SF Weekly's Weed Takes Root

  
The S. Kitchen brings people together around food to connect, celebrate, and chow. It is about cuisine, camaraderie, and conversation. The core of these events are friends and family. Sure, we eat, but we also transform a space (right now my home) into something more than just walls. It is a space of love, laughter, and liberation.

John and I have been very intentional in how create this space. It looks effortless, but that supposes no physical or mental exertion. And that is most definitely not the case. In fact, it is full of effort.

Effort from the Latin is the combination of ex- "out" and fortis "strong". Therefore, when I read this week's SF Weekly article "Weed Takes Root", I thought "I better let people know about this and how it relates to the S. Kitchen."

You see... The S. in The S. Kitchen stands for "stoner". Now, I know many of you are not really shocked by that. You may even be one. But I haven't actually addressed the real intention behind effortfully making this about stoners (even though John doesn't even smoke). The reason is simple: to change public opinion about a supposed "drug", we need to be "out" and "strong" about our personal usage. The S. Kitchen is a place to be out and strong. And you don't even have to be a stoner to get behind that.

I have been a stoner for almost 12 years. It has changed my life for the better. Sure, it's easy to brush that off and dismiss it as typical of an addict or alcoholic to say, but that is only looking at a pattern not at the quality of life.

I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 21. It was something that always got in the way. Sure, lots of people have it and they function perfectly fine in the world. For some of us, not so much. In fact, my inability to pay attention directly resulted in going to two different colleges, flunking out of one and bailing on the other. I just couldn't keep it together to stay in school.

I dabbled with pot when I was in Minnesota and at school at Antioch. It was just a recreational thing every now and again. I had fun with it at parties or at bars, but that was about it. Then, I moved to San Francisco and found something different.

My ADHD diagnosis happened when I was home for two weeks before moving from Antioch College (in Ohio) to San Francisco. The doctor prescribed me Adderol, and then I hopped on a plane. A few days later after settling in to my new surroundings I decided to start my medication. I was up for three whole days. That may sound like a great time, but I love sleep. So I had to quit my medication.

I didn't have insurance or a doctor, so there was no way to get other medication. My head spun and spun and spun. All of the pent up hyperactivity kept threatening to eat away at any semblance of peace and quiet. At home alone, I felt like I was on speed even when I was completely sober. It made doing almost anything to completion impossible.

My occasional usage started increasing out of pure indulgence. Hell, I was 21, queer, and in San Francisco. Who wouldn't indulge? But things started slowly changing over time. I noticed that when I woke up in the morning, I could actually focus for a longer period of time. The voices that kept pestering me as I tried to fall asleep quieted. Sure they weren't silent, but I could tune them out. The nervous energy that made me zip from corner to corner would subside after a puff. Once again, it didn't go away completely, but it did make being me more manageable.

And I found a community of stoners. These people, these friends and family, are a unique bunch. Here is some of what I have noticed:

• generosity
• kindness
• love
• openness 
• dreams
• love
• an ability to think differently
• munchies
• love 
• slowness (as opposed to laziness)
• green, green, and more green
• love
• laughter and humor
• compassion
• love

Now, this doesn't go for all stoners. There certainly are slackers out there. But in my experience those actually are far and few between. We get a bad rap thanks to Pineapple Express, Up in Smoke, Harlod and Kumar, but some of the hardest working teachers, grocers, librarians, artists, writers, business people, techies, youth workers I know are stoners. And a lot of times it is something that is kept in the shadows or whispered outside circles for fear of what revealing being a stoner might do to a career.

That fear is understandable. We live in a society that has many negative perceptions of drugs, alcohol, and sex. But the tides are turning. SF Weekly's "Weed Takes Root" chronicles the shift not only in perception but also policy.

The Stoner's Kitchen is my attempt at helping continue this shift one meal, one conversation, one family at a time.

Cuisine: Carrot Pear Gingerbread

I bought some pears today that smelled amazing and were incredibly ripe. I was eager to have them tomorrow as a snack or part of my lunch. They were in the bag with other vegetables for dinner and ended up getting crushed. I, too, was crushed. So I ended up making up this tasty dessert instead.

***
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground clove

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup molasses, dark

3/4 c boiling water

1 stick butter, softened and sliced

3/4 cup brown sugar, dark

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 carrots, shredded

2 pears, pealed, cored and sliced

1 tablespoon ginger, crushed

***

Directions

Heat oven to 350.

In a bowl sift together flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

In a separate bowl, whisk together molasses, water, and butter. Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

Add flour mixture to molasses mixture and combine. Slowly fold in carrots, pears, and ginger until fully mixed together.

