Florida Tailgate Chili

Today was chili cookoff day at the college.  As a member of the Library team, Los Locos Libros, five years ago, we won this contest using my recipe.  

 I hiked over to the Continuing Corporate Education building with my two tickets in hand to partake in the annual customary eating of said chili, and to my surprise, there wasn't a whole lot left. Scraping the bottoms of three crockpots, I was able to come up a fairly nice size bowl of chili. A greenish looking one which was great, and two other red chilis that were mild. My biker bro Joel won the contest this year and not a morsel to sample.  I can see the early bird hogsters put a hurtin' on the chili.  There was at least a dozen crock-pots but most were empty.  Guess it is easier to sell tickets than to actually put the meat out there.  Where's the beef? 

The purpose of the event is to raise money for The American Cancer Society and I do believe it was a success! 

This is my recipe from back when we won this thing:

 

 

FLORIDA TAILGATE CHILI

INGREDIENTS:

1 round roast large (I used two for the contest)

Peppers—3 anchos (this is what gives it the flavor), 8 Jalapeños, Cayenne (if available—this gives it a mystic quality) bell pepper--green and red, sprinkle crushed red pepper

Two onions—I used Spanish but yellow is OK, just use more.

12 to 15 large tomatoes (go to a Mexican produce stand and buy 4 or 5 baskets of the $1.00 a basket ready to cook really ripe tomatoes.  Cut the stems out, chop them into 8 pieces and throw them in a blender.)

2 28oz. cans diced tomatoes

1 cans tomato paste

2 cans Ranch beans—must be “Ranch” brand

1 lime

1 bunch of cilantro—Mexican parsley

Red wine vinegar

4 or 5 cloves of garlic

Oil, vegetable—enough to cover bottom of pan

Salt

In large Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil.  Remove all fat from roast—should be able to slice it off all at once. Slice roast against the grain in very thin strips then cut into pieces—different sizes.  Add to pot stirring with a wooden spoon.  Brown the meat quickly on high, then start pouring in tomatoes from the blender. Add cans of diced tomatoes. 

Chop onions, green and red (if you have a red one) peppers and add to pot.  Chop 3 or 4 jalapenos with seeds crossways in slices.  Seed the rest and chop finely—don’t rub your eyes.  Cut up ancho peppers with scissors--or knife, like me--into small pieces and add to the chili—throw out most of the seeds but they will not hurt it.   Add 1 cayenne for mystical health reasons. 

Add the rest of ingredients, a couple of good shakes of vinegar, quarter to half cup of cilantro, lime and a good pour of salt—I know, its not good for you, but at least use some.  Put the beans in last and squeeze the lime in there too.  Stir easy.  Cook for at least an hour.

Happy Biking New Year

Miles are quickly adding up this new year.  I changed my 200mm rear tire down on the Keys during Phil Peterson's Poker Run to Key West, and just changed my front 21in.  Feels good to have a fresh oil change and new rubber on the asphalt.

As a Christmas present, I finally broke down and purchased a new helmet with flip-up face shield--actually, the first one I have ever had. It's a Jet II from Harley Davidson.  It didn't take long to get used to the comfy, snuggly fit. The first bug that bounced off of it sounded like an aluminum bat making contact with a softball.  Ping! It also muffles the sound of my pipes which have Rush mufflers on them.  The reason I bought it was for winter riding.  Believe it or not, it can get to freezing here in Florida.  The coldest day so far this year was riding in at 38 degrees F. My face was fine with my windshield on and the face shield down on the helmet. The only thing that was cold were my hands. Definitely need a solution for that. I've been looking at dual powered gloves, battery and wired in. They are ridiculously expensive, at 200 dollars. I'll probably just go with a heavier glove.  One good thing about the FXST I ride are the grips and levers which allow for a large glove while still offering control.



Jet II



It's easy to get spoiled with this helmet.  I thought I would be claustrophobic in it, but that is not the case.  My first ride was without my windshield on the forks and it was a great!  The face shield flips up and I suggest wearing sunglasses inside, just for further protection. You can ride with the shield in the up position if you like with no ill effects.  During foggy mornings, the shield does accumulate condensation, but after a while of riding in the up position it clears itself.  I love the feel of the wind in my face with just a half helmet, but for serious commuting it makes sense to have this 3/4 helmet with flip-up shield. Helmets are not required in Florida, but for my daily commute, which is a 50 mile round trip, I think helmets are a good idea. Plus, since I work at a college, I think it sets a better example for students--just my thoughts.

I'm really looking forward to heading to Daytona this year for bike week, which for the first time ever, coincides with our Spring Break, the week we are off.  I'm going to try and at least plan on staying in a tent if I can strap it on the back of the bike. It can be cold in Daytona during March.  I'm hoping that some of my peeps on twitter can meet up while I'm up there. You can follow me on twitter @softailrich. 

