Memorial Day Memories

I traveled to Washington, DC for Memorial Day. A time to honor & remember those who have served this great country and the world to keep us safe. I have lost family & friends to war. Many people spend the long holiday weekend enjoying BBQ. I spent this year at grill that gives an amazing view Washington's memorials.  I enjoyed a dinner w/ my mother and a wonderful friend of the family.
We shared fresh french bread & amazing homemade pesto. We toasted to my aunt who recently passed away, as this was her favorite place to eat in DC. She spent many Memorial Days in DC and would eat at this grill every time she was in DC.

It will not be the same without her. 

I will keep her tradition to enjoy bread with pesto and the famed crab cakes. I will honor & remember all that she lived & fought for. I will remember all she taught me about cooking and culture. And especially in DC, I will never forget that politics are best discussed over great food & drink.

The Old Place by the Graveyard

Today I had the opportunity to eat at one of the oldest places in El Paso, L & J Cafe.  I asked a local for directions..."its the old place by the old graveyard."  Oddly, enought those directions worked just fine.  L & J, has been around since Ft. Bliss soldiers rode horses & tied them to the hitching post in the front.  So in Texas style I walked in & sat myself down at the bar.
The menu was full of great things, I decided that the chile verde plate was calling to me but I asked for a recommendation since it was my first time there.  My waitress said the steak tacos were great but the chile verde was an excellent choice.  She then went & let one of the owners know that it was my first time here.  The owner came over to welcome me & asked where I was visiting from.  I let her know that I was from Washington, DC area & she smiled & let me know she went to Obama's speech yesterday.  "He is a very good looking man (said between giggles).  I have always wanted to go to DC.  If I make a delivery for you, will you show me around?"  I asked her if she was the woman I heard screaming "I love you" to the president...the whole group around us started laughing as she smiled w/ that Latin sass, "Yes it was!"  I told them that they were welcome in DC anytime & gave them a few places I consider "must sees" on a bar napkin.

My chile verde looked & smelled amazing.  My waitress looked at me & said, "you want tortillas don't you?"  I shook my head yes as my mouth was already savoring the pork & potatoes.  The flavors reminded me of the food my Nana made me as a child. I cleaned my plate like any good grandchild would. 
I had noticed in the desert menu that sopapillas were listed.  I knew in the back of my head that I wanted them but also knew that meant extra time at the gym.  Just as if I was a regular my waitress looked @ me & said, "Did you save room for dessert...sopapillas?"  I smiled & told that I hadn't had any since my Nana made me some, over 15yrs prior.  She smiled, put in an order & told me she couldn't wait to see the happiness on my face when I took my first bite.

They were perfect.  Fresh, hot, cinnamon & sugar dusted, with a pot of local honey for me to drizzle.  I had a starry look on my face, remembering yrs past eating these sweet pastry pillows with my Nana.  And true to her statement my little tattooed covered waitress watched me relish that first bite :-) Food that harkens memories of loved ones is always a good thing.  Now I can associate great Mexican food w/ El Paso and the friendly smiling staff at L & J Cafe.  This place is a must!

Why I started this blogging thing

After a lot of thought and prayer I decided that it was time for me to share with others what I love about the world, the welcoming feeling that can found around all cultures' tables.  I grew up around good food from a variety of cultures.  I am bi-racial and was blessed to have learned to cook and bake the foods from both sides of my family.  One of the ways that I show my love for family and friends is to cook for them.  It is a blessing when someone chooses to cook for you or share a meal with you.  You are showing a person that you care enough to share time with them.  To share a bit of who you are and that you want to learn about them as well.  No matter your race, religion, or creed...everyone eats.  We all may eat different foods and in different styles but to share a meal (or coffee or tea or wine) with someone is to be welcomed into a circle , a community (even if it is only for that brief time).

As I have grown up and roamed around the world, I somehow always found a family who sort of adopted me.  In some places it was a family owned restaurant, in others I was welcomed around the family table.  These families came in all shapes;  blood relatives, churches, college friends, military friends, the homeless, tribal/indigenous people, coworkers, and people who could be seen as my enemies.  We broke bread and shared wine.  We got to know each other, sometimes a little and sometimes with intimate detail.  Whenever I am able to make it back to those places, I try to visit those families.  It is an amazing feeling to be hugged and welcomed like the long lost cousin they haven't seen in years.  Again, we break bread, share wine, and catch up on the years spent apart.  I consider it a God given blessing that I have been able to bring people around a table,whether I am being welcomed to the table or I am doing the inviting.

I look forward to breaking bread and sharing wine with you all...even if it is virtually :-)