Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Chile Rellenos

You GOTTA love chile rellenos. And if you don't know what they are, you should: The chile relleno, literally "stuffed chile", is a dish of Mexican cuisine that originated in the city of Puebla. It consists of a roasted fresh poblano pepper (a mild chili pepper named after the city of Puebla), some times substituted with non-traditional Hatch Green Chile, Anaheim, pasilla or even jalapeño chili pepper. It is stuffed with a melting cheese, such as queso Chihuahua or queso Oaxaca (traditionally), or picadillo meat made of diced pork, raisins, and nuts, seasoned with canella; covered in an egg batter or simply corn masa flour, and fried. It is often served in a tomato sauce. The sauce varies widely. There are versions in Mexico using rehydrated dry chiles such as anchos or pasillas. (Courtest of wikipedia.org)

A few years ago, I had a life changing experience -- I ordered the chile rellenos at Gonzalez Y Gonzalez at the New York New York in Vegas. Make the effort next time you're in Vegas. You won't regret it. The chiles are huge. The cheese is abundant. The batter (which can really make or break the dish) is the perfect consistency and flavor. And the sauce just tops it off perfectly.

Since then, I've been on a quest to find some great chile rellenos in SLC, but nothing really compares. Here are my critiques and ratings out of 5 stars:

Red Iguana -- Soggy batter and the sauce has a weird aftertaste. **

Morelias -- Very good. Perfect texture of batter. Yummy tomato sauce. ****

Tios -- Batter has a nice flavor, but is kind of soggy. Sauce is too salty. ***

Guadalahonkies -- Cool because you can choose from many different sauces. The "Colorado" was nice and spicy. But there was hardly any cheese inside, and no batter (?). ***

Tres Hombres -- The batter was way too "eggy". At least it had a lot of cheese. I could take or leave the sauce. **

Crockpot recipe -- Too soggy and had a weird texture. *

I would love some suggestions of good chile rellenos in town!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Random Facts About Me

I doubt anyone will read this. It's more for me to look back at in 10 years and laugh! (Thanks for letting me steal this from your blog, Wendy.)

Birth date: October 14, 1983 (Libra pride!)

Height: 5'4'' (that's why I wear heels nearly every day)

Eye color: Blueish-gray

Hair color: Real color=?, Current color=red/auburn

What does your name mean: Trisha=noble, Hepworth=home high on a hill, Reynolds=brave
councilor

High school graduation year: 2001

Favorite TV shows: Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, The Office, South Park, American's Next Top Model, Project Runway, The Biggest Loser, Rescue Me, Nip/Tuck, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, So You Think You Can Dance, Weeds


What's on your mousepad: U of U Alumni Association

In the car- ac or windows: Windows, until it's about 90 oustide

Do you believe in yourself: 95% of the time

Favorite game: Ticket To Ride, Compatibility

Favorite drink: Beer, coffee, diet Coke


Favorite food: CHEESE, nachos, Greek, Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern

Favorite colors: Black, purple, green

Favorite sounds: Music, laughing

Favorite smell: Fruity stuff, spicy stuff, good-smelling-boy-smells

Favorite thing to do on a weekend: Read, sleep in, catch up on Tivo, go out to restaurants/bars with my husband, attend sporting events

Favorite soundtrack: Cocktail, Sound of Music, Dirty Dancing

First thought in the morning: Can I get away with a few more minutes of sleep?

Do you get motion sickness: No, thank God.

Rollercoasters- deadly or exciting: Love them!

How many rings before you answer the phone: My phone doesn't ring -- it plays a different song depending on who calls.

Are you a good friend: Depends if I really like you or not.

Chocolate or Vanilla cake: Vanilla with cream cheese frosting.

What do you drive: 2009 Nissan Rogue (just got it and love it!)


Do you sleep with a stuffed animal: Nope

Thunderstorms cool or scary: Cool as long as they don't happen too often.

What do you wear to bed: Shorts and a tanktop if I'm feeling fat, nothing if I'm feeling sexy ;
)

Guys- If a girl ever asked you for the shirt on your back, would you give it to her?

Girls- Would you ever ask a guy for his shirt? No that sounds dumb.

