Tuesday, August 10, 2010

all aboard the reality train 2: the drama

It was a fresh new morning. I was sipping my delightful orange mango viviano, feeling relieved that I did not have to drive to LA. I found a seat at the corner of the train car near the exit. The cushy seat caressed me back to sleep. What a blissful train ride, just as I had anticipated...

Two stations later, however, a couple hopped into the train carriage. As luck would have it, the seats across me were vacant. Then, drama began to unfold right before my eyes.

Their voices were louder than the sound the train makes when it rumbles down the tracks.The LQ (lover's quarrel) was ugly; I felt awkward sitting there in the booth with them. I looked around, trying to figure a way out of the carriage, looking to see if suddenly cameras would appear with Ashton Kutcher saying, "you're punked, Malou!" It was so surreal for me to be watching a drama scene straight out of a tele-novela.Their argument went on and on and on, until it was no longer funny.

As soon as the train stopped and the doors flung open, I rushed out.  I went through the rhythm of the LA morning rush -- the clicking of heels, the jostling of elbows. I made my way through a tunnel with a sea of people, and amidst all that chaos, Union Station still felt like heaven for me. I was glad I was drama-free, and I continued to enjoy a brand new morning.

This train incident made me reflect on my relationship with my husband. It's true that everyday is not always a romantic one, and yes -- we do have our own moments. While it's also true that work (and life) gets in the way, it's still important to make time for the two of you, even just to sit down and to enjoy the simple things in life together.

So one Sunday afternoon, I tried sitting with him while he was watching ESPN.  He was watching oh so attentively, while I was starting to get bored. "Spend some time with him" I made a mental note to myself.  But then I had an aha moment, so I went to the kitchen and fixed him this simple appetizer. It took me only 20 minutes to prepare this dish, but yet the smile on his face was absolutely priceless!



Asian Twist Mushroom Caps

2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp sugar
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tsp of sesame oil
Celery (finely chopped)
Cashew nuts (finely chopped)
Green onions
Baby bella mushrooms
sesame seeds
 
Directions:
 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  (You could use the toaster oven , it's more convenient and energy efficient)
 
Remove stems and carefully scoop the mushroom caps.  Chop the mushroom stems finely.   In a mixing bowl mix all the seasonings together:  ketchup, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, salt and pepper to taste.  Add the chopped celery, cashew nuts and the chopped mushroom stems.
 
Fill the mushroom caps generously with the stuffing that you just made.  Arrange them in a greased baking sheet. 
 
Bake for about 15-20 minutes. 
 
Serve it on a platter.  Add some sesame seeds, dots of hoisin sauce and green onions to top the caps... you'll be enjoying the appetizer in no time... It goes well with a glass of Pinot Grigio, the popular but often times scorned imported wine.  The most popular Pinot Grigio sold in the US is Saint Margherita, my favorite.  Cheers!
 





17 comments:

  1. duYou should have screamed "Cut" haha! I could imagine your face Malou. This is so funny.

    Susan
    p.s
    I forgot my password,kaya Im commenting as anonymou

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely post! I love that mushrooms too.....quick, easy and delicious. I can imagine all the smiles...big smiles around :D I would love to try. Thanks very much for sharing. Hope you are having loads of fun there.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the post! I understand trains are where various stories are born. And Malou, pls let me name your recipe "sprouting mushrooms". So beautiful!

    Spoon x
    ...sometimes TLS and occasionally TLC ;D

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think that's a wonderful way to show your love =) Us foodies express things this way, and I don't see anything better! Your mushrooms look beautiful! Thanks for stopping by, I look forward to listening to you on Blog Talk Radio!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Go Malou, your undending love for Christian and for creating good food.

    Abby Molina

    ReplyDelete
  6. susan: yes it was pretty awkward being infront of them
    haha, you should have seen my face talaga!

    MaryMoh: it's really easy and quick too. your family will surely love it too Mary

    TLC: ha, i got it right this time. Hey great to see you again. Do you take the train there in Japan?

    girlichef: Heya, glad to see you come by. Yeah im honored to be Rebecca's guest today but I'm pretty nervous. I should take a tip or two from you!

    Abby: thanks.. unending love ha... LOL! but thanks for stopping by

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would be all smiles too if my wife handed me a platter of these goodies! the combo of spices and the chewy mushrooms sounds heavenly! Wonder whatever happened to that couple on the train...

    ReplyDelete
  8. How sweet that you made these yummy mushroom bites for your husband!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This appetizer is proof that a way to a man's heart is through his belly.

    I am always uncomfortable when people get dramatic and have no way to escape. UGH.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Joumana: My friend asked me that too.. just like I told her, if I see them in the streets, I would tell them that I saw them fight first hand haha.

    Natasha: Welcome back home... glad to see you back here at my site too! Thank you!

    Velva: yes that's so true especially if it hits the spot. Great to see you back!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love stuffed mushrooms but never saw anything like this before! I'm definitely going to have to try this one out...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ew, public couple drama is my least favorite kind. But, how sweet of you to think of your husband and spending some time with him (my husband likes watching ESPN a lot, too)!

    Like so many of your recipes, I'm going to have to try this one, too!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nice story and pix. Looking forward to trying your recipe. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow Malou - you are so sweet for preparing your hubby the mushroom caps! They look absolutely delicious. And you're right - how absolutely awkward it must have been for you to watch that couple fight - but being the Pinoy I need to ask - what were they fighting about?!!? :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I hate being in an awkward situation. I would have sat there eager to get away as soon as the doors open. You handled it well Malou. The Mushrooms looks delicious. They are so versatile and you certainly made them a lot more interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ah yes, the way to a man's heart is always through food! So is the way to my heart. And these may just be the key.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Gem, great meeting you. I hope you will be able to try it. lemme know how it goes.

    Lorena: Oh men and ESPN, they're sooo compatible haha. great to see you and thank you for dropping by Lorena. See you soon!

    grandmasterpants: hello, it's great to know you. thanks for dropping by. hope you come visit again soon.

    trissa: You are hilarious and yeah, my FB friends also asked the same question. Funny thing is they fought about the wife's mom, and how she berates the husband..

    Kath: great to see you back. Yes that was the longest hour in my life hahaha. The nuts gave an interesting crunch and texture.. hope you get to try it.

    Joanne: that's why I always use it to charm him all the time hihihi.. great to see you!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by and oh I would be thrilled even more if you could leave a comment... :) Cheers!

Share this thru:

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...