I got to explain the origins of Valentine’s Day to the 8 year old. “They killed him.”
14 thoughts on “February 14, 2021: Valentine of Terni”
Im surprised my truck started this morning.
I’m surprised anyone would leave the house today.
this is an evergreen statement for the last 11 months.
I am surprised that we are trending for our biggest weekend ever, despite still operating at 50% capacity. All available tables yesterday were full from 1115am until after 9pm. I thought the cold weather would slow us down, but it has been crazy busy with our limited dine in plus a ton of take out. For those who have worked in this business, do you remember when you would be annoyed if you had 2 or 3 togo orders hanging during a rush? Imagine half your orders being togos. I am grateful for the take out business, as it has carried us through all these months, but man, I cannot wait to see our percentage of take out drop below 10%. (I know this is a minor annoyance compared to the rest of the craziness everyone is experiencing)
Sheenie and I have had takeout every Saturday night since April (and then we watch a movie at home while eating). Yesterday, I showed up at the restaurant few minutes after our order was supposed to be ready (we had ordered 2 hours early with a set time). The restaurant was absolutely packed. Every table was full of diners. There were people lurking all around the entrance waiting to be seated. I finally get to the front and am told that they're a little behind and that it will be another 20 minutes. Fine. 20 minutes later, I gain navigate the ridiculous crowd and am told it will be another 15 minutes. So an order placed hours early for a set time wasn't ready until nearly an hour late. I understand that shit happens, but maybe if you weren't completely packed you might have been a little better equipped to handle things.
(Postscript: the food was delicious)
on Friday it was a 45 minute wait to get a table at the Mexican joint in my town (many people slid over to the liquor store to pick up post meal drinks)
I went to pick up my pizza tonight (they do deliver or pick up only) and Main St was wall-to-wall cars I cant imagine the wait time on seats tonight.
I had to work.
When I headed out for Onida at 7:15 this morning, it was a brisk -29 degrees. Now, almost six hours later, it has warmed up to a balmy -13.
I was talking with my parents tonight, who are in the Twin Cities, and even though we are having record-breaking temps they haven't had here in decades, we're still 60 degrees warmer than they are.
Valentines Tamales
NBBW and I went over to a grocery store in the barrio this morning and got corn husks, masa harina, and chicken breasts
Soak the corn husks for 30 minutes. Boil the chicken breasts till they are done, cut them into 1/4ths, then use a fork to shred them - season with cumin, paprika, garlic, and pepper. Cook a 1/2 lb of ground beef, then add onions, chopped Fresno and jalapeño chilis, and chopped mushrooms. Season with ancho peppers, cayenne, and salt/pepper.
Masa harina - put into a large bowl - mix in warm stock (chicken or beef) until it forms a soft dough. In a different bowl whip shortening until its fluffy, then mix the masa (a handful at a time) into the fat, adding some salt.
Take a couple of the smaller corn husks and cut them into strips, for tying.
With each corn husk, spoon some of the Masa mix onto the center of the corn husk, add some chix. or meat mix, then wrap the husk around the mixture. Fold the bottom up, then tie the tamale with the stringy thing (it helps to knot two of them together).
Place all of the tamales bottoms-down in a steamer, cover with several additional husks, and cook for 1 hr. Serve with sriracha, cilantro, salsa, etc. Yummo.
It’s funny, I’ve never used the stings to tie them together. I just make sure they’re packed right.
I loved me some tamales, but never had the gumption or patience to make them. My impression is that this is the sort of thing that requires a whole collection of aunties to accomplish authentically, both for assembly line purposes and for family gossip purposes.
Or Valentine's Day with the wifo. She thoroughly enjoyed the whole deal.
Im surprised my truck started this morning.
I’m surprised anyone would leave the house today.
this is an evergreen statement for the last 11 months.
I am surprised that we are trending for our biggest weekend ever, despite still operating at 50% capacity. All available tables yesterday were full from 1115am until after 9pm. I thought the cold weather would slow us down, but it has been crazy busy with our limited dine in plus a ton of take out. For those who have worked in this business, do you remember when you would be annoyed if you had 2 or 3 togo orders hanging during a rush? Imagine half your orders being togos. I am grateful for the take out business, as it has carried us through all these months, but man, I cannot wait to see our percentage of take out drop below 10%. (I know this is a minor annoyance compared to the rest of the craziness everyone is experiencing)
Sheenie and I have had takeout every Saturday night since April (and then we watch a movie at home while eating). Yesterday, I showed up at the restaurant few minutes after our order was supposed to be ready (we had ordered 2 hours early with a set time). The restaurant was absolutely packed. Every table was full of diners. There were people lurking all around the entrance waiting to be seated. I finally get to the front and am told that they're a little behind and that it will be another 20 minutes. Fine. 20 minutes later, I gain navigate the ridiculous crowd and am told it will be another 15 minutes. So an order placed hours early for a set time wasn't ready until nearly an hour late. I understand that shit happens, but maybe if you weren't completely packed you might have been a little better equipped to handle things.
(Postscript: the food was delicious)
on Friday it was a 45 minute wait to get a table at the Mexican joint in my town (many people slid over to the liquor store to pick up post meal drinks)
I went to pick up my pizza tonight (they do deliver or pick up only) and Main St was wall-to-wall cars I cant imagine the wait time on seats tonight.
I had to work.
When I headed out for Onida at 7:15 this morning, it was a brisk -29 degrees. Now, almost six hours later, it has warmed up to a balmy -13.
I was talking with my parents tonight, who are in the Twin Cities, and even though we are having record-breaking temps they haven't had here in decades, we're still 60 degrees warmer than they are.
Valentines Tamales
NBBW and I went over to a grocery store in the barrio this morning and got corn husks, masa harina, and chicken breasts
Soak the corn husks for 30 minutes. Boil the chicken breasts till they are done, cut them into 1/4ths, then use a fork to shred them - season with cumin, paprika, garlic, and pepper. Cook a 1/2 lb of ground beef, then add onions, chopped Fresno and jalapeño chilis, and chopped mushrooms. Season with ancho peppers, cayenne, and salt/pepper.
Masa harina - put into a large bowl - mix in warm stock (chicken or beef) until it forms a soft dough. In a different bowl whip shortening until its fluffy, then mix the masa (a handful at a time) into the fat, adding some salt.
Take a couple of the smaller corn husks and cut them into strips, for tying.
With each corn husk, spoon some of the Masa mix onto the center of the corn husk, add some chix. or meat mix, then wrap the husk around the mixture. Fold the bottom up, then tie the tamale with the stringy thing (it helps to knot two of them together).
Place all of the tamales bottoms-down in a steamer, cover with several additional husks, and cook for 1 hr. Serve with sriracha, cilantro, salsa, etc. Yummo.
It’s funny, I’ve never used the stings to tie them together. I just make sure they’re packed right.
I loved me some tamales, but never had the gumption or patience to make them. My impression is that this is the sort of thing that requires a whole collection of aunties to accomplish authentically, both for assembly line purposes and for family gossip purposes.
Or Valentine's Day with the wifo. She thoroughly enjoyed the whole deal.
Heads up, OOTP 21 is on sale a 4.99 tonight