Comfort Food!

Perfect Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

Comfort food! Something that is different for all of us but it gives us the same warm, safe feelings. Comfort foods are consumed to positively pique emotions, to relieve negative psychological effects, or to increase positive feelings. Lately I have been eating more comfort food then usual. I don't know if it is just being subjected to the rainy day or much cooler weather I have had to acclimate to but I just can’t get enough of the classic foods I grew up on. Lately I have been eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chicken potpies, and for little mid-night snack of pretzels and eat red vines. These foods remind of my father and home.

Midnight Snack

The potpie is just a Midwest kind of meal that reminds me of home. There is nothing better then a pie with all the things you need for a complete meal. Meat, potatoes, gravy, and warm flaky crust will warm any one up on a cold day. If you don’t have the time or money for a potpie there is always the trusty PB and J sandwich. My dad makes it the best but when he isn’t around I settle for mine. This sandwich is almost impossible to mess up but I think my family has perfected it. You have to lightly toast the bread so that the peanut butter is just so slightly melted and lightly spread the jelly so you don’t break the bread. This sandwich paired with a glass of milk can’t be beat. As far as my mid-night snack goes in the Klotz family you better hide your snack good during the day because there is nothing you can do to stop Papa Klotz from eating a whole bag of both the red vines and pretzels in one sitting. With all of this talk about home I think it might be time to plan a trip home and get some real comfort food from my two favorite cooks, my Mom and Dad.

Dad with this favorite pie (cherry)

Goodbye Sunshine, Hello Rainy day!

Pikes Open Market 

So my time in Hawaii has come to an end and I have moved to a city outside Seattle called Tacoma. I am now stationed at JBLM and looking forward to ending my military career. My hope is to figure out what the next major goals for my life will be through food, fun, and education. So bring it on Seattle! I want to spend a lot of time exploring the Northwest and take advantage of the amazing food and liberal laid back lifestyle.

Chihuly Glass Museum

Fish Market

veggie delight!

            Hale'iwa Eats! A Thai Restaurant located on the North Shore, is a perfect place to spend your saturday evening. A B.Y.O.B hipster restaurant set in the heart of Hale'iwa, a block away from the beach with at atmosphere great for large groups or dinner for two. The portions are large family size so sharing is caring! The food is fresh and clean making everything easy to try. One of the more traditional dishes is the peanut pad thai noodles. It is my favorite and keep me coming back every few weeks for the amazing atmosphere and food!

Zombieland!

The State Fair! 

There is something magical about a State Fair! I couldn't believe how lucky I felt that night! It was like I was in a movie and one of two things were going to happen...Zombies attack or I was going to wake up the next morning eight years old.  Either way it would have been the best night I have had in Hawaii! What could possibly be better than riding the Zipper, eating Funnel Cake, and playing games impossible to win!? I have know idea, that's why I was happy to find out that the Fair would be around the whole month of June. I can't wait to go back and try a deep fried twinkly! (and to see if the Zombies ever attack)

 

BEEF!! It's what's for dinner!

 This is a plate full of memories! As I sat down to devoured this amazing cut of Prime Rib I couldn't help but think of the people who introduced me to the wonderful world of beef! I thought about my grandmothers slow careful cooking and going to Amy VanRens', dad's house. Bob VanRens is the King of Beef himself! A grill master, who loved spoiling Amy and I with the best steaks money can buy. I also thought about  vacations with my Aunt Diane who always let me order the  nicest cut of beef on the menu. And my latest memory would have to be what I like to call "The Last Supper". Last time I was home my closest friends and I went to a Supper Club and ate the best Prime Rib Wisconsin cattle have to offer. I can say that was one of the best nights we have all had in years.  I am so spoiled to be able to appreciate this food and tonight was no exception. As I scraped my plate I could help but be so thankful for every bite. 

 I like to call this picture "The Aftermath"

BEST DAY OF THE WEEK

BEST DAY OF THE WEEK: SUNDAY!

For the past few Sundays I have been going to the farmer's market in Hale'iwa. It runs every Sunday from 9am-1pm and has been my first great discovery in Hawaii. I love the feeling of being around people who love what they are doing in life. The market is filled with farmers, fishermen, soap makers, artist, and cooks. There is an assortment of food stands mixed in with people selling good. Everything is hand/home made or grown. It feels wonderful to spend my money on something other than corporate America.

My first trip to the farmers market I was taken straight to the food stand that sold Pastels. If I could compare this it would probably be the Brazilian version of a "Hot Pocket". I know what you are thinking...hot pocket!! But it is nothing like the freezer burn, microwavable hot pocket it is a complete upgrade! Pastel's are a wonderful fried pastry filled with either sweet or savory deliciousness. The Pastel stand is ran by a Brazilian couple who have been making this food in there family for year and are bringing home to Hawaii and letting us all get a taste. The Pastel dough is made by the Mrs. (it is a cross between puff pastry and pasta dough). The dough is flattened and cut in 2 inch by 4 inch rectangles and piled high with an assortment for ingredients and covered with another sheet of pastel dough that has been sprayed with water. She then presses the two pieces of dough together with an edged cement or tile trowel and hands off the delicate creation to her husband. He then fries the Pastel in a wok for 3-5 min. until both sides are golden brown. After being towel dried the Pastel is cut in half and placed in a brown bag and ready to be devoured. There are a total of six different Pastel's that you can order. Four of them are savory and two of them sweet. I have only tried two of the savory but from the line of people waiting I am sure that  all of them will satisfy any one's hunger. (3-5 people at a time)

The two Pastel's that I tried were the fan favorites. The Margherita and the Chicken Pastel. Both of these were so juicy and delicious. The Pastel's outside is light and crispy locking in all the cheesy wonderful flavors inside. The Margherita Pastel uses shredded mozzarella, red ripe cherry tomatoes that burst with flavor from being heated, and the freshest basil. This is the most ordered and after trying it I can tell why. The Chicken Pastel is one of my favorites because of how juicy the chicken is. It is roasted and I can taste the simple ingredients that make it what it is (salt, pepper, and long slow cooking). The chicken is then mixed with corn that gives it a little extra sweet juicy flavor after being heated. All of that mixed with cheddar cheese leaves your mouth wanting just one more bite. Today I had to order two because one was just not enough to satisfy my taste buds. I recommend this to anyone not only for the amazing atmosphere but simple tasty food. Sunday has become my new favorite day of the week and I find myself waiting for the weekend to pass so I can spend an afternoon doing what I love....eating!!