Thursday, December 1, 2016

I rode the pain down, got off and looked up, looked into your eyes (Mediterranean Style Meatballs)

Mediterranean Meatballs
As I stand here on the precipice of so many changes in my life, I cannot help but acknowledge how far I have come. I am humbled, and on my knees, in awe of it all. Grateful for this broken kingdom I have.

I am reminded of Yudishtira's line in the Mahabharata, "I am glad my uncle gave me this ruined land for a kingdom. At least now, we have a challenge before us. I am grateful for a destiny that tests me".

As much as I have resisted, the wrong people, the wrong places, and the wrong decisions have always taught me the right lessons.

And after all those bitter potions, I believe that the right things DO come along. Friends who love you when you are unlovable. Lovers who can't help but think about you all day long. All day long spent thinking about that kiss that was just right. Just the right moments culminating in that magnum opus, one you've fruitlessly tried to construct before.

To the amazing, intelligent, and kind people who have filled my broken kingdom over the past couple of years, thank you for reminding me what magic feels like. I'm reflecting light because of the mirrors you've given me. You fill my eyes with stars, my heart with hope, and my stomach with butterflies.

*******
A Profile of Love: A

This week's love profile is one I've been sitting on for quite some time. During my travels to Chicago I came across quite a few characters, but A topped them all. And so, his love profile...


How do you know when you've found the right guy?

It's like training a dog, girl you have to be a good trainer. Teach them how to sit stay and roll over. And I know because I was trained. You need to watch that show dog whisperer.

How did you meet your wife?

I was this guy that was just known for being single. Always traveling around having a good time with friends. I was on vacation in Jamaica with a good group of friends, and I end up meeting this girl at the pool.

She just blew my mind, I knew I met my wife after that first time meeting her. But she was only in Jamaica for four more days with her family, so she gave me her number.

What set her apart from all the other women you'd met?

I think the boys of this generation don't know what to do when a woman of quality comes around anymore. I didn't know I was a gentleman until I met her. She made me want to be a man and made me act like a gentleman.

She wasn't forceful she just acted like a lady and that made me man up to be what she needed me to be. When you see a keeper, you just have to step up and make it work otherwise you'll regret it forever.


How did you propose?

After six months of dating each other she called me up and said we could be friends if I don't want anything serious. Her exact words were, "I don't want to waste your time".

I couldn't imagine living life without her.

I didn't know nothing, I just knew that girl had me.

So I got down on one knee the next time we met in person. When the lady is a lady she makes the man be a gentleman. She was the first lady that made me want to act like a gentleman.

Did you two have an issues in the beginning and how do you resolve disputes?

A lot of men liked her and looked at her, so I had to get used to that. I used to get really uncomfortable and upset about that in beginning. She was definitely out of my league, but you have got to go higher and see if you can do it. I felt lucky that none of the other men in her life had the courage to step up and go for her.

But I was jealous, and I would pick fights over it. But not her, she was Ms. Cool. Even to this day I've never heard her raise her voice. She just put me in my place, "I'm not going to have that foolishness, have a seat and we can talk about it". She amazes me at her calmness and coolness.

*******
Keeping in line with the theme of unexpected things coming into your, this week's recipe is based around these Thai chilies. I unwittingly received these amazing chilies from a really cool person! They were so amazing that I had to make a full size recipe instead of my usual single serving.

These bad boys
Mediterranean Style Meatballs
Serves: 4 to 6 people

Meat Mixture
4 Slices of French Bread
1/2 Cup Sweet Red Wine (like Chianti or Lambrusco)
1 lb Ground Beef
3 Garlic Cloves, Minced
1 1/2 tsp Cumin
1/2 Smoked Paprika
1 Egg
Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce
1 Medium Onion, Minced
3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
1 Can Tomato Sauce
1 1/2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
1/4 Cup Chicken Stock
1 Cinnamon Stick
3 Thai Chilies
1 tsp Sugar
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 Tbsp Greek Yogurt

Slivered Almonds for Garnish

1. Place bread and wine in small bowl and allow to soak for 5 minutes

2. Add all the meat ingredients and bread mixture to a bowl and mix together


3. Form meat mixture into 2 inch balls


4. Shallow fry the meatballs in 3 tablespoons of olive oil until cooked through


5. As the meatballs are cooking begin preparations on the tomato sauce, fry minced onions in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until translucent


6. Add minced garlic and saute for another 2 to 3 minutes



7. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Thai chilies, tomato paste, and cinnamon stick. Simmer for 10 minutes


8. Removed cooked meatballs and set aside

9. Add in Greek yogurt to the tomato sauce and mix thoroughly


10. Add meatballs into tomato sauce and heat for 3 to 4 minutes


11. Serve the meatballs with crusty bread or basmati rice

Just have a look at this beauty

No comments:

Post a Comment