You're not Alone, V-day debriefing, Baconized Maple-Macallan Cupcakes

 “The heart is forever inexperienced.”
― Henry David Thoreau

February 14^th, 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcibUMBFVOo&feature=related

"You're not Alone" by Olive from the stage (or MJ's version if you prefer his take on the words)

 

So, if you’re just now tuning into this almost daily journal of mine . . I will recap me somewhat unusual format.  The intro quote is from Thoreau for this very first season of transformation & transcendental life (it happens to have substance parallel to my disposition at this time).  It is my endeavor to explore a new philosopher with each proceeding season of this blog; in that way we both get to know him/her intimately.  Next, I have a song that I’ve linked for numerous purposes that are applicable to the content of that day’s writings as are the images comingling amongst my words.  In my opinion, art (in all of it's many forms) is mankind’s best attribute or at least, his best contribution to a society locked in a state of turbulence. (again, I attempt to share hidden gems of rare music, photography, paintings & yes . . Chef Scotty recipes).  I find similar passionate notes amongst my profession as a chef, therefore a recipe at the final conclusion of the blog is almost always present.  I bare all, rather naked, unlimited sassy Scotty may procure hostility or provoke some offensive truth and render fear based bias . . . but it is my hope that my writings ultimately inspire thought, instill compassion for self & others, tease your assumptions . . . only your mind shall envelope and seal away that which trips your trigger.  Now on to it . . .

It’s Valentine’s day and working backwards through my lovers deck of participants; the  Jacks, the regal Kings & yes, even a degree of Queens . . . I gather what lessons I’ve learned in wishful pursuit of finding “the one.”  I share the equivalent desire of all others (monks, nuns & politicians excluded) in sharing a future with a majestic being to walk with through the portal of love.  Being single is nothing new to me. My businesses and consequently self adhered to obligations to provide for my “children” (my employees) always came before that of my own needs and wants.  Now, I confess that hasn’t worked out so well for me and I no longer hold the torch of responsibility to those folks.  Priority “me” has been bumped up in the latter of love, the final steps having the requirement of balance as I reach beyond the 8-ft aluminum craft of ascension . . . eyes set on the desired destination.  NOTE: like many of us, I have a slight affliction to heights as such peril hangs in the cusp of cupid and the foot of concentration.

Todd, Kelly, Matty, Joshah, Eric, Laurence, Josh, Dani, Danny, Rudi, Matt, Kevin, Steven all lovers of my past . . I was not ready to full embrace your gifts and for that I am sorry for any pain I have caused you.  I suffer only in my solitary state, which is to say, that I lack the presence of companionship but truly suffer not as I’ve always been a bit of a loner amongst the many.  I’ll turn the ripe age of 36 on April 22^nd and I’ve not yet cleared a year with any man (in case you haven’t figured it out, I’m one of those gay people).  That isn’t a huge vote of confidence and I look not to blame anyone in particular for any outside influence.   It’s my very own personal history and I shall hold myself accountable for all of my actions; stupid as many of those decisions were, foolishly young to the concept of earnest affection and lasting love.  I vacillate to whether my approach of uncompromisable sincerity is the correct avenue to discovering he who would take my hand tenderly.  A bit of damaged goods, but still passionately involved with the intercourse of life; I am attracted to so few, which makes the endless search evermore allusive.  You see, I am not willing to settle and the requirements of equality and honesty stand above all else.  I have my true and through friends, a closeness with my family and my very own shining light of love for self to keep me content for the mean time.

I wrote a poem a few days back on February 12^th (you can find past blog entries to the right of this column, click on it, and wallah!) that pretty much summarizes my last experience of letting down the boundaries & taking a dip into the sauté pan . . seared & delicious would be appropriate adjectives.  I guess I still feel the burn marks . . I should have been paying better attention, less oil, less heat as that seems to be how “the game” is played.  Then again, I say to hell with “the game” . . I’m hardly a conformist and ironically that just so happens to be the most attractive quality that I possess (to the suitors that would pursue my interest that is).  It is the conception and the conclusion of all that I am!  My frustrations all enraptured within my ego as I continually resist the lessons for some unworldly stubbornness; I will not change that which is right; I forfeit to the born tendencies of a child’s purity . . the recognition taking precedence over the intention.   

