This ensures that the breast meat won't dry out and the dark meat will cook through. There are many cooking time charts online to figure out just how long to cook your bird....just type in the weight. The photo is last year's Thanksgiving turkey....it was delicious!

Six days out....Thanksgiving prep

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and the traditional turkey dinner is my favorite meal to prepare. I look forward to it, and I really enjoy the planning and preparations. Brining the turkey is truly the best thing you can do for a moist, flavorful bird. Seriously. If you haven't done it yet, make this year the year....you will never go back, I promise! (I will post my brine recipe in my next post.) In Maryland, I would put the turkey and brine mixture outside on the patio over night, with a rock on the stock pot lid to prevent any squirrels or other critters from getting involved. The outside temp was always in the high 30s or low 40s, just like the inside of the refrigerator. Not the case here in Key West! So my first official prep project is to clean out our outside 'beer and bait' fridge to make room for the turkey and all the extras. I've been cleaning out the refrigerator in the kitchen all week, using up or discarding leftovers and produce. It's nice to have the space available, plus it's a great way to start the shopping list. This morning I am also going to go through the freezer and check the cabinets to see what staples I already have on hand. My small island kitchen dictates these inventories....I don't have the space to keep extra stuff. The photo below shows John's cooler contraption to brine the turkey for our first Thanksgiving here in 2010, before we had the second refrigerator. We had only lived here for seven months but we had a house full of friends join us. The more the merrier on Thanksgiving, for sure. :)

Two Recent Soups

Last week I made a minestrone, which is a great clean out the fridge and freezer soup. Any veggie can go in. I started it with onion, celery and carrot sweating in olive oil. I added a thick slice of ham I had frozen for just this purpose, dicing it into cubes. A few inches of chicken stock, and I brought it to a boil to form the flavor base. Eventually zucchini, potato, corn, green beans, canned tomatoes and white beans joined the pot. More stock, some chopped garlic, finely chopped rosemary, and some grated parmesan finished the soup. We ate it for two dinners. On Monday of this week I got a text that they needed a vegetarian soup for a luncheon at the girls school. Again, I looked to the veggies I already had on hand since I had just gone grocery and didn't want to make a special trip. Onion, celery, and carrot in oil. A few small red-skinned potatoes diced. Two crowns of broccoli, and three cloves of garlic, chopped. I added water to cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes or so. No chicken stock this time. Salt and pepper. I found a jar of roasted red peppers, so I chopped several slices for some color and sweetness. I used my immersion blender to puree the mixture, and I decided to add some shredded cheddar for body. Usually I would add a tablespoon or two of chicken base at this point, if I feel the soup needs some flavor. Instead, I added a tablespoon of Dijon mustard and a dash of hot sauce to round out the finished product. I hope the vegetarian teachers and staff enjoy it!

70 Wonderful Things about My Dad

Today is my dad's 71st birthday. Last year I wrote this list for him, and now I am sharing it with all of you.  Have a great day, Dad! We all send our love from Key West.

70 Wonderful Things about Dad

70. He is the cook in the family.

69. He loved taking care of Mari when we went to Guatemala to get Josie, feeding her cake and Chinese food, her two favorite things.

68. He was only around Josie a few times before he pronounced 'she's gonna give them trouble'....ha ha!

67. When I got my accidental crew cut in Key West, he had approximately 50 one liners, just off the top of his head.

66. He is a good judge of character.

65. It is fun to get him going on people who are morons.....especially if those people happen to be related to one of us.....bonus points if they are related through marriage!

64. I love the picture of the first time he met Josie. Sweethearts from the start.

63. He surfed the 'net to find Mari her special Clifford dog.

62. I ran into one of his old girlfriends from high school at one of my cookbook signings, and I think she still missed him!

