Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter and Roasted Squash

So fall is the air here is Wisconsin. One of my favorite things about fall is all the squash and pumpkins around. As part of our CSA we received a delicate squash, and sage. As soon as I saw those two ingredients I was thinking Roasted Squash with Sage Brown Butter. When searching for Sage Brown Butter at some of my frequented food blogs I came upon this Pumpkin Gnocchi Recipe. I combined these two recipes to come up with this recipe. It was superb and definitely getting made multiple times this fall.

Ingredients:
1 small Delicate or Butternut squash
1 lb Gnocchi
1 handful Sage
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4 cup Parmesan Reggiano

Directions:
1) Pre-heat oven to 400F
2) Cube the Squash into chunks about the size of the Gnocchi you are using. This particular time I used mini Gnocchi.
3) On large rimmed baking sheet toss squash with oil, salt and pepper. Roast for about 25 mins or until tender *
4) Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi in boiling water until it floats to the surface, about 2-3 minutes, remove and set aside to drain.
5) In a pan melt butter until it just starts to brown
6) Toss in sage till crisp- about a minute
7) Add Squash in and saute- about a minute
8) Add Gnocchi in- toss till coated in butter.
9) Remove off heat garnish with Parmesan Reggiano and serve

* You can roast squash ahead of time making this a really quick weekday meal. If you do make it ahead of time I would suggest heating it to at least room temperature before tossing it in the pan. 

Saying Goodbye to My Lucky Star

Today M and I, buried our Lucky's ashes.

Lucky was the most magnificent cat you would meet. She was agile, curious, and beautiful. She was scared of thunderstorms but when the sun was out she loved exploring. She did not like going outside unless she could see me or MS. Then again, she loved exploring the porch (that was as outdoorsy as she got). She would meow like crazy for wet food and when she had her mousy with her.

Over ten years ago now, after a couple of years of living in the US, we really missed having pets. We had grown up with lots of pets (You can read more about it at my sister's blog), so we decided to start with a cat. We adopted her from Pet's Mart/Jefferson County Humane Society. I named her "Lucky" because I had been listening to the Britney Spears song Lucky,and because she was a black cat and people stupidly and superstitiously thought them unlucky and it is hard to find families for them. I thought she would be "Lucky" and she was for me. I would often call her my "Lucky" star.

I still remember the first day we brought her home. My parents and sister had to work that day but I was to be home with the cat. Unfortunately, as soon as we got her home, she found her home below my sister's bed. No persuasions or food got her out. After trying every so often for 2 hours, I fell asleep on the bed. When I woke up, there she was crouched in the corner looking at me. I put my hands out gently so she could smell it if she wanted. It took her 10 minutes but she finally made it to my arms. I slowly petted her and she started purring. Since that day, her and me, we had a connection.

When I came home from college she would sit at the counter waiting for me to pet her. When I cried she would come sit beside me. When I watched TV she was on me. When my grandfather died she sat on my feet by his bed as as I said goodbye. When I moved out I took her with me, and she adjusted really well. She actually loved being the only pet. She accepted MS, and made him love cats too, especially her. She was part of our big days too, when we got married and came home, when we bought a house. She loved the new house.

And then suddenly she was gone, and I was in more pain than I could imagine. I have had to say goodbye to pets before but this is much harder than other times. Perhaps because it came out of nowhere, perhaps it was because she was my mine and not as much a family pet, or perhaps because it was ultimately me who had to make the decision. Most likely a combination of all of the above.

It will be a week tomorrow. I still cry randomly at home when I miss her. I know the pain will get better, and I also know I will never stop missing her. But today I finally said goodbye! In Hinduism (not that I am particularly religious) you have a period mourning. Then you say goodbye (usually on the 12th day),  and start celebrating their life- meaning you mourn but you remember them positively and smile. Tomorrow, I will start celebrating my Lucky's life (or at least try to)!

