Are you up to “Make Today Ridiculously Awesome?”

If that sounds like a dare, switch it into your life’s motto. And of course, the people of Consuelastyle.com would love you to do it with one of their colorful, uplifting bags on your shoulder.

I’ve been reading about “Connie,” who was bestowed a nickname based on her “consuela,” or “comfort” with friends. Now these shiny Consuela bags and totes are sold at upscale stores, and Buc-ee’s.

I’ve got a little one that’s great for lunch and a larger one, both adorned with bright sugar-skull motifs. You can go for roses, stripes, cactus, etc. with varying degrees of pricing. Connie wants us all to be ridiculously awesome and tell the company about awesome women for their “It’s Not About the Bag” program.

                So I’m walking along Congress Avenue in Austin and the colorful bags are in a window, calling to me. I pop in and was told I found the Austin Flagship Store, with the design studio next door. I was offered sparkling water and a cookie and began feeling awesome. The challenge to “Make Today Ridiculously Awesome” is written on their window.

                Next time you want to make a culinary impression, unpack your lunch or picnic spread from a Consuela bag.

Cheers to a Good Idea

Do you ever wish you had a Good Idea? My husband was going on about how I had one and I was thinking, “about time he acknowledges.”

Actually, he was joking that I should take a selfie, as I raised up a can of Good Idea, a naturally flavored sparkling water that’s known as the Swedish Sugar Buster. I already love sparkling water as a guilt-free treat and this one is the “only mealtime beverage on the U.S. market with a significant amount of the essential mineral chromium, proven to make weight loss both healthier and more sustainable, by increasing the proportion of lost fat. This adds to the beverages ability to cut post-meal blood sugar spikes.”

                That part in quotes is what makers are saying about this drink, with a blend of five amino acids and chromium.

                So, how about a dragon fruit version? I hid all the flavors in my fridge to hog them for myself. Now that’s saying something that you have to hide your zero-calorie treats from your spouse. It really is a Good Idea.

                Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who loves sparkling and sparkling water and strives to be ridiculously awesome. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Market selfie part of Culinary Thrill Seeking

For months my Aunt Anne in Katy has been anticipating the opening of H Mart near her home, and the thought of her extended family exploring it together. We had so much fun walking the aisles and filling our cart with octopus, fungi and noodles, we figured we’d better take a selfie. Are we weird?

                Don’t answer. Just see for yourself. This store has all sorts of Asian flavors and a super-fresh produce section. It doesn’t matter that you may not be familiar with a good portion of the fruits and veggies. I’m up for giving them a try.

                The area has several little restaurants, and I’ll bet all of them are good. We stood outside and registered on an ipad for our turn. Taped to the window was a review that said the crispy duck was the best. We got in quickly and ordered them. The server said the duck was for the place next door. Okay. I don’t know how the sign could have been any closer to his restaurant’s window. No matter. We ate shrimp in a sauce from carved out mango shells. And we loved it. We got a second little individual pot of rice to extend the pleasure.

                We said we could not eat another bite, but H Mart is liberal with the samples, so we gave in. Then we navigated the attached bakery and shared a cool tiramisu after gazing at intricately braided pastries.

                My Aunt was thinking this store was nearly close enough to take exercise walks from her house… straight to the bakery.

                On Friday my husband and I shared a bowl of meatless pho at a different Houston eatery. It wasn’t until I was leaving that I saw a closed bin labeled pho veggies. I’d missed out on the fresh jalapenos, sprouts, basil, cilantro and lime that I love to top my bowl.

                Oh well, there’s always another culinary thrill around the corner.

                Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who loves spicy things. And sweet things. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

A drive in the country

           V            A recent “fish Friday” with visiting relatives demanded a drive in the country, looking for birds and other fun. The sight seeing brought my family to 10025  Highway 124 and fried seafood at Doug Nelson Café.