61. He played the cello in his high school orchestra.

60. He can probably quote most episodes from MASH from beginning to end.

59. He makes one hell of a meatloaf!

58. He makes up funny things like Home & Garbage.

57. He has always been very kind to his grand-dog, Murphy.

56. He can watch "The Christmas Card" over and over and enjoy it every time.

55. I can't watch the Weather Channel in the morning without thinking of him sitting in his chair watching it, too.

54. His peanut brittle, coconut bon bons, and other Christmas treats are legendary.

53. He has built cars for Boy Scouts and lots of other projects for the grandkids.

52. He was an excellent provider for his family.

51. He reads stories with Mari, Josie and Zach.

50. He sat through many dance recitals and chorus, orchestra and band concerts.

49. He can build or fix just about anything!

48. He has been a 'surrogate dad' to lots of people over the years.

47. He always gave Penny a piece of cake when it was someone's birthday.

46. Even though he is turning 70, he can text, skype, and find stuff on the internet.

45. He flew to Key West to see us, even though he hates to fly and hates the heat.

44. He turned our house into a hoagie shop for my homecoming fundraiser.

43. He is extremely generous and would give you the shirt off his back.

42. He has fixed or painted most of our cars over the years....even the husbands' cars.

41. He voted for Obama! (OK, probably not this time, but I am still impressed!!)

40. He can sing really well but almost never does.

39. He was tolerant when I developed a relationship with my biological family, knowing I would quickly learn they were losers. ;)

38. He put up with various boyfriends over the years, and was nice even when he didn't like them.  OK, maybe fairly nice to them.... ;)

37. He worked building cabinets and other things for the 'extras' in life for us, even though he worked full-time as a policeman.

36. His orange doughnuts are amazing!

35. He loves his grandkids, even the little brown ones, just like George HW Bush. :)

34. He has turned himself into a computer, cell phone, and photography genius!

33. He loves to watch every mushy Christmas movie on Hallmark Channel.

32. Mom Mom & Pap's house is Mari and Josie's favorite place on earth.

31. His list of hobbies over the years is quite impressive....gardening, candy making, quilting, hunting, etc.

30. He picked up the upstairs phone while I was talking with my girl friends in junior high school and made the Road Runner noise.

29. He can build a kitchen from scratch, including custom cabinets.

28. He got up early to walk me through cooking my first Thanksgiving turkey at my house.

27. He carried old Murphy up the basement stairs for a week, even when she bit him, because he didn't want us to leave.

26. He is a great father-in-law to the husbands.

25. He takes care of Zach with such love and gentleness.

24. Every day he talks to friends and family from all over on facebook and emails.

23. He showed my girls how to make his famous candy cane cookies here in Key West.

22. He helped all of us renovate, repair, or re-do our various houses over the years.

21. He let us take our friends and boyfriends on vacation to Myrtle Beach every year.

20. He loves Christmas!

19. He takes good care of his mother, even if he doesn't always want to.

18. He is the apple of Kacie, Brady, Mari, Josie and Zach's eyes.

17. He gave his kids a boat, a pop-up camper, a go-cart, and lots of fun things.

16. He makes the best chocolate layer cake with peanut butter icing.

15. He taught me how to drive a car....even though I didn't want to learn. And I am an excellent driver to this day!

14. He made it through open-heart surgery and a few procedures but keeps on ticking.

13. He goes on errands with John when we visit, just to hang out.

12. He took his kids on some pretty awesome vacations....Disney World, Busch Gardens, Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, etc.

11. He is the best at putting the tinsel on the Christmas tree.

10. He created a successful quilting business, just to keep him and Mom out of trouble.

9.  He volunteers his time every Monday counting the collection at the church.

8.  He makes the best ham pot pie. Ever.

7.  Josie's favorite thing about Pap:  'He always picks me up. I like him very much.'

6.  Mari's favorite thing about Pap:   'Because he is so cute, and he likes me!'

5.  Murphy's favorite thing about Pap:   'If I stare at him long enough he will give me something to eat.'

4.  We were all so worried when he was in the hospital for bypass surgery because we just couldn't imagine the world with him.

3.  He adopted me and raised me as his own.

2.  When I say 'my dad' I am only talking about him.

1.  He is a great dad and pap and we all love you!! Happy birthday!

Bougainvillea

Wow, it is gorgeous in Key West this morning. Breezy, sunny, with temps in the mid 70s. The cool breezes of fall and winter are finally here. I said cool, not cold. These tropical breezes are like a caress on your skin. I love, love, love this time of year and I will happily sweat through the rest of the year knowing I will so enjoy November through March. Right now the fronds on my palm trees are making a lovely swishing sound, and there are some chickens making some noise some where close by. I am enjoying a quiet moment outside with a mug of coffee. I'm a happy girl. I walked around the property to check out the blooms and snapped some shots of my Bougainvillea. It blooms it's brightest during the cooler months. The colored part is the bract, and the tiny white bloom is the actual flower. I've got hot pink, salmon pink and purple....enjoy!!

