CityMama™

Thoughts on raising "gourmet" kids

This is something that has been weighing a lot on my mind lately...I am really bothered by the presumption that some (not. all. and I mean that) childless people who consider themselves to be "foodies," "gourmets," or "gourmands" have that those of us who try to raise kids to appreciate good food are insincere impostors. Or that we use our interest in cooking and appreciating all varieties of food as a "status symbol for the 'urban sophisticate.'" I know it shouldn't bother me, and, honestly, I'm not losing sleep over it, but it grates nonetheless.

I recently addressed this in a post on Strollerderby, a blog for which I am paid to write.

I read lots of food blogs because well before having kids I loved and appreciated cooking and eating delicious meals, and that love didn't die the minute I squeezed my children from my loins.  Many of the food blogs I stumble across happen to be written by people that don't have kids, and I am just blown away that so many food bloggers (again, not. all. because I know I am going to get shit for it since nothing riles up the interwebs like breeders on a tear) presume that children eat chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese for every meal, or worse, should eat chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese for every meal saving the good stuff for the adults. Or if they do see children gobbling up nigiri sushi topped with flying fish roe and quail eggs (my kid), they titter, "Oooh, how quaint." (Would they say that to a Japanese kid?)

my girls in the tatami room at Akasaka in Honolulu

I have never understood why there is a difference between "adult food" and "kids food" and never will.  You don't see kids' menus at most ethnic restaurants or in other countries, why has that been engrained as "okay" in American culture?

For many parents like me, it's not about being competitive or au courant, it's about continuing a tradition of eating. My taste buds didn't get switched on the moment I was 18 and went off to college to experience "the mysterious Indian food" with my dorm friends. I grew up eating sushi, caviar, spicy Korean, and sublime Chinese food etc. because my parents had no issues or hang-ups about food and felt it was natural to expose us to the things they enjoyed eating.

I think the way I was raised makes me damn lucky.  If my palate is even the slightest bit refined (by whose standards, I don't know), it's my parents that get the credit. They taught us to appreciate the best foods by cooking well and taking us to white tablecloth restaurants and expecting us to behave. Or else.

When I moved from Rome then to Hawaii and then on to California as a junior high schooler in the early 80's, I went to school with kids who, for the most part, weren't like me. How could someone my age have never tasted abalone or prosciutto? It was incredible to me. Again, "me" being the product of my parents' house.

"fighting" over assorted antipasti at Christmas Day lunch

By the way, I don't have a huge problem with foods that come from cans or boxes, not at all. I prefer not to make all my meals that way, but there is a time and place for convenience. The worst kind of food snob in my opinion is someone who poo-poos the occasional convenience meal. Those kind of food snobs can pretend to be anything they want on their blogs and/or in front of their friends, because they'll never write about their secret love of Ranch Doritos or margarine or Slim Jims or whatever their junk food weakness is. I don't trust those people because everyone has a weakness.  Everyone. I am a huge fan of Zatarain's mixes, Barbara's Potato flakes, frozen pot stickers, and Maneschewitz Matzo Balls. We parents are busy, some nights we take short cuts.  It no wonder that ads for things that come in boxes and cans are targeted at us. Do we have to rely on them every night?  I hope not. I started this food blog to show parents that quick and tasty meals could be prepared just as quickly as opening a box or can.

So that's my rant for now. I so enjoy reading the food blogs written by the childless—they get to travel to fun places, go to the best restaurants, and throw the best parties.  They can shop farmer's markets or specialty grocer's in peace, taking time to savor everything.  I just hope that the next time they see a parent next to them in line at the cheese shop or Asian market they view us for what we are doing: continuing a tradition for choosing, cooking, appreciating, and eating really delicious foods, and not as some pretentious novelty act.

First Sentence

Yesterday Bunny was having "activity time" while I cleaned up the kitchen.  "Does 'I-T' spell 'it'?" she called.  "Yup," I responded from the kitchen sink.

A few minutes later, I turned my attention to wiping down the kitchen table and I saw that she had written her first sentence. Unprompted, completely on her own, she wrote:

"It is mone (mine)." by Bunny, age 4.5.

So many kisses for that one.

DePauw Delta Zeta women on Good Morning America

(Follow up to yesterday's post on the same subject)

Two DePauw Delta Zeta women, one who was evicted and one who quit in protest, were on GMA this morning. Hearing them explain the situation, there is no doubt that what happened to them was painful.

Delta Zeta National has issued a statement saying they were "mischaracterized" and has people working overtime doing damage control, even in the comments on this blog.  Delta Zeta National is in the midst of a well-deserved publicity shit-storm. When you kick out all the fat, Asian, and black chicks with a form letter then offer no explanation, I'd say you spoke loud and clear.  What's not to understand about your intentions?

Delta Zeta sorority members kicked out for being "unattractive"

I am outraged by an article I read in the paper this morning's paper describing how members of Delta Zeta sorority at DePauw University were evicted for not being "committed to recruitment," which, in no uncertain terms, meant: too fat and too ethnic.

A psychology professor conducted a survey at DePauw asking students to describe the sororities on campus.  Some sororities were described "positively" which Delta Zeta women were pegged as "offbeat hippies" and "socially awkward." The Delta Zeta National Headquarters freaked out thinking a negative review would hurt recruitment, and interviewed 35 DePauw DZ's about their "dedication to recruitment."

 

I have a post up at Silicon Valley Moms Blog

See how one aspect of living in the 'burbs sucks a little bit of life out of me everyday. But, hey.  If I can only find one thing to complain about (so unlike me), then I'm doing pretty good.

American Idol Recap

It's back on and all seems a little "righter" with the world, doesn't it?

