Revolution

Revolutions happen all the time. Real revolutions. Sometimes against brutal oppressors and sometimes at the behest of brutal oppressors. Still, there are a few things that all revolutions have in common. It's about the people being fed up with their government, the people being willing to fight the government, and the people being willing to risk everything to change the government. Oh yeah, one more thing, it's a bad idea to bring a briefcase to a tank fight.

In Nicaragua you had to figure that masked dudes with guns indicate that things are not going well...

In the Czech Republic facing down Soviet Tanks (with out briefcases, unlike those savvy Chinese in the top picture) was probably pretty risky.

 In the Philippines using machine guns to control Nuns seemed reasonable, you wouldn't want to turn your back on that pair in the front.

The Polish had Hitler, Stalin Khruschev, and Brezhnev from the 30's to the 80's before they were finally free.

In Tunisia the police are obviously always willing to help.

Egypt may be our friend, but not a friend if you are a Coptic Christen. Police state much?

So, I tried to show all kinds of revolutions against all kinds of tyranny. There seems to be some common themes when dealing with tyrants. Tanks, machine guns, billie clubs, tear gas, police, and soldiers all being used against everyday people. That's a revolution. Why I'd  have to say that fighting against tyranny seems dangerous, you'd better be ready for the worse...

 ... and you certainly don't want to stand out to the police...

... no good can come of taunting savage dictators...

... run ladies, run! in country ruled by monsters like our own a thuggish crackdown could happen at any moment...

When do the tanks show up? The next thing you know there will be a trail of tears and crushed lawn chairs from Washington to Any town USA. He might take our health care, but he will never take our freedom!




Sorry, it's Friday night, I'm hammered, and I'm really out of patience with self important nitwits. Revolution is a nasty thing, people sacrifice everything. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, die. People disappear. Whole countries crumble overnight. Maybe for the better like Poland. Definitely for the worse, like Iran. Real revolutions are deadly serious moments where oppressed people violently say,"enough!".

In this country the revolution seems to be about... Health care for everyone? despite pre-existing conditions?on Dad's policy even if you are over 21? Oh the horror. Yeah I know they are forcing people to buy something. I don't like it either, but that can be worked on. Single payer anyone? Oops! That lefty stuff just slips out. Face it, you can argue policy all day, but a revolution? Really? As usual we shame the word and ourselves. No  revolution can be taken seriously if it is run by fat people in lawn chairs. It makes it too easy for Obama when he unleashes the tanks... and orcs, I bet the CIA is raising orcs for the final crack down!

Today, in honor of our North African  brothers and sisters who are actually risking their lives, we will be whipping up a Tagine.





Chicken Tagine

6 to 7 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into 2-inch chunks
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced ginger-root
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup dry white wine
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup dried apricots
1 cup whole blanched almonds
1 cup pitted green olives

Tagine is stew. It has an exotic name. It contains some exotic spices. It is still stew. The process is always the same. You put everything in a pot with a tight fitting lid and you cook it low and slow ( yes, good stew is like good sex) until all the flavors blend and everything goes soft. (for stew cuddling is both optional and messy, neither of which should be optional for sex.)

So, flour up your chicken. (thighs will give better flavor for fewer pennies but if you must do white meat I suggest going with bones)

While you are flouring up your chicken heat the oil in a pot with a lid or in a dutch oven. ( not that kind of a dutch oven, pig!)

Brown the chicken. Set aside, we're building flavor here.

(side note: for all cooking in any cuisine plan on adding at least a little salt every time you do a step that includes raw ingredients. You might want to taste first as you get farther into the process but salt is a good thing. Well, except for your blood pressure.)

Add the onions and ginger. Sweat for a while. (There should be no sizzling going on.)

Add the garlic,  for a minute tops, when garlic browns it gets harsh. Don't let it brown.

Add the spice, stir it around( if you want to be authentic you could add Ras el hanout instead. This is a special spice blend that you will not find at the average Price Chopper.)

Time for some wine. Wine is acidic, acid sharpens flavor. A cup is plenty. ( Drink the rest of the bottle then post rants about the nature of revolutions to the internet)

Let the wine cook down.

Add the rest of the stuff to the pot. If you didn't like these choices go with 3 different things, chickpeas, raisins, and pecans, it's stew. Don't get hung up on the rules.

Simmer on the stove top or in a low oven for 2 or 3 hours. ( low and slow remember? 3 hours gives me time to make love 180 times)

Serve over cous cous, or rice, or potatoes for all I care. (This is America, do what you will)

I like to add a harrisa sauce to the party so if you want mix a big scoop of harrisa ( you can not buy it at the same place that didn't sell Ras el hanout) with a scoop of creme fresh or sour cream. Chopped fresh cilantro would be nice too

To be clear for those of you that are nuanced challenged I am not ripping the tea party in this post. I am ripping our over blown, narcissistic, tendency to think that everything is about us. Yeah, yeah we are all heros. Revolutions can be necessary, so can wars, but when they happen a whole bunch of people die. People that just want to go home and eat their tangine in peace. Before you call yourself a revolutionary take off the clown clothes. Before you call for a revolution make sure you really are oppressed (the clue will be the guns that show up at your rally, they won't be on you, they will be pointed at you). And if you you really need a revolution go all in. (That means you or your family may end up dead). Oh, and take a note from the Chinese. Carry a briefcase in case the tanks show up.