                             The funny thing is, the view inside was of a country drive. A mural depicts a vintage car in the setting sun at a store stocked with familiar old-time products and a Clabber Girl Baking Powder sign. I was drawn to snuggling kittens nestled into the painting, and a little boy who escaped his parents’ table was interested in petting the creatures.

                             If you didn’t know, you can buy Doug Nelson seasonings packaged up for your own kitchen experiments.

                            

                            

                              Eat right to ease your mind

                             I love being right. When offered a review copy of “Mind Easing,” I anticipated a healthy diet would be part of Bick Wanck, M.D.’s advice. Right.

                             He writes “prescriptions” for mindfulness, exercise and a diet of no-sugar or low-refined grains that’s high in fresh vegetables. When your diet is in alignment with the needs of your body and mind, healing flows evenly and effectively. When you eat food that is bad for you, healing becomes disjointed, disharmonious and derailed, he writes.

                             “Your flow of healing needs a safe and healthy diet to stay on track,” he relates, in this book, subtitled “The 3-Layered Healing Plan for Anxiety and Depression.”

                             The steps are enhancement, guidance and restoration.

                             Snickers stuff

                             I was at a reception with an already lovely spread, and out came a bowl of Snickers creamy blends candies. Maple Almond Butter and Peanut Butter squares stopped conversations. Everybody already loves Snickers and these “gourmet” versions were popular. I ended up having to share the one I was trying to enjoy all to myself. My husband owes me one.

                             Look for these in when creating Easter baskets.

                             Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who does her best to enjoy and eat in balance for pleasure, nourishment and health. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Urban forager finds her flavors

                            

Elisa Callow is a writer, appreciator of food and history and a lucky soul who has made friends, convinced them to share and – I hope – gotten to eat all the dishes described in her book.

                             “The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside, is an adventurous and useful book with Ann Elliott Cutting’s photos. The Prospect Park Books offering gets us talking with cooks from so many cultures. That’s how history and recipes are preserved, so thank you, Ms. Callow.

                             You read the stories. I’m going to quickly convince you to by noting these flavors:

                             Over-the-Top French Toast forces the cook to decide. Should Cointreau or Grand Marnier be part of the recipe that calls for butter-filled brioche.

                             I’m not sure why the Savory Double Pecan Scones are “double,” but I loved finding Dijon mustard, thyme and Gruyere cheese in the ingredients list

                             Yogurt Soup with barley sounds soothing and a beautiful color photo illustrates how Minh’s Vegan Porridge with Spring Green Sauce can be appealing.

                             Other illustrations show cooks’ influences, such as Jack Aghoia’s grandmother who stretched meat by creating stews and casseroles with cracked wheat and vegetables.

                             I want to try Minhs Habanero and Kumquat Salt, made by roasting citrus skins and chilies and grinding them up.

                             I don’t know if  I’ll ever get to East L.A., but I kind of feel like I’ll have friends when I get there.

                  Darragh Doiron has a bag packed for Culinary Thrill Seeking. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Slow cooker speeds up meal planning

Slow cooker speeds up meal planning

Who’s going to say no to Brown Sugar Chili Bacon Meatballs?

Not me.

Not Drew Maresco, but he’ll make you wait a while to eat them. It’s his recipe, for slow cooking,

Maresco is editor-in-chief of BestRecipes magazine and a self-taught cook living in Detroit Michigan.

Everybody seems to have a slow cooker in the cabinet, but not everyone uses it.

Dig it out and put it center stage. Don’t worry that we tend to think of it best used for heavy stews and chili dinners. It’s spring and there’s plenty to cook. Slowly.

                This attractive page Street Publishing Co. release is called “3-Step Slow Cooker Cookbook” and subtitled “Delicious, Hassle-free Homemade Meals.”

                Who doesn’t want that?

                So sure, your slow cooker probably came with a book. Years ago. Like everything good, the process gets updated.

Pineapple cooked with meat is trending and this book is in on it with Pineapple Short Ribs with Brown Gravy.  Kale fan? It’s covered.

