Best bowl of noodle soup I ever had,  Thailand

I was asked to do my first guest blog post for The Top 10 Blog. Yay! Poor dear man…little did he know what he was getting himself (and me!) into 🙂 So, I set off to write…and write…and write…and then, I wouldn’t give it to him. It’s so long! lol So, here it is and he has a lovely one entitled: Top 10 Favorite Things My Dog Does. Please take a tour of his very cool site and view my more concise and reasonable list there. After, of course, you’ve read every last word HERE…including my Privacy Policy, Copyright stuff, etc.

“If the soup had been as warm as the wine, and the wine as old as the fish, and the fish as young as the maid, and the maid as willing as the as the  hostess, it would have been a very good meal.” Anonymous

1) Easy. Coffee…for when I’m not yet bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, yes, but also because I love the smooth, rich creaminess that I make of it, or have someone concoct a latte breve for me when I’m out. It’s a ritual, and I only indulge in one (granted, HUGE!) cup of it. At home it’s Huehuetenango – organic and fair trade. Whole bean. Ground fresh each morning.  French press. (OK OK I’m a coffee snob! 😛 )Cup of latte love

2) Since we’re kind of going in chronological order of the day, I’ll have to say Penne and Eggs. You heard right.  It’s an amazing original dish conjured up by Frank Ferro at my favorite hang and eatery, Café Aroma. No, I don’t own an interest in this social club and bistro but I wish I did! This is a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast or brunch dish that they make to perfection every time and in addition to the obvious main ingredients (the eggs are scrambled and mixed with the al-dente pasta), they add prosciutto (I also request mushrooms!) and a generous topping of fresh grated parmesan cheese.  Try to get to the top of this mountain to savor this sinful delight.  Or, give it a go on your own. Who says you must wait to die before going to Heaven?

3) I love lox and bagels. Mood? HUNGRY! I am so uber picky about my smoked salmon, though, and it needs to be coral pink and fressshhhh. I have a few joints that make it consistently well. Everything bagel, if possible, slathered in gobs of cream cheese (I hike and dance; leave me alone! lol)  Capers: YES! Onions and tomatoes: Even better.

This luscious spread can be had at Milton's Deli in Del Mar, CA

4) Chocolate mousse cake. Any mood! If at all possible from the French Gourmet Bakery.  If you ever find yourself in the vicinity, you know, in the northern hemisphere, get thee some!   This is my one request every birthday and I eat a piece a day for my birthday week. It seems to be the best on day three…sighhhh….ultimate chocolate sinful indulgence. Yes, I share! 😛  Scales are forbidden in my presence by day 5.

5) Salad. What kind? Yes. Mood: Any and all. I love crunchy, cruciferous, cantankerous vegetables. Lucky me, when you consider #4.  Try to get your teeth on the Thai Crunch Salad at California Pizza Kitchen. It’s a must-try! Greens, cabbage, peanuts, two kinds of crispy noodles, edamame, grilled chicken, 2 dressings even!  Find me on Twitter and yell at me if I’m wrong. In Spain? Try the ensalada rusa – it’s a glorified potato salad with tuna mixed in.

Fresh greens salad with goat cheese

Fresh greens salad with fried goat cheese, at Fresco in Santa Barbara, CA

6) Armenian food. Mood: Perpetual. Get your hands on some home-made, authentic Armenian food. I don’t care HOW you do it, just DO it.  Marry into a family if you have to, to gain access to their culinary matriarch.  The restaurants are passable, but I’ve not seen one that offers koorabia (a delicate, heavenly cookielicious creation), so if you’re a dedicated foodie, I see matrimony in your future. Glendale is a good place to start. 😉

7) Chocolate. Mood: When I’m in the mood for chocolate. Translation: Always! What kind? Well, straight chocolate, I prefer milk. I have a nostalgic fondness for Toblerone classic with those little chewy nougat bits. I guess I don’t yet have enough dental work for this to become a concern. When it’s a brownie or cake type delivery system for my chocolate, I like it deep dark rich and dense. Dang. I just gained 1.6 pounds in the typing.

