"I find it offensive..."

I apologize in advance as very little in this newsletter concerns herbs, spices, or even food.  Except the recipe.

“I find it offensive…” is the statement for the week.  An irate individual, let’s call him John since that happens to be his name, sent us an email last Saturday at 12:37 stating that he found it offensive that there was no way for him to unsubscribe from this newsletter.  He also claimed to have no idea how he got on our mailing list.  With a few exceptions, no one is sent this newsletter unless they have signed up for it at one of our markets or contacted us and requested to be added to our distribution list…except for John.

John didn’t want to give us his email address.  Didn’t matter that we already had it, it was evidently a further intrusion of his privacy to provide it to us so that we could remove his address.  Never mind that he had sent us an email at 12:32 with his address, name, and the subject of unsubscribe.  Five minutes prior to the email saying that he was offended and that he didn’t want to provide his address.  Some people shouldn’t be allowed to breed.  Too harsh?  Not in my world.

I find it offensive that we provide aid to foreign countries but we are unable (or unwilling) to ensure that every child in this country has enough to eat.

I find it offensive that the welfare system still exists.

I find the bailout of A.I.G. offensive.

I find it offensive that our schools here in Maine spend significant amounts of time teaching our children how to take tests rather than educating them.  I’m referring to the MEA, NECAP,SAT, and others.

I find the No Child Left Behind Act offensive.  You do not teach to the dumbest student in the class.  Period.  Look at the results from the 2009 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2011/2011004.pdf exam.  The U.S. ranked 14^th in reading, 17^th in Science, and 25^th in Math out of 34 countries. 

I find it offensive that we reward mediocrity rather than results.  Teachers especially should be held accountable for the performance of their students.  I’m not saying that it’s their fault but our education system needs some serious reworking.  And before any teachers out there go off on me, I come from a family of teachers.

I find our burdensome tax system offensive.  Why the hell can’t we enact a flat tax?  No incentives, exemptions, or write-offs.  Everyone pays the same.  Doesn’t matter whether you make $10,000 or $10,000,000.  If we all had to pay 10% of what we earned it affects everyone the same.  Just because you make more doesn’t mean that you should have to pay a greater percentage.  The same goes for earning less; you receive the same federal services that everyone else does; pay your fair share.

I find whining about minority rights and inequality offensive.  At one time or another everyone in this country was a minority.  We all left wherever we came from because we were unhappy with the status quo.  The NAACP is a special interest group.  Otherwise it would be known as the National Association for the Advancement of People.

I could go on.  I’m sure that I’ve managed to offend some people with the above statements.  Deal with it.  Grow a thicker skin.  Or email me and open a discussion.  Or email me and I’ll gladly remove you from our mailing list.  I promise not to make you the subject of a future newsletter.  Examine what you find truly offensive and see if I’m being too harsh on poor John.  I’m offended that I’ve spent all this time writing about it.

So…off the soapbox.  I promised you a recipe this week using Aji Panca.  Well, here it is:

Sopa a la Criolla (Creole Soup)

Serves 6-8

1 lb. Beef cut into bite-sized pieces

3 Tbsp. Olive Oil

2 Tbsp. Garlic ~ Minced

2 Large Onions ~ Finely chopped

2 Tomatoes ~ Peeled and diced (or 1 14 oz. Can)

2 Tbsp. Ají Panca Chile Powder

2 Bay Leaves

2 1/2 Tbsp. Dried Oregano

1 Tsp. Rocoto Paste or Hot Chili Sauce (Sriracha works well)

10 Cups Beef, Chicken, or Vegetable Stock (or water)

8 Oz. Angel Hair or Spaghetti ~ broken into 3-inch pieces

2 Cans Evaporated milk

3 Eggs ~ Beaten

Sea Salt

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Season the beef with salt, pepper and garlic.  Heat the oil in a large soup pot over high heat and pan-fry the beef.  Add the Ají Panca, onion, tomato, chili sauce, oregano, and bay leaves.  Reduce heat to medium and cook until the onion is transparent.  Add the stock, bring to a boil and add the angel hair pasta.  Cook until almost al-dente.  Add the evaporated milk and then the beaten eggs after tempering. Stir to incorporate, correct the seasoning and remove from heat.  Serve and enjoy.

Look.  I didn’t even complain about the weather.

Rick