From Bette Midler to Beef Chili

I still continually dream about living in Manhattan, particularly the West Village. I know it's an old dream, conjured from daydreams when I was younger that were never really based on reality. But despite those who tell me it would not be worth it, I still haven't completely let go. After seeing Beaches as a child (yes, bear with me here) I dreamed about a life packed into an apartment just like C.C. Bloom's clanky, cramped struggling artist pad, the lights of the city beaming outside my window.  

It seemed so romantic at the time. 

So, logically I understand what I have right now is much better, and I need not base my adult life on a sappy chick flick (though definitely one of the better ones, just under Steel Magnolias), but let me still cling on to my dream for the time being. I do, however, appreciate it when friends and family come up to Astoria and remind me just how much I have been taking my fairly new neighborhood for granted, as they become awed by the amount of bakeries and fruit markets and old-school butchers (goat and pig carcasses hanging right in the window, not my favorite) that they pass on a walk down 30th avenue or up by Ditmars. These shops, speckling both main avenues and side streets, make for a cozy feel.

Dana and I outside a bakery on Ditmars. Unsure as to why I wore spandex. 

photo by denverette. 

Denverette chooses pastries at one of the many Astoria bakeries. 

This cozy feeling has consequently spread right into my own apartment. It's triggered a desire for frequent guests and has especially provoked a passion for cooking. I only have to walk by the fruit stands to be inspired lately. The markets on 30th avenue carry fruits and veggies that I have never even seen before, and are displayed in beautiful, colorful rows. Asian pears, miniature apples, and chocolate tomatoes--none of these had ever crossed my path until moving to Astoria. 

photo by denverette

For Christmas, my sister Suzanne gave me a crock pot, which I used for the first time last weekend. Making use of some of these wonderful vegetables, I followed a recipe for Chunky Beef and Black Bean Chili from Woman's Day Slow Cooking magazine. I am new to slow cooking. (I am also new to purchasing anything of the Woman's Day line...) My mother never used one--in fact I know of no one in my family who has ever used one. Perhaps its just an Italian thing--the crock pot seems a bit quaint for the household in which I grew up. However, I have fallen in love with it, not only because of its delicious melding of flavors but its convenience of letting it be while I'm away. And with the winter weather, crock pot food is warm and comforting, and best of all, there is nothing better than the apartment smelling flavorful for hours at a time. 

The chili came out surprisingly well for my first attempt. It could have been a little spicier, so next time I may add some jalapenos. The recipe called for ancho peppers, which I knew would not be available at Key Foods. However, lo and behold, my favorite market (Elliniki Agora Fruit and Vegetable) had pablano peppers, the non-dried version of the ancho, so I improvised. The recipe also called for the addition of a pepper/cilantro blended mixture to add to the chili towards the end, which gave it a great taste and has inspired me to make better use of the blender.

Because I am unable to find the recipe online, I will post the recipe in the next entry, with some of my cooking commentary.