A Perfect Pairing

Do you remember the scene from the movie Ratatouille where the mouse reluctantly eats a strawberry and a piece of cheese together and doesnt know what to expect but then when the two flavors marry something incredible happens? WATCH IT. Its cute but it reminded me of something important in life.

Things like Macaroni and cheese cannot live without each other SUCCESS-FULLY, much like Milk and cereal would be harsh, abrasive (to my gums, especially apple jacks)a little too dry for everyday. Something great happens when milk n cereal are consumned together. The cereal is still crispy yet pleasant to eat, while the milk is softly perfumed by the flavor and sweetness of the cereal. How about garlic to italian food. Any one can slap some noodles and tomato sauce together, but its the unique and fragrant oils of the sauteed garlic that truly make for a bold, and authentic dish.

I know all this sounds like cheesy analogys but it reminds me of people a little.
We can sometimes pair the most opposite foods/ people together and we get the most unlikely creative, fun loving, flavorful fusion of a pairing that maybe some people will NEVER understand. (Bacon wine. LOL) We either bring the BEST out of each other, or the WORST. Some foods are bland, and best paired with something SPICY, or tangy, or fruity like oatmeal and berries, or nuts no pun. haha. I think about Rob n Big on so many levels this relationship makes me smile, or a more modern age married couple like Khloe and Lamar Odom who are so affectionate its sickening but I love it!

I also wanted to say that ive heard of some foods when cooked together can draw out unique flavors, and can make you experience/ do things you would never think possible.
Like yeast n bread. If we didnt have yeast the bread wouldnt rise??? We would only know one type of bread, FLAT bread, or unleaven bread. Certain people draw out amazing characteristics and gifts from you that maybe you never thought possible becuase you lacked courage, and its through their encouragement or yeast that made you RISE.

Im just gonna say, thank GOD breathing life into the person who thought up HOT Cheetos!


I know its rare but ive met about 4 people im thinking of right now that from the moment I met them its like I could almost swear ive known them for years. It takes virtually no effort to make conversation, or pick up right where we left off. These pairings are so easy to get along with its almost like DUH! These relationships remind me of pizza n ranch. Some people get it some people dont but if you taste it....it JUST WORKS what can I say? I mean pizza can stand without ranch easy, but the COOL ranch that adds another dimension. There are also foods that we know arent good for us like deep fried twinkies or deep fried cool aid, its like whats the point? Its ok once a year to bump into these foods at a State fair and have a sample, say hello and share the love and appreciation for these crazy concoctions but not best for the every day diet for more reason than one.

What we put into our bodies is extremily important, especialy because we should want to eat to live, not the other way around. God is the bread of life, and what we need (nuitrients to survive) comes from Him today and everyday. He is the cup that wont run dry, our modern day Manna. Mac n cheese and pizza are great (I LOVE thin crust, shout out to the current holder of the holy grail pizza in my EYES so far : Rosatis pizza) but honestly we wont die if Rosati's closes for business.

Thanks for reading.
You get the idea :)

Grandma's Mexican Champurrado

Happy Holiday season friends!
The time is here. My mom and Grandma were visiting this weekend and I decided to ask for an authentic recipe. Grandma decided it would be best to make a full batch to kick off the Holiday season, and she would show me hands on.
Chapurrado is a hot drink made mentirely of Mexican ingredients.

Heres what you will need.

2 whole cinnamon sticks (Broken in half)
1 can evaporated milk
Whole Milk
1 bar of Chocolate Abuelita
2 whole cones of Pilonsillo (Mexican cane sugar)
2 cups of Maseca or FRESH PLAIN MASA! Warning,(NOT Tamale Masa)
ABOUT 4 cups of lukewarm water
1 Strainer


Here we go. Start by filling a large soup pot with water half way up. Toss in your chocolate, pilonsillo, and cinnamon sticks cracked in half. Let it come to a boil. All the ingredientes will slowly melt as the water comes up to temperature.

Stir once slowly to incorporate everything. (No stirring, or the cinnamon sticks get grainy). Once all the ingredients have been melted, here is how it will look.

You will notice the cocoa has melted and will form a light foam. we are ready for the next step. In a separate bowl, take your maseca, or fresh masa, slowly pour in your warm water. WASH your hands up to your elbows, and NO manicures says grandma.
This is her method and im not getting in the way of this step, but you can use a wire whisk. Mix, mix, mix, and mash all the clumps into a smooth consistency.

Once your masa is a creamy smooth consistency, its time to add it in. Hook your strainer to the pot and slowly pour a portion using a a spoon to mill it through. with your other hand also quickly stirr to prevent clumps from forming.

Once you have strained in all your masa stirr away. The corn masa has a tendancy to stick because it becomes thick and creamy so one must stay at the stove and stirr constantly. After a few minutes of stirring dunk in your strainer to catch any lumps of masa and an bits of cinnamon that can be removed.

Now this mixture has to come to a bubbling boil for a good 5 minutes so the masa cooks, and theres no raw flavor.

Now its time to add the milk, slowly pour in your evaporated milk, and finally your whole milk.

stirr once more and remove from the heat. Its ready!
Time to enjoy a nice hot mug of this mexican yumminess.

You will notice that when it cools, it tends to thicken, but when its time to reheat again, have some hot boiling water handy to think out the consistency, and its perfect once again.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers, and friends who take the time to read my blogs, I had no idea how many of you read and share with others until you told me!
I am personally thankful for everyone in my life, and all who have encouraged me, and lifted me up and never gave up on me. My heart is filled with gratitude, and words cannot express how much joy there is in my heart today.

Have a blessed Monday!