Some Like It Hot

Many of us are already missing the summer sun. With October blowing in cooler evenings, it is time to start weeding through comfort food recipes. I am not the most accomplised person in the kitchen. I really do not like to cook. I do, however, like to eat. So, my appetite neccessitates I enter my least favorite area of home: the kitchen.

Upon entering my cookery, I must change my perspective. I remind myself that brownies bake in that blackhole of an oven, cocoa is warmed in that insidious box called a microwave, and the stovetop doubles as a handwarmer.

While standing at the stove boiling water and thawing my fingers from fall's bite, I slip into summer's past. To soothe my anxiety over culinary chaos, I dream of days gone by.


Moonstruck over the midsummer races in Julesburg, Colorado, I am already missing the thunderous roar of American-made muscle cars. Especially, my boss's 1981 Chevy Camaro with a throbbing 327 engine, boosting 380 horsepower increased by 3" exhaust and Hooker headers. Built for the track, my heart pumps petroleum thinking of a speed machine that sports line locks and a 411 Posi rear end for optimum traction and immediate launch off the start line. A hot-rod with a four-speed transmission and shimmering silver paint, accented with racing stripes; bold and obsidian black.



Our onyx-lined eyes squint against the breeze. Me and my dog, Josie the Outlaw, cruise to wherever she wants to go. Truck windows rolled down, music loud, hitting the highway on the road to nowhere. Her black-on-blonde hair blowing in the wind, my dyed blonde hair, with black roots, blowing in the wind. Her tonque protruding happily, my tonque protruding happily. The two of us are barely domesticated sorts, we make quite the pair.

Two crooked, reaching arms of a modern waterfall call me to observe. Upon exiting the trails of the Cherry Creek Gateway, I am stunned by the aquatic giant found at the Ptarmigan Building, located at 3773 Cherry Creek Drive North. The serenity of the nearby trails and trickle of liquid peace beacon me to stay. It is like God, himself, humming a lullaby to the guilty and burdened. Pure Radiance.

Bright smiles evolve from family fun-time. As a family, we do not get together often enough. The drudgery of life seems to take priority. However, when we are able to come together, the atmosphere is filled with love and laughter. More than proud, Irish bloodlines, we are a people of deep unity.

Combined tomatoes, garlic, jalapeno, and chiles send a tantalizing aroma to my senses. The blurp, blurp, blurp, of a slow boil brings me back to the task at hand. I realize my task is over, and I have created an ethnically inspired, hot chili to warm the heart and soul.

I used:

8 fresh tomatoes from a neighbor's garden
2 green chilies
1 jalapeno pepper
2 garlic gloves
2 pork chops
1 chicken boullion cube

Easy preparation: Puree tomatoes, garlic cloves, green chillies, and jalapeno in a food processor. Spray Pam cooking spray in crock-pot for easy cleanup. Turn crock-pot on high and add tomato mixture. Boil meats in water to thaw and cook quickly. (Add meat tenderizer to water for tenderness.) Remove meat from stovetop, and cube. Add meat to crock-pot. Add chicken boullion cube. Add a dash of salt, a dash of pepper, and two shakes of chili powder. Add water, if necessary, for desired consistency. Cook on high for 1 hour. Serve warm with grated Cheddar cheese.