Greek Theme, Part 3: Lemon Olive Roast Chicken

Continuing on with my recent Greek theme...

So far, all I've posted were the appetizers. Honestly, you could make a whole meal off of the appetizers. I brought the leftover Greek dips to work with me and my staff raved about it. But, Miss T and I also fixed a wonderful main dish, Lemon Olive Roast Chicken. So tasty! The chicken is moist and flavorful, tasting of lemon, time, and garlic. The pan drippings taste fabulous over rice. Served with a green salad topped with tomatoes, cucumber, olives and feta this would make a perfect family Sunday night meal.

LEMON OLIVE ROAST CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS

1 whole chicken cut up
1/2 c Greek olives, I used a mixture of black and green
1 lemon, sliced
8-10 garlic cloves, cut in half

1/2 c white wine
2 T lemon juice
1/4 c olive oil
Fresh thyme sprigs
Salt and pepper to taste

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2) Rinse chicken and pat dry. Place in a roasting pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides. (I had trouble getting my chicken to brown. It may be a good idea or brown the outside in a pan before placing in the roasting pan. I'll have to try that next time myself.)
3) Lay sliced lemon over chicken. Scatter

olives throughout the pan. 
4) Pour white wine and lemon juice into bottom of pan. Drizzle olive oil over top of chicken. Lay thyme sprigs over top of chicken.
5) Place chicken in 375 degree oven. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until a meat thermometer read 165 degrees when stuck into the thickest piece of chicken. Let cool for 10

minutes before serving.
6) Serve over rice or couscous. 

Greek Theme Part 2: Roasted Peppers Stuffed with Feta Cheese

The last appetizer Miss T and I made for our Greek Day was a fabulous stuffed pepper filled with feta cheese or herbed goat cheese and farmers' market tomatoes. I'll have to say, I liked the ones stuffed with herbed goat cheese best. The goat cheese was creamier and richer, and the herbs added a nice layer to the flavors the feta ones lacked. But all around wonderful, easy to fix, and a pretty appetizer for any party.

PEPPERS STUFFED WITH FETA
INGREDIENTS 
12 small, sweet peppers, I used mini-bell peppers
8 oz feta cheese, block not crumbled (or goat cheese; Feel free to use a flavored cheese too. The herbed goat cheese was wonderful.)
1 large tomato
2 T olive oil
1/4 cup water
Salt to taste
1) Preheat over to 350 degrees.
2) Boil water in a medium-sized pot. Gently put pepper into boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes to soften.
3) Remove peppers from water. Set aside to cool until easily handled.

4) Meanwhile, slide tomato in half through the middle (not through the stem). Squeeze gently to remove seeds. Slice tomato into strips.






5) Cut feta into strips just long enough to fill each pepper.
5) Slice peppers length-wise down one side only. Do not slice in half. Remove stem and seeds.

6) Stuff with cheese and a strip or two of tomato.

7) Place stuffed peppers into a baking dish that will pack them in so they are touching. Carefully pour water into the bottom of the pan and drizzle olive oil over the peppers. Sprinkle with salt. (You can sprinkle other herbs over the top if you wish as well; thyme, oregano, dill or rosemary would all work well.)


8) Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until the peppers are tender and the cheese is soft. Let cool a little before serving. You don't want the hot cheese to burn someone's mouth.

Greek Theme Part 1: Quick and Easy Greek Dips

My friend, Miss T, and I decided to have a Greek themed day of cooking. We fixed all sorts of Greek food, watched "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", and talked about travel to Greece. (She's been. I haven't. Lucky her!) We cooked Baba Ganoush, Tatziki, Peppers Stuffed with Feta, Lemon Olive Roast Chicken, Broiled Figs, and topped the day off with Lemon Sorbet (not homemade, but very refreshing). Greek food is remarkable easy to prepare and very tasty. The flavors are fresh and varied. I'll be posting our delicious Sunday cooking spree recipes over the next few days. There's no promise these are truly authentic Greek recipes, but they speak Greek to me.

Try a few recipes out and as you are enjoying the fruits of your labor, close you eyes and imagine the aqua-blue Mediterranean, white washed stucco buildings, hot sun, and millennia of history.

