January 4th 2013 Posted By Emily Comments ( )

BBQ Baked Black Eyed Peas

My Christmas tree is gone. 2012 is gone. Not gone, but in the books. It was a great tree. It was a great year. Do we ever take the time to think about how great that all was, or do we just focus on what’s coming up next? The other day, I was excitedly focused on writing up a new list of goals in my new notebook for 2013, and Kismat stopped me and told me to reflect on 2012 first. Not just the goals that I successfully completed (by the way, I was super successful), but on the whole year. My whole year. What did I think about it all?

I started with the goals. Last year was the first year of my life that I made any at all. Definitely the first year of my life that I made true “New Year’s Resolutions.” I had a list, and I kept it nearby through the whole year, and I looked at it a lot. I checked off more than half of it. Run a marathon- check! Hike a 14er- check! Pay off credit card- check! I was surprised how proud of it all I was. When I made the goals, they were just silly goals that I knew wouldn’t mean anything to me once they were completed, and they definitely wouldn’t mean anything to anyone else. They were all just selfish. Who cares if I do things? And if no one else cares, why should I? So thinking about those thoughts, I really don’t know why or how I was able to check off so many. I’m glad I did though.

One thing I was amazed about was how many other people really did care about my accomplishments. So many people were impressed with me. My best friend even sent me a present for completing the marathon. Another thing was how impressed I was with myself. I was proud of me all year for a bunch of different things. I was self-motivated to complete things (rare form for this girl), and I had a lot of fun doing it. I don’t feel like anything I did changed my whole life, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to do more. That was a shocker. My goals opened up more goals that I added to the list as the year went on (hiking a 14er wasn’t originally on the list, for instance), and encouraged my people to make goals of their own. This year, I am responsible for the goals lists of four people that didn’t even make lists last year.

Other than goal-completion, my favorite parts of last year were witnessing new experiences of others. I got to see a lot from Wes- his first (grueling) backpacking trip, his excitement over registers existing on mountain tops, his first lead climb. I also got to see a lot from Aimee. This pregnancy was the first any of us had experienced in such detail, and then it was twins! These were the smallest little people we’d ever seen, held, fed. I felt the same about others’ new experiences as they seemed to about mine. New experiences are cool, and the more the better.

It really was an incredible year, and I feel very very fulfilled. I wonder if every year is this good, though. Every day even. We just forget? We just don’t pay attention? I have a whole new list of goals this year that I’m excited to take on.They are fun (go dancing with everyone), challenging (CA Triathlon!), and who knows what other kinds of things will come from them. And in the end, I’m most excited to reflect.

Reflecting back on New Year’s Day (since we weren’t speedy enough to get this recipe out beforehand), these mega-lucky black-eyed peas were the best ones I’ve ever had. If you make them before the week is out, I’m sure the universe will grandfather you in to that lucky stuff.

November 19th 2012 Posted By Emily Comments ( )

Corn Dog Cake

This is it. The best thing since Bacon Wrapped Smores. Corndog cake.

I guess this recipe came about around the same time I started obsessing about the Snackster I found in my kitchen. I realized the appliance had very similar effects to the pie irons we received last Christmas, and decided it was time we finally started experimenting with the things. (I know what you’re thinking- “bacon wrapped smores? snackster? pie irons!? What are these things!?” so its a good thing I put links to them all).

My first genius move was a spaghetti sandwich- leftover spaghetti and mozzarella stuffed inside parmesan garlic bread. The bread is sealed on the edges and the rest of it basically turns into a pie crust. It is so great. I submitted this recipe to the monthly contest on pieiron.com, but haven’t yet heard back. I wanted to post that one first, or maybe Mai-yan’s pie-ironed puff pastry Caprese Sandwich. But then we figured this one out, and it had to be first.

Anyway, make your cornbread batter at home, and expect to add a little extra moisture to it just before baking. We lined our pie irons with foil, but you could just spray yours with cooking oil. (By the way, cooking spray is the secret to camping- why did it take us until this weekend to figure that one out?!) Start with a generous heap of cornbread batter, and then nestle slices of hot dog into it. Try to get as many dog slices in there as you can. Pour on the BBQ sauce, cover the whole thing with more batter, close up the pie iron, and bake over marshmallow-perfect embers. The whole thing should come out as a handy enclosed hand pie package, and it should taste like your favorite corn dog. These also make great cold leftovers for breakfast.

If you don’t have a pie iron, it’s a worthy investment, but I can imagine this working as a full cake cooked in a dutch oven or cast iron skillet as well. We also made traditional corn dogs on a stick, and that worked just fine. We wrapped them in foil while roasting.