 

Tacos And Bollywood: An Immigrant Sharing

Sometimes when my day just sucks or I am really tired, all I want to do is eat tacos and listen to Bollywood music (Not Taco Bell. I am talking true Mexican style tacos).

Why Taco's? Well most days when I am upset I don't feel like cooking. Good authentic tacos are cheaper than Indian food in Madison. Most importantly though they have more of a "home cooked" feel.  While Indian food is my comfort food, restaurant Indian food in Madison feels well like "restaurant food."

In the small  family run Mexican joints I find the flavors that are familiar to my palette. It also gives me the feeling of going to the food stall around the corner back in Mumbai.

Strange right? But that's how it is.

As it turns out though it is not so strange- at least not to one of the Mexican girl who works at El Pablano.

While waiting for my tacos after a really tiring day, I was asking her what things behind a refrigerated case were. She was struggling to explain the taste of something- as she could not think of the English word. So she brought on out a container so I could smell it. The guy who took my order earlier- returned at this point, and stated it was cinnamon. I thanked him and her, and continue conversing with the girl.

I explained why I like Mexican food and how it appeals to my Indian palette. Upon learning that I am from India- she looks excited, and explains she loves Bollywood. She changes the music to some good old Mohabbatein. She explains that Bollywood movies and music are her and her sister's go to entertainment. She says she like it more than American TV, and asks me how to say some things in Hindi.

So here we are two immigrant girls- chatting- and finding comfort in other's culture. It is one of those surreal moments in life that I won't be forgetting any time soon.

A generation 1.5 Immigrant: A Fish Out of Water

Despite this blog being called
"Chai and Pie." I really have not talked about cross-cultural issues. I think it is due to the fact that it is difficult to talk about things when the topic makes you feel vulnerable. But at core of my existence is my mixed identity; I would not be authentic if I did not talk about it. What perhaps makes my identity more complicated is the age at which I came to the United States.

While my childhood was honestly Indian, I was very much an American Teenager in many ways.
As a result I do not really identify with Indians who were born and raised in the United States. Nor do I identify with my parents, or other first generation immigrant Indians. I do not know any Indians that are like me, a generation 1.5 immigrant (Not saying there aren't any- I just don't know any). Therefore, my closest Indian friends are in India. Most Indians I hangout with in the US are related to me. My friends in the US are mostly those to identify as American. I am very grateful for the friends and family I have both in India and the United States- Honestly, they are awesome! They have accepted me and mixed loyalties, and the confusions that comes with it. But not having many Indian friends in the US (first or second generation), or those who share my mixed loyalties- often makes me feel like the picture above. A fish out of water!!

Rather, I am that fish jumping out of a bowl with many into a bowl by myself. The bowl full of fish are representative of  the several different cultures I am part of.  But often wind up deviating from. I guess more accurately there would a graphic showing a fish jumping in and out of water.

Upon searching on the internet- I found I belong to a group called "Cross Culture Kids." More on being a Cross Cultural Kid some other time but knowing that I am part of a larger community of people with mixed identities- well there is comfort in it!! None the less I cannot help but want more Indian- American friends. It's something I plan to seek out more but not if they come at the expense of the great friendships that I have now. Not that I anticipate that happening.


* I found this image when I googled "fish out of water." I do not own the image. I do not intend any copyright infringement. 

Burger and Brew

I love FOOD so what I am going to say next is a surprise. I am unsure about going to Food Festivals. Why? Well, first of all portion sizes tend to be smaller than what you would get for the same price normally. The event space tends to be super packed. There is usually too much going on. That said the foodie in me wins and I tend to go to some festivals anyway. So this year M, and I decided to go to the Burger and Brew in Middleton.

