Happy Valentine's Day 2011!

Create an unforgettable Valentine's Day experience this year for that special someone in your life. Eat a gourmet home-cooked meal, then settle in for a romantic movie. Kokopelli's Kitchen has found some great recipes for a southwest meal and a Valentine's Day Movie Guide for you and your special someone.


GOURMET SOUTHWEST MEAL for VALENTINE'S DAY
The recipes that we've selected are from the "Gourmet Gringo" by Mari Meyers. Permission to print granted by Golden West Publishers, 4113 N. Longview, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

Tomatillo Chip Dip

Tomatillos are sometimes called Mexican or Spanish green tomatoes.

• 6 ounces (about 4 medium) fresh TOMATILLOS
• 1 large, ripe and soft AVOCADO, peeled and seeded
• ½ tsp. fresh Mexican LIME JUICE
• dash of GARLIC SALT
• TORTILLA CHIPS

Remove husks from tomatillos; wash, halve and scoop out pulp. Purée tomatillos and avocado in processor. Blend in lime juice and garlic salt. Serve in a decorative bowl surrounded with tortilla chips. Makes 1 cup.

Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo

Shrimp can be found on menus anywhere near the Pacific or Sea of Cortéz. Camarones are drenched in buttery garlic sauce that is flavored with wine and cilantro, and just waiting for a splash of fresh lime.

• 10 to 12 ounces RAW SHRIMP, peeled and deveined
• ½ cup (1 stick) BUTTER
• 2 to 4 large GARLIC CLOVES (maybe more), thinly sliced
• 2 to 3 Tbsp. WHITE WINE
• coarsely chopped CILANTRO
• fresh Mexican LIME wedges

In a large (10-inch) skillet, melt butter over low heat. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes. Add wine and cilantro; slowly cook another 2 minutes but do not let butter or garlic brown.

Still on low heat, stir in shrimp and sauté about 1 or 2 minutes, turning shrimp and cook another 1 or 2 minutes, so they cook to pinkness on both sides. Watch carefully. (Shrimp toughen when overcooked.) Serve hot on warmed plates, covering shrimp with garlic sauce. Pass lime wedges to squeeze over hot shrimp. Serves 2.

Rice Mexicali

From an authentic old Mexican cookbook comes this advice: The pan used to cook rice should be a shallow one so the weight of the top portion doesn't crush the rice underneath.

• 1 cup raw LONG GRAIN RICE
• 2 Tbsp. OLIVE OIL
• 1⅓ cups chopped ONION
• ½ cup chopped GREEN BELL PEPPERS
• ½ cup chopped RED BELL PEPPERS
• ¾ cup finely chopped CELERY
• SALT and freshly ground PEPPER
• 2 tsp. CHILI PEPPER
• ½ tsp. SAFFRON
• dash or 2 of GARLIC POWDER

Cook 1 cup of rice according to package directions to yield 3 cups cooked rice.

Meanwhile, use an extra large (12-inch) skillet to heat oil and soften onion, bell peppers and celery. Add all seasonings and incorporate thoroughly. Blend in rice and heat through. Serve hot. Makes 5 cups.


MOVIE GUIDE for VALENTINE'S DAY

Classic Favorites

Casablanca (1942) — An intense love triangle between a jaded nightclub owner in French-occupied Morocco during World War II (Humphrey Bogart), his ex-lover (Ingrid Bergman) and her husband, a famous Czech rebel and nationalist (Paul Heinreid), is at the center of this movie, which is perhaps the greatest love story ever committed to film.

Gone With the Wind (1939) — The beautiful and scheming Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) is a Southern belle whose world changes forever with the outbreak of the Civil War. Obsessed by her first love, who is married to another, Scarlett struggles to survive the war and its aftermath, as well as her passionate, tortured relationship with the man who may be her soul mate, Rhett Butler (Clark Gable).

Roman Holiday (1953) — This romantic comedy stars Audrey Hepburn as the bored Princess Anne, who escapes her entourage during a diplomatic visit to Rome and sets out to have fun, aided by a handsome American newspaper reporter (Gregory Peck) who angles for an exclusive interview but ends up--surprise!--falling in love with her.

