Imagining the New


 Roasted vegetables on brown rice pasta.

The house is looking bare now but for boxes stacked in corners [scribbled with colored markers: art books, cook books, fiction, Jungian]. The movers will be here May 1st. We're moving only books, paintings, music, photos, and the boys' artwork/school projects.

The next big thing is the estate sale. I’ve been piling all the odds and ends and books for sale in the downstairs studio. Clothes gathering in the spare closet wait for strange shoulders and hips - somber winter coats and velvet skirts and black designer dresses I will never wear again [not that I wear many dresses – I live in jeans; two dresses still sported TJ Maxx price tags from the fall of 2002.] We’re selling every stick of furniture.

The more I shed the more I want to shed.

Food has been simple, pure comfort food. Last night was Tinkyada brown rice pasta tossed in butter and olive oil and grated Parmesan, then smothered with balsamic roasted vegetables spiked with garlic and capers and charred just enough, so tender and sweet they melted on the tongue. The Pinot slid down easily. We held hands and conjured New Mexico and future margaritas. Kivas and nichos. Vigas and coyote fences. We imagined where we might be. What kind of space? A streamlined loft? A small casita? We are open to everything.

Three weeks to go.

Blue Chip Frittata

The easiest way to make eggs tasty and elegant- with blue corn chips.


Blue Chip Frittata Recipe

I had a frustrating day in the studio. We're in the thick of our house sale/moving process. Leftover blue corn chips from Friday's nachos were calling. So I thought I'd whip up something fun for a quick and easy bite to eat.

What you'll need:

Organic Blue or Gold Corn Chips- enough for one layer in an ovenproof omelette pan

A few organic grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
A spoonful of chopped roasted red peppers
2-3 oz. crumbled feta or goat cheese (or vegan cheese)
4 large organic free-range eggs
1/3 Greek style yogurt
Fresh chopped basil, parsley or cilantro
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Lightly oil an oven proof 8-inch omelet pan.

Layer the blue corn chips into the bottom of the prepared pan. Top the chips with tomatoes and roasted red peppers. Sprinkle with crumbled feta or goat cheese.

Whisk the eggs with the yogurt and chopped herbs till fluffy and pour the mixture all over the chips. Season with sea salt and fresh pepper.

Bake in a hot oven for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the eggs are set and the frittata is golden.

How easy is that?

Serves 2.

Make this dairy-free with vegan "cheese" and plain unsweetened non-dairy yogurt.


Spaghetti Squash a la Susan

The best thing about food blogging? Sharing recipes and seeing how cooks and food bloggers interpret, tweak and improve upon your recipe. My talented friend Susan at Fatfree Vegan Kitchen has just posted her version of my Santa Fe Spaghetti Squash Casserole, and darlings, it's not to be missed! It's gorgeous and inspired.

Moving Update::

Craziness ensues here. The oil tank is being drained, dismantled and replaced [with walls coming down and going back up]. Strange sweaty men are crawling around the attic and snooping in the cellar netherlands. Running hot water in the bath tubs. Leaving blackened finger prints on the ceiling. Do you imagine I'll be glad when this process is over?



What does this piece of technology cost, you ask? Darling, you don't want to know. You'll be thinking about all the wine, great meals and kitchen tools this could have bought...not to mention, air fare to Italy. Well, at least Napa Valley. Or Hawaii.



Bits & Pieces::

We're having an estate sale April 28th.
Closing May 4th.
Flying to Albuquerque May 4th.

What have we been eating?

Lots of Brown Rice & Roasted Vegetables, Balsamic Roasted Veggie Smothered Baked Potatoes, Spinach & Cheddar Quesadillas. Easy. Fast. Too tired to cook food.

I hope to post again soon. Until then, be well and eat well, and enjoy the first [longer] days of spring!