UPDATES: Stopping and Taking a Smoke Break

Even though I don't go a day without a cigar, I needed to smoke one and take a break from work. This week has been the busiest I have had, this year, so far. My work at WomenforAction.org is stepping up to a rapid speed. Now I am interviewing many of the local key folks in politics, here in Illinois. Illinois is taking on a lot of budget cuts. The cuts are so drastic that, many programs that have existed for decades, are being gutted. A lot of folks are falling on hard times. This election year is not only important to many of us, nationally. It’s a big deal on a local level as well. The only thing is that, I am not posting my interviews fast enough. But if you follow my work, I will post these over time. 

My family invested in some professional journalism equipment for me. So I am able to not only do interviews, but other projects as well. Now I can understand why so many people get into tech stuff. When you have cool technology, it’s like a brand new toy. I am really excited about it, because I have been using it all week. I have lots of exciting stuff that I am doing for Women for Action. If you are interested in policy issues or concerned about up to date political topics, then I think you will find Women for Action something refreshing.

I can’t say my forum is unbiased, but it is nonpartisan. Many folks are just tired of division and partisanship. At this rate, it is hindering real progress in our country.

I still plan on keeping up with my projects here at Maduro Woman, but I will do these when I have free time.  So we will see. A little spontaneity never hurts anyone. I have to say that MaduroWoman.com is refreshing. I get to retreat here and just write. For one, I don't have to be politically correct. At the end of the day, it’s about cigars.

Discuss My Experience: Ultimate Cigars in Villa Park, IL

I had a terrific time at Ultimate Cigars, a cigar lounge located in Villa Park, IL. Tony, the owner greeted me when I walked in. I was floored by their new set up. It had been a few years since I had been there. The lounge is outstanding. A few years ago, Ultimate Cigars catered primarily to  hookah smokers. At the time, they sold cigarettes, cigars and served hookahs. There were probably more college kids that frequented the place, then cigar smokers at the time. I like hookahs, but I prefer cigars. So the college crowd wasn’t my forte. It wasn’t too much longer, after frequenting this particular cigar  lounge a couple times, that I started to smoke more at home. Ultimate Cigars was great for my younger brother who was in college at the time. He would come home on breaks and bring a dozen or so of his friends out. It became a place for him and I had to move on. 

Now it is primarily centered on cigar enjoyment. If you like hookah smoking, then it is still available, but Tony explained that the college kids come later in the evening. Cigar smokers frequent throughout the day, but if they come in the evening, they may opt for the members’ only area, which is an entirely separate room with lots of leather seating. But there is also a front area with leather seating that cigar smokers have access to and a flat screen TV that hovers over this area. There is a large humidor off to the side in the front, a with a wide selection of premium cigars. If you aren’t a member and you want more seating options, then you can join the patrons in the rear, for cigar and hookah smoking. When I was there on Monday, primarily everyone went to the rear of the cigar lounge.

The place was bustling and friendly. Every male patron greeted me when they walked in. This was actually something very new for me. Often times, I feel I am invading male territory when I frequent cigar lounges. They really made me feel welcomed here, and I enjoyed the experience. 

My cigar selection for this experience was Cuesta-Rey, Vintage Centenario, a nice mild premium smoke that I will follow up with a review, in the next few days. Also, there is access to free premium coffee and wi-fi. I forgot to ask if Ultimate Cigars was BYOB friendly. It probably isn’t. Some of these suburban cigar lounges are not allowed to have alcohol in their establishment. Usually it’s against the village codes. But the place is truly worth a visit with or without alcohol.

Lastly, I met the mayor of Village Park, IL, Tom Cullerton there. This is a great guy doing a lot of good things for his city. Anyway, we sat down and conversed  for a bit.  We discussed my site Women for Action,  his campaign for Illinois Senate and now I am  doing a piece on his campaign and some of the other candidates in that district. So Cheers to “Discussing the Experience” in 2012, here at www.madurowoman.com .
Visit Ultimate Cigars online at http://www.ultimatecigarlounge.com/

I wish I has a better photo of Tony & myself. It looks like I have to retake it on my next trip.

Cuesta-Rey, Vintage Centenario

Sweet Heart Pasta and Cigar

The past two evenings, I created a pretty easy pasta dish. My pasta dishes are called Sweet Heart Pasta, perfect for the up and coming Valentines day. I used two pastas, one was a butternut squash pasta and the other was a lobster ravioli. It's a simple sweet delightful dish that pairs with a glass wine and a chocolate flavored cigar by Don Rigo or you can add a piece of chocolate for your sweet heart.

This  candy stripe colored pasta filled with butternut squash is by Pasta Prima. I boiled my pasta for about 5 minutes.  I dressed the bottom of the plate with spinach, topped it with the pasta, red vodka pasta sauce( various brands sell it), added a few smoked oysters and sprinkled some grated cheese on top (Parmesan, Asiago and Romano). Some garlic toast was added and voila! I paired it with a red wine and my chocolate cigar for later.

This is a second version of my sweet heart pasta. This pasta is a lobster ravioli. It's great to use because of its orange/red color on the outside. I grilled some shrimp in a light marinade and topped it on the pasta, sparingly added some vodka pasta sauce and dressed the side of the plate with spinach. You can shape the spinach in a heart shape for a more dramatic effect. I served this with a glass of red wine and a chocolate cigar.

