Coffee lesson

The right stuff!

The Arizona Republic reported today that coffee prices are at a 12 year high. Hopefully that means you are making your java at home and saving a few buckaroos.

I like Pajaro coffee from Trader Joe's (see picture). I get it whole bean and grind it once a week and then brew it espresso style.

Grinders are pretty cheap, Target has them for $20 and I use a Mr. Coffee espresso maker that came from WalMart, also cheap, $30.

If anyone out there wants an espresso lesson, just let me know (gwynneh@hotmail.com) and I will give you an in-person tutorial. I promise, you won't blow yourself up. I was afraid the first few times, too.

Happy caffeinating.

Pho Binh Minh and citizenship class

Odd looking, pungent Vietnamese fruit.

Roberto teaching civics at our citizenship workshop.

Disco balls?

We had a very successful citizenship class today (see pictures) with the help of our volunteers including Osvaldo, Veronica, Mercedes, Roberto, Chris and others (you know who you are). It is interesting that the room where we had our class has remnants of a former life...disco balls. I'm not sure what that means except maybe that we are very flexible where we have class and that there is potential for a happy hour with music afterwards.

My friend Chris came and taught with us today and then afterwards we went over to Pho Binh Minh for Vietnamese food. I do not have major knowledge of this type of cuisine except for the sandwiches that you get on french bread with pate and lunch meats (delicious). Chris schooled me a bit and recommended for the appetizer we have fresh spring rolls with shrimp, mint, cilantro and vermicelli (delicious) which came with a peanut dipping sauce. For the entree we both had a vermicelli salad with grilled pork, vegetables and fish sauce. The fish sauce comes on the side and you can stir chile paste into it (we did) and then you pour it over your salad, and, well, toss it, as it were. This is the most delicious salad, you simply must go get one. The pork is very succulent. In Vietnamese it is called Bun Thit Nuong, (rice noodle with grillled pork and vegetable served with fish sauce).

Sorry folks that there's no pictures today of lunch. We just inhaled it.

Afterwards, we walked around the same strip mall which had another Vietnamese restaurant/bakery and then there was a shop with Vietnamese foods. I spied a very strange looking fruit and took a picture. Chris said it is a "smelly fruit" which explained the pungent smell when we went inside the store. I was able to also find some tamarind candy which I enjoy very much and Chris got some fish sauce, soy sauce and plantains, so we both came away happy.

So, the next time you're in the mood for a tasty Vietnamese salad, head over to Pho Binh Minh.

Pho Binh Minh 4141 N. 35th Ave. Phoenix 602-358-8255

Diablito time

Lunch is served.

Today around 11:00 it was time for a Diablito, so I stopped by La Reina Michoacana on 32nd St. just south of Thomas.

My diablito was sooo delicious today. It had mango, chamoy, asian peanuts, crushed ice, lime juice and a tamarind candy straw.

Lately I realize that this blog may appear to lack imagination, due to all of the posts about Mexican slushies. But, it's hard to take the Mexican slushie out of the girl, as it were.

I've decided some day I may retire and move to Mexico. But I will have to do extensive research on where to relocate, based on the quality of raspado makers there. This research may take some time, mind you...

Get yourself to La Reina Michoacana. Their fruit popsicles look delicious too! They have spicy mango, that's going to be the next one I try.

Reina Michoacana, 2601 North 32nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85008

Chamoyada time

The perfect lunch. A chamoyada!

Anytime of day is a good time for a chamoyada. Today it was noon since that's when Oasis Raspados opens.

There was almost a line out the door when I arrived (about 6 people in front of me) and that's a sign that it's really warm in Phoenix. I waited patiently until my turn to order. To my surprise there were no medium cups left, so I had to take a large.

A major sacrifice on the kitchen wench's part, mind you.

I'm about halfway through it so far. It has a lot of mango and is very spicy with chamoy and chili powder. A good way to (almost) wrap up the week.

Oasis Raspados, 1617 North 32nd Street, Phoenix,

(602) 267-9174

Finds at Trader Joe's and summer fruit

Nectarines, one of my favorite summer fruits.

Yummy salami and crackers.

Charcuterie anyone?

I called my Mom yesterday, telling her that I was going to Trader Joe's and did she want anything. She especially likes their orange sticks (covered with dark chocolate). As it turns out, they were out, but I did find her some mints with dark chocolate, which she happily accepted. She has a major sweet tooth for quality candy, as does this kitchen wench. There is a half of a snickers bar with almonds in my refrig begging for a bite.

Guess it's in the genes!

At Trader Joe's I also spotted a chianti salami that according to the label is "minimally processed" and has no artificial ingredients or preservatives. I'm very excited to start slicing this and serving it with the whole wheat crackers pictured, which are also available at Trader Joe's.

I'm missing their guindilla peppers, which were discontinued due to lack of interest. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around that. How could people not realize how delicious these peppers are? So, I'm looking for a new guindilla pepper supplier. Might have to go to Oakville Grocery in Scottsdale to see if they have them. I know they do have Spanish chorizo, and someone there was recently quoted as saying they would hang Serrano hams from the ceiling if the health department would allow for it (apparently they won't). Sigh.

My Mom gifted me some nectarines last night (see picture) that smell delicious but they are not quite ripe. I'll leave them out a couple of days and enjoy them au natural. Or, maybe they will end up in a tart?

http://traderjoes.com/ Trader Joe's 20th St./Camelback in Phoenix and other locations

http://www.oakvillegrocery.com/default.php Oakville Grocery at Scottsdale and Greenway

Casa del Mariachi

Adriana with her hand painted dresses.

The bar at Casa del Mariachi.

The nice folks at Casa del Mariachi hosted our breakfast this morning at the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce meeting. I had some delicious bacon, a roll (sort of a creative blt if you will) and coffee.

The inside of this place is totally cool, there are murals - one I liked especially is behind the bar (see picture).

One of my fellow chamber members, Adriana Magdaleno works at Universal Flowers on 24th St. and Indian School. Not only does she make beautiful flower arrangements, she is now branching out into dresses that have hand painted flowers (see picture) and she also makes tuxedos for men. The most beautiful dresses! What a great creative outlet she has.

1420 N 24th St, Phoenix - (602) 275-8565 Casa Del Mariachi

http://www.lacasadelmariachi.com/

2306 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix - (602) 954-2658 Universal Flowers

www.universalflowersllc.com

Oregano chicken

Oregano chicken is tasty and easy to make.

I'm making oregano chicken for lunch today. This is an easy meal my aunt taught me how to make when I was a teen.

Just sprinkle oregano liberally over your chicken. I like the thighs since they are very juicy. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and bake for 1 hour uncovered. Baste a couple of times throughout the cooking process. You can also add a dash of red wine vinegar at the end of the cooking process, say the last 5 minutes.

You'll notice a deep reddish/purple drink to the left of the chicken. That's jamaica. Hibiscus flower drink. You gotta make this. Super refreshing in the summertime. Get your hibiscus flowers at Food City or a carnicería. I put 5 dried flowers to 2 cups of liquid. Some people like sugar in this (most people I should say) but I drink it au natural.

You could say that this kitchen wench is sweet enough.