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    • GO To Tuesday: Baked Avocado Eggs

      Posted at 5:03 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on December 17, 2019

      IMG_8460Living in California, we have access to avocados year-round and it’s one of my favorite ingredients in meals and snacks. I found a recipe that called for cracking an egg into each hole, and it was a total failure … it didn’t note that the avocados needed to be extra large or the eggs needed to be extra small or the whole white would run out in a blob. So I tweaked it a bit by scrambling the eggs and making guacamole from the scooped out flesh. Delish and healthy!

      All of these ingredients are always in stock at our local Grocery Outlet. Click here for their  Facebook Page. I highly encourage everyone to check out this store for two reasons: 1) The variety of products at great prices is amazing! (You won’t find a better deal on avocados outside of Mexico!) and 2) The owners, Ellie & Rita Zgheib, are huge supporters of our community. They have donated thousands of dollars of products to those in need and have sponsored donation drives for our Food Bank. Good people!!!

      Variations: If you like a bit of spice, add hot sauce to the guac mixture. You can also use other varieties of cheese and top with fresh herbs. Instead of pork bacon you could use turkey bacon for a healthy twist.

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      Posted in In the Galley | 0 Comments | Tagged BoatingLife, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
    • Pizza Polenta Bowls

      Posted at 6:30 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on December 3, 2019

      Pizza Polenta Bowls.jpgCreamy polenta topped with a rustic tomato based veggie ragout is not only comfort food, but an easy option for feeding a picky crowd. I was cooking for a group of writers that included vegetarians and many with food allergies and aversions and this hearty lunch fit the bill.

      The ragout can be made in advance and reheated or made earlier in the day and allowed to simmer while making the polenta. The longer it sits, the deeper the flavors … and the kitchen will smell divine! Polenta is best served right away, so don’t start it until the ragout has been simmering for at least 15 minutes.

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      Posted in In the Galley | 1 Comment | Tagged BoatingLife, Cruising, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
    • Chamorro Latiya Cake

      Posted at 3:12 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on November 19, 2019

      IMG_8327I wanted to make a dessert for a party celebrating a dear friend’s advancement to the rank of United States Coast Guard Chief. She is a native of Guam, so I scoured blogs for traditional Chamorro fare and took parts from several recipes to create this sweet treat.

      Apparently, Latiya (pronounced “Lat-tee-zah”) is the dessert of choice served at all Chamorro gatherings. It has just a few ingredients, is fairly easy to make, and requires no baking. The secret is in getting the custard-like filling to the right consistency but not overcooking.

      To my utmost delight, it was deemed perfect by not only the Chamorro father, aunt, uncles, cousin and friends, but most importantly by the honoree, as well as delicious by those of us Americans having it for the first time. I shared my extensive research and we had a fun banter about the use of eggs (I didn’t), amount of vanilla (I used 1/2 teaspoon instead a full teaspoon), layering of the pound cake versus leaving space for the custard between slices, and the appropriate amount of cinnamon sprinkled on top. What it all comes down to is the cook’s preference … and in a Chamorro kitchen, the cook is always right!

      And the absolute most important ingredient in food at a Chamorro gathering? Love in heaping portions. I put plenty of that in this recipe for Chief Isa Mariano!

      Note: “Chamorro” is the term for the indigenous natives of the Mariana Islands, including Guam. “Guamanian” is the term used for those strictly from the island of Guam, not the neighboring islands.

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      Posted in In the Galley | 0 Comments | Tagged BoatingLife, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
    • GO To Tuesday: Italian Picnic Skewers

      Posted at 9:45 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on November 5, 2019

      SkewersThis has become my go-to picnic recipe, stolen from a marina friend who brought them to a dock party! Incredibly easy and a definite crowd  pleaser, they are a mini-meal unto themselves. They can be made a day in advance and require no utensils. I put the skewers in a plastic container with a lid and it’s ready to grab from the fridge and go.

      I’ve served them with watermelon/feta/mint skewers drizzled with honey balsamic vinegar and a cold rose wine. Yum!

      Variations: You can change up the ingredients for different flavor profiles and easily make them vegan by eliminating the salami. Try marinated artichoke hearts or mushrooms, bell peppers, green or stuffed olives, cucumber chunks, fresh basil leaves, feta or other cheeses, etc. You can also substitute any vinaigrette salad dressing (or make your own) and a variety of tortellini types. Use your imagination! You’ll find all the ingredients regularly stocked at our local Grocery Outlet.

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      Posted in In the Galley | 0 Comments | Tagged AlamedaGroceryOutlet, BoatingLife, GalleyCooking, GOAlameda, GroceryOutlet, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, shoplocal, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
    • Island Spirits

      Posted at 4:43 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on October 31, 2019

      Deserted IslandWhen a man gets to a certain age, it is time for him to set out on his own, or at least that is what he tried to tell himself as he readied his boat for the journey. He had been sailing these seas with his father since the day he could walk, he knew them better than he knew the land. Of course, where he was going, he would eventually leave his home waters, and that is where the test of his strength and abilities would come in. 