A quick note: We camped in Joshua Tree this weekend. Before we left, we were told it would be 30 mph winds and under 55 degrees during the day. That always makes it hard to stay motivated to want to leave your snuggly home, but push through it. You’ll never regret it, and the coldest, miserablest camping trips usually turn out to be the most memorable and positive experiences of your life.

In reality, it snowed a few flakes this weekend, which was a friend’s first experience with falling snow, there was no wind at all, and I can’t remember the last time I saw so many stars.

November 6th 2012 Posted By Emily Comments ( )

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

When it rains, it pours. And the wind blows and it snows and the full moon comes out, and so do babies! Aimee hatched her teenies on Tuesday night, October 30, at 6:31pm and 6:32pm, only one minute apart. The girl, 5lbs 6oz, came first, keeping with our recently realized family tradition of older sisters. Then the boy, 4lbs 13oz was next. They are in the NICU waiting on their lungs to catch up since they were a little early, but they’re doing great and are the cutest things any of us have ever seen. None of us have had any newborns around, so its been quite an experience.

I can understand why they’d want to show up during such an exciting week (Frankenstorm, Cyclone Nilam, full moon, Halloween), but I have to admit I was a little frustrated to hear of their arrival. I specifically told those kids to stay in there until at least Wednesday. I was on a work trip and had gotten my first cold in who knows how long. Aimee had been requesting the same thing, as she was very excited for a pregnant lady Halloween costume this year (options were: plumber with beer belly, the earth, or a giant boob). Figures they were in there giggling and plotting to mess up our plans from the beginning. Aimee ended up being a hospital patient for Halloween, and I had to wait until Thursday to meet them. We spent a lot of time this week discussing names. Aimee and Kismat were planning to wait until next Tuesday (the last possible day), but the family did a great job of encouraging speediness by coming up with some lovely nicknames (Roger, Bob and Marla, Angton and Bington). The decision was finally made today.

Asha Leona

Ravi James

I may still call them Angton and Bington, but I think their real names are perfect. We can’t wait until they come home. Until we can hold them and watch their personalities grow. Until we can go on their first hikes and then camping trips. Until we can start feeding them all sorts of interesting new foods. This is a very exciting new chapter for all of us, and for Dirty Gourmet.

As a side note, Mai-Yan baked these Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins before coming to the hospital and they were such a hit with all of Aimee’s visitors that we thought we should share the recipe. It’s from the 30 Day Vegan Challenge book by Colleen Patrick Goodreau.

September 28th 2012 Posted By Emily Comments ( )

Garlicky Lima Bean Spread

Aimee gave me Wes the cookbook, Vegan Soul Kitchen by the amazing guy Bryant Terry for his birthday. We got into a rut this summer due to a broken air conditioner and refused to cook anything but salad. The book was put away until recently, but is now getting the large amount of use that it deserves.

I’ve not had an easy time satisfying my need for good ol’ southern cookin out here in the west. You know my frustration with locating favorites like grits, and now that I have a vegan boyfriend, I gave up and thought it was just impossible. The Vegan Soul Kitchen cookbook has changed my attitude. The nicest thing about it is that it doesn’t rely on all the overprocessed fake foods. He uses things like coconut oil and homemade almond milk (which doesn’t sound that difficult to make).

Along with grits, I love lima beans. They were one of those things you were told to hate as a kid, so I avoided them for a while. When I found out what I was missing, I cooked them all the time, spreading their deliciousness throughout college. Lima beans aren’t any easier to find out here than grits. Not even frozen. I found some dried the other day, and asked Aimee to help me ready them for dinner. She lives in a household of about 15, so she soaked and cooked the entire package, and I was stuck with a pile that seemed to grow every time I ate some. I found this Garlicky Lima Bean Spread recipe in my new cookbook, and the rest of the lima beans disappeared into bellies instantly.

The spread is like a hummus, and very good on sandwiches or with crackers or hunks of bread. It calls for a lot of garlic, and didn’t taste like enough when the spread was still warm, so I added more. It got a lot garlickier after chilling, though, so go with the amount listed. This is a great make-at-home food to take on your next camping trip, or you could definitely try making the whole thing in a dutch oven over a fire if you’re out for a long trip with a lot of people.

September 12th 2012 Posted By Emily Comments ( )

Barton Flats Campground

Are you from the LA area? Did you go to Barton Flats when you were a kid? Or with your kids? Most of you did- and for good reason. Its a beautiful and very accessible place that offers lots of activities suited for anyone.