BABA GANOUSH

Couple of notes before we start: 

Miss T wanted to try Japanese eggplants, too, so we included a couple of those in our recipe. I don't think they are necessary for the recipe but you'll see them in the pictures. If you want to use Japanese eggplants, you'll need quite a few (maybe a dozen) to equal one large regular eggplant. 

Tahini is a ground sesame seed butter, like peanut butter but with sesame seeds. It can be found in most large grocery stores these days, either with the peanut butter or in the Mediterranean section. I bought mine at Albertsons. It does separate. It's okay if there is a layer of oil on top and a really thick layer of nut butter on the bottom. Just stir is up good before measuring.


INGREDIENTS
1 large eggplant 
1-2 T olive oil
1/4 cup Tahini
2-4 large garlic cloves
Salt to taste
1-2 T lemon juice

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2) Cut the stem off the eggplant and split it down the center length-wise. Brush the flesh with a little olive oil. Not too much, it will absorb all the olive oil you brush on.
3) Place the eggplant, cut side down, on a foil lined baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes until the insides are soft.

4) Set aside and let cool. When cool enough to comfortably handle, peel back the outer skin. If it sticks, scrape off gently with a spoon. Discard the skins.

5) Place the roasted eggplant flesh in a blender or food processor. Add tahini, garlic, lemon juice to taste, and salt to taste. Blend until smooth.

That's it! Simple!

Serve with cut up veggies or soft pita as a dip. Use on sandwiches, pita pockets, or wraps. 



You can add other things to the Baba Ganoush just like you can with hummus. Try parsley, dill, or a little thyme and oregano to make it an herbed dip. Or add more garlic, or roast the garlic first. Add cayenne or red pepper flakes to make it spicy.




TATZIKI
INGREDIENTS
2-3 pickling cucumbers, or 1 regular cucumber
8 oz plain Greek yogurt
2-3 T chopped dill
2 T lemon juice
1 clove garlic minced
Salt to taste

1) Peel, seed and dice the cucumber, the finer the better.

2) In a bowl, mix the cucumber with all of the remaining ingredients. Add salt to taste.

That's it! Super simple!

Serve with veggies, soft pita, or pita chips a a dip. Or serve with a spicy meat dish to help cut the heat. It could be blended and used as a salad dressing. It's also good in wraps and pita pockets.

Baba Ganoush on the left and Tatziki on the right

Turkish Stuffed Eggplant

I've been craving Turkish Stuffed Eggplant for months now. I'm not even sure how the idea popped in my head but it's been there, like a catchy song you just can't shake. Then last week at the Farmers' Market I found the perfect little round eggplants for making the Turkish recipe. Score!

TURKISH STUFFED EGGPLANT
INGREDIENTS
4-6 baseball-sized (but egg-shaped) eggplant

1 cup diced onion
4 T olive oil
6 oz ground lamb
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t oregano
1 t dried pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
1 or 2 T crushed garlic
14 oz can petite diced tomatoes
1 cup water

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Trim the stems and little leafy-parts but don't cut them off entirely. Cut each eggplant in half length-wise. Salt the inside flesh and set aside. The salt acts to draw out any bitterness in the eggplant.

3) Use two tablespoons of olive oil in a saute pan to cook the diced onions. When onions are tender, add ground lamb, spices, garlic and salt and pepper to taste.
Cook until lamb is browned through.

4) While lamb is cooking, rinse and dry the eggplant. Slice out a little of each center to create a cavity for the lamb stuffing. Dice the eggplant centers to add to the stuffing.

5) Add diced tomatoes, liquid and all, and diced eggplant to the pan. Cook together for about 5 minutes. Add salt is needed.

6) Arrange eggplant cut side up in a baking dish so they are touching and won't tip over. My dish was a little too large so I filled the extra space with crumpled foil. Scoop the lamb mixture carefully into the centers of each eggplant. Divide evenly. Pour cup of water into the bottom of the baking dish.

7) The recipes I researched online had a slice of tomato and a slice of mild pepper laid on top. I did this, but I don't think it's necessary; it's more for decoration.

8) Cover the pan with foil and bake in 350 degree oven for 45-60 minutes. Until the eggplant are very soft. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes.

Yummy and luscious. Even though eggplant are summer produce, this recipe reminds me of warm, soothing, winter comfort food. You can top it a bit if you like with a little feta or parsley.

If you read my blog and are curious who I am, this me

Maybe it's just me and my group of Facebook friends, but there seems to be a new trend of articles, memes, funny posters, etc. all on the topic of introverts. I'm a little surprised how many of my Facebook friends are self-proclaimed introverts and see themselves in those shared posts. Maybe that's why we are on Facebook and not out rallying 30 new friends we just met ten minutes ago to sing karaoke in a crowded dive bar of strangers.

I've been an introvert my entire life. In grade school, I was called "shy". As a young adult, I was "reserved". Now in my 30's, I'm a "homebody". Whatever word you like, reclusive, wall flower, restrained, solitary, demure... it all comes down to finding energy, peace and sanity in alone time.

The Huffington Post published this article by Carolyn Gregoire on the the internet on August 20, 2013 titled, "23 Signs You're Secretly an Introvert". Now as I said, it is no secret I'm an introvert, but I thought I would post their 23 points (numbered and in bold) with my commentary (in italics in between) because it is me to the last T. If you read my blog and are curious who I am, this is me.

"1. You find small talk incredibly cumbersome."

I dread small talk. I hate small talk. I find small talk tedious. I plan small talk out in my mind ahead of time. It's stressful.

Small talk is a skill I've had to put conscious effort into learning since I started as an administrator; I know I am expected to chat up the community, colleagues, and the public as part of my job. I can do it. I feel I can even be pretty good at it. I still don't like it. 

"2. You go to parties -– but not to meet people."

My favorite "parties" involve three to four other people all of whom I know and enjoy their company. Those I will go to every time. I'm not sure that counts as a party, or simply hanging out with friends.

I do go to other parties or events where it's just not possible to only have my friends there. I walk in, scan the room for those one or two people I know, and go sit there. If that's not possible, I find myself a good spot to observe and let someone else come to me.  

"3. You often feel alone in a crowd."

Frequently. Almost always at some point during a gathering I will feel like an outsider looking in. Or if I am actually alone somewhere with a bunch of others around, I don't feel part of a group, I feel alone in a crowd.

"4. Networking makes you feel like a phony."

In general, I have a business persona. My work me can network, small talk, play the host, lead the troops, whatever I need to do. But I don't feel it's the real, authentic me. It's not the me I am in my head. It's not the me the few I am close to in this world get to see. It's the public me, and it's tiring. But I am damn good at it.

"5. You've been called 'too intense.'"

Gregoire goes on to say, "Do you have a penchant for philosophical conversations and a love of thought-provoking books and movies? If so, you're a textbook introvert."

I LOVE philosophical conversations. I LOVE theoretical, in depth, analytical, dissecting conversations, especially with someone who can keep up and conceptualize beyond the pedestrian with me. (I know that doesn't sound humble, but it's true, and hard to find.) The three people I've had the longest relationships with have all been able to do that; so obviously I find the trait attractive as well. I've never been called too intense but I wouldn't be surprised if someone has thought it. This is not something I spring on every person I meet. I have to feel comfortable and on the same wavelength with someone before the conversation take such a right turn.

"6. You're easily distracted."

I live a distracted life. Even the must mundane of tasks have an ADHD quality to them when I complete them. As rational and logical as I am, I can not function in a straight line.

"7. Downtime doesn’t feel unproductive to you."

One of my absolute favorite things to do is a day at home alone in my house, playing on my laptop, watching some crime drama on TV, and browsing cooking magazines. (Notice the ADHA quality even in my downtime.) I love my house. I love to be at home enjoying my comfy couch. I love being alone with my thoughts not having my energies drained with the effort of trying to up hold a conversation. Given my nine-to-five, week-days-only job, I need one of these days at least once a weekend. I don't feel recharged and ready for another work week without it.

"8. Giving a talk in front of 500 people is less stressful than having to mingle with those people afterwards."

Statistics show the fear of public speaking is the number one fear of people, even over death. Me, I never really got that. I actually don't mind public speaking. If I am confident in what I have to say, or if I can fake it without causing a catastrophe, I'm good. Tell me 15 minutes before you want to to get up and talk, fill time, introduce someone... No problem. All good. Got it covered. Want me to go to a social gathering with 50 strangers by myself and make small talk for three hours? Um... I think I need to go home and feed my dogs.

"9. When you get on the subway, you sit at the end of the bench -– not in the middle."