My love of food in all of its vast forms is comforting to me especially on this infamous holiday.  In honor of my emotions, I’ve successfully gnawed away at near half a cherry bundt cake, the fat globules forming as fast as I am able to feed the ravenous craving.  If not love of another, I’ll happily take the runner-up (munching more cake).  My love to transform food through artistic interpretation has dimmed, this I openly admit.  The stripping of my dream realized, my company built from the ground up, the absence of integrity from many of those that I offered all but my left riblet . . . there is still so much love in my life and as this bittersweet day calls for a bittersweet recipe I wish nothing more than happiness and gratified companionship to all of the Adam & Eve’s, or Adam & Adam’s or Eve & Adeve’s . . it’s a very interesting world we live in to say the least!  If you too are single I encourage you to hit the internet up for Single Gun Theory before we get to baking (but leave the gun alone & formulate some theory on why it is that you're single). I implore you to enjoy the calories and consent to solace amongst copious amounts of chocolate, bacon & scotch . . . three items that could sustain me through the final chapters of my life (everyone knows I despise cupcakes . . that’s my contribution to the bitter).

With relentless love & fluctuating light,

                     Chef  Scotty

Baconized Maple-Macallan Cupcakes

Makes 12 deliciously decadent cupcakes that will wipe away any tears or fears of loneliness

• ½ cup butter , room temperature
• 3 tablespoon bacon drippings (left in the fridge)
• 3 egg
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons Macallan Scotch (or any whiskey/scotch)
• 3 cups self rising flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• tiny tiny pinch kosher salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup of minced bacon , cooked and drained

Directions:

1) Cook some bacon in a fry pan (about 1 pkg of thick strips). Reserve the drippings and place in the fridge to solidify. Mince 1 cup of the bacon reserving ½ cup for garnish. The chef should eat whatever is left to assure that the bacon is tasty.

2) Beat the crud out of the butter and solidified bacon fat 'till light and creamy. Add the brown sugar, maple syrup & Macallan Scotch and beat well until combined, I suggest having a nip or two as you proceed through your memories of lost lovers.

3) Add the egg and beat until incorporated.

4) Sift the flour, salt, baking soda and powder together.

5) Add some of the flour and mix, then some of the milk, then continue to alternate the dry and wet ingredients, ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in the bacon. Taste and add more maple syrup, flour, or milk if needed for desired taste. Keep in mind the maple frosting is very sweet, and to add in very small increments for alterations as maple syrup in large amounts can break a cake batter.

6) Scoop into cupcake papers and bake at 350 F for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Be sure to rotate the pan after the first 15 minutes for even baking.

For the Maple Syrup Frosting.

What You'll Need --

4 tablespoons of butter.

2 tablespoons of maple syrup.

1 nip of Macallan scotch

1 cup of powdered sugar.

½ cup of bacon bits (reserved from above)

turbinado sugar (optional, but recommended).

coarse grain sea salt (optional, but recommended).

What You'll Do --

1. Combine the syrup, scotch and butter until combined. Add the sugar, a bit at a time, and whip at high speeds until combined. Pipe or spread onto cupcakes. Sprinkle on sea salt, turbinado sugar & bacon bits for added decoration..

Monogamy to Dr. Phil & Chicken Puff Pastry by Rachel Ray = Irony

“There is no remedy for love, but to love more.”
― Henry David Thoreau

January 26^th, 27^th

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu8KFlfzk3Y

Went to the doctor at 8am on the morning of January 26th to inquire as to where/why I am currently hosting a little party for a family of mucus and its viral cousins.  “Stab away honey, I ain’t got no fear of those needles”, I sincerely proclaimed.   Four years of allergy shots every week has a tendency of numbing ones reaction to the stainless steel needle.  I honestly have to tip my hat to the team at my medical facility; everyone is consistently so amazingly kind and polite.   Following Operation Fix me Up, I headed South on the Amtrak train toward the OC, where I was shuttled to my sisters residence.  From there, prepped and pimped out my adorable nephew, Logan, for a modeling shoot later that evening in San Diego; I was to be his chauffeur & guardian, one of the liberties of being self-employed I guess.

In my last journal entry, I was without reluctance in designating my true feelings about self-worth.  Today, partially drugged, I offer my apologies for that offense and every offense going forward – consider my bondage to be truth in whatever word or form it may be delivered.  Back tracking to the events of my Wednesday, I spent several Shock-top beers with the always amicable Bishop  . . friendly in the way that is an open offered trouser sort of thing which is hardly offensive seeing how Bishop is handsome, charming & drama free.  I did manage to be productive whilst holding down more than my worn, leather bound  stool quite nestled up to granite bar embroidered by an elephant adorned brass railing.  Artwork in spontaneous formation and in true testament of my outlook on relationships, I created a mini series of bar napkin origami entitled, “blank, angled, bent & broken”  Which brings me to the discussion of this entry in questioning the very nature of our relationships, primarily in the context of “the f’k buddy.”