Usually seafood dishes pairs better with white wines but I chose a red for this occasion. Red wines could go with fish when there is a bolder spicier sauce and there are other exceptions. The objective is to match the wine's body to the fish. You could use what you prefer of course. Here is an article that explains when and what wines red wines is okay with fish. http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/May-2010/Wine-101-Pairing-Red-Wine-with-Fish/

Tonight Thai Curry Shrimp over Jasmine Rice & My Cigar

This was ridiculously good. I still have a lot left. I wanted to get back to eating strictly seafood especially after the superbowl. I had a small party and I cooked for the game. I am so thrilled that I got to show off some of my skills.

So tonight I wanted to make a Thai favorite, Thai Curry Shrimp. This recipe is pretty easy. In one pot, I started cooking my jasmine rice. In my wok, I starting warming my coconut milk. A fourteen ounce can of coconut milk is good. I brought it to a boil, then a simmer and started stirring in my red curry sauce. You could use a red curry paste or whatever you could find. At least four heaping tablespoons of it will work. You can add some curry powder for a richer curry taste. Stir frequently until you bring to a boil, then lower the fire to a simmer. Then I stirred in some frozen vegetables. I used a half of bag of peas and carrots (8 ounces) and another half of bag of Asian vegetables ( 8ounces). The Asian vegetables has snap peas and water chestnuts. I love peas in this dish because peas are sweet and it just comes out really delicious. I brought the sauce and vegetables to a boil then reduced the fire. Then I added my shrimp. You can add as much shrimp as you like. Sixteen ounces may do the trick. Stir, bring to a boil, then simmer for about 5 minutes. Then cover and let it sit for a few minutes. This is usually served on top of  jasmine rice. It really is a delicious dish. It's simple and quick.

I served it tonight with a nice chilled MGD Beer and a cigar for later. Cheers to you.

Cigar Music- Habla Me

What a lovely chill back song, great for a cigar or taking a bike ride along the lake or beach. During the summer, I pack my music, water, a bit of money, a cigar and I take long rides along the trails. The one trail I frequent, goes into some really beautiful woods. I love to blast music like this. I will stop at my turn around point, unpack my cigar,water and chill with a smoke. This song actually makes me reflect on these summer rides. The smell of the woods, the butterflies soaring low and landing on the leaves... the trees and flowers glistening after a light rain...

That's what it's all about, basking in life's many luxuries, even the simple things, and topping it of with a great cigar.

Cheers.

Pineapple Red Curry Chicken & Cigar

Last night, I made Pineapple Red Curry Chicken. The key to this is to add just enough spicyness for your palette and just enough pineapple so it doesn't dominate the dish. So basically, you can add as much red curry paste as you want and as much pineapple as you wish to suit your taste buds.

Key ingredients are red curry paste, pineapple chunks and coconut milk. Additional ingredients are curry powder and a bit of cayenne pepper.

I browned 2 pounds of ground chicken for this recipe because it was on sale but for best results, you can cut up some chicken breast and cook it in a wok. After cooking your chicken, add approximately 4 tablespoons of red curry paste. Stir  the paste in the chicken until it is well coated. Toss in  14 ounces of coconut milk and any additional ingredients, then stir.

I added some orange sweet peppers along with my pineapple chunks. I like to dice the pineapple down to smaller bits. Stir all your ingredients. Cover and cook for about 12 to 15 minutes, stir if needed. Then  prepare your rice of choice.

And voila! Here is the photo of my pineapple red curry chicken, my after dinner cigar and a nice glass of petite sirah-- my wine choice for the evening.

Beautiful Asian Chicken lettuce Wraps & Cigar Tonight!

I told you I was a terrific cook. So why not express this side here on my blog? The men in my house (my significant other and son) love it. And I love cooking for them. A terrific meal is like a great cigar. The preparation should be done well and the experience should be enjoyable. ...Love for great food, great drinks, great cigars is what it's all about. It's about pleasure, fulfillment and truly living. 

My creation this evening was these delicious lettuce wraps with basmati rice

I crushed some roasted peanuts and chopped up green onions.

I browned some ground chicken and tossed it in a wok with my sauce. You can use a teriyaki sauce with some rice vinegar, your favorite cooking wine and seasonings. Sometimes you can find lettuce wrap sauce in an ethnic isle at your favorite grocery store.

After mixing the sauce with my browned ground chicken, I threw in my crushed roasted peanuts and chopped green onions and mixed it all together. I stirred the ingredients frequently over a high heat for about 7 minutes. In the mean time I prepared my lettuce for my wraps.

And voila. I dressed the bottom of the plate with romaine lettuce and I used iceberg lettuce for the wraps. On the side is basmati rice which is a favorite rice of mine. I have a nice glass of Cabernet sauvignon and my favorite chili sauce and a cigar!

Notes: I love to have chili sauce on hand. This particular Asian dish has a hint of sweetness. And the chili sauce offsets the sweetness. It makes a great pair. Even though basmati rice is a long grain rice grown in India, I prefer it over a jasmine rice. There is something wholesomely good about basmati rice. Its aroma and texture is so comforting and compliments well with many dishes. Plus it takes less time to cook. And I think you will enjoy it too. This is a pretty healthy and hearty recipe. I enjoyed every bit of it. Now I am topping it off with a nice cigar. Cheers!