      His vessel might have been ready but it took a few more days before the winds were right for his passage. It was a warm clear night and the moon had just risen when he was awoken by the thick perfume of flowers in the air, the winds had finally shifted, it was time to go.

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      Posted in Story Shelf | 0 Comments | Tagged 2LWA, BoatingLife, Books Inc, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, ShortStory, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • GO To Tuesday: Almond Stacks

      Posted at 9:25 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on October 29, 2019

      IMG_7978This quick sweet uses two ingredients and takes all of 5 active minutes, plus 10 of baking and another hour for cooling. Of course you can find these at a huge discount at our Alameda Grocery Outlet.

      These make a great dessert bite and are perfect for those who like to give homemade holiday gifts. Place in an airtight container with a bow, or combine with our baked treats in a fancy tin.

      Variations: The measurements don’t have to be exact; if your packaging is an ounce bigger or smaller, it doesn’t matter. Also, switch up the color and flavor by trying different types of chocolate chips. These happen to be butterscotch, but I’ve also done them with milk and white chocolate. A sprinkle of sea salt after making the stacks is also a nice touch.

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      Posted in In the Galley | 1 Comment | Tagged AlamedaGroceryOutlet, BargainMarket, BoatingLife, GalleyCooking, GOAlameda, GroceryOutlet, homeofWOW, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, shoplocal, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
    • Chicken Tapenade

      Posted at 4:40 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on September 24, 2019

      Chicken TapenadeTo be honest, hubby and I aren’t fans of chicken breast. We prefer thighs which are juicier due to the higher fat content. But every now and then I feel like doing something fancy with chicken and opt for breasts especially when stuffing. Using olives marinated in olive oil kept these moist and flavorful.

      I generally get my proteins from the butcher counter rather than the prepackaged section, as I can assure that the pieces are all similar sized for even cooking. These particular breasts were huge at almost a pound each, which makes stuffing them fairly easy. I made three breasts and served four people with a small portion left over for lunch.

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      Posted in In the Galley | 0 Comments | Tagged BoatingLife, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
    • Small Town Politics

      Posted at 6:09 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on September 12, 2019

      imgres-1The Littletown League of Women Voters mayoral candidate debate had just begun when the fire alarm was sounded. After 30 minutes and an “all clear” from the Fire Chief, the crowd filed back inside. It was apparently a faulty alarm but they had dragged in the hefty fire hose as a precaution and it now lay smack dab down the middle of Uncle Joe’s All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Buffet. It would remain until the investigation was complete in an hour or so, and the debate needed to get underway and wrap-up before the restaurant opened for the Early Bird Special crowd.

      “Alrighty, folks, let’s settle down and resume our debate,” LWV President Nancy Brown said into the microphone. “We’ve made our introductions and we’ll start over with the first question.”

      “That’s not fair! Billy Bob and Carl already answered! Skip them!” stated Susan Smith, one of the four candidates seated on the little platform usually reserved for the oyster shucking station.

      Nancy was not fond of having her authority questioned. “I said we’re going to start again. No more from you Susie, or you can follow that fire hose into the kitchen to cool down.” 

      “Quiet, please. Question number one. ‘Our city is in a budget crisis. How would you address the looming deficit?’ We’ll begin with you, Susie, since you’re so eager to answer.”

      Susie straightened with the attention, then leaned in to the microphone.

      “By electing me, there will be no deficit. I will make better decisions than our current mayor and spend our money on more important things than a new golf course.”

      Ron Matthews, the current mayor, jumped up from the table, knocking his chair off the stage. “Hey, that’s dirty talk. I was told there’d be none of that. I’m not putting up with lies.”

      Susie retorted, “It’s the truth. You promised that Booneville would pay for the course since it borders their town. You lied and now we have a bulldozed plot of land that no one can use unless we pay millions to finish it.”

      Billy Bob Jackson chimed in, “Who golfs in this town anyway, besides you? You’re nothing but a carpetbagger from fancy schmancy Florida who bought the last election.”

      Nancy called for order, but it was too late.

      Candidate Carl Deaton joined the attack, “And how about all those conferences? Why do you need to go to the state capital and DC all the time? We don’t want any corporate money. We take care of our own.”

      Mayor Matthews wasn’t having any of it. “That’s it. I’m done. Y’all can debate without me. I don’t have to take this.” And with that he stepped down and promptly tripped over the fire hose.

      The audience wasn’t sympathetic and snickered as he picked himself up, brushed off his suit and stomped out of the restaurant.