Huh, interesting. I never thought of sitting in the middle of an empty bench. Do people do that?

"10. You start to shut down after you've been active for too long."

Yes. I can feel when it is coming on. I don't know if others notice, but probably; I drift away from the conversation more, daydream more, feel myself sitting back and listening more, I run out of things to add to the conversation. Sometimes it takes longer than others to wash over me, but when it does I start dreaming of being home, in my lovely, perfect house.

"11. You're in a relationship with an extrovert."

Ok, I'm not sure this one is true of me. Maybe it's because I feel like I have such a taxing career I need my little bit of down time to be with someone who is okay with being home and quiet. I really don't think I want all of my downtime filled with activity and people. I do however like to be friends with an extrovert. That can be a good way to meet other people and have some social outlet.

"12. You'd rather be an expert at one thing than try to do everything."

I do get obsessed with topics. I don't know if it means I'm looking to be an expert per se. When I do find an obsession it takes over, to the point where when I am not home researching or planning or creating, I can't wait to get back so I can indulge in those exact things.

"13. You actively avoid any shows that might involve audience participation."

I don't really go to shows, not because I'm an introvert, but just because I don't. I don't think audience participation would matter so much. It would be like public speaking, and I think I could do that.

"14. You screen all your calls -- even from friends."

Gregoire writes, "You may not pick up your phone even from people you like, but you’ll call them back as soon as you’re mentally prepared and have gathered the energy for the conversation."

Okay, I do this, but Sssshhhhh, don't tell anyone. Sometimes I even leave the ringer off on purpose just so I don't have to hear it ring. Especially when I am reveling those downtime days at home by myself in my recliner with Gardens of Time, I'm really not up for conversation. I will have to say I really like the invention of texting. It takes out some of that conversation pressure. I can answer when I like and rewrite it as many times as I like before I hit send.

"15. You notice details that others don't."

Maybe. I've never compared notes. I do think in ways others don't.

"16. You have a constantly running inner monologue."

Constantly. Every waking moment... and the sleeping ones too. 

Years ago I was seeing a therapist. She wanted me to try meditation: Light a candle, clear my mind, and just be still. I got stuck right after "Light a candle". Clearing my mind was impossible. She settled on, "Let the thoughts just flow, don't try to control them". That I can do, just let it drift all over the place. If you're ever want to know what my inner monologue sounds like, watch an episode of Big Bang Theory.

"17. You have low blood pressure."

I do have low blood pressure. And a low heart rate too.

"18. You’ve been called an “old soul” -– since your 20s."

My mother used to say when I was a child I was 8 going on 30. When I was in my 20's, I never understood 20-somethings; they were just so immature. Now that I am almost 40, I feel like my peers may be finally catching up with me.

"19. You don't feel "high" from your surroundings."

When I am at one with my surroundings I wouldn't describe it as euphoria, I would describe it as at peace. The places I connect with are not loud and boisterous and hinge on human interaction. I'm sure you've gathered that I absolutely adore my home. I feel happy and relaxed and content at home. I don't know that that counts as a sensation of "high". I also like quiet, little coffee shops, art museums, quaint bookstores. 

"20. You look at the big picture."

I do. I like the details too. I like to have it all clearly thought out and organized. But I do think having a grasp on the big picture puts everything more clearly into perspective.

"21. You've been told to 'come out of your shell.'"

I don't recall ever being told this. As a child I'm sure people thought of me as quiet and shy, until I got to know them well enough to be really comfortable. Then I wouldn't stop talking. Now as an adult, it's quite possible others may not even realize I'm introverted until I get to know them well enough to feel comfortable and not feel like I have to "perform" all the time. (And then, sometimes, I still don't stop talking.)

"22. You’re a writer."

Hello. Blog. Need I say more?

"23. You alternate between phases of work and solitude, and periods of social activity."

Oh so very true. It's a careful balancing act. If I spend too much time in my cozy little cocoon, I end up feeling like I don't have any friends or social outlet or options of things to do. If I get too overbooked between work (which for me is very social) and social activities, I feel drained. It has to be an intentional plan between time spent active and time spent rejuvenating. 

