The band is cooking now...

I had the honor of participating in an Internet Radio Show called Backstage Gourment. PJ Grimes hosts the show which features musicians sharing their favorite recipes. So we spent some time talking about music and then divulged some of my family's secrets for great beans, tortillas and salsa.

The show originally aired on 1-24-11 and can be found on this page:

http://www.healthylife.net/RadioShow/archiveBSG.htm

Try the recipes and share with us your results!


HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS

4 CUPS FLOUR

1 TBSP BAKING POWDER

1½ TSP SALT

2 TBSP COOKING OIL

APPROXIMATELY 8 OZ COLD WATER

MIX ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER. WHEN IT IS MIXED WELL, AND THE CONSISTENCY OF A NON- STICKY DOUGH (ADD FLOUR AS NESSESARY TO GET THE RIGHT CONSISTENCY), MAKE INTO ABOUT 20 OZ BALLS OF DOUGH. PUT A KITCHEN TOWEL IN THE BOWL ANDSPACE THE DOUGHBALLS IN THE BOWL.-SPACE THEM SO THEY DONT TOUCH. COVER WITH ANOTHER KITCHEN TOWEL AND LET SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES BEFORE ROLING FLAT. -BEFORE YOU START MAKING THE BALLS INTO TORTILLAS, KNEAD THEM IN YOUR HANDS-

PAN SHOULD INITIALLY BE VERY HOT. COOK ON MEDIUM/HIGH HEAT ON A FLAT SKILLET OR GRIDDLE.TORTILLAS COOK VER QUICKLY (½- 1 MINUTE FOR EACH SIDE).USUALL WHEN TH E TOP SIDE IS FULL OF SMALL, RAISED BUBBLES, IT'S READYTO BE FLIPPED.

WITH PRACTICE, YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO MAKE ROUND TORTILLAS. UNTIL THEN, CONSIDER IT A LESSON IN GEOGRAPHY-------AS YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE SHAPES THAT LOOK LIKE PLACES ON A MAP!!-------



HOMEMADE SALSA

1 CAN TOMATOES (WHOLE OR DICED)

APPROX 1 TBSP GARLIC POWDER

1 TSP LEMON JUICE

1 JALAPENO, MINCED

½ CUP ONION, FINELY CHOPPED

SALT AND PEPPER

MIX IN BLENDER. USE PULSE MODE FOR A CHUNKY STYLE OR CONTINUOUS BLENDING FOR A SMOOTHER TEXTURE. EACH INGREDIENT SHOULD BE ADJUSTED ACCORDING TO PERSONAL TASTES. FRESH CILANTRO OR CHILI POWDER MAY ALSO BE ADDED FOR A VARIATION.



PINTO BEANS

4 CUPS DRY PINTO BEANS

3 CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED

1TBSP COOKING OIL

1½ TSP SALT

CLEAN THE BEANS FIRST BY GOING THROUGH THEM THOROUGHLY AND GETTING OUT ANY DIRT OR WRINKLED BEANS. RINSE THOROUGHLY. DON'T THROW AWAY BROKEN BEANS AS THEY HELP TO THICKEN THE JUICES.

PUT ALL INGREDIENTS INTO A CROCK POT AND COOK ON HIGH FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 HOURS. ALTERNATELY, BEANS CAN BE COOKED IN A PRESSURE COOKER AT 15# FOR 1 HOUR.

DEPENDING ON THE USE YOU MAY OR MAY NOT WANT TO MASH THE BEANS. THE EASIEST WAY TO MASH THEM IS WITH AN ELECTRIC MIXER. MAKE SURE YOU DRAIN SOME JUICE OFF PRIOR TO MIXING OR THEY WILL BE TOO THIN.

News from the front....The flu is never CONVENIENT.... nevertheless...

At least it waited until after the recording session. *whew*
Seriously, I am wondering if there will be anything left of me once I get done coughing, or if I will simply become like an old t-shirt, turned inside out, laying in a sad little heap on the floor.
LOL

But seriously...
The recording session for "Pursuit*" went phenomenally smooth. I do believe Steve Avedis ("Uncle Steve") has really developed an intuitive 'feel' for this band. He has an uncanny ability to zero in on exactly where we are headed with a song, and bring it to life. And he comes up with the coolest suggestions - many times, it's like he's reading our minds.
ooOOoo...
It's like magic.
*Pursuit is an epic tale of a pirate ship from hell - of course! Is there any other kind?
The song has become everything I had envisioned when the initial strains of music first came to me - illuminated by Scotte's incredibly vivid, picturesque lyrics, and brought to life by JJ's inimitable voice.


The party at JJ's sister's house (HOUSE? More like a hotel/ranch/private resort!!!) was a blast, and the people were great.
We need to play more places that have a rope swing.
:)

In other news, I have gone 'back to school' and joined an online art academy, where I am honing my knowledge and skills, ready to elevate my artwork to a new level. It's very exciting.
You can follow that on my art blog by clicking HERE, or go to:
http://mikeyzart.blogspot.com/
But be sure to come back here when you're done!

Cheers-
Mikey