Well here's to the new year. Safe travels, and I wish you all prosperity and fun journeys in the new year! Rich.

Veteran's Day In Tampa

Yesterday was Veteran's Day.  The college where I work planned a ceremony to honor veterans and I was disappointed to have to miss it.  I had a doctor's appointment with my cardiologist that day, which was as it turns out, on 11/11/11 at 11 o'clock.  I planned a trip on my motorcycle to the west coast to Tampa for my doctor's visit and then afterwards, a meal at Chili's, who were offering Vets free food.  I had my DD214 packed away safely in my bookbag which I searched for the night before--digging through all my papers and things.

I left for Starbucks that morning to begin the trek across the state against a strong wind and a very cool 52 degrees. It really was miserable being blown all over the road not to mention the heavy traffic.  I was nervous about the echocardiogram that was awaiting me also.  I made it there successfully without having to yell or flip off too many drivers. The tests went well and I got a clean bill of health regarding the ol' ticker.  I was looking forward to my next stop as I left the doctor's office. The sun was warming the air and the ride was beautiful as I dodged the cars avoiding castastrophy.  I pulled into the Chilis in Valrica, about 10 miles out of town. As I got off my bike, I noticed that my backpack was no longer on the bike. It was gone.  Dread set in. I was so bummed I almost didn't go in to get lunch. After two years of carrying my laptop with me almost daily, I made the mistake of not securing it before I left. Stupid, stupid mistake. I went in anyway and as I entered the hostess yells over to the girl attending the bar and told her to get the veteran's menu out. No questions, or anything, maybe just because it was getting close to their busy lunchtime influx of people. I asked for Margaritas and chips with salsa and sat there depressed.  It's a material thing, but beyond just monetary value as some of you MBP owners can attest.  It's my personalized baby with Harley Davidson diamondplate skin on it that matches Mimi, my softail.  The barmaid gave me the veteran's menu and I ordered chicken tacos with black beans and rice.  It was absolutely delishious.  A Green Beret and an Air Force Veteran came in and spoke with me a while.  God Bless them for their service.  Sitting there nibbling on chips with salsa my phone rang.  It was 813 area code.  I almost didn't answer it because the number was unknown. I answered anyway. The gentleman on the other end asked if I had lost a...before he could finish, I said a bookbag? A black backpack? Yes! It is mine, I am Richard.  He said a young lady named Nisa had found it and had asked him to call me as she was on her lunch break and had to get back to work.  He gave me her phone number and I thanked him. I called Nisa and was just so happy that she had it. She gave me the address of the high-rise where she worked.  It was the law firm of Greenberg, Traurig, et. al in downtown Tampa. Ironically, my mom worked at their Miami office on Brickell Ave until she retired. I told her it would take a while for me to ride back and find and she said no problem.  I still had another margarita coming and the waitress brought it even though I was ready to leave.  I opened mapquest on my phone to try and figure where she was located.  I was still worried where would I park? What if I can't find it?  Two black Veterans were sitting next to me and overheard my conversation and gave me detailed directions. It turns out both were limo drivers and knew Tampa like the back of their hands. They assured me I would find it and instilled some confidence in me.  I finished my drink and anxiously headed back into that nightmare of 6, 8, and 10 lanes of congested traffic hell.  I rode as close to the directions as I could remember them telling me and low and behold, there was Greenberg Traurig right on the corner.  An empty parking space perfect for the bike was directly in front of the high-rise.  It's hard to explain the feeling I had when things just continually fell into place for me one after another,

I entered the building and was digging for Nisa's phone number when I noticed a receptionist in the lobby.  I asked for Nisa and she called her for me.  I told her I made it and was there.  In less than a minute a beautiful, voluptous, lady came down carrying my backpack. I was overjoyed.  She told me she had to dig through my papers finding my Navy discharge papers for my name. She then found papers from my doctor's office and called them for my phone number. It's a miracle that she got through to that office at all.  After giving her a huge hug, thanking her over and over, I went for my wallet and attempted to give her some cash.  She vehemently refused and somehow seemed happy to do this for me.  I am so grateful for her.  Even one of Vets said there are some good people in the world and that we only usually hear about the bad ones.  He was so right. I want to send her flowers and will.

Guardian Angels were watching over me this Veteran's Day and refused to allow any misfortune to come my way.  Sometimes things happen for a reason.  God Bless those who gave all.  I could feel them watching out for me yesterday. Bless them everyday. We are free to ride our motorcycles and drink margaritas and eat free food and live our lives in freedom because of them.

Also, that is one tough laptop that can take a pounding and keep on ticking.  No broken glass, no damage to Harley skin, still works.  I am typing on it as you read this.

Here's a song from the 80s Band Missing Persons that my wife and I were lucky enough to see in Boston at an old downtown theater.  I was amazed at the electronic drums and of course the singer Dale Bozzio, who had a run in with an animal cruelty charge.  Very bizzarre and unfortunate.

 Destination Unknown by Missing Persons on Grooveshark for Android: http://listen.grooveshark.com/s/DestinationUnknown/2yhXc0

Sunday Coffee Run

Starting early, the coolness in the air calls for only a t shirt, jeans and boots.  I brought rain gear in case of a surprise downpour.  The summer rains are here and they are totally unpredictable, even with smart phone radar!  They just pop up whenever conditions are favorable. It's only 25 miles or so to my first stop and is the coolest part of the day.  It only takes about 40 minutes to get here and I can't ask for a nicer stop. Great coffee and wifi.  I'm still trying to learn OS X Lion so this is a good time for me to play around with it.  Il need to find my blog and add another.  I have two which can be confusing, One is Deep Blue Motorcycle Blog and the other is deep blue.  Why did I do that?  I'm trying to organize.  Writing is therapy for me just like the motorcycle ride here.  I need to keep my personal ramblings on one, and only motorcycle related material on the other.  OK, so that is where I'm at now.

Sunday Pedal Bike Ride

It was a nice hot ride around Lake Jackson. I started at Veterans Park, where lots of local folks were putting their boats in the water. Some people were swimming and some were just sitting at tables enjoying the morning.  It's a nice place to park my truck and start my ride. 

The trip around the lake passes some gorgeous houses in the northern part of the ride.  I stayed on sidewalks for practically the entire trip which is not the smoothest, but the safest. I passed several dogwalkers, joggers and bikes going the opposite direction. Only once did I have to stop and take my shoes out of the toe clips for a family, grandma, daughter and son on bikes.  Everyone says hi or good morning as you pass by them.

It's only 10 miles around, so it doesn't take very long to ride it.  It would be faster to ride in the street, but there is too much traffic for it to be safe.  I averaged 11mph which is slow, but this was a leisurely ride and temps were in mid to high 80s.  I tracked the trip on Every Trail, a GPS tracking application that's free on my Droid2 phone. There are lots of apps which do the same thing, but this one is cool because it tracks time speed and distance and is viewable either in map view or satellite view.  It is very accurate.  I like it because it helps to challange yourself, see results and then post to Facebook and Twitter--anything that helps get you moving!

I think for my next ride, I will ride around my block.  Four right turns for a grand total of 7 miles. I could ride it twice for a little extra distance, plus it's a smooth ride which I should be able to largely increase my speed.  Hicks road was just repaved, so it should really be comfortable.

In the future I would like ride around Lake Istokpoga, one of the the largest lakes in Florida. Then, ride the largest, Lake Okeechobee.  It will take work and dedication.  Walking, jogging, biking and swimming will add a well rounded excercise regime to my life.  Every day is a gift, live it wisely.

Sunday Morning Ride

Heading out from the house this morning, the weather calls for wearing nothing but a tshirt and jeans.  Riding in Florida in the summer, it's about as much as you can wear and still be comfortable. You even see the occasional shorts and flip-flops on some scooter folks.  Different styles for different riders.

Every once in a while I'll add some bling to my bike by putting on the handle bar jewery made for me by my native american friend.  I always liked fringe also.  Need to get some.  Back during the hippie days, people used to wear fringe jackets.  Always thought they were cool, even cooler than the Fonzie black leather traditional jackets.  I looked at Shott NYC jackets the other day and some are a thousand dollars.  Made in the USA.  I guess that is what it has come to.  I might start making them myself.  They will be crude and caveman looking, but will be made right here in downtown Lorida, Florida.

In the Navy on one of the ships I was stationed on, I actually had a chance to work in the sail loft. They asked me if I could sew and I said hell yes! Beat the riggers who worked all night and all day.  Besides, the sail loft was the perfect place to have poker games.  I started out making gun covers, reupholstered submarine covers and seats, made lots of leather items and tarps with grommets.  I even had bikers come in with clothing to sew custom leather patches on.  My grandmother left a medium duty machine which I need to pull out and make a large sewing table for.  There are lots of boats around here to make bimini tops and seat cushions for.  Maybe then, I can quit working for the state and start for myself.  All made in USA!

I am feeling truly blessed today after eating a dozen or so garlic rolls made from a recipe I sent my mom from one of the facebook groups who found it from one of the oldest landmarks in Miami, Marcelas Pizza.  The fact that she is still baking and able to email from her iPhone is incredible to me.  80 years young folks.  I have a plan.  Take the pork roast I have out and BBQ it North Carolina style with some vinegar and pull it all apart for sandwiches!

Time to hit the road and get to the serious business of riding my tail off.  Ride safe friends and dress appropriately, whatever that is for you.

PS If interested in Jackets by Softailrich, let me know!