I've recently learned to be more calculating on the voluntary social activities as well. Big groups of people I don't know or may only be acquainted with one or two people take a lot of mental preparation ahead of time. They are exhausting. They don't promise a whole lot of guaranteed return. Small groups of only three or four are much more manageable even if I don't know anyone there. It's a better calculated risk.

Cheap entertainment on The Strip, Las Vegas, NV, part 2

Of our four night stay in Vegas, we spent two in the Venetian. Yes, there is that much to see and WAY more restaurants to try. But the other two nights we walked to some of the neighboring casinos. We didn't get to any of the newest casinos. They were a little farther away. And we didn't walk down to the south end. I've spent time down that direction on previous trips. 

For 115 degree weather in the summer, Vegas is surprisingly busy. Still in the evening, as the sun is waning, it is tolerable to walk down the street and see some casinos. It also makes you appreciate the invention of air conditioning when you walk into one. Once dark, the lights are very pretty and a lot of the free shows on The Strip are quite pretty. We hit up two of the popular outside displays. The third popular show at Treasure Island we missed. The crowds were just too thick to even see the Sirens of TI (Treasure Island) live action show with swash buckling pirates and girls in skimpy costumes. I'm sure it is worth the crowds but not after a long day of conferences and two cocktails with dinner. In those circumstances bed is the best offer around.

The volcano "show" outside in front of the Mirage is full of fire and steam and beating drums. The whole pond erupts in flames. The crowds are pretty deep there too, but the display is above most peoples heads so it is easy enough to see. The volcano comes alive every night on the hour.

Volcano eruption outside of the Mirage Casino 

Volcano display outside of the Mirage

The famous fountains outside of the Bellagio light up every 15 minutes in the evenings. They change the program and music periodically. I'm not sure how often but I know I have seen the fountains dance to Singing in the Rain in the past. This night was something else, a classical song I can't name. It's breath-taking display with canon sounds like fireworks as the powerful, tall fountains blast into the air.  The whole thing made me want to watch Oceans Elevens (the George Clooney version). In fact, after arriving home from my week in Vegas, I did just that, relax on the couch and watch Oceans Eleven, seeing if I could recognize any of the locations and think "Oh! I was standing there."

Fountain show in front of the Bellagio

The fountain show at the Bellagio with its neighbors across the street in the background, Bally's and Paris. 

The inside of the Bellagio was an impressive sight. As in part 1, I really liked the Venetian. It's big with lots to see and they do a good job making it luxurious, varied, and enjoyable. The same can be said for the Bellagio on a slightly smaller scale. Still, it has the fancy stores, the beautiful decor, and the free entertainment. In Bellagio's case the entertainment falls more in the realm of things to see rather than free mini-shows.

In the guest check-in area, look up. The ceiling is covered in a vibrant glass sculpture looking like giant jellyfish floating overhead. It is called Fiori di Como by Dale Chihuly. The picture does not do it justice. Near the lobby is a conservatory with seasonal floral displays. It's peaceful and colorful. There is a little house on one side filled with little canaries and other small birds living comfortably with flowers and birdbaths. 

Fiori di Como in the Bellagio lobby

The conservatory inside of the Bellagio

Giant flower fountain in the conservatory

Oh no, scary giant bird and birdhouse.

Like the Venetian, the Bellagio has a number of upscale stores for retail therapy. One Wonka-esque store is worth spending some time window shopping (or buying if you are not taking the free Vegas challenge like we did). This chocolaterie is called Jean Philippe Patisserie and oh! it is a chocolate lovers dream. They sell crepes and chocolate creations to nibble. But the best parts are the displays. The large center piece above the heads of the crepe-makers is all handmade cake and chocolate goodness. The chocolate woman is life-sized. The back and side walls house glass cases demonstrating their cake-decorating skills.

The chocolate waterfall in the front window makes viewers sure that Willy must be in the back room somewhere. The chocolate fountain holds the Guinness Book of World Records' distinction of being the tallest chocolate fountain in the world at 26 feet 3 inches. The chocolate cycles at 120 quarts per minute.

Life-sized chocolate woman on display at Jean Philippe Patisserie

Chocolate Waterfall, as Wonka said, "No other factory in the world mixes its chocolate by waterfall. But it's the only way if you want it just right."

One of the many cakes on display. Other themes included Toy Story, black and white floral designs, shoe shopping, ballerina... All of them too pretty to eat,