In My Head

If you have Dominican friends or family, you’ll know that Dominicans run on a more relaxed schedule.  Hate it when someone makes you wait? Hate it when things don’t run smoothly, even when you planned everything ahead of time? Get used to it! For a lack of a better term we can call this “Dominican time!” It’s hard to determine how far behind Dominican time is from regular time, but our estimates say that the difference is about 30-45 minutes from time in the rest of the world. Even if you plan things years in advance you will always have someone showing up late. It’s just the way things are. If someone says let’s meet at 8, the odds are you’ll end up meeting at 9. Got a meeting with the doctor at 4:30, he is more likely to show up at around 5:15. You called for a pizza at 6, there is a God if you are eating that same pizza by 6:30. The only things that are ever on time in the DR are bills and your clock and that’s only if your clock is battery operated.

When it comes to parties or social gatherings, it is the duty of the hostess to be ready for her guests at the appointed hour, but she does not really expect anyone to arrive until at least half an hour later. Many will not appreciate your being “on time.” Dominican social practice permits the guests a great deal of flexibility… arriving an hour late is “not late,” you are on time. Once you get used to it, you might find it removes a lot of the pressure to arrive on the dot.

So why do bring this up? I’m supposed to be hosting lunch for some Dominican family today. They did have the decency to call 30 minutes before our scheduled time to say they were running late “but we’re ready”. Two hours after the scheduled time, they’re still not here. Furthermore, I can’t even get ahold of them. It’s radio silence on their end.

Meanwhile, I have a ton of food just sitting there… waiting. I’m not even bothering to start cooking (though all the prep work is done) because who the hell knows when these people are going to bother to show up. The last family of Dominicans we had over showed up 2 hrs late and then didn’t even eat much. (I assume they ate plenty wherever they were before us.)

Unless “Dominican time” has changed, this is just ridiculously and inconsiderately late. Hubby and I go to a lot of trouble to cook a nice meal, to clean, to ensure that our guests are well cared for. The least they could freaking do is try to show up within 30 minutes of the scheduled time!

UPDATE: I just got a text that they’re on their way… Guessing it’ll take them 45 min to get here, so 3 hrs after our scheduled time, they should be here.

Might as well call it dinner now…. Don’t get me wrong. I love them, no question. But COOOOOÑO!!!

Seriously… Can’t get enough….

I’m on spring break (from school only) this week and LOVING not HAVING to do anything after work.

I even had time to check out some new music.

First, we have a groovin’ song that I can’t seem to get enough of. It’s my happy theme song lately: The Heavy “How You Like Me Now?”

Next we have Lady GaGa’s new music video “Telephone” featuring Beyonce. Very cool video! (Viewer discretion is advised.) http://www.ladygaga.com/telephone/# 
I would SO love to see Lady Gaga in concert! Beyonce’s not bad either. She’s rather un-Beyonce in this one.

Next, we have Beyonce’s music video “Video Phone” featuring Lady Gaga. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGkvXp0vdng
This one is very “Beyonce”, but still worth a view.

And finally, compliments of Dave/Penney/Sofia, I’m thoroughly enjoying “The Very Best of Otis Redding” compliation. That guy’s got soul.

Today, I made a Dominican comfort food known as sancocho, a traditional stew that combines all matter of meat with starchy root vegetables, pumpkin, plantains, etc. Sour orange juice adds a uniquely Caribbean flair.

I must say that I’m pretty proud of how absolutely delicious it came out, since it was my first time making it.

WARNING:  I ended up having to use two 5.5 qt pots and could have actually used more room. I had so much stew that I had to invite people over for dinner, just to eat it down to a storable amount of leftovers. (Not that it was a bad thing.)

INGREDIENTS
Meats (about 1 pound of each)
Oxtails
Beef short ribs
Lamb neckbones (called for goat, but I couldn’t find it)
Veal bones
Smoked pork ham bones
Pork loin (cubed)
Longaniza (Dominican spiced encased mild pork sausage)
Chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on

Vegetables
2 Onions diced
1 Cubanelle or other mild frying pepper, chopped
4 heaping tbsp Garlic, chopped or minced
1 bunch Cilantro stems, chopped
1 bunch Cilantro leaves, chopped
1 pound unripe (green) plaintain, peeled & cut in 1 inch pieces
1 pound yucca, peeled & cut in 1 inch pieces
1 pound ñame, peeled & cut in 1 inch pieces
1 pound white yautía, peeled & cut in 1 inch pieces
1 pound calabaza (pumpkin or butternut squash), peeled & cut in 1 inch pieces
Optional: Some people add potatoes and corn on the cob

Herbs & Seasonings
2 tbsp Oregano
2 tbsp Coriander
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salted butter
1 cup fresh Seville (sour) orange juice (or 3 tablespoons regular fresh orange juice plus 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice)
1 cup Fino sherry (or dry white)
4 qts Chicken stock
1 can Beef stock
Salt
Pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large French oven or stock pot, brown each of the meats in 2 tbsp butter in batches and set aside. Leave the drippings in the pan and brown the next batch…and so on.
2. After all meats are browned, removed, add 2 diced onions, Cubanelle pepper and garlic to the pan with drippings. Sauté until softened.
3. Deglaze with the sour orange juice and fino sherry.
4. Add all of the meat back to the pot.
5. Add chicken & beef stock.
6. Bring to a low boil.
7. Add all remaining vegetables.
8. Simmer for at least 2 hrs on low heat.
9. Adjust seasonings to taste.
10. Serve while hot with Jasmine rice (on the side).

Chinese New Year
2010 – The year of the tiger

THE TIGER
2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950

The Tiger is said to be lucky vivid, lively and engaging. Another attribute of the Tiger is his incredible bravery, evidenced in his willingness to engage in battle or his undying courage. Maybe he’s so brave because he is so lucky. But the Chinese say a Tiger having a Tiger in the house is the very best protection against the evils of fire, burglary.

Tigers do not find worth in power or money. They will be completely honest about how they feel and expect the same of you. On the other hand, they seek approval from peers and family. Generally, because of their charming personalities Tigers are well liked. Often, failing at a given task or being unproductive in his personal or professional life can cause a Tiger to experience a depression. Criticism from loved ones can also generate this type of Tiger reaction. Still, like all felines, Tigers always land on their feet, ready for their next act in life, pursuing it with unyielding energy and hunting it infallibly.

Tigers are also incorrigibly competitive – they simply cannot pass up a challenge, especially when honor is at stake, or they are protecting those they love. Tigers are unpredictable and it would be unwise to underestimate their reactions. They may appear cool, but they have the Big Cat’s instincts to pounce at a moment’s warning. Natural leaders, they have a strong sense of their own dignity, and if they find themselves in the ranks, they can be stubborn and obstinate. In positions of power they can be difficult though stimulating bosses. Tigers are intelligent, alert, and farsighted. They have their fingers on the pulse. Good strategists and tacticians, they often have a hidden agenda. As long as they do not risk their luck too often, and keep their restless nature under control, their tactics usually pay off in life.

CHARACTERISTICS

Courage, Vehemence, Self-Reliance, Friendliness, Hopefulness, Resilience, Vanity, Disregard