8) Booze shares one number. Mood? Comfort, or wanting to get sloshed? Kidding! Different moods call for different spirits. Hmm was that a purposeful double entendre?  Anyway, I’m one of those drinkers that drinkers despise. I can imbibe as much as I like with no hang-over. Ever. This has been lab tested by my doubting challenging circle of friends. Please don’t ask for details – they will not be forthcoming! Mike’s Hard Lime competes with a good Mojito or summer sangria for a warm weather “need to chill” mood. In winter (don’t laugh) try a hot toddy ( here’s a simple recipe for a Hot Toddy: http://bit.ly/3l7tP I often skip the tea) or mulled wine. Talk about a warm hug!

9) Porterhouse Steak. I cringe at listing this as I am ex-con(viction) vegetarian. Moving on! Mood? Stressed or amped up, when I want to tear into something. Wow, that’s really lady-like! Haha I love the Porterhouse because it is variety in and of itself J It’s the decadence of tender filet mignon with an entire  portion of a more steak-y New York steak cut along with it. I mean, if you’re going to indulge, and you should!, this is the carnivores cathedral.

Spanish food feast

Spanish food feast from my Spanish "madre"

10) Oh, eek, I feel so limited! Lol SushiFrenchCuisine&PastriesSpanishTapasThaiFoodEspeciallyMasamanCurryGreekANYthingIndian-EspeciallyRaita&NaanBreadKiwiKuisineFreshBakedBreadSoupsITALIANOMGHOWCOULDIFORGET-CaliforniaFusion&AnythingFresh&Delectable

Can you tell I didn’t follow directions well in  school?  Thanks for reading and bon appetite!

What do you think of this post?
Awesome (5) Interesting (4) Useful (1) Meh (0)

{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

@URKidnRite May 11, 2010 at 11:55 pm

I just ate a big late lunch, and I'm hungry again. I want to go drinking with you & your hubby (I don't know him, but I'm sure I'd love him), @MAS_is_more, @aileen2u2, & @TamaraSchilling. We can eat if you like.

Thanks for sharing your top 23-ish mood foods with us. 🙂 I especially like how chocolate makes the list twice. I do NOT have a problem with that, just letting you know I noticed.

Reply

gitanablog May 13, 2010 at 3:55 am

I have that effect on people – they want to drink when they get to know me 😛 lol We would have fun, me thinks! Chocolate deserves those places! The cake is a verrryyyy specific cake from one specific bakery and well, I couldn't just shut-out all other mention of the divine indulgence, now, could I? Didn't think so 😉 Thanks for stopping in…it's like I'm cheers and you're a regular! I'm likin' it 🙂 Cheers! < hey…. lol G

Reply

Nolan Naidoo May 12, 2010 at 11:02 am

I concur with @URKidnRite.. After a 'decent' (well at the time I thought it was decent) lunch. I have a craving again and I'm now STARVING!! THANKS!!! haha.
Another wonderful post. When I read the topic.. I had to chuckle.. Limit Gina to 10?!? YEAH RIGHT!! haha.
I also thought you added chocolate twice but I know that you will debate the point saying that one is 'cake' and the other is plain choc.. 🙂 So, I will let it be and not argue or debate that point.. (Only because Chocolate would have been about 3 or 4 times on my list!!)
And about not getting a hang-over.. EVER.. hmmm when are you going to expand to the glass of Red?? 😛 haha. Let me know how you feel after that.. IF you brave enough to re-do those lab tests.. haha.

Thanks for a great read!!

Reply

gitanablog May 13, 2010 at 3:59 am

Thanks, Nolan, for stopping by my blog to sass me! lol I guess I gotta accept ALL of my readership and commentators – hahaha kidddinngggg! Thank you for allowing for my double chocolate mention. Yes, it was absolutely necessary! I did try red…sangria, in Spain! I follow directions…sometimes! You'll have to join us all from the comment URKidnRite posted on our drinking foray. You will then be free to conduct lab tests of my hangover resistance abilities…but you'll of course have to pay! 😀 Cheers! G

Reply

RachelintheOC May 12, 2010 at 3:41 pm

Now THAT's a list :). Love it. You're right, though. Poor Tony @TheTop10Blog had no idea what he was getting himself into. Hehe.

I made tea this morning–out of character for me. Big mistake after seeing your gorgeous pic of coffee up there. Starbucks here I come!