Breakfast, Lunch & Monday

Unless we go out to breakfast, I don't have much of an appetite for it. When I'm at home I tend to drink lots of coffee and then feel kind of woozy eventually.....oh, that's right, I should eat something. Not only does this habit cause me to overeat at lunch time, it isn't great for my metabolism, blood sugar, or general well being. I buy yogurt, and toss it when the expiration date passes. Healthy cereals and bars.....bleh. So what I do is eat what actually appeals to me. This morning I had green salad leftover from last evening's dinner with some sliced chicken breast. I often have hummus, on a slice of bread or with a few pita chips. Sometimes I will make a sandwich with ham and sliced tomato. And what is funny is that when I'm ready for some lunch a few hours later, some of the things that most people eat for breakfast start to appeal....fruit, hard boiled eggs, toast with peanut butter, etc. It's kind of strange, but it works. Monday mornings are always a treat to me, and I realize that is as unusual as eating lunch for breakfast and breakfast for lunch. Most people are not a fan of Mondays. But I always appreciate the calm and quiet. Wow....the girls are gone until 3, my husband is out doing good things for the community, and I am ALONE. ALONE!! Well, just me and Murphy and the mess of the weekend, but I'll take it. This morning it is cool and breezy in Key West and every window is open. Now that I've had my lunch, I can do some cleaning while the curtains flutter in the breeze. Until it's time for breakfast. ;)

Party for One

This morning I helped another mom decorate Josie's classroom door for Red Ribbon Week......Eat Right, Be Bright! Very cute. It felt good to help. It also felt good to get back in my car at 8:40 and not be obligated to stay. I finally got the 'balance' memo. And I'm glad that I read it this time. So I decided to take myself out....a little party for one, so to speak, to enjoy this gorgeous breezy autumn day in Key West. First, I sat in the window at Bad Boy Burrito and enjoyed a killer breakfast burrito filled with scrambled egg, chorizo and spicy pico de gallo. The friendly woman at the counter suggested a limeade to drink. So good....tart and fresh and perfect with the spicy food. I watched all the Parrotheads walking to Camille's for lunch. I know they are visiting town for the annual Meeting of the Minds event....they had their passes on lanyards around their necks. I also chatted with my server. I wish I would have asked her name because we covered all the new business openings on the island and rated our various spa experiences here. She was great! Next I went a few doors up the street to Isle Style. I had a fabulous pedicure from Marcella, plus more fun conversation. While she meticulously removed the barnacles from my neglected feet, we talked kids, schools, Halloween costumes, New York, organic produce, GMOs, cooking and our shared obsession with making soup. I left with lovely smooth feet and shimmery pale pink toes. She typed my blog address into her phone. And then I practically skipped home because I so enjoyed my breakfast, my spa time and making some new island friends.

Spicy Chicken Corn Chowder

So here is my latest soup creation, and it's a good one! Chop two onions and sweat them in oil along with some chopped pickled jalapeno. Season with salt and pepper. After the onion is soft, add a large bag of frozen corn to the pot, along with chicken stock to just cover. Bring to a boil. Scrub a handful of red-skinned potatoes, quarter them, and add to the pot. I also added a half can of Rotel tomatoes with chilies that were left in the refrigerator from Sunday's huevos rancheros. Add more stock to cover and bring to a simmer. Taste to check seasoning. I pulled the meat from a rotisserie chicken....the 'mojo' version from Publix is one of my staples for soups, salads, enchiladas, etc. The girls ate most of the breast meat, but I chopped everything else and added it to the pot. Add more stock to cover, if needed. Turn the heat up to bring the soup to a boil. Add two heaping tablespoons of flour to a half-cup measuring cup, add water to fill, and whisk together with a fork to combine and to remove any lumps (do it over the sink!). When the soup is at a full boil, add the flour/water mixture (or slurry, if you want to get technical) and stir well to combine. This will thicken the broth....now the soup will have a more chowder-y mouth feel. Lower the heat back to simmer and stir as it thickens. This next step is completely optional, but since I was cleaning out the fridge while I was cooking last evening, I added the two half packages of shredded Cheddar from the deli drawer. Oh, and I crumbled three pieces of crisp cooked bacon left from the weekend. John would tell you the last two additions made the chowder so good, but it would be plenty tasty without them. To serve, I crushed up some tortilla chips to add some crunch. A friend (hey, Jasmine!) asked if she could do this in the crock pot. Yes, but with just a few changes. I would start with raw chicken breasts, cut into chunks and seasoned. Add the frozen corn, potatoes, Rotel tomatoes with juice, and onion, plus chicken stock to cover by a few inches. Cook on low. You may need to add more stock when you get home, and you may need to turn it up to high and add a slurry to thicken. Stir in cheese and bacon, if using, and top servings with the crushed tortilla chips. Enjoy. :)

