Political Rigamortis & Super Simple Stuffed Shrooms

“Instead of noblemen, let us have noble villages of men.”
― Henry David Thoreau

February 9^th, 2012

Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mKamV46ovA

It’s overcast here in Marco Island perhaps an ominous prediction of hurricane winds to come, it snowed in Rome, another earthquake ruptured in the Philippines . . . Mother Nature is still in control despite our politicians, scientists, philanthropists, archaeologists, economists . . . despite all of us and our preoccupied lives of believing that we in fact built a sound ship, man the helm & perfectly capable of navigating through any storm.  It’s the water that’s keeping us afloat and can just as quickly turn us over to fend for ourselves without any marvel of metal, or inflatable “life preserving” mechanism to save our ass.  The Ocean listens to her own voice; it is we that should heed her warnings.

This conversation comes to mind with all of the politics swirling around the upcoming GOP election, amongst the facebook revolving posts regarding the issue of gay marriage and even my own frustrations in debate with my mother . .(shaking my head) . . . my own mother who voted in that despicable piece of shit Governor Walker and to whom looks to Romney in her wishes to replace Obama.  This stirred more than spit & vinegar in me  . . . how can anyone not see that this President is the first of his kind in a long, long time.  Returning to an age when patriotism meant more than speaking “in God we Trust” but unity amongst a people.  This man has purpose & willingness to sacrifice his own personal interests.  His only care to get re-elected is relevant to his need for more time to carry out a mission of change; one that has been hampered by inheriting a flailing economy & an opposing political party with f’ked up priorities.  I sincerely believe this man cares not about power or privilege – he is an honest man to himself, his family & his colleagues . . . that means more to me than any discussion on income taxes, gay marriage or demoralizing filibusters compliments of the Republican party.  Why do we need parties at all anyways???  There is so much cross over it seems silly, pointlessly and contradictory to having any benefit to the people or substantial progression.  

We baby our system, our people & our politicians, our corporations & lobbyists . . . an assassination (or two) would shake up the greedy pockets and lost intentions.  The corrupt need be held accountable for their actions, but slipping a noose around some congressman’s neck isn’t very Buddhist like of me.   I should chant with compassion for these beguiled government officials to succumb to righteousness; remembering their causes and be reborn to the roots of change.   Until something better presents itself, I am proud to call Barack Obama our president and humbly admit that my Mother is but one of many souls consorting with the crimelords:  Gingrich, Romney & Santorum (Ron Paul . . I’ll let be for the moment).

Enough with the political punch.  It’s sip is all too delusional and the hangover hardly worth the wasted words.  Food on the other hand is very much a topic of interest and reward.  It’s primal simplicity can be the epicenter of comfort . . take my friend Joe at Cedar-Sinai for example.  He bumped up his meal plan to the galloping gourmet for a mere $250.00 per day and . . . well, it seems to be well worth the extra expense.  The alternative routine was something similar to the cafeteria muck served in elementary school – and just about as many little milk cartons to boot!  That next meal is perhaps the most rewarding bite of his bed-bound day . . I can't say I'm too far off from that myself.

Mom and I visited the Marcos Island farmers market today and picked up some gorgeous fresh shrimp, Joes stone crab claws, fennel bulb, decadently sweet carambola (ie: starfruit), eggplant, onions, ginger & a variety of peppers.  Don’t quite know what I’m going to make yet, but I think it’s time for a martini, 4 ibuprofuren and apply myself here as chef.  Till tomorrow, I give you another Valentines Day menu option that can be tweaked to your own liking.  The cream cheese guarantees you won't have excess moisture spilling out of the shrooms so be sure to fold in some favorite item(s).

With Culinary Blessings,

                   Chef Scotty

Baby Bellas Recipe

These little lovers are delicious and full proof,  but feel free to adlib with pinenuts, tarragon, olives, fresno chile or mix in some baba ghanoush?  How about some spicy Italian sausage, some fresh fennel, fresh crabmeat . . pour your love into it!

Ingredients

• 12 whole fresh mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (roasted garlic preferred)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, Pedano Grano or Gruyere
• ¼ cup drained artichoke hearts, minced
• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• Add fresh basil, oregano, marjoram and/or thyme

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Clean mushrooms with a damp paper towel. Carefully break off stems. Chop stems extremely fine, discarding tough end of stems.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and chopped mushroom stems to the skillet. Fry until any moisture has disappeared, taking care not to burn garlic. Set aside to cool.
3. When garlic and mushroom mixture is no longer hot, stir in cream cheese, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, black pepper, onion powder and cayenne pepper. Mixture should be very thick. Using a little spoon, fill each mushroom cap with a generous amount of stuffing. Arrange the mushroom caps on prepared cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the mushrooms are piping hot and liquid starts to form under caps.