Garden Variety Family

wonderous variety

I need to start the fall off right and that means I have to write more! Summer has been so slack for me. And now I need to get to work celebrating the Garden Variety life by sharing with you, chronicling this journey, and highlighting the cultural variety that makes this country and the world so amazing and fascinating. (note this post was published several times while testing a new service)

I'll start humbly with a favorite recipe. I made it yesterday. It simply must be passed on and enjoyed by others. I know nearly nothing about cooking from the Latin American parts of the world. These are nothing like the quesadillas I am accustomed to, these are muffins! They are so scumdelicious and easy to make, you must try them. So here it is:

Salvadoran Quesadillas

~from the amazing Extending the Table... ...A world Community Cookbook by Joetta Handrich Schlabach with alterations noted with * that I make

Preheat oven to 350°F 180°C

Cream:

1/2 cup (125 ml) melted margarine
3/4 cup (175 ml) sugar *I sometimes use brown sugar very loose*
2 eggs

Combine in a separate bowl

2 cups (500ml) flour *I use half all purpose & half whole wheat or all whole
wheat*
2  (10ml) teaspoons baking powder

Add this mixture alternately to creamed mixture with:

1 cup (250ml) milk or sour cream

Stir in 1 1/2 cup (375 ml) shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese or combination of the two. *I always use cheddar shredded with the biggest grate on my grater*

Fill paper baking cups in muffin pan or greased muffin pan 3/4 full of batter.

Sprinkle with: Sesame seeds  *to me this is the best part, I use lots!*

Bake 15-18 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (unless of course it hits a pocket of yummy melted cheese!)

Aren't they gorgeous!
You can alternatively bake it for 20 minuted in a 9 x 13 (3.5L) baking pan and then cut into squares. These freeze great but never last that long around here!

This brigs me to a final thought I have for the day. The world is such an amazing place with so much to discover. This simple recipe reminds me, there is no one way to do anything. A quesadillas in Mexico is not the same as a quesadillas in El Salvador. It reminds me of a quote from Robinhood Prince of Theives delivered by the always wonderful Morgan Freeman. ( I am not the type to remember specific quotes, I don't write them down and store them, but this one I have always remembered I guess because it is an idea I hold so dear to my heart).
A little girl asks Azeem (a Moor) Did God paint you?
Azeem laughingly repeats, Did God paint me? For certain.
The girl asks, Why?
Azeem replies, Because Allah loves wondrous varieties.
With this statement I feel calm...

asian cyclone and earthquake awareness month

I had big plans for May. Asian Pacific Heritage Month is this month. Through a bizarre coincidence my plans became trumped by two Asian natural disasters. On May 2, Cyclone Nargis hit the closed-off country of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, and of course, the massive earthquake that is devastating southwest central China.

So Asia has been thrust into the international spotlight this May, not because of it's wonderful heritage and rich cultures but for tragedy.

Myanmar is generally under our radar since they are about as closed off as North Korea. Since the annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Family Day at The Memorial Art Gallery, Myanmar has been on my mind.  For the first time refugees from Myanmar, were represented at the event. They performed some traditional dances in native costume. Seeing them brought Myanmar back to the forefront of my mind, questions began to swirl and I found myself asking what is the deal with Myanmar? I know about the 1990 election that brought victory to Aung San Suu Kyi, who has never been able to rule since she was placed under house arrest by a military junta. This same group has oppressed ethnic minorities and committed atrocities that it seems should have attracted the diplomatic attention of the world.

Steve and I were able to attend a short documentary and discussion about the current situation in Myanmar that has been compounded by the cyclone. Thanks to the APA-HiP, a group that made it possible. Lately, my husband, seems to have a new interest is exploring his and other Asian cultures. After spending much of his youth, shall I say, not exactly embracing and expressing his Asian-ness, we now are finding ourselves at celebrations, movies and learning events. I have so much to share about what we have been up to.

Asian Heritage Month will probably be running into June here at Garden Variety Family. We have pictures, movies and mor thoughts to share. Most of it fun, beautiful and exciting.

In the meantime, these two organizations are accepting donations aimed at relief in Myanmar:

Save the Children

Red Cross

another window into the world of China

Last week Steven, my in-laws and I ventured to Washington DC to pick up Steven's aunts who came to visit from Korea for the first time in 15 years. We had a wonderful time. Before they arrived I actually got my in-laws onto airport shuttles, metro buses and the subway to get a look at sweet little Tai shan the baby panda at the National Zoo. The experience was a small connection to China, a minute connection to our daughter. A connection that is huge in so many ways.

Check out this NPR Blog, Chengdu Diary which features facts and notes being collected on all things China in anticipation of an All Things Considered series set to air from May 19-23. I know that for me I long for all these small connections to China as I wait for my daughter. I am thrilled for the Olympics to be in China -- I'll have a window into my future child's world.  My eyes will fill with visions of the landscapes, architectures and histories that make up this fascinating empire, this generous country that will entrust me and Steven with the care of one of her daughters.

Need a little enticement. There is nothing like a gratuitous baby panda flick to get you in the mood for all things China. Chengdu is at the heart of China where the Woolong Panda preserve conducts vital research to save the panda from extinction. Check out this video of living snuggle bears. Too cute.

Asian American Heritage month

Happy May Day!  I hope everyone has lovely flowers to look at.  My garden is starting to pop with blossoms.

Did you know that May is also Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?  We are going to celebrate by attending an event celebrating Asian cultures at our local art museum. 

As of 7:15 last night we still hadn't had dinner, we are late eaters but we usually know what we are making and have it underway by this time.  So I threw together some of some quick things to kick off the month, I prepared a medley of Asian food for dinner last night.   We had a little Japanese and Korean food.  I made udon noodle soup with shrimp and veggies with a little miso, steamed mandoos and rice flour buns, and of course we had kimchi as only a meigook saram can do (bought from the Korean grocer--house-made of course)!   Luckily all these things are staples for us so even though I am cursed with a lack of planning were able to have a nice meal.  With the nice dishes we have to serve and prepare these things in it makes it all look quite beautiful and authentic. 

It seems rather fitting that my wait to adopt my daughter from China would be around the same time that our country has set aside a month to recognize the contributions by those of Asian decent that have enhanced and influenced our culture and history.  While Asians make up only about 3% of the population I think it is important to recognize there heritage as we do African and Hispanic Americans. 

I am an Olympic junkie and my favorite speed skater, Apolo Anton Ohno was inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame in Seattle and yes I am guilty of watching dancing with the stars so I can watch him skate over the dance floor. 

I am going to use the next 1-2 years during this wait to try to educate myself more about Asian history and culture so I can give my daughter a connection to the country and continent of her origin.  I have a project coming up soon that I would like my readers to participate in so stay tuned for more details. 

In the meantime go eat some Asian food!