Grilled Artichokes ala Bandera!

One of my absolute favorite things to eat is Grilled Artichokes... they've become more popular recently and a few restaurants have been trying their hand at them, but there is only one restaurant that has nailed them! And that restaurant is Bandera and they only charge a ridiculous $12 for that perfection. Every where else I've tried them is not quite right, too watery is usually my complaint, so I scoured the Internets to see if I could find someone out there that had figured out Bandera's secret, and alas I did!

So because I like you, I'm willing to pass on this highly treasured secret of chokey goodness...

Oh and if by some chance you happen to be a grilling freak and have a wood fire grill with some hickory, these are gonna be amazing... I had to settle for gas, but it still was surprisingly good!

Lets begin:

Steam your artichokes with a lemon slice, garlic clove and bay leaf for 15-20 min. depending on their size. (25 min. for a especially large choke) You only get one shot at this, so make sure they're done!

As you can see here I was a little too anxious to get mine out of the water and the heart is slightly underdone... whoops :\

When you take them out of the water slice them starting at the stem working down toward the leaves, this will help keep the choke intact and not get all over the leaves.
Rub a little lemon on them and stick them in the fridge for an hour or if you're always late like me, throw them in the freezer for 10 min. This is the MOST important step, so don't skip it. I'm pretty sure this is the step that the restaurants are blowing it on!

While your chokes are chillin' you need to make a little marinade for these beauties:

Get the lemon you used in the beginning and cut one more slice off it and put the slice aside
Now use the juice from the rest of your lemon
3 tablespoons of olive oil
I use one square of frozen crushed garlic (which looks like 1 and 1/2 crushed garlic cloves)
a large pinch of kosher salt
and a a good amount of cracked pepper
(don't be shy with the salt and pepper!)

When you've got about 10-15 min. to go until you're ready to eat throw these beauties on the grill with a healthy amount of marinade on them. BUT before you do that make sure to scoop out the choke! (the hairy bit just above the heart, you don't not want to eat any of that stuff!)

You'll need to flip them over every 2-3 min. to keep them from burning, but a little char is a great thing on these guys!
Every time you flip them give them some more marinade and when you're close to done sprinkle them with a little more kosher salt!

Now it's time to eat! YUMMMM! I serve these beauties up with a garlic remoulade that you can make up in advance and it will last in your fridge for a week!

Garlic Remoulade:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 cubes of frozen crushed garlic or 3 fresh cloves minced
3 tablespoons relish
The juice from your slice of lemon you put aside
A large pinch of salt
And a dash of dill weed
(taste and add more lemon or salt if needed)

Enjoy!

The Anti-Consumer Hypocrite

So there's plenty of things I'm known for, making my own shoes from carrots I grew in my garden is one of the funnier ones my girlfriend Janeille coined, but one of the lesser known ones is that I'm a bit of an Anti-consumer hypocrite... sad but true.

I'm constantly tortured in my head, knowing that Forever 21 just got in that perfect dress that is gonna suit my not-so-perfect figure and I'm gonna miss it! But I know that I have no business being in that store because my closet is full and once I'm there, there's at least 5 other things I can't live without, ughhh!!! It's places like Nordstroms rack that convince the anti-consumer hypocrites like me that it's OK because that dress was $130 and now is only $11 so it's not really that bad, right!!!!

In an ideal world I would just be content with what I have and never need anything shinny and new. But no, I'm tortured, I'm tossed to and fro all the time. I can't, but I would love to blame it all on Orange County, I mean shopping might be highest on our list of cultural priorities.

So my friends, it's only fair that you share the burden with me, so I'm gonna do what any good anti-consumer hypocrite would... Give you the two options to wrestle over that I do, everyday!
You're welcome :)

Let the torture commence:

This month, charity: water is doing a campaign, encouraging people to give up their September birthday gifts in exchange for a donation to charity: water. They hope to further solve the world water crisis, and so far, they're doing a killer job! Good thing it wasn't October birthdays this year, phew!
Watch the trailer, I'm pretty sure you'll become an Anti-Consumer hypocrite too... sorry. And don't worry, I am gonna give up my October birthday this year :)


Next is for those of you who can shop online unimpeded by that nagging feeling.
Zafirenia is a really cute company I just learned about. Seriously cute, cute vintage inspired jewelry.

Did I say cute. I love their big, bold fun designs.

I really wanted to get one for my best friend's birthday, but she has to make the ever torturous call, since it's her September birthday, no pressure.


If you decide you can't live without one of Zafirenia's designs, you can make yourself feel better knowing that you're supporting the cottage industry and actually putting food on a family's table :)

I know, I know, I would say I'm sorry, but all kidding aside I think this is too important. So much of what we do in America needs a bit of a reevaluation. At the very least I've gotten you thinking, cuz if you never did, nothing would change.

Balance my friend, balance.

Your Old Time Friend

A Shout Out!

This is a Shout Out to all you single moms out there! I've had 10 days with my husband gone to Australia and New Zealand, and I have to say I have a new found respect and admiration for those of you doing this all the time! I pray strength and courage for you! I'll be back soon, I'm bubbling over with things I have to tell you... but not now, I got stuff to clean :)