The brain dump:

• Simon seems meaner this year...and I kinda like it.  Although, he doesn't wear anything under those fuzzy sweaters and it makes me itchy to look at him.
• Paul Kim is my Korean homeboy and I so want to love him more. (Dude, quit over-souling and just sing a song.) But I think so far my money is on Beatbox Guy, cuz you know I like the pop singer dudes.
• I want to scoop Sunjaya up and put him in a waffle cone with whipped cream on top.  How adorable is he? Those orange highlights are killin' me.
• Melinda Doolittle aka "the background singer" is my favorite laydee.  She's hooked me.
• Antonella: why are you here? (Besides being a piece of ass, I mean, cuz you know that's the reason.) She's one of the best singers in America? Really? Or just the contestant with the most friends on MySpace?
• Paula's has really cranked up milligrams this season.  She seems even more out of it than normal. Just once I'd love to see her talk first. Without Randy she'd have nothing original to say. In the end (after she does something crazy and gets asked not to come back) I think they are going to find out that she's been on constant painkillers since she had her veneers installed, because I swear they are too big for her mouth.
• And speaking of teeth, anyone notice that Randy has sparkling white upper teeth, and yellow lowers?  Someone hasn't been wearing both trays at night.
• And after what? Five, six seasons you'd think contestants would know not to pick any Celine, Stevie, Christina, or Aretha songs. But they haven't. Unbelievable.

And that's two nights in eight bullet points.  Anyone else have anything to add? What'd I miss?

"This is the best day of my whole life!"

I took the girls to the Junior Museum and Zoo in Palo Alto today. We've been cooped up for a week with a sick Wallie and since she's been feeling better, we decided to venture outdoors to a place where we could be out in the open but not really in close contact with other (germ-ridden) children.  Bunny, especially loved it as evidenced by her exclamation above.

I'm kinda noticing though (and I was thoroughly "warned"), that kids 'round these parts can be a little, shall we say, "unmanaged."  It seems every where we go I'm having to remind other kids not to throw sand at my kids or throw balls on my kids or to please wait for my kid to move before caroming down the slide. ...while their parents and/or caregivers stand off to the side and do nothing.  And, best believe, I AM that parent that will say something. It's my teacherness coming through. Plus, mess with my kids?  Oh hell to the naw.

Today we were enjoying "Critter," the cutest, sleepiest owl you ever did see, when two older kids approached, shoved my girls aside, and started screaming at the top of their lungs. At the the poor little owl. And they laughed. Oh, yes. They thought they were being hilarious. Their adult handler said, "Stop."  They screamed again. She said stop again then walked off somewhere, I don't know where. As soon as she left, it was a horror movie time all over again. Until "Auntie CityMama" leaned over and said, "Please don't scream at the owl.  It's not nice.  And you aren't listening when an adult has to ask you twice to stop."

"Those kids are making a poor choice," whispered Bunny.

"Yes. Yes, they are," I said.

The two kids turned back to the owl, watched it quietly for a moment, screamed, then ran away.

Punk-ass mofos.

But still, a great morning.

Creamy Dreamy Broccoli Soup

I love creamy veggie soups of all kinds, especially on cold nights. For tonight's dinner, I whipped up a warming batch of cream of broccoli soup.  It took about 30 minutes from prep to plate.  My preschooler ate two bowls but I'm convinced it was mainly because (her observation) it "looked liked mint chip ice cream."

CREAMY DREAMY BROCCOLI SOUP

I use a lot of broccoli in my soup.  It gives the soup a vibrant, green color that I can't quite capture with my (non SLR) camera (at dusk) even though I push it to the limit.  If you don't have a stick blender (get one!) puree the soup in batches in a blender BEFORE adding the half-and-half, then add the half-and-half to the puree.

• enough olive oil to just coat the bottom of a soup pot
• a pat of unsalted butter
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 6 cups of broccoli florets (I buy the giant bag from Costco and used about 1/3 of the bag)
• 1 large russet potato, peeled and chopped or 5 new red potatoes (what I had on hand, I didn't bother peeling them)
• 1 box organic free range chicken broth
• 2 cups half-and-half or milk (I used the former)
• a grating of nutmeg
• salt and *white* pepper

In a soup pot, heat the oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and a little salt, and cook until onions are soft and translucent.

Add the broccoli, potatoes, broth and bring to a boil. Don't worry if broth doesn't completely cover broccoli. Turn heat to low, cover, and simmer until the broccoli and potatoes tender, about 20 minutes.

Add in half-and-half and stick blend the entire mixture off heat until a smooth puree is achieved.  Return to low heat and warm through but do not boil. Add nutmeg and adjust salt and pepper.

Dancing With The Stars' Best Season Ever?!

How you go wrong with contestants like Billy Ray Cyrus, Leeza Gibbons, Apollo Anton Ohno, Paulina Porizkova, and Vincent "Big Pussy" Pastore? The randomness of the participants is astounding.  It's become an art form.  There should be an Emmy category for "Most Motley Group of Contestants on a Reality Show."  I'm sure Dancing with the Stars could hold their own against The Surreal Life.

But the biggest news? That money-grubbing publicity whore Heather Mills is also going to be on the show. My pal Bad Kitty is writing to ABC as I type this to tell them she is boycotting the show.  I'd rather see Mills humilated by getting voted off during the first round.

It's on! I cannot wait!

Kimchi Mamas was a "TypePad Featured Blog" today

Kimchi Mamas, a blog to which I also contribute, was a "TypePad Featured Blog" today.  Knowing that today was the day, we've loaded it up with great posts (some new, some "oldies but goodies.")  Take a look! We've come a long way in the ten months since we started the project, and I'm mighty proud.