When I worked at High Trails Outdoor Science School, I lived right next to Barton Flats. I always knew it was summer when I’d hike along the ridge at sunset and see all the campfires burning below. After moving to Redlands, we’d still go up to Barton Flats if we needed a quick overnighter or a hike. The Santa Ana River Trail hugs the campground and goes down into the valley, and Jenks Lake is just across the highway if you like to fish or canoe. You can also easily get to the South Fork Trailhead if you’re interested in a long and gorgeous hike up to the top of San Gorgonio Mountain- the highest peak in Southern California. There are ranger programs during the summertime at the adjacent Greyback Amphitheater. I saw one on astronomy and we got to look at Jupiter’s moons through a powerful telescope and watched the MIR Space Station fly by.

My favorite time to visit Barton Flats starts now (after Labor Day), when the crowds go away. The weather is a perfect 70-80 degrees in the daytime, while we’re usually stuck with a hot Indian Summer down at sea level. The Barton Flats Campground usually stays open until around Thanksgiving, so you can enjoy the entire transition from summer to winter up there. The black oaks are probably already starting to think about brightening their leaves to a Halloween orange along the hiking trails, and if you’re lucky, there’s a small u-pick apple farm nearby that will likely open soon. Its difficult to spot even when they put their “Open” sign out on Highway 38. Don’t forget to make some Caramel Apple Dip before your trip so you can enjoy fresh picked apples in your campsite if you find them.

I hope you’re enjoying the last bit of summer. Now’s about when I get over it and wish fall would just come already, but this year I cut my hair short and painted my nails red, and I’m going to make the most of it by playing outdoors while there’s still warmth and light.

August 23rd 2012 Posted By Emily Comments ( )

Mt. Langley, Eastern Sierra

Wes and I were supposed to go to Colorado to see my pregnant best friend and hike our first 14er on our week of summer vacation. It didn’t happen due to life’s responsibilities, but we still ended up with a long weekend to play. We couldn’t get the best friend out here, but we realized we do have 14ers in California, so we decided on a whim to attempt one on our own.

When I was in sixth grade in Las Vegas, my dad handed me the book (70’s version) Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills and told me if I read it, we’d hike Mt. Langley. So I read it (be careful what you promise your kids, dads!).

But then we moved to Florida. Mt. Langley was not so easy to get to from there. My interests changed to watersports, and I forgot the mountains for a while. By the time we all got back to the west, Dad had turned into more of a glamper. I got him to hike up San Gorgonio with me once, but we’re still easing him back into grander adventures. A few friends had talked about Langley lately, which reminded me of my sixth grade goal. So even though it meant ditching Dad (this time), I was determined to check it out.

I figured Wes was a good choice of partners, because he’d only been on one backpacking trip before. I could trick him into it pretty easily. We stretched the trip out to take three days so that we could spend lots of time lounging by the lakes and make sure it felt like vacation. That was a genius move. Each day, we hiked no more than 6 miles, and were back at camp by lunchtime. We started at sunrise on summit day and got to the top by 9:30- well before any chance of thunderstorms- so we had plenty of time to lolligag and mosey on back down when we were done.

We also got to take our time packing up and enjoying a nice breakfast by the lake before going back to the real world on day three.

Wes loved his second crazy backpacking trip. He said it was one of the coolest things he’d ever done. He was most excited about the register at the summit, and was disappointed that we didn’t try to bag some nearby smaller peaks so we could see whether they too had registers to sign.

June 7th 2012 Posted By Emily Comments ( )

Leo Carrillo State Park- Camping Fact Sheet

We’re updating our website with a few new things coming up. You may have noticed our recent recipe posts have been slightly shorter posts than usual. We realized that there was a lot of good information in the little stories about our trips, but it was all buried in a non-searchable format. Our answer to that was to start breaking our posts up into recipe posts and camping fact sheets. Here is the first fact sheet about one of our favorite camping locations. It offers more personalized “insider” information that you won’t find easily just by going to the California State Parks website. Enjoy!

Leo Carrillo State Park is one of our favorite locations to camp locally. We go here for many of our large family gatherings, because it has the capacity and amenities to please everyone. It has access to both beach and mountains, so everyone can go off and do whatever activities they prefer. We usually like to go during the off season when its less likely to be fully booked. This is also the place we choose to have many Dirty Gourmet meetings because of the proximity to our houses.

