Chicken Vesuvio

Tired of that boring chicken dish that you've made way too many times?! I usually despise chicken unless it has a ton of flavor so try this recipe that I fell in love with!

What you will need:

3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive, 4 chicken thighs (skin on and bone in),

salt, pepper, 1 1/2 pounds of small red-skinned potatoes (halved), 4 large garlic cloves (minced), 3/4 cup of dry white wine, 3/4 cup of chicken stock, 1 1/2 teaspoon of oregano, 1 teaspoon of thyme, optional: 1 cup of artichoke hearts (quartered), and two tablespoons of butter

Directions:

1. Heat heavy pot over medium heat and add the oil.

2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add the chicken to the pot.

3. Sear the chicken until golden brown and set aside. (Don't sear chicken for too long)

4. Deglaze: reduce heat to medium low and add the garlic to the empty pot. Gently saute for one minute or until aromatic. Then add the wine, salt and pepper, and stir.

5. Carefully add the potatoes to the same pot and cook until they are a shade of golden brown, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes.

6. Add the stock, oregano, thyme, and stir.

7. Return the chicken to the pot (with potatoes)and bring to a boil. Once it is boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Simmer the chicken until it is tender. (About 40 mins).

8. Squeeze some lemon if you wish.

9. Remove the pan from the heat, add the artichokes and butter.

10. Transfer the chicken to a platter, arrange the potatoes around the chicken, pour the sauce over the chicken and voila!!

Truth Behind Title

Love three day weekends! So I took the time to revamp the look of my blog. As for those of you that might be wondering why I chose to name my blog Paris Cafe...well the truth is- I am absolutely obsessed with Paris! I have pictures of the Eiffel Tower throughout my house and dream of one day eating a croissant at a French cafe while reading with the Eiffel Tower dancing in the background. That's when I'll be complete.

Spring Break Idea

A few have been asking me....where should I go on vacation?

Puerto Rico!!!

Things to Do:

Enchanted Island Eco Tours : The Bioluminescent Bay Tour

Absolutely an amazing time! Tom and I kayaked around the outskirts of the Bermuda Triangle at night. Pretty brave, I know ;) As dusk fell, Tom and I kayaked along with about fifty others through an ecosystem that was filled with "microscopic plankton" that lights up when you touch it. I never kayaked before and lucky me had a fish fly out of the water and land in my lap! But you'll love it....very romantic!

The Poet Passage

Such a cute little shop located in OSJ that is owned by a couple-one a poet, the other a painter. This shop sells art that is reasonably priced. Here I purchased a framed picturesque view of one of the streets in Old San Juan and also purchased a hand painted mini replica of our hotel El Convento. (I adore these items.)

Butterfly Exhibit

Just a few stores down from The Poet Passage...absolutely breathtaking art if you love butterflies.

El Picoteo

Amazing tapas! Located in our hotel so we didn't have to walk far after our pitcher of Sangria:)

Aquaviva

Cute place, somewhat tiny but awesome seafood. Tom and I tried oysters for the first time here and now we are addicted!

San Juan Cathedral

Where Juan Ponce De Leon's remains are housed. So much history-check it out!

El Morro Fort

Construction began in 1539 and it is here where you can see old cannons, prison cells, towers, and sentry boxes. (Used by the Spaniards as lookout posts). The Spanish Empire spent 250 years building El Morro.

Old San Juan

You can't go to Puerto Rico without going to Old San Juan. I loved it! Quaint and yummy cafes, cobblestone streets, etc.

We went to a brewery, toured a rum distillery, shopped, ate at different restaurants and cafes, and visited historic sites.

Where to Stay:

Hotel El Convento

I wanted to stay here despite the fact the hotel is not located on the beach. We stayed here for about two nights and I loved this hotel. It's not up to date, but that's what gives it an old world feel and it's simply gorgeous. The small but charming pool is located outside on an upper level, the restaurants are scrumptious (Not only was the tapas place good..Patio del Nispero was delicious too)! They even had a wine and cheese event that my husband and I participated in both nights we stayed there. The location of this hotel is perfect for scoping out Old San Juan!

La Concha Hotel

More modern, the restaurant Perla is beautiful...we had the best of both worlds. I knew I would miss the beach so after we toured OSJ, we needed some relaxation time! This area of Puerto Rico is comparable to Miami because the hotels are pretty close to one another, but of course much nicer. If that's not for you, perhaps the El Conquistador in Fajardo might give you more of a seclusive setting.

Try the local food...we walked to a small place across the street from our hotel. Puerto Rican food is fantastic!

Click on the colorful links...hope this helps!

Don't Forget

I love, love, love to decorate for the holidays, especially Christmas!! Around this time last year, I mentioned how decorating with my mother was a memorable time of the year. Now that I'm older, away from home, married, and starting my new traditions...I can't help but be thankful that I experienced a joyous past and have fond memories that I'll never forget.

As I'm putting up my Christmas stuff, I find myself reflecting upon the past. My old neighborhood has changed, but I never wished during my upbringing that we should have lived somewhere else. Yes, there were downfalls such as not being able to find any parking spots after 5pm or blowing a fuse in the entire house because I had the blow dryer and microwave on at the same time...oh geez! But what can one really expect from a bungalow probably built in the 1930's?! (We found a Polish newspaper from the year of 1932 underneath the old attic flooring).

We lived on a block where everyone knew each other and front doors were rarely locked. Parents would hang out together and their children that were similar in age would become great friends. I like to compare the neighborhood with an opening scene from a movie. Try to visualize many children running around, playing sports or games and just having the best time being outside. That's exactly what it was like. I wasn't cooped up in my home like some of the kids today...spending hours on the computer, phone, or watching television. I used to dread having to go inside to eat dinner because all I wanted was to remain outdoors. My friends and I were inseparable and remained close up until we became adolescents.

Changes happen...sometimes good, sometimes bad. Throughout the years, neighbors began to move, time passed and then I entered high school. This was a period of my life when I longed for something I just couldn't find. I had such high expectations that were not met. It wasn't until my senior year that I was the happiest. This is not to say I hated high school because I had fun times and met some really good people, but the area changed. Gangs were unfortunately present in our high school and as for myself, the goal of trying to receive straight A's just wasn't a priority anymore.

I still reminisce because its impossible not to. Now that I'm in charge of an after school reading club, I am fortunate enough to be able to enter my old grade school on a weekly basis. I feel a chill run up my spine whenever I'm there because I can remember exactly where my mom would pick me up after school. As I drive away, I drive past old houses where old friends lived and I think of how much I loved my grade school/middle school. I loved my teachers and wanted nothing more than to impress them with good grades. I had a blast there and my memories are some of the best around.

The saying "time flies by" surely is true. Ending this entry full circle, as I walk around decorating I smile for two reasons. One for the past, another for the present. I love my new home and I'm thankful I still have a bit of the past left with me. I'm lucky to have the opportunity to tell my students to remain proud of where they are from despite the negative reactions given by others. It was a wonderful place to grow up and hopefully still can be for many families.

PS: Visit Freddie's on 16th street.....my belly is so thankful that place is still up!

PSS: Read the book Cicero The First Suburb West by Betty Carlson Kay to learn about the history especially if you are from there!

Just a Quick Note

I just finished watching the movie Julie and Julia. This movie dropped a comment or two about how people may have a negative opinion about us bloggers. I write because I can thoroughly express myself, and I hope people in my life are getting to know a different side of me because that is and has always been my goal. So if you are a bleader (blog reader..lol), please don't think we are narcissists! :) Writing is a joyful experience that truly captivates the moment one is living.

Kudos to Julie who worked her way through all of those recipes! Instead of cooking twice a week, I think I'm going to cook three times a week. (Yes, I'm laughing at myself right now)!