I have always enjoyed cooking; however, other than for my parents and occasional family, I never really cooked for someone regularly until after I got married. I had tons of ideas in my head that I wanted to create and try. Each one a twist of  ideas and flavor blends that could tempt many palates. The problem I have had to overcome is that I have forgotten more ideas than I have created. I can watch a show and see something that  sounds and looks delicious and I think, man, that would be fun to make. I can mentally see the dish and run through ingredients in my head, planning on a wonderful dinner. Then life happens. You know what I mean. We would have to run to the store to get something for the dogs, mow the grass, or buy my wife another set of scrubs. If we were going shopping, then we have to hit all the stores (cause you can’t hit just one). Then we hit the home-improvement store, looking for more things to bring into our home. We then eat lunch out, whatever sounded tempting. We can do all these activities and a lot of times finish our day out at the grocery store. By this time, all the thoughts I have about making dinner are long gone. I’m so tired I have forgotten what show I was watching that inspired the dinner idea I HAD in my head. Heck, sometimes I forgot I even watched a particular show. We  inevitably do our typical, standard grocery shopping for the essentials. Now, all these ingredients can make some pretty fun meals, but the original meal that I had been inspired to make is long gone.

It became frustrating at times and, although I could pull of some pretty cool dinners, there are more I would have loved to try. So how did I fix it? Simple. I write it down. That’s it. Its just as soon as a thought about dinner occurs, I write it down. Why does this work? It makes me actually take an action. See, if I don’t right it down my mind thinks it not very important there for files it in the ever famous file 13. However when I write down what I want then the mind kicks it up a notch and says hey I should remember this. I put the paper in my pocket; then, when I hit the grocery store later, it’s right there what I wanted it. Pretty cool, huh?

This works in life as well as in the kitchen. Think about it. You have things you want to get done at work. . . write it down. You have lots of projects to complete around the house or in the office. . . write them all down, and cross them off as you complete them. Make it a game to write down everything you want; then cross it off as you complete each one. You can do the small things and the big things. Want a better job, a new car, to pass a test, or get to sleep by 8 o’clock? Whatever it is, make a habit of writing it down. You will be amazed how easy it is to accomplish things once you adopt this method.

Carne Picada with Strawberry Mango Salsa

Serves 2

Ingredients

1/2 Pound Carne Picada (Which means ground beef but looks like stringy strips of beef)

2 10″ Flour Tortillas

3 Tablespoons Caribbean Jerk Seasoning

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

Ingredients For Salsa

1 Cup Water

1/4 Cup Sugar

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

1/4 Cup Mango

1/4 Cup Strawberries

1/4 Cup  Onions

1/2 Tablespoon Dried Oregano

Directions

1. Heat saucepan and a skillet to medium-high heat.
2. In the saucepan, add water, sugar, and vanilla and bring to a boil; then simmer for 5 minutes, making a simple syrup.
3. Dice mango, strawberry, and onion, place in a small bowl, sprinkle on oregano and mix well.
4. Cover salsa with simple syrup; stir well and refrigerate  for 20 minutes to an hour (the longer it sits the better the flavor).
5. Mix Carne Picada with jerk seasoning.
6. Add olive oil to skillet; once oils begins to smoke, add seasoned Carne Picada.
7. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes until meat is cooked through.
8. Warm Tortillas (we usually place them 30 seconds in the microwave).
9. On each tortilla, scoop the cooked Carne Picada; top with salsa, roll, and serve.
10. Enjoy!