From Here to Eternity (1953) — Set on an army base in Hawaii in the days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, this film is the story of the love affair between a sergeant (Burt Lancaster) and the wife (Deborah Kerr) of his commanding officer. Watch for the famous beach scene, when Lancaster and Kerr kiss in the sand as the waves crash over them.

An Affair to Remember (1957) — Terry (Deborah Kerr) and Nickie (Cary Grant) meet and fall in love on a ship traveling across the Atlantic Ocean. Both engaged to other people, they say goodbye, but agree to meet atop the Empire State Building in six months if their feelings remain the same.

History, Adventure and Romance

Doctor Zhivago (1965) — Omar Sharif is the poet and doctor Yuri Zhivago, who is married to his childhood sweetheart, Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin) but carries on a passionate affair with the beautiful, troubled Lara (Julie Christie) against the tumultuous backdrop of the Russian Revolution.

Out of Africa (1985) — Based on the autobiography of the Danish writer Isak Dinesen, this movie stars Meryl Streep in one of her most celebrated performances. As a young wife largely abandoned by her husband (Klaus Maria Brandauer) on a plantation in Nairobi, she interacts with the native population and falls in love with an aristocratic hunter (Robert Redford).

The English Patient (1996) — Set against the backdrop of World War II, this beautifully filmed movie flashes back and forth between the love affair of Count Laszlo Almasy (Ralph Fiennes) and a married woman (Kristin Scott Thomas) in North Africa and an abandoned monastery in Italy, where a Canadian nurse (Juliette Binoche) cares for Almasy, now unrecognizable after being horribly burned in a plane crash.

Shakespeare in Love (1998) — A fun imagining of the young William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes), who struggles with writer's block until he meets a rich young woman (Gwyneth Paltrow) who also secretly disguises herself as a man in order to play the lead in Shakespeare's new play, which will become Romeo and Juliet.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) — In pursuit of a stolen jade sword and seeking to avenge the murderer of his master, the great Chinese warrior Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat) enlists the help of Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh). Their barely acknowledged love for each other forms the heart of this fantastic martial arts drama, along with the more openly passionate relationship between a rich, rebellious young woman (Zhang Ziyi) and her bandit lover Lo (Chen Chang).

Offbeat Romances

The Princess Bride (1987) — This comedy, a tongue-in-cheek version of a classic fairy tale, tells the story of Wesley (Cary Elwes), a poor stable boy who returns from adventures at sea to rescue his true love, the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright), who has been chosen to marry an evil prince. This sweet, sentimental love story is energized by hilarious supporting performances by Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Mandy Patinkin and Andre the Giant, among others.

Say Anything (1989) — This charming movie about an improbable match--between the sweet, unambitious kickboxer (John Cusack) and the beautiful, sheltered valedictorian of his high school class (Ione Skye)--undoubtedly caused countless teenage girls (and many women) to long for someone to serenade them with a boombox, as Cusack's character does in what is arguably the film's most classic scene.

When Harry Met Sally (1989) — A modern classic for romantic comedy lovers (especially for those who secretly pine for one of their "platonic" friends), this movie follows two college classmates (Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan) into adulthood, exploring the question: Can men and women really be friends?

Out of Sight (1998) — The movie's most talked-about scene takes place in the trunk of a getaway car, where a federal marshal (Jennifer Lopez) is locked with a bank robber and prison escapee (George Clooney), only to have sparks fly. The unlikely romance continues over the course of this crime caper, based on a novel by Elmore Leonard.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) — Jim Carrey stars in this terrifically quirky, sometimes off-the-wall romance as a man who discovers that his girlfriend (Kate Winslet) has had her memories of him erased from her mind through a pioneering experimental procedure. He tracks down the doctor (Tom Wilkinson) to have the same procedure done to himself, only to decide that he doesn't really want to forget her.
(Source: The History Channel website. Retrieved January 27, 2011, from http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day-movie-guide)

Happy 2011 from Kokopelli's Kitchen! Roast a Pig for Your New Year's Meal!