Compare to most food event's Burger and Brew is very well priced at $30/ per entry. Also unlike most food festivals two people can share a ticket! One ticket gets you four pours of beer or soda, and three burgers. You can buy more "pours" at the event. You can use two "pours" for a dessert. The burgers we had were really good but greatly varied in size. They were more "sliders" than burgers. The beers I tried were quite good. The desserts were okay nothing special. And the only soda options  were locally brewed which was cool but unfortunately the taste really disappointed. One big CON was that even if you had tickets you had to wait in line about 20 minutes to get it, And when you did get in- there was NO where to sit. It was really frustrating trying to juggle a glass, and a burger while trying to eat . I feel like need a wave system or something. Yet overall I think the Burger and Brew fest was worth the money. I will definitely attend events by Reap Food Group in the future. If I do go to Burger and Brew again, I will go EARLY!! As a date too- it was great. Nice to get outside.We bought two tickets and shared it with another couple. Great double date idea.

Changes...

"And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time.”
― Libba Bray, The Sweet Far Thing

In evolution, "adaption" is the process of slow change while "mutation" is rapid changes in a small period of time. Don't quote me on this- I might be completely wrong. It is just how I differed them in my mind. Like in evolution our life we have slow constant change we are adapting too. Then there are those periods where we have bursts of changes. I am in the latter right now.

Some of the big changes are as follows:

1) Finished graduate school

2) Bought a house

3) Parents are selling their house

4) For the first time in my life I am closer distance wise to my parents than my sister

5) Seriously thinking about career since I graduate that might mean a job change. Not sure yet. 

These changes are just that- different, a change from before. They have changed how I conduct my daily life, and as a result recently I have reflected on change and how we as humans deal with change. I have come to realize that people assume change to be good or bad- but many times it is not something that we can tell right away, only time will tell. You also need not fear change. I am truly surprised at how many people do. I believe you should embrace change but be cautious. It is the smart way to deal with it. Things are always changing, and sometimes you don't even know it. 

“The present changes the past. Looking back you do not find what you left behind.”
― Kiran Desai, The Inheritance of Loss

Thrifty Tuesdays

Dates for most people is a weekend affair. That is true for us as well. But in the summer when weekends get full quickly between weddings, grill outs, parties, etc. It is nice to get a quick date in during the week to relax and enjoy. If it is affordable then it gets extra points. And, that's what thrifty Tuesdays is all about!!

Metcalfe's Market has what they call the "Tuesday Night Run." Members (anyone can be a member by signing up online) get 10% off every Tuesday night including on their hot food bar which is yummy!!! In addition to that- the second Tuesday of every month they have tastings for specialty food all over the store. Tuesday nights is fantastic night to make Metcalfe's part of your date night and because it's a gourmet store you have many options.


A couple of options are as follows:
1) You could go on the second Tuesday night sample some free food, and then head to Barnes and Nobles next door (West Side) and wander together- It's Free!!
2) You could buy some gourmet cheese and wine, and have small picnic.
3) Buy fancy ingredients, and make a nice dinner at home together. If you have kid's send them to to movies!!
4) Do a cliche, which M and I often do on Tuesdays- Dinner, and a Movie!!

We usually get food from the hot bar which we either "take-out" and eat at home, or eat in their little cafe (On the West Side Metcalfes- they let you eat in the cafe,not sure about Midvale). I recommend Metcalfe's Chinese food it is really good American- Chinese. Follow it up with a movie at Point Cinemas for $5 Tuesdays. Marcus currently runs specials where every movie is $5 all day on Tuesdays at all their theaters including the Ultra Screen. I would recommend buying tickets EARLY for popular movies.

Overall, Tuesday nights are a great night to get a date in and run an errand to the grocery store. Two birds with one stone! We do it often, and enjoy ourselves. It's not something path-breaking but it's fun. It is super affordable- it is a date night for under $25!!

Note: The image above belongs to Metcalfes. No copyright infringement is intended. Neither Marcus nor Metcalfe's has paid me in anyway. These offers are up to the businesses they can stop it at any time. Metcalfes is ending Tuesday Night Run in October.