The less controversial title would be “friend with benefits” of course, but I think that hides the raw, vulgarity of this modern day sociological intercourse.  Is it right or wrong?  We won’t bother to ask the church officials for their opinion, but take it from a scientific perspective.  Are we really meant to be monogamous?   Humans like to think of themselves as a faithful species, but when it comes to true fidelity, many other animals offer better examples of how to keep a relationship together.   In fact less than 4% of the worlds animals are known to form lifelong paired bonds yet monogamy is almost inexistent, as creatures that do pair for life, occasionally have flings on the side and still move on to another should their partner die or fail to perform in bed. 

The only known animal in the world that this has yet to be disproven is the prairie vole.  

Staying faithful is extremely hard for animals, as the males are programmed to spread their genes and females to get the best genes from the best males for their young – humans are hardly an exception.  Instead, monogamy requires an individual to invest its entire reproductive potential on a single mate. This puts lot of pressure on each individual to choose the best mate, which, is a bit tricky and presents the true question of “how many of us married our true love?”  With a divorce rate of over 50% in the United States, I’m hardly convinced that number is anything more than 2%.  So what next then?  Well, my hypothesis now backed up by Science, let me recap a tangible experience that I was able to participate in as a bystander.

Sister Mary Cleo, her twins and I randomly run into a old colleague of hers accompanied with her two year old daughter.   After pleasantries are exchanged, each provided a brief overview of their current day to day lives including their current existence as wives & mothers , which ultimately prompted my sister to ask,  “So what happened to Ken, you two were perfect together?“   Apparently this gal had an amazing man on her arm the entire time of their acquaintance.  Sister Mary Cleo was shocked to hear that this Ken Doll Lover was in fact . . not the father of this woman’s child.  From there this lady opened up about how “Ken” was “the one, the one that got away, her true love” but that Ken just wasn’t ready for full commitment at that time and they went separate ways.  She had settled for a good man that she loves – but that he’d never match up to her feelings for Ken.  

 

So with that story in mind, speaking as a novice of relationships but who similarly thought “the one got away” . . the real question is, Is it better to settle for companionship as something inferior but more realistic than seeking out than the acquisition of that “true love” or . . . is it perfectly fine to seek out these mutually beneficial friendships?  And if one is to go the route of a marriage of convenience, is it really that fair to persecute those that go for financial stability?  I mean if it’s conforming to the expectations of society (ie: marriage & children, well . . if you’re gay that’s a little more open) than who’s to say that selling yourself short of “true love” is any worse than those that go for the gold?

I fear that more often than not it boils down to: offer up your heart, lest it be broken & left to solitude, or offer up your genitalia and concede to practicality.  This is an open discussion, so feel free to post your comments on this issue at hand.  Till then, I favor the “snuggle buddy” in providing temporary relief with regards to companionship & affection . . . I just can’t shake the hopeless romantic thingey!

With relationship blessings,

                     Chef Scotty

Lovebirds: Chicken in Pastry by Rachel Ray

In posting a recipe by Rachel Ray, I guess I am offering up some cynical perspective as her personality and approach to food pairs well with today’s discussion.  Affection & love is “on the Air” but the entire show is about convenience, easy-application, efficiency and marketing for financial gain.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces skinless chicken breast, boned (about 8 ounces each)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 to 3 sprigs fresh finely chopped rosemary
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 sheet puff pastry (11 by 17-inch)
• 8 slices Italian fontina cheese, slices should be 2 to 3-inches square and 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick, cut in 1/2
• 1/2 cup fig preserves
• 1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Season the chicken with salt, pepper and rosemary. Cut each piece of chicken in half across the breast giving you 8 equal portions. Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly brown the chicken on both sides, 5 minutes total. Remove from heat.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut pastry into 8 pieces. Place a piece of cheese on each pastry square and top with spoonfuls of fig preserves and the chicken pieces. Pinch and seal the dough up and over the meat and cheese, seal with egg wash, flip the pastry packets over and brush the tops with remaining egg wash. Bake 12 to15 minutes, until golden.

For entree portions, simply leave chicken breast whole and cut the pastry into quarters. Trim off excess dough and use it to decorate the pastry with small cut outs such as heart shapes.