Many cultures plan extravagant New Years Eve celebrations, but the ancient Babylonians were probably the first to do so. Four thousand years ago, they celebrated for eleven days beginning with the first crescent moon after the spring equinox. In a sense, January 1st is an odd date because there isn't anything special about it from an astronomical standpoint. Nor does the day conjure up themes of spring.

For a relatively young country, the citizens of the United States have come up with our own annual New Year’s Eve celebrations. Every year, nearly a million people crowd into Times Square for one of the world's largest annual parties. At 11:59 PM, a one-ton crystal ball will begin its one-minute descent down the 77-foot flagpole. At the stroke of midnight, party goers wearing funny hats will blow noisemakers and kiss their loved ones. Billions of people around the world will watch the televised event.

Check out the Top 10 New Year’s Traditions and Superstitions - we discovered this list at TopTenz, the ultimate top 10 list site.
10. Fireworks
9. Making Resolutions
8. Paying Off Your Debt
7. Kissing at Midnight
6. Singing “Auld Lang Syne”
5. First Footer
4. Nothing Should Leave the House
3. Lay Low & Do Nothing
2. Eat Luck Foods
1. What You Do On New Year’s, You Will Do All Year
(Source: http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-new-years-traditions-superstitions.php)


Foods to Avoid on New Year's
Be sure to avoid "unlucky" foods -- this is considered just as important as eating the good luck foods. If you were to serve something as unlucky as a chicken to your guests it could ruin their entire year. Many cultures believe that eating anything with wings is a no-no for New Year's because the bird could fly away, taking all of your luck with it. Chicken is thought to be especially unlucky because the bird scratches backwards (unlike the forward-thinking pig), which can possibly possibly lead to setbacks. The color white is a symbol of death in the Chinese culture, so avoid eggs, tofu, or white cheese. And, remember not to clean your plate too thoroughly — many cultures believe that leaving a little leftover food on your plate will usher in a year of plenty.


For those of you wanting to prepare and serve good luck food for your guests, Kokopelli's Kitchen chose the following recipe from “Arizona Territory Cook Book” by Daphne Overstreet. Permission to reprint granted by Golden West Publishers in Phoenix, AZ.

ROAST SUCKLING PIG
Clean piglet. Do not remove head or feet. Make a stuffing of dry bread, grated onion, sage, salt, pepper and warm water for moisture. Fill the cavity with stuffing and sew closed. Stand pig in pan of water, beef stock, onion, and butter and baste often. Bake slowly for three hours. Put a corn cob in his mouth and serve hot with baked apples.


For additional advice and guidance on cooking the whole hog, visit Ask the Meatman!

And if you can't find a whole pig to roast, visit McReynold's Farms. They are located in Phoenix, Arizona but their "farm-fresh roasting pigs" can be ordered online and shipped anywhere within the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. Their USDA farm fresh roasting pigs have been grain and milk fed to ensure the meat’s maximum flavor and tenderness. They are delivered raw and completely prepped and ready to cook (hair and insides removed).

Happy Holidays from Kokopelli's Kitchen - Origins of Santa Claus

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals -- murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.

Waves of European immigrants brought cherished St. Nicholas holiday traditions to the United States. Over time these have melded into some common practices. If one looks closely, these reveal some distinctive characteristics of beloved St. Nicholas.

• Christmas stockings by the fireplace: And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there, goes the oft repeated Christmas rhyme. In a story of Nicholas rescuing poor maidens from being sold into slavery, gold dowrey money, tossed in through the window, is said to have landed in stockings left to dry before the fire.
• Orange or tangerine in the toe of filled Christmas stockings: The gold Nicholas threw to provide the dowry money is often shown as gold balls. These are symbolized by oranges or even apples. So the orange in the toe of the stocking is a reminder of Nicholas' gift. 
• Candy Canes:These are really candy croziers, one of St. Nicholas' symbols. All bishops carry staffs, hooked at the top like a shepherd's crook, showing they are the shepherds who care for, or tend, their people.
• Gift-giving in secret, during the night: Stockings are filled while children are sleeping. Nicholas did his gift giving secretly, under cover of darkness. He didn't want to be seen and recognized as he wanted those he helped to give thanks to God.
• Seasonal concern for the needy: St. Nicholas gave gifts to those in greatest need—the young and the most vulnerable. Christmas gifts and baskets given to those in need, along with other seasonal contributions to charity, reflect St. Nicholas' unselfish concern for others. He never wanted or expected anything in return.