Pour batter into a 9X9 buttered pan. Bake for 45-55 minutes.

Stories from the Recipe Box

        
What does your recipe box say about you? That is the premise of Utne Reader's article "Uncovering the Past Through Recipes". It is a great question to ask. I actually did two winters ago when I visited my grandparents in Arizona. My granny has an old recipe box and a binder of recipes she's made throughout the years. It speaks of Swedish and German ancestry, 1950's white middle class foods, and lot's of love. I even copied recipes for classic Swedish Potato Sausage, rosettes, and crispy rolls (the latter of which I still can't make...Dang baking).

Collecting recipes and stories here at The S. Kitchen, I wonder what it says about me. My collection is a weird amalgamation of cuisines from around the world. It boasts lots of spicy flavors, and pork seems to be a key ingredient. And the format isn't your typical recipe box. It's not about secret recipes and ingredients. It is about sharing, connecting, and loving through food.

Please let me know your thoughts and stories about your families cooking traditions or the recipes posted here. It is always a pleasure to hear from you dear readers and friends.

"Uncovering the Past Through Recipes"

Cuisine: Spicy Veggie Chili

This just came together. I started cooking not knowing what I was about to prepare only that I wanted something with...even that I wasn't sure of. I selected an onion and looked at it. It looked lonely, so I added another. Then, the soyrizo, carrots, jalapenos, and garlic said "eat me", and the jar of pepperocinis and the half eaten bag of frozen corn said "finish me". I had a lone can of El Tapo tomato sauce sitting on my shelf and one can of diced tomatoes. They seemed as lonely as the onions and seemed a very fitting companion to these other fine flavors. I looked at the simmering stew, and it looked almost naked. Something was missing. I opened the cabinet and there it was. One last can of white beans. Perfecto! This spicy veggie chili was born. And with it a new recipe to pass along.

***
Ingredients
3 to 4 T olive oil
2 onions, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 can diced jalapeno
5 cloves garlic, diced
1 soyrizo
1/3 jar pepperocini including garlic cloves, diced
1 can El Tapo Tomato Sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn
salt
pepper

Directions
Heat two tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the onion and saute for five minutes. Add carrots and saute for another five minutes. Turn heat down to medium high and saute for another five minutes. Add the jalapeno and garlic and saute for five minutes. Add the rest of the oil and add the soyrizo. Fry for fifteen minutes. Add the pepperocini and saute for five minutes. Add the tomato sauce and entire can of tomatoes and bring to a boil. Add the corn and beans. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for about 45 minutes. Serve with your favorite starch.

This was served with Orzo Casserole from Epicurean.

Cuisine: Macaroni and Cheese

I love Macaroni and Cheese. Any kind really. from the Kraft box to the custard-style to the boiled pasta and some olive oil and parmesan cheese kind. There is one particular recipe that I make for holidays. It costs about $100 to make and makes enough for about 20 people. It is filled with a dozen eggs, pounds and pounds of cheese, and enough calories, cholesterol, sodium, and fat to give you an immediate heart attack, stroke, and diabetes all at once. That is why I only make it for special occasions.


That said, it is a very custardy mac and cheese. Heck, it has a dozen eggs. My husband prefers the creamy kind. So this holiday, I obliged and created a NEW mac and cheese recipe. It is way creamier, cheaper, and more complex (in taste not making). Here it is as a new years gift to ya'll.

***
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package of elbow macaroni
9 TBSP butter
1 onion, finely diced
6 cloves garlic
1 cup shredded extra sharp Cheddar cheese (Tillamook preferably)
1/2 cup shredded gouda
1/2 cup Pepper Jack cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
8 ounces cubed processed cheese food (Velveta preferably)
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups half and half

Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

While the water is boiling, in a small covered saucepan add the butter, diced onion, and garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent (about 10 minutes). Add butter, onions, and garlic to cooked macaroni and stir.

While the macaroni is still hot, mix in the processed cheese food and stir until combined.

In a large bowl, combine all the shredded cheeses, salt, and spices. Mix well. Set aside 1/2 cup.

Beat the egg and half and half together. Set aside.

Add the half and half/egg mixture and the cheese and spice mixture to the macaroni. Stir until combined.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a deep 2 1/2 quart casserole dish, and pour macaroni and cheese into it. Top with 1/2 cup of the cheese mixture you set aside.

Bake in preheated over for 45 minutes or until hot and bubbling around the edges. Cool and serve.