Spider Lilies

The tropical spider lily is one of my favorite plants here in Key West because there is just so much going on in one place! First off, they can be HUGE, with giant, wide green leaves and purple striations that look so impressive in a garden landscape. This is a different variety than the general spider lily, which is found throughout the South. This is a behemoth of a plant! The leaves are green year round, but in summer the plant starts really showing off. They produce a large purple fruit....see the photo below. Kinda cool, right? If the fruit isn't removed eventually it will go to seed and make more spider lilies. Then come the flowers. Large and definitely 'spidery' with a heady, strong fragrance that just screams tropical island. There are some very impressive examples of the tropical spider lily at the West Martello Museum (you know, where Robert the Doll lives), in the middle green area, between the garden entrances to the museum. I photographed this plant last week at Coconut Beach resort in Old Town.

Bahama Village

This small island, home to around 25,000, is divided up into sections. Old Town is the area most visitors know. Within Old Town is the Meadows, a lovely area of historic homes. We live in Midtown West, a short bike ride to Old Town. There's also Casa Marina, New Town, and Key Haven. To me, the neighborhood here that really FEELS like a neighborhood is Bahama Village. The narrow streets, tiny Conch houses, and shady courtyards that lie adjacent to Petronia Street have charm and history. This area was settled by immigrants from the Bahamas, and it is one of the oldest African-American communities in Florida. When I go there for lunch or shopping I always find lots of photo ops. Yesterday I met my friend Dee Dee for lunch at La Creperie. She is their biggest fan! I think I finally get her crepe love after enjoying one filled with spinach, mushrooms, chicken and bechamel....so good!! And then I got to share one of my faves with her. In all her years of traveling to Key West, Dee Dee had never been to Besame Mucho! Dios Mio! Of course, she loved it.....such a great shop. I found the most awesome earrings. Engraved with 'Dance when you're broken open, dance when you're perfectly free' from Rumi, with tiny sapphires. That little shop is just filled with unique treasures.

Bad Boy Burrito

This morning we were kind of 'off'....one kid hated ALL her shirts and the other was pouting over nothing. I forgot to fill their water bottles, but we got to school on time! Next I had an eye exam. Hoping it would be fairly quick since I didn't eat breakfast during our morning drama....of course, there was a scheduling back up so it took all morning. When I left the parking lot I was beyond hungry, plus I wanted to venture out and try something new, so I headed to Bad Boy Burrito on Simonton Street. It's been on my list for a long time. Funky little store front, a few stools in the window, loud music, a cool vibe...that's what you'll find. Think of how you would place an order at Chipotle, because that is how you do it here, but with WAY better choices, including local fish, shrimp and ceviche. Today I went old school. Kobe beef, pico de gallo, pickled onion, cabbage, crema, and cojita along with the rice and black beans they automatically add. Just $8, too. Big but not behemoth, crunchy, fresh and flavorful....can't wait to go back and try everything else. Drama shwama, my burrito saved the day. :)

Honeycrisp Apples

If you have never had a honeycrisp apple, you need to go out and buy some. Like right now. I promise it will be the most crisp, sweet and juicy apple you have ever eaten....it is the most apple-y of the apple varieties, at least that I have found. In Maryland, I would watch the signs at my favorite orchard for them to arrive each fall. I got my parents hooked on them, too. Honeycrisp is a relatively new variety but it has become very popular. Of course, we don't have local apples here in Key West, except for a tropical fruit called a sugar apple, which I still need to try. But we get Honeycrisp apples now through Thanksgiving from other states. We are about done with our second batch from Publix....so good! I miss my frequent trips to Catoctin Mountain Orchard in Maryland and to Hinish Orchard while visiting my family in Pennsylvania, but I'm glad I can enjoy a favorite taste of autumn so far south.

Patio Pets

So I've mentioned we have iguanas, plus tons of geckos, butterflies, frogs, dragonflies, cool orb spiders, and even a few fruit rats (more like mice than REAL rats). We had one land crab a while ago. Those are funny....a big clanky thing walking around. And, of course, we have scorpions and big spiders, but since I don't know where they are, I pretend they don't exist. But with all our tropical wildlife, we've never actually bonded with any of it.....until Franklin. At first we would see a turtle when we opened the front door to leave for school in the morning. Lots of squealing from the girls, and it would be gone when I got back. Then it started coming out on the patio when we were out there in the evening, so John named him after the show on Nick Jr. (If you have kids, you know the one....'Hey, it's Franklin, coming over to play....'). Not too long ago Franklin started gently tapping my foot with his nose, making himself comfortable in John's flip flops and letting the girls be around without going into his shell. If John or I walk outside with some food, there he is! I swear this turtle is just waiting for his own plate. We googled and found that Franklin is a Florida Box Turtle. They live on land and eat bugs and plants. People have kept them as pets, and that makes sense since the little guy certainly does seem to like us. :)

Mari, Josie, and Franklin in John's shoe.

White Bean & Sausage Soup

I love to make soup. Everything goes in one pot, and you can use up all those leftover bits crowding the refrigerator. And leftover soup is even better! It always tastes better the second day. I make soup once a week, maybe every other week, and I make every soup pretty much the same way. I chop up onion, celery and carrot and saute in olive or canola oil. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. Yesterday I added a pound of bulk sausage and cooked it along with the veggies. Here is the most important step for flavor - after the sausage is cooked through deglaze the pan with a few inches of chicken stock and boil for several minutes. This step creates that long simmered flavor without the extra time. Next I added three cans of small white beans (I drained and rinsed them first). Then more chicken stock to cover by a few inches and bring it to the boil. I added more salt and pepper and a tablespoon of chicken base. Simmer until the beans start to break down slightly and thicken the broth. Another great thing about making soup is that you can 'stretch it' for more guests by just throwing some more stuff in the pot....which is what I will have to do this evening. Last night when I was cleaning up I accidentally dropped the soup pot, sending a shower of beans all over the place. I didn't lose all of it, but boy did Murphy have a nice feast. :)

French Onion Soup

I received a five pound bag of yellow onions as part of my last organic veggie share, so I've had French Onion Soup on my mind. I grabbed a pile of cookbooks off the shelf to see if there was anything interesting to add to my usual recipe....not really. The key to good onion soup is slow cooking the onions until they are a rich brown and meltingly tender. I usually deglaze the pan with beef stock, but this time I took Ina Garten's advice and deglazed with 1/4 cup sherry before adding the stock. I found recipes for French Onion Soup in two different cookbooks by Garten, both pretty much the same. She is never one to shy away from butter, and she certainly likes some booze in her soup....along with the sherry she called for cognac or brandy, plus white wine. I brought my soup to a rolling boil and then turned off the heat to let it hang out and blend the flavors. When I tasted it later I added a bit of beef base and some more salt (I seasoned the onions with salt and pepper as they were cooking in the canola oil). To get that delicious crusty top, it is best to start with cold soup. I filled two bowls, added some croutons, and then the shredded gruyere. Put the bowls on a sheet pan and place in a hot oven until bubbly and golden.

Lunch @ Azur

We decided to try another September local's lunch discount, this time at Azur in Old Town. They just listed new $6 lunch plates on Facebook....a great deal for things like spicy fries with shrimp remoulade, hummus sliders, patatas bravas and several other tempting small plates. They still have the full lunch menu, plus they offer a few really yummy sounding breakfasts all day. (We've got to get back there for Short Rib Hash Eggs Benedict with Truffle Hollandaise....omg!) In typical fashion we blew past the good deal for the regular menu, which offered some favorites we can never pass up. John had his usual Yellowtail Snapper, fried crisp on ciabatta with key lime mayo. I got the Crab Cake BLT. Quite good! Salsa Verde mayo, ripe tomato, and bacon also on ciabatta. We ended up splitting them so we each got half. Nice service, sophisticated atmosphere and a great lunch for the same price as most of the local casual joints. I look forward to going back again soon.

Iguanas

I used to think they were kind of cool. A sign that we really DID live on a tropical island....hey, we have iguanas in our yard! When we put our swimming pool in, I started to see the very UN-cool parts of having iguanas around. At first we thought a stray cat was getting in at night to leave, um, deposits....nope, iguanas like to poop near water. They also love the lush tropical plants I chose to surround the pool, especially orange flowers....my favorite, too. We have a large native sea grape tree over part of our deck and pool, providing shade and a lovely canopy of leaves. In the last few months, the tree has also provided direct access for the iguanas to leave deposits IN the pool. Really gross! We tried trapping them.....they walked in the traps, took the oranges, and went about their iguana business. Yesterday the chief tree trimmer for the City of Key West came and cut the tree back for us. Native sea grape is protected and can't be cut down, but you can trim 25% per year. We may have to add a sun shade out back if we feel like we are getting too many rays, but it will be nice to enjoy a swim and play with the girls without worrying about iguana poop putting an end to the fun. And I know John will be happy to go back to cleaning just leaves and stray flowers out of the skimmer and filters.

St Mary Star of the Sea

John had the best idea, that I should go on vacation through the end of the year. Enjoy fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas without any distractions (other than the usual ones that come with having two kids, an ailing dog, and an elusive iguana that poops in our pool). Really more of a staycation, since I'm not going away, but his idea was for me to take the time to regroup and to refocus. The first step was to tell people that is what I am doing.....I'm free!! Feels good. When we first started traveling to Key West, John would attend Mass at St Mary Star of the Sea. Eventually I started going, and even though I wasn't raised in the faith, I fell in love with the parish. After we moved here, I completed the adult education program at St Mary and converted to Catholicism in 2011. We haven't been very good about attending Mass over the summer, but we are back and I realize how much I missed it. How much we all need it as part of our week. Today when I took this photo I had that free and happy feeling that I used to have when I would take vacation photos on the beautiful grounds. It's good to be back. And to feel like I'm on vacation at home in Key West....again. :)

Breakfast in Key West

There are many spots for a great breakfast here in Key West. John and I go out at usually once a week, mid morning so it's more of a week day brunch. And when you look at the photos below you will see that these meals definitely cover two meals in the calorie department! If I want yogurt and fruit, I can do that at home, right? First up, Crab Cakes Benedict at Camille's on Simonton Street. These aren't my beloved Maryland-style cakes, these are thinner and seasoned differently, but they totally work with the poached eggs and hollandaise. Next, is a meal at Sarabeth's, also on Simonton. This is one of our favorite spots on the island for breakfast or lunch....a meal on their patio is always lovely. At breakfast, we always get Juice of Four Flowers, a blend of orange, banana, and pomegranate juices. On this visit, I had a Farmer's Omelet, filled with finely diced potatoes, ham, veggies and Gruyere cheese, if I remember correctly. The Sarabeth's in Key West is part of the restaurants of the same name in Manhattan, so yes, you do get their awesome toasts, muffins, jams and preserves with your breakfast. So good! I've often thought that sitting on the patio there with a pot of tea, toast and jam would be a delightful way to enjoy some 'me' time.....I should get on that. The last photo is from a breakfast at Harpoon Harry's on Caroline Street. It's a crazy little joint.....restaurant, liquor store, T-shirt shop. Cash only, but don't worry, there's an ATM in the OTHER liquor store across the street. I had Eggs Benedict and John had Creamed Chipped Beef on Biscuits. Really good if you have the option for a nap afterwards.....and on that day, we did.

Lunch @ Turtle Kraals

With the girls back in school, John and I are going to try and hit as many of the '50% off for locals' lunches as we can. On Tuesday we went to Turtle Kraals, the familiar dark green restaurant right next to the Key West Harbor. Key West restaurateur Pat Croce purchased it last year, but other than the new ceviche bar and bocce ball court, things seem the same. Which is good! We have always liked the place. We both got the same thing, fresh catch of the day, yellowtail snapper, fried. It was really good....crisp coating, nice roll, yummy key lime tartar sauce. When our server brought the bill it came to $19.95 for the two sandwiches and an iced tea....awesome!! We gave her a hefty tip (it's the slow season, she needs it!) and it was still a bargain.

In the Garden - What's blooming today

It's a lovely, sunshiney day in Key West! And our plants are super lush from some heavy, seasonal rains. I love walking around with my watering can and clippers....taking inventory, making mental notes on what needs to be tied back or maybe moved to a sunnier spot. Here is a little tour:

I have two hanging pots on the front porch....I think I need more! So far I have one with basil and rosemary, and one with a lovely yellow portulaca.

A neighbor have us a small cana lily plant that has gone absolutely crazy! I need to divide it and spread some around. The blooms are lovely.

A friend of John's gave us an orchid rhyzome and he tied it to one of the palm trees out front. Happy to see it sprouting....maybe we will get a flower!

A bunch of bananas or plantains starts with the large red bloom on the bottom. Our Cuban neighbor calls them 'tits.'

A closer look at the bunch at the top of the stalk. These are tiny Cuban bananas, about as long as your finger.