Reply

gitanablog May 13, 2010 at 3:53 am

Hey Rachel, oh unconformingly pale red-headed one 😉 Thanks for visiting! I love LOVE your blog posts and I'm honored 🙂 Tea is a good thing but never so smooth and decadent as coffee. That there picture is a luscious latte made by Jeannines in Santa Barbara. Since you're almost local, you can sample it when on your next northerly road trip and see if you agree it's the best anywhere – ever! I've been visiting it…er…I mean SB a lot lately 🙂 See you out on the playground! Cheers G

Reply

@MAS_is_more May 13, 2010 at 6:53 am

Yummmmmy! This post made me drool… I had to let my keyboard air-dry before using again. My ESC key no longer works… so I'm stuck here. Good place to be, but then I'll start drooling again… never ending cycle. Must. Eat. Now.
Gina, thank you for another outstanding post! I loved it like I love cheesecake! 😉 All of us "commentors" need to all go to Cafe Aroma, then get hammered somewhere after, and go drunk hiking. Never did that before, sounds dangerous, but i live on the edge. Sleep deprivation combined with reading induced hunger gives you this awesome comment. 😉

Reply

gitanablog May 13, 2010 at 7:18 pm

*Passing you a drool cup for future visits* Thanks, Max, for visiting and sharing your fun thoughts! I'm so up for the drunken/eating/hiking tweet up! Cafe Aroma may black list me for bringing all of you crazies…naahhhhh – we won't be able to keep up with THEM! 🙂 I like this sleep-deprived, hunger-induced comment mode. Please return in this state 🙂 Cheers! G

Reply

@peri37 May 28, 2010 at 4:41 pm

Delish! Just like you! I realized I was licking my lips while reading this and I've read it before! You're words taste and smell like honey, my bunny!xoxo

Reply

gitanablog May 31, 2010 at 12:37 am

Thank you, lovely one, for savoring my banquet…feel free to come by for seconds! Your presence and company are always so very much welcome and appreciated. I am drumming my fingers and tapping my foot whilst impatiently awaiting a forum I can visit to view your literary awesomeness 🙂 xoxoxo love, G

Reply

T1theinfamous June 28, 2010 at 4:29 pm

This made me really hungry and if I had to choose a favorite drink it would be tequila,1800 to be specific

Reply

gitanablog July 1, 2010 at 4:07 pm

Good! I love sharing a love for food! I don't mind sharing tequila shots with friends..but I do prefer my lime and salt doused onto warm tortilla chips. 🙂 Cheers my friend! G

Reply

Tony Hastings July 13, 2010 at 11:40 am

G, how remiss of me not to have visited this lovely post before, especially when you say such nice things about me, I hope you have it in your heart to forgive me:-) I would not make such a mistake now, I was such a shallow Twitter person then, naive and unaware of the conventions and courtesies of this electronic forum that we so enjoy.

To make amends I am leaving on the next flight to personally prepare each of these dishes for you!!

I'm not really, I have to feed the dog and empty the dishwasher, (hope I get it the right way round!!) but never mind, it's the thought that counts!

Lovely post which whets the appetite, I am going to have some chocolate to celebrate having found it 🙂

Cheers

T

Reply

gitanablog July 13, 2010 at 8:12 pm

Tennnyyyy – How could ANYone be miffed with you for ANYthing?!?! Your momma taught you well…proper manners that is. We don't even use the word "proper" enough 😉 See, we run roughshod over all social norms here in the states. The only reason we're excused is cause I guess our love comes through, regardless. And as for shallow? If anyone accuses you of such or of ever having BEEN such, send 'em to me. I'll hug them so hard they shall henceforth consider you a celebrated philosopher 😀 OK…my rambling rant is thus concluded. Now, I shall thank you sincerely and profusely for your visit, your awesome comments, your tweet 😉 , your support and overall coolness! Cheers my friend xoxoxo G

Reply

matias zeledon September 11, 2011 at 9:16 am

Gina, loved your list, although coffee should have been first. A creamy cup of coffee with an intense chocolate aroma is my best friend, about ten times a day. The other day went to the bank with an 12 oz cappuccino in hand and the teller thought i was drinking a hot chocolate.

Reply

Gina SuuperG Stark September 18, 2011 at 10:26 pm

Oh my shameful golly goodness! I thought I had replied muuch soonlier than this, Matias! :} Coffee really IS first…in that it's the first thing I savor in the morning, it's the ONE thing I have pretty much every day, and well, it's so lusciously lovely it deserves top dog spot! Thanks for visiting…and for bringing your chocolate-infused coffee 😉 Gina

Reply

Cancel reply

Leave a Comment

{ 1 trackback }

Previous post:

Next post: