Foodie: The New Four-Letter Word

I was reminded upon reading this article the other day on Buzzfeed, of an incident that occurred this past May as I was sitting in one of the very last classes of my graduate career.

The professor was discussing the importance of having a blog for promoting oneself after graduation, and asked if there were any bloggers in the class. I raised my hand, and after giving a brief explanation of "Wanderlust and Second Helpings," my professor smiled knowingly and asked, "Would you consider yourself a foodie?"

I sat for a time in stunned silence. I had never before considered myself a foodie, but then, I'd never been asked. I have always loathed foodies, or at least the idea that I had of them. To me, "foodie" is just another word for the "unfun-don't-invite-them-to-the-party-because-they're-food-snobs" guy. Foodies are the people Instagram-ing every dish (along with a shot of their feet while lounging at the beach, a photo of a summer sunset--#nofilter--and of course, the obligatory selfie). They're the ones who sneer at bargain brands and who won't settle for anything less than a tall soy chai latte for their morning pick-me-up.

Right? Right?!

Well, according to Buzzfeed, foodies are people who don't like eating at chain restaurants, the ones who only refer you to the hole-in-the-wall ethnic restaurants, and the ones who cut into your conversation about how they had authentic [insert dish here] in [insert country here].

Aw crap. Am I a foodie?

I talked myself down from this crisis identity ledge just as I answered my professor this past May: No, I do not necessarily consider myself to be a foodie. Why not? I believe that to truly consider oneself a foodie, one must display certain personality traits when talking with others about food. You know, a certain air of superiority, of knowing better. In other words, you have to be kind of a jerk.

I don't consider myself a foodie because I don't think there really is any more room in the world for people who act like they know so much better than others. Sure, I don't particularly like eating at chain restaurants, I tend to love the hole-in-the-wall ethnic restaurants, and thanks to this blog I do sometimes add in a story or two about trying a certain food in a certain foreign place. But I try not to be a jerk about it. Or at least, I hope I don't seem like one.

Food is an adventure, and instead of pretending that we know so much more than everybody else about what makes good food, we "foodies"--whether we reject the designation or not!--should be trying to encourage people to experience it for themselves, to break free of the mold of chain restaurants, the "safe" menu item to order, and God forsaken queso.

Because food is an adventure, I'm always encouraging trying the local ingredients, the local restaurants, and the dish that's going to give every one of you dear readers the chance to tell the story about that one time you were in [place] and ate [bizarre/creepy/delicious thing].

But please, for the love of God, don't Instagram all of it.

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Say "Ahhhhhhh": Vietnamese Iced Coffee

I don't care what time of day it is, I will want coffee.

Yep. I'm one of those.

So, it seemed that, at the end of a long, warm, summer day, the only thing that could calm my mind and set my soul at ease was a soothing cup of iced coffee. And thanks to this recipe idea from fellow blogger Kitchen Confidante, I had a new iced coffee recipe to slurp in serendipity.

Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê đá), is a traditional Vietnamese coffee recipe, a relic of French colonialism, that is made by brewing strong, dark coffee and mixing it with about a quarter as much sweetened condensed milk, then adding ice to cool.

Many recipes use coffee with chicory in this recipe--like Cafe du Monde--but I don't know a whole lot of Americans outside of New Orleans who prefer chicory to a good, hearty dark French roast. An old work friend of mine--born in New Orleans--loved Cafe du Monde coffee with chicory. She used to make it in her office quite often. Just the smell of it used to make my eyes water, but I will never cease to think of Ann whenever I see Cafe du Monde. I loved her stories about growing up in the Big Easy; tales of hot, sticky summers without air conditioning, ghost stories from her colonial house, beignets...

Where were we? Oh, yes, Vietnamese coffee.

Admittedly, I did take a few shortcuts that traditional Vietnamese iced coffee recipes do not; I used my trusty Mr. Coffee to brew the deepest, darkest French roast it can muster (hey, it's been a long day and I just want my damn coffee!), and I also used nonfat sweetened condensed milk because after reading the label on the regular stuff, my conscience just couldn't handle it.

So if you're needing a good end to the day or simply want a few minutes to sit back and relax with a wonderfully creamy cup of coffee, make Vietnamese iced coffee. You won't be disappointed.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee

Time from table to tummy: 5 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 c. freshly roasted strong, dark French or espresso roast
• 2-4 T. sweetened condensed milk
• Ice cubes made from frozen coffee (this will prevent the coffee from becoming diluted)

Steps:

1. Pour a cup of the coffee into two coffee mugs or glasses.
2. In each mug, stir in 1-2 T. of the condensed milk (depending on how sweet you want it).
3. Plop in the coffee ice cubes and let cool.

 

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How to Pack Like a Pro

 

So. It's time to pack for your big vaycay. Congrats! You've booked your flights, your room, your excursions...you are ready to go! You now face the toughest decision any girl ever has to make when traveling: WHAT DO I WEAR?!

Fear not, ladies (all right, and fashionable gents). I have compiled a few tips and tricks for you to help you pack like a pro.

I can't tell you how many times I've been in an airport and have seen women dressed to the nines, lugging around gigantic designer suitcases (with matching duffel bag and carry-on). They always look exasperated, frustrated, and generally even more unhappy than anyone else undoubtedly is in an airport. But it seems to me that, even more than that, they are so obviously unprepared for the rat race that is traveling.

So ladies (and gents), here are a few very basic pointers so that you won't be that lady huffing and puffing as she pulls her overstuffed, 70-pound customized Louis Vuitton luggage through the airport on a wheel and a prayer.

1. 

   Don't forget your maps!

   Pack your lifelines first. Before you think of anything else, pack your passport, tickets, emergency phone numbers, IDs, maps, and itineraries in your carry-on! These are your safety net; don't forget them!
2. Then pack your unmentionables. Trust me, I have arrived on more than one occasion at my destination, flopped my suitcase on my hotel bed, unzipped it, and discovered that I had forgotten to pack underwear. One one very unfortunate instance--the last time--because it was the only choice, I had to wear a pair of my big sister's underwear. It was clean, but it still horrified me enough never to forget to pack them again. So my advice? Pack the undies, socks, bras, sports bras, hosiery, etc. right away. Because buying fashionable outfits while traveling is a lot more fun than trying to find undies. 
3. Be reasonable. Are you going to Milan for Fashion Week? Are you filming a movie in Paris? No? Well if you're just traveling for the simple joy of seeing the world, don't worry yourself with fancy outfits, uncomfortable shoes, and delicate fabrics. But I'm not saying stuff that suitcase full of elastic waistbands and kitten sweatshirts, either. Pack comfortable, moderately fashionable, easily washable clothes that won't break your heart if they're lost, stolen, damaged, or forgotten in that dance club in Barcelona.
4. Check the weather. Don't pack for a tropical vacation if you're going to Holland. Pack according to your destination's climate!
5. Stick to the basics. No matter where I'm going, I always follow the 1-2-3-4-5 rule. If you follow it, you'll be able to mix-and-match when you get to your travel destination and you won't have to lug around a heavy suitcase. Note: If you're going on a longer stay trip, like study abroad, your list will have to be modified a bit. The house I stayed at in France had a teeny tiny washer that fit about two pairs of jeans, and no dryer, so doing laundry was a pain. After a while, I got used to wearing things until they were truly dirty. You will too. :)
1. One suitcase (purse or briefcase doesn't count; those are free).
2. Two pairs of shoes (one comfy-yet-somewhat-fashionable pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals or comfy heels, like wedges).
3. Three dresses (two casual, one nice) or pairs of pants/shorts (or combination of these).
4. Four shirts/blouses.
5. Five accent pieces (cardigans/sweaters, necklaces, scarves, etc.). 
6.  Roll, baby, roll! If you roll your clothes, you'll be able to fit more into your suitcase. Also, they're less likely to get smushed around and wrinkled.
7. Stuff your bras...into your shoes. Stuff undies, socks, and sports bras into your shoes. It takes less space and helps your shoes keep their shape while in the suitcase.
8. Heaviest at the bottom. Always put jeans, pants, shoes, and other sturdy items toward the side of the suitcase that has the wheels. Once you zip your suitcase and flip it upright, the heavier items will be on the bottom, sparing the more delicate items for the top.
9. Wear glasses on the plane. Up in the air--especially if you're going to be on an overseas flight--the air gets really dry and icky. It does awful things to your skin and your eyes. So save your eyes and wear your glasses on the plane. Pop in the contacts when you've landed. BONUS: Without contacts, you'll be able to get some shut-eye without having to mess around with taking your contacts out.
10. Wear heavier items on travel day. It's often cold up there in the air, so stay warm while saving space in your suitcase and wear sweatshirts, sweaters, jeans, and bulky shoes on the plane. BONUS: If you get hot, you can take off the sweater. Instant pillow!
11. Don't buy the fancy luggage. Look for suitcases that are sturdy and have reinforced corners. No one working for TSA cares about your designer luggage; they're going to chuck them all the same. So go for reliability over fashion.
12. Go easy on the toiletries. I am a hotel shampoo hoarder. That way, when I'm traveling, I can just throw the little samples in a Ziploc bag in my suitcase and go, no giant exploding shampoo bottles necessary. The same goes for perfume, deodorant, toothpaste, contact solution, etc. The travel-sized toiletry section at Target is your best friend here. Oh, and while you're there, pick up some of the Charmin To Go toilet paper packs. Seriously, those things saved my life in rural Italy. Buy them in bulk, along with some wet naps; travel is sometimes a nasty business.