South of the Border, Asian at Home and Italian Hour sections let you slow cook around the globe.

Maresco’s recipes include Spicy Chicken Enchilada Soup, Caramelized Onion Pot Roast, Classic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, Lemon Basil Chicken with Orzo, a meatball sub and Extra Sloppy Sloppy Joes.

There’s a common ingredient in every Italian dish, the author proclaims. Think it’s garlic. It’s actually “love.”

For Meatless Mondays, try Tex Mex Sweet Potatoes.

For “sticky good” Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs, stir in ketchup, honey, sugar, vinegar, water, pepper, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce with brisket, etc. and some time later, serve it up over Texas Toast.

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who likes the slow-cooking process for meal prep that makes fast eating for later. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Doug Nelson seasons drive in the country

                             A recent “fish Friday” with visiting relatives demanded a drive in the country, looking for birds and other fun. The sight seeing brought my family to 10025  Highway 124 and fried seafood at Doug Nelson Café.

                             The funny thing is, the view inside was of a country drive. A mural depicts a vintage car in the setting sun at a store stocked with familiar old-time products and a Clabber Girl Baking Powder sign. I was drawn to snuggling kittens nestled into the painting, and a little boy who escaped his parents’ table was interested in petting the creatures.

                             If you didn’t know, you can buy Doug Nelson seasonings packaged up for your own kitchen experiments.

                            

                            

                              Eat right to ease your mind

                             I love being right. When offered a review copy of “Mind Easing,” I anticipated a healthy diet would be part of Bick Wanck, M.D.’s advice. Right.

                             He writes “prescriptions” for mindfulness, exercise and a diet of no-sugar or low-refined grains that’s high in fresh vegetables. When your diet is in alignment with the needs of your body and mind, healing flows evenly and effectively. When you eat food that is bad for you, healing becomes disjointed, disharmonious and derailed, he writes.

                             “Your flow of healing needs a safe and healthy diet to stay on track,” he relates, in this book, subtitled “The 3-Layered Healing Plan for Anxiety and Depression.”

                             The steps are enhancement, guidance and restoration.

                             Snickers stuff

                             I was at a reception with an already lovely spread, and out came a bowl of Snickers creamy blends candies. Maple Almond Butter and Peanut Butter squares stopped conversations. Everybody already loves Snickers and these “gourmet” versions were popular. I ended up having to share the one I was trying to enjoy all to myself. My husband owes me one.

                             Look for these in when creating Easter baskets.

                             Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who does her best to enjoy and eat in balance for pleasure, nourishment and health. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Was your Tuesday Fat?

                           

  Finally, it’s here!

                             Was your Tuesday Fat? Now it's time for Ash Wednesday.

Now

                             I love putting away Mardi Gras décor as much as I like setting it out. My drapes of beads are replaced with simple, empty bowls.

                             I love the “rest” we get during Lent. I credit learning about Mardi Gras in Port Arthur and the season’s history with my deeper understanding and appreciation of this stark – often cold and dreary – season. I imagine my Cajun ancestors as they collected fresh eggs and scooted to outhouses on frigid Louisiana properties. They must have surely been awaiting spring’s first shoots and lighter and warmer days in a way that I can barely understand as I dash from heated car to heated building.

                             Live Simply is a message on one of my favorite tiny bowls. It’s decorative, but it can also hold a few nuts or raisins that I can eat slowly and think about those who haven’t got a bite. If they had that much, it would be their meal, not their snack.

                             My culinary adventures are relevant as I appreciate each bite, avoid meat, hear stories of other cultures’ traditions and focus on whole grains, fruit and foods that don’t come in boxes.

                             One egg, one apple or one dish of  yogurt is simple nourishment during this time.

                             And, by the way, smoked meat never smells so good to me as it does on a Friday, when I’m abstaining. I know that those with other traditions have felt “sorry” for me that I couldn’t “have” what they are having. I in turn have felt “sorry” for those who have not taken some time to live a little simply.

                  Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who’s doing more with less this season. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com