      Nancy took charge. “Enough. Let’s move on to the next question. ‘What is your position on climate change and how it affects our town?’ Carl, you’re up.”

      “There’s no such thing as climate change and ya’ll know it. God has a plan and if we pray hard enough, we’ll all be safe from storms and floods.”

      Lots of nods and a few hearty amens from the audience were offered in reply.

      “Billy Bob? Your take on climate change?” prompted Nancy.

      “Well, I’m not much of an environmentalist, but I have a plan to build a dam that diverts the water before it overflows. Booneville won’t like it much, but that’s their problem.”

      This brought hoots and whistles from the audience.

      “And Susie? Your turn.” said Nancy.

      “Instead of putting more money into studies, let’s move the trailer park from the edge of the lake to higher ground, then everyone will be safe.”

      Billy Bob interjected, “Talk about self-serving. You live there and want a free ride!”

      Nancy stepped in front of the stage, looking at the candidates sternly. “If y’all don’t behave, I’ll just shut this down. These are serious questions about problems facing Littletown. We need to address our budget, response to disasters and so much more. We need a strong leader to drag us into the 21st century instead of being stuck in the Leave it to Beaver days.”

      Someone in the audience started the chant, “Nan-cee, Nan-cee, Nan-cee!” Others joined in and soon the whole room was booming.

      Nancy put up her hand and called for quiet.

      “That’s mighty nice of y’all to think that I’d make a good mayor. I’m not sure I’m up for the job. But neither are any of these yahoo’s sitting on the stage, or the buffoon we elected four years ago.”

      She looked out at the packed room. It was the biggest building in town and at least half of the citizens had turned out for the debate, with every seat filled and a handful standing at the back. 

      “Let’s take a little poll. If you would support me as a write-in candidate for Mayor, stand on this side of the fire hose. If you think someone else would do a better job, move to that side.”

      The candidates’ protests were drowned out with the ruckus of people standing to take sides.

      Before much movement had taken place, the Fire Chief strode into the room announcing, “Sorry, folks. We have to shut this little party down. The fire alarms are malfunctioning and it’s not safe until we have them fixed.”

      And with that, the sprinkler system activated and the Littletown Mayoral candidate debate was officially over.

      ###

      Written July 14, 2019 for submission to the NYC Midnight 11th Annual Flash Fiction Challenge. Thousands of world-wide writers were divided into over a 100 groups of 15 and given prompts of genre, location and object. We then had 48 hours to submit a story of up to 1,000 words using the prompts. The stories will be critiqued by professional judges and given points and then Challenge #2 will be announced on September 13th and also critiqued and given points. The writers with the five highest top point totals in each group after the first two challenges will move on to round three in November. The top three writers in each of these groups will then move on to the final round in December. 

      The prompts for Challenge #1 for my group were: Political satire in an all-you-can-eat restaurant with a fire hose. 

       

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      Posted in Story Shelf | 0 Comments | Tagged LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, SailingWriter, ShortStory, Tayana, VivoOSonho, Writing Sailor
    • GO To Tuesday: Baked Pears

      Posted at 10:23 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on September 10, 2019

      Baked PearsMy husband and father-in-law love sweets and dessert is always highly anticipated after I’ve made a nice dinner. I often make complicated baked goodies but in my pursuit of eating healthier I’ve been working on new ideas. This one satisfies the sweet tooth and is so easy to whip up in minutes. Better yet, all ingredients are readily available at our Alameda Grocery Outlet.

      Pears are a great source of Vitamin C (one provides about 11 percent of your daily recommended allowance) and also boast low calories and high fiber, making it a great choice for those looking to loose weight. Honey is a known antioxidant and many feel it is a good replacement for processed sugar.

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      Posted in In the Galley | 0 Comments | Tagged AlamedaGroceryOutlet, BargainMarket, BoatingLife, GalleyCooking, GOAlameda, GroceryOutlet, homeofWOW, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, shoplocal, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
    • Raspberry Plum Galette

      Posted at 5:23 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on August 27, 2019

      Raspberry Plum GaletteGalette from the Norman word “gale” meaning flat cake is a term used in French cuisine to designate various types of flat or freeform crusty cakes. For me, it’s a much easier way to make a version of pie! 

      With all the wonderful summer stone fruit available right now, this is a no-fuss dessert that presents and tastes beautifully.

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      Posted in In the Galley | 0 Comments | Tagged BoatingLife, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
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    Heidi Benson Stagg

    Heidi Benson Stagg

    I live aboard a 42 ft Tayana Vancouver sailboat, hull #5 laid in 1979, with my husband and little dog. We left our berth of 15 yeas in Alameda, California in the Fall of 2022 and now live in La Paz, Mexico. I enjoy blogging about our journey, cooking in my tiny kitchen and writing short stories.

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