 

For more great tips, check out 13 Travel Tips That Will Make You Feel Smart from Buzzfeed.

What are some tips and tricks you've learned from your travels? Please share them in the comments!

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Pad Thai Party

I hosted a party in my kitchen tonight. It was a total rager, and everyone was invited. There was no cake, unfortunately. I have been put on a mandatory diet and exercise regimen following a gluttony-fueled week-long birthday celebration that culminated in a very sad incident with a bridesmaid dress. Long story short, a dress that fit four and a half months ago no longer fit. Mouths were left agape, zippers were tugged, guts were sucked, obscenities were uttered, tears were cried.

It was not pretty.

But, like a phoenix born from the ashes of gluttony and shame, I bucked up, started reclaiming my long-lost identity as a gym rat, and began cleaning up my eating, too. And it hasn't been too bad, really. It's amazing what you can discover about eating healthily if you just get over that fact that it won't be deep fried and smothered in chocolate or cheese.

Sigh.

Tonight, Matt and I were feeling very Asian-inspired. I wanted to make a dish that would satisfy both a man's stomach and my newly rediscovered zeal for healthier eating. Asian cuisines--unless you are eating out, generally--really are some of the healthiest choices out there. They are generally loaded with veggies, but BEWARE! There might be frying involved, and oftentimes we Americans like to slather our cashew chicken and broccoli and beef with fat- and sodium-laden sauces. So for many reasons, making it yourself is usually better. For tonight, I created what might be described as "Damn-neat-everything-but-the-kitchen-sink pad thai," but what I have come to call "Rainbow Pad Thai" because it is so colorful with its wide array of veggies.

Once I nailed down the idea that I was going to have a pad thai party, I began thinking over the guest list. I have my favorites: red bell pepper, onion, broccoli (my best bud), and carrots. Matt loves carrots (you can't be a Bakersfield, CA boy without growing up loving carrots) and red bell pepper, so there was no fight there. But he HATES onions and will only touch broccoli if it's smothered in sauce. But then, he had down a few guests that are nearly always uninvited in my book: mushrooms (you'd think people would look down at the forest ground, see fungus, and leave well enough alone) and dried Thai chiles (the taste of which is what I would imagine a fiery death to be like).

A fresh Thai chile (left) and its cousin, Satan (right).

After a few minutes of negotiation, everyone got invited to the pad thai party. (Also among the guests were green onions and cashews.)

So whether you're looking for a healthy alternative to talk yourself down from the Chinese takeout ledge, want to get you and your loved ones to eat more veggies, or simply want a fast, healthy solution for dinner, I hope you give this one a try. Don't be frightened by the long list of ingredients; they are all pantry staples. Plus, you can switch out the veggies I've listed for your favorites (baby corn and water chestnut would be nice!) to make it your own.

Rainbow Pad Thai

Prep time: 10 min.

Cook time: 15 min.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. whole wheat linguine
• 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks (optional) 
• 1 tsp. canola oil
• 1 small head broccoli, chopped into florets
• 1 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1/2 white onion, thinly sliced
• 3 carrots, thinly sliced into coins
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 small package button or baby portabella mushrooms
• 1/2 c. dried Thai chiles (optional)
• 1/4 c. cashew pieces
• 1/3 c. chunky peanut butter
• 1/4 tsp. powdered ginger
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
• 3 T. low sodium soy sauce
• 2 T. rice wine vinegar
• 2 T. low sodium chicken broth 
• 1 T. Sriracha sauce
• 1 T. Sesame seeds, optional

 

Directions:

1. Prepare the pasta as per the package's directions, drain and set aside.
2. Heat the canola oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken, if using, and cook through, about 4 minutes.
3. Add in all vegetables, cashews and Thai chiles and cook until crisp-tender, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: whisk together ginger, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, chicken broth, Sriracha sauce and peanut butter. Set aside.
5. When veggies are crisp-tender and chicken is cooked through, add the sauce to the pan and heat through, about 2 minutes.
6. When sauce is incorporated, add pasta and toss or stir so that the sauce and veggies are mixed in with the pasta.
7. Top with sesame seeds, if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Here's to healthy dishes!

- Betsey

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Family Ties

Family is awesome, don't you think? Well, sometimes. After typing that phrase I was reminded of sharing a room with my older sister, being called "Buttsey" by my older brother, and years of sitting in the back middle car seat on long family road trips.

But let's just say that this past weekend family more than made up for all those horrendous car rides across eastern Colorado. My parents dared the nearly 9 hour drive from Grand Island, Nebraska to Springfield, Illinois, and once they got here, we didn't give them much time to put their feet up. President Lincoln sites were visited, food was eaten, drinks were enjoyed, and puppies were given toys. (Fun fact: it took Mojo only 10 minutes to completely eviscerate one of the new toys, an unfortunate plush hedgehog.)

It was great having family here. I can only watch Matt play Call of Duty, and he can only pretend to be interested in hearing about what I found today on Pinterest, for so long.

I got a fun package from my in-laws as well; Matt's mom took my request of "If you find any ethnic ingredients for cheap and send them I promise I won't be mad," as an opportunity to stuff a large box full of discoveries from China Town in San Francisco. We had so much fun opening the box and pulling out the interesting contents within.

An assortment of fun finds from China Town...plus some chipotle in adobo.

I have no idea what these are...but they look interesting.

 

Macaroni?!

Candied sweet potatoes...still too afraid to try.

She also sent a fun French-language Magnificat, which was a randomly awesome find.

My French-language Magnificat, and some people who look suspiciously super excited to be going to church.

Sometimes, it's so nice to get a reminder that family ties are stronger than the distance that separates you, and that home is only a phone call, a postage stamp...or a 9-hour drive away.

I think that I'm going to do some research on these goodies from China Town. Anybody have any idea what they are?!

Until next time!

-Betsey

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