I've always said the first thing that comes to mind when I think of my youngest brother's wife is a memory from my middle brother's wedding. She wasn't family at the time, although she had been dating my brother for longer than I had known my wife or my other brother had known his. Coincidentally, I announced my wife's pregnancy the night of the wedding. It was just my immediate family plus significant others, enjoying a light (ha) meal at Denny's. My youngest brother's now-wife was the first to congratulate us. In fact, she did it so quickly I don't think I had even had time to consider the seriousness of what I was announcing - our parents' first grandchild. It meant a lot to me at the time and still does to this day. It was exactly the reassurance and support I needed as a first time father, both young and ignorant, and yet, apparently accepted by family (or soon to be family). Part of the reason I sent the following 20 questions was to get to know my extended family a lot better than I currently do, but also to return the favor of acceptance and excitement to a new member of the family.1. How did the surprise that your husband bought with us at the market go over? It provided some mixed emotions. Unfortunately (my husband) didn’t find time (before boot camp) to write anything in it and it was supposed to be a hidden Valentine’s Day surprise. Instead on during one of his few phone calls he told me where it was. To my dismay there was no sweet message of love and hope. I was hungry for contact so I wrote him a loving message on the card and mailed it back to him.
2. How many brothers and sisters do you have? Currently I have 5 sisters from both of my parent’s marriages. My dad and step mom recently informed us that we will now have two brothers, my baby brother and the one that is currently residing enwomb.
3. What was your first memory? I have strange memories of childhood. Some seem rather incomplete, but the most certain and whole memory I have is going to the Lovington park and my uncle Angel trying to teach us how to get the ducks to take bread as you hold it from your mouth. This resulted in crying and then became a game. I believe I was 3.
4. What's your favorite recipe to make for yourself? What recipe do others like you to make for them? Please include both recipes. When I cook or bake for myself I usually like to try new recipes. Recently my experimenting has lead me to cook a whole wheat mushroom pizza. I love it because the dough recipe is enough for either 2 large pizza crusts or 8 mini pizzas. Plus they freeze well. The dough is linked to the Martha Stewart recipe.
Mushroom Pizza with Rosemary and Shallots
Serves 3-4
whole wheat pizza dough
3/4 cup tomato sauce
8 ounces shredded fresh mozzarella
1 10 ounce package white mushrooms, sliced
1 8 ounce package oyster mushrooms, sliced
1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary
2 tablespoons minced shallots (about two medium sized shallots)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place mozzarella in freezer — when it’s cold it’s easier to grate. In a medium sauté pan, heat olive oil over moderate heat. Add mushrooms, shallots, and rosemary. Cover and continue to cook until mushrooms have given up all their liquid and become very soft, stirring occassionally. Season with salt and pepper. Remove mozzarella from freezer and grate.
Roll out pizza dough with a rolling pin until is is about 1/4″ thick (or, if you know how, do this the fancy toss-it-in-the-air way). Spread a layer of tomato sauce on dough. Sprinkle with cheese, and spoon mushrooms over top. Cook on an upside down cookie sheet (not sure why, but this is what Everyday Food says to do and it results in a nice, crispy crust) until dough is golden and cheese is bubbling and hot, about 20-25 minutes
My friends and family often solicit for chocolate chip cookies. I don’t blame them, it is such a simple recipe but it is a staple for happiness in my house. I use the standard Tollhouse recipe, but I use ½ butter and ½ shortening otherwise the cookies can be cake-like. I also make sure to use nice bars of dark or bittersweet chocolate. I slam the bar on the countertop a few times so that I’ve got chunks of chocolate then break it into smaller pieces. I like the visual appeal and prefer it to the standard morsels that you get in the grocery store. The nut of choice for me is roasted pecan, but (my husband) prefers walnut and since he eats most of them I usually go with his pick.
Tollhouse Cookies Revamped!
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (you can substitute 1 c. whole wheat flour for the all-purpose flour to add some fiber)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened and ½ cup shortening softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
3-4 bars (4-oz. pkg.) of your favorite chocolate
1 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 375° F.
Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
5. Who is the most attractive celebrity to you? Ewan McGregor in a kilt-because I’m big on Scottish accents and ever since the Moulin Rouge (movie) he is the only man I want to see sing Elton John besides Elton John. Robert Downy Jr.post-rehab-because I’ve swooned over him since watching Chances Are (1989). Will Smith -because there is something refreshingly pleasant about all of his performances. He’s the guy you want to be your best friend and I can’t help but root for him. Perhaps it’s a three way tie.
6. What's your favorite body part on yourself and why? I have a large skin discoloration on my stomach. The area is lighter than the surrounding skin. I used to be self conscious about it and when I was a kid I wore one-piece swim suits and t-shirts when I swam. Now I affectionately call it my spot. I’m the mottled Bunny and I’m proud that I’ve been able to get over at least one hang up from my child hood. Plus it is super soft.
7. Before you got married, how many kids did you want? I wanted 3 or 4. I came from a large family and though it was difficult at times I love the bustle and atmosphere that comes with a full house. Now I’m more concerned with being a responsible person and not contributing the overpopulation problem. That means only two. After all the more kids my dad has the less I should.
8. What's your zodiac sign and what does it mean to you? I’m a Cancer and I suppose it means very little. I’ll admit that when I’ve read the entirety of the paper and need something else to muse over I do read my horoscope.
9. What's your biggest pet peeve? I’m rather irritable at the lack of propriety and courtesy in others.
10. What's your favorite poem and why? It is a tie between William Wordworth’s “She Dwelt Among Untrodden Ways” and “First they came…” by Martin Niemöller.
11. Where did you have your first kiss and how old were you? At the Ziaplex behind a backstop. It was the summer before the 8th grade. I was 13.
12. If you changed your first name, what would you choose instead? I’m not sure. Viola and Siena come to mind.
13. What's the first thing you'd do with a million dollars? Pay off my student loans. Business first!
14. Are you more of a cat person or a dog person and why? I think if I was to be reincarnated I would be a cat, but as I exist now I prefer the company of dogs. Also I am deathly allergic to cats.
15. If you were invisible, where would you go? I would go to Chinese class with (my husband).
16. What is the first thing you notice about people? Eye contact and handshakes.
17. Which TV channel do you watch most and why? I say food network but (my husband) says I watch more TLC. I love to learn about food and I like the practical knowledge that both networks provide.
18. Which would you prefer - a mountain hideaway or a beach house? The solitude and smells of a mountain hideaway.
19. What was your first paid job? I used to baby sit as a teen, but as (my husband) likes to point out I was once the “burger queen.” I got a C in one of my classes my freshman year and as a result I could choose to be grounded for the entire summer or I could work at Burger King for a few weeks to learn the value of a good education. I chose the latter and my mom had her friend who was the GM place my sister and I immediately. It was only supposed to be two weeks, but I cried ferociously everyday while I was there. I wasn’t good enough to do anything but fry station and specialty sandwiches. I burned a lot of fries and learned the value of hard labor, smoke breaks and minimum-wage. I learned I wanted nothing to do with any of them. Luckily an altercation with the night manager (she threw lettuce at my sister) earned us an early exit. My next job was for the city’s summer recreation program. I’ve been working for the Man ever since.
20. What was the last good laugh you had? When (my husband) pointed out that my first job was “Burger Queen”.
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