If you could dye your hair one color, what would it be: I've been thinking about going back blonde.

If you could have a tattoo, what and where would it be: I really want to get one this year! Some type of book or a stack of books, and probably on my foot.

Favorite brand of gum: Extra Spearmint (the green package)

What's on your walls in your room: A picture frame jewelry box, a big clock, and a contemporary art piece.

When y
ou meet a person of the opposite sex, you notice their: Eyes and hair

What's under your bed: Plastic bins storing Joe's extra shoes

Who do you have a big crush on right now: Kate Walsh

Nickname: Shisha

Favorite Salad Dressing: Balsamic from The Bayou, ginger from Benihana, and ranch from Cafe Rio


One pillow or two: one

Pets: none. Ick.

Favorite Movies: The Sound of Music, Dirty Dancing, Good Will Hunting, Memoirs
of a Geisha, Kill Bill 1&2, Overboard, The Hangover

Favorite type of music: Seems like my favorites fit one of the following criteria -- lesbians or foreign (or both) -- Brandi Carlile, Regina Spektor, Amy Winehouse, Gabriella Cilmi, Shakira, Tegan & Sara, Duggy, Kate Nash, Adele, Kings of Leon, La Roux, Florence + The Machine, Paolo Nutini, The Kooks

Hobbies: Reading, sleeping, TV, eating, drinking beer, trying new restaurants, sporting events, Sudoku, cooking, browing online, Facebook (sad but true), biking

Piercing or tattoos: 7 in my ears and 1 in my bellybutton

Do you get along with your parents: Not lately. It's an ongoing struggle.

Favorite song at the moment: "Rabbit Heart" by Florence + The Machine

Favorite Holiday: All of October -- my birthday, my husband's birthday, our anniversary, time for fall clothes, AND the World Series!

Were you named after anyone: some client in the database at my mom's work (health insurance company)

When was the last time you cried: Couple days ago when I heard about Steph's baby JJ maybe moving to another family.

Do you like your handwriting: Yes

What is your favorite lunch meat: Mesquite smoked turkey

Do you have kids: Not yet.

If you were another person, would you be friends with yourself: Yes, I'm fun!

Do you use sarcasm: Never ;)

Do you still have your tonsils: Yes, but I would REALLY like to get them taken out

Would you bungee jump: Already done it. Overrated.

What is your favorite cereal: Something peanut butter, sadly

Do you untie your shoes when you take them off: No

Do you think you are strong: Physically - no. Mentally - yes.

What is your favorite ice cream: I don't really like ice cream, but if I have to choose, I'll say Chubby Hubby.

Red or pink: Both!

What is the least favorite thing about yourself: Being lazy and unmotivated sometimes.

Who do you miss the most: Stephany!

What color shoes are you wearing: None right now

What was the last thing you ate: BMT from Subway

What are you listening to right now: Waiting for the Sox/Yankees game to get over the stupid rain delay

Who was the last person you talked to on the phone: My mom

Mountain hideaway or beach house: Beach house

Favorite sports to watch: Baseball

Do you wear contacts: Yes, but I hate them. I really want Lasik but I don't qualify b/c my retinas are too thin.

Scary movies or happy endings: Neither -- I like REAL endings

Last movie you watched: Bread & Tulips

What color shirt are you wearing: Lime green

Summer or winter: Summer

Hugs or kisses: Kisses

Favorite dessert: A cheese plate

Strength training or cardio: Cardio (bike)

Computer or television: Both at the same time!

What book are you reading now: The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson (love it!)

Rolling Stones or Beatles: Both!

What is the farthest you have been from home: Spain

Where were you born: St Mark's Hospital in SLC

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Pornography

Today I'm at the 31st Annual Troubled Youth Conference. I'm at a very interesting breakout session about current research on pornography and how it affects our clients. Here's something for you to think about.
"David" by Michaelangelo

Is this pornography?


Would you be comfortable with you 4 year old seeing it? How about your 8 year old? 12 year old? 16 year old?

Would you have this statue in your home? What if your coworker had a picture of it in his/her office? Should it be shown at school as part of art history education?

What if your teenage son had it for the screensaver on his computer or cell phone?