(Source: St. Nicholas Center where there is more information about the saint, customs from around the world, stories and activities for children, recipes, crafts, and much more to help families, churches and schools learn about and celebrate St. Nicholas.)



Both candy recipes that we've selected this month are used to celebrate the Feast St. Nickolas. We found the recipes at St. Nicholas Center.


SCHOKOLADEKUGELN (German and Austrian Chocolate Balls)

• 1 cup grated MILK CHOCOLATE
  
• 1 cup SUGAR
  
• 1 cup ground FILBERTS
  
• 1 EGG
  
• 1 tablespoon RUM
  
• 1 cup COCOA

Mix chocolate, sugar, nuts, egg, rum. Shape into balls. Roll in cocoa. Dry several hours at room temperature. Yield, 1 pound candy.


MARZIPANKARTOFFEL (German Potato Marzipan)

• ¼ pound POTATOES - boiled, grated and chilled
  
• 1 pound CONFECTIONERS' SUGAR
  
• 1 pound ALMOND PASTE

Mix potatoes, sugar to smooth paste. Add almond paste. Mix until dough becomes firm, smooth. Chill 1 hour in refrigerator.

Form marzipan into varied fruits, vegetables, flowers, using food coloring to give real appearance. Carrots and potatoes are popular for St. Nicholas Day. Dry 5 minutes in oven at 250º F. Yield, 2 pounds candy.  


Both recipes from The Catholic Cook Book: Traditional Feast and Fast Day Recipes by William I. Kaufman. The Citadel Press, 1965.

Southwest Indian Bread Recipes

It's November. It's kind of hard to believe that since here in Arizona since the daily highs are still in the 80's! But it will supposedly be in the 70's next week......so the thought of creating our own breads is actually becoming bearable.

The recipes that we've elected to share this month are from the "Arizona Cook Book", a collection of more than 350 authentic Arizona recipes.  Permission to print granted by Golden West Publishers, Phoenix, AZ 85014.


BLUE CORN TORTILLAS

• 2 cups BLUE CORNMEAL
  
• 1 tsp. SALT
  
• 2 cups WATER
  

Pour salt into water and boil. Put cornmeal into bowl and pour the boiling water over meal gradually. Scrape the sides of the bowl until mixture makes a firm dough. Cool dough. Shape with hands into rounds, very thin. Bake on heated griddle until brown on both sides.



INDIAN FRY BREAD

• 4 Tbsp. HONEY
  
• 3 Tbsp. OIL
  
• 1 Tbsp. SALT
  
• 2 cups HOT WATER
  
• 1 Tbsp. (1 pkg.) active DRY YEAST
  
• 3 cups unbleached WHITE FLOUR
  
• 2 tsp. BAKING POWDER
  
• 2 to 4 cups additional FLOUR
  

(Start the dough mixture about 2 to 2-1/2  hours before serving.)
Mix together the honey, oil and salt. Stir in the hot water. Mix well. Sprinkle the yeast on top of mixture.

Cover with a cloth and allow to stand about 10 minutes or until yeast bubbles. Add flour and baking powder. Stir well.

Add more flour until mixture is firm and cleans the hands. Use from 2 to 4 cups flour for this step.

Place in a greased bowl. Turn over to grease top. Cover and allow to rise until double (about an hour). Punch down and divide first in half, then each half into 8 parts. Form each piece into a ball and permit to rise until ready to cook.

Heat deep fat to frying temperature. Take ball of dough and flatten with hands, using stretching action. When dough is very thin and about 6-8 inches in diameter, drop into hot fat and cook until golden (about 1-1/2 minutes each side). Drain on paper toweling and serve hot with honey or powdered sugar.



Stop by and visit our newly redone website - Kokopelli's Kitchen