April 20th 2012 Posted By Emily Comments ( )

Campfire Breakfast Potatoes

We went on our Family Easter Camping Extravaganza trip as always. The trip was up in the air until literally the last minute for several reasons. We switched the weekend around a few times, attempting to coordinate with my engaged sister and her new husband and family who were supposed to be coming out to celebrate with us. That fell through, and so we switched back to Easter Weekend. Then I fake switched it back to the next weekend for April Fool’s Day and really angered everyone involved. Then, less than 24 hours from the departure date, I got a phone call asking me to come to an interview on Saturday. I waited until the last second the day we were supposed to leave to see if it could be rescheduled. As soon as I found out it was, I was off.

We went to a new old location this year. A repeat trip of Carrizo Plain National Monument was originally planned, but a known lack of wildflowers took us closer to home for everyone. Uncle Danny chose Sawmill Campground near Lake Hughes and Castaic. It was a place he hadn’t been for many years, but we trusted him anyway. He always makes it a top priority to find us a location where we can truly feel free. From crowds and from the law. To let our dogs run wild and our music be loud. We look like band of traveling gypsies when we set up for Easter.The location ended up being perfect for just that, despite the shocking visits of three rangers checking to see if we might be having a rave.

I arrived after dark (after taking a nice detour up I-5 past my turnoff, and then another detour past my second turnoff on a bobcat-spotted backwoods road). The road up to the campground was rutted and bumpy. Wes had never taken his Corolla into such conditions before, and his attitude as a passenger was admirable. I made it the majority of the trip up before spotting my dad, who escorted us the rest of the way, and then took credit for the whole of my success. We were greeted at the campground gypsy town entrance by color-changing solar lights, trailers, more multi-colored string lights, a raging campfire, and beer. The parents are experienced. They know what they are doing.

The majority of the party showed up Saturday morning, just as “the grate master” had finished cooking up the perfect amount of campfire potatoes for the people that slept there. We spent the rest of the day talking about running 15 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail, while instead drinking whiskey and learning to shoot a BB gun (I shot four bottles/cans in a row, and was the only one to beat the original reigning champion- my mother).

I did end up running on the PCT on Sunday morning with Uncle Danny, Aunt Linda, and Wes, though the 15 miles goal turned into 5. It was beautiful and I can’t wait to go back to explore more of it.

April 12th 2012 Posted By Emily Comments ( )

Chili Dogs

I am a very shy person. There are a lot of people nowadays who would argue this, but it’s true. I barely spoke to a soul outside my family until I was 13. My mom likes to tell the story of taking me and my sister to K-mart and letting us go buy Icees at the front while she was in line at the register. I was probably 7 and my sister 4, but I held my sister up to the counter to order so I didn’t have to do it. I’ve spent a lot of time since then using the “fake it till you make it” approach to pretend I have confidence. This has helped (at least enough to get people around me to believe it), but if there’s a human interaction I can avoid, I still will.

This year, I decided to give up shyness for Lent. I did it mainly to avoid having to give up cheese, the thought of which had me binge cheesing immediately. I’ve given up some interesting things in my past- yelling, the mirror, meat, indecisiveness- and each opened up new worlds for me. Some of them even stuck. It truly is amazing what you can convince yourself to do when you convince yourself that you “have to.”

Anyway, this year’s choice has been really successful. I started talking to people- even initiating conversations- in places like the climbing gym and the hair salon. I hung out with my next door neighbors and became a member of a CSA, since I wasn’t afraid to answer the door. I went to see Wes give a talk at the college where he teaches, and I raised my hand and asked a question! I even went to NPR’s studios and spoke into a microphone. Giving up shyness has gotten me more web development work, new friends, and maybe even a little confidence that I could continue being unshy after Lent is over next week. It’s a little like that “Yes Man” movie.

We just had our annual family Easter Camping Extravaganza this weekend, and Lent is over, so no more forcing me to make phone calls or go shopping alone (notice how I didn’t admit what I gave up for Lent until after it was over). A bunch of fabulous recipes came out of the weekend, especially since it was a birthday party for my mom (and Uncle Steve- her brother that was born on her second birthday) as well.

For now, here’s a man-friendly recipe we had in Joshua Tree last week. We were just on a day trip, and not even there to climb. And hey- I know these pictures aren’t the most glamorous. But would you really want to eat a glamorous chili dog? I had to run 13 miles, and running through wildflowers in the desert was the thing that motivated me to do it. I can’t believe I’m still not excited about running! I was hoping that after my marathon, I’d just be a runner, but I’m not sure that’s gonna happen. Maybe next Lent, I’ll figure out what to give up that will help me achieve self-motivation.