Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Finally!

I finally got my chef uniforms and toolkit today, and I begin my first lab class the week after next. I can't wait to finally get in the kitchen!! I'm so proud of the obscene amount of money that I just spent of this stuff, I had to take pictures. I'm even sitting in my uniform right now. I probably need professional counseling or something.

Friday, March 24, 2006

Stink

My current culinary class is Culinary Arts 100. Introduction to culinary history, cooking methods, knife cuts, and farting. Yes, farting. The guy sitting next to me – let’s call him Daryl (because that’s his name) – is constantly passing the time by farting. Not silent but deadly farting, but all out audible freight train farting. It’s ok though because he always says, “Excuse me” after each noxious fart. I’m going to have to start bringing a gas mask (and earplugs) to class.

Sunday, March 19, 2006

All Things Green


St. Patrick's Day at Sherlock's.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

100 Things About Me: 41 - 60

41. I worry all the time.
42. About everything.
43. I don’t mind public speaking. I’ve even been told that I’m good at it.
44. I have an unhealthy addiction for celebrity gossip.
45. I can’t live a day without my iPod.
46. I’m scared to fly, and even though I do it somewhat frequently, it requires sedatives.
47. Growing up, I was a total tomboy.
48. I have the scars to prove it.
49. Someone once convinced me to drink a Tequila Sunrise by telling me there was no tequila in it.
50. I hate tequila. One night of tequila shots gone awry….
51. I’ve had food poisoning 3 times. All three, I thought I was going to die.
52. I’ve been attacked by a dog – twice.
53. People used to mistake me and my sister for twins. We are eight years apart.
54. My favorite wines are Pinot Grigio and Reisling.
55. I was in the colorguard in high school.
56. I was also on the school newspaper staff.
57. I don’t brag about either.
58. I’m a reality show junkie.
59. Rarely does a day go by that I don’t watch Oprah.
60. In the past two years I’ve been to Mexico, London, India, Japan and Rome. Japan was my favorite.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Green Goddess

Tonight I tested out a recipe on my friend T. Pasta with a Green Goddess Sauce. Sounds divine, no? Well, not so much. Here's the process.

1) Roast Shallots in oven and make house smell delicious.









2) Make sauce and stink up the place (must be the tofu)










3) Eat and critique (too much tang)










4) Pack up the leftovers and pawn them off on unsuspecting moms.









I wouldn't recommend the recipe, but for any that are curious, let me know.

One Bag

Yesterday I made a quick trip to the grocery to pick up a few items to make Beef Stroganoff. I filled my basket with some sour cream, a lemon, a few fresh herbs and a package of pasta. I jumped into the “6 items or less” Express Lane and paid for my purchase while the cashier tossed all of my food into one bag. As I signed the credit card receipt, she asked me if I needed help carrying out my bag. I’m sure it’s a standard courtesy, but it left me thinking: 1) Do I look so out of shape that I wouldn’t be able to make it to my car with my ONE bag without help? or 2) Are people actually so lazy that they request assistance in carrying their ONE bag to their car? I choose option 2. I’m still in denial that working out every now and then might do me good.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Flavor

Since this is a culinary school blog, you might be expecting a post about food - food that's full of FLAVOR. On the contrary. Tonight, a friend of mine persuaded me (with a deep dish, whole wheat vegetarian pizza) to watch the season finale of The Flavor of Love. With names like Cherry, Peaches, Pumkin and Red Oyster, one could only hope the lady contestants had more too offer than hooch, bling and a lot of tattooed (and sometimes droopy) skin. Having never seen the show until tonight, a quick recap told me everything I needed to know. Flava is looking for a "baby girl" and the women on the show are looking for a 40 something man dressed in a cheetah print robe with enough bling to set off every airport security system in America. It came down to the final two baby girls - New York and Hoopz. *Spoiler* (if you actually care) Flava tells New York that she's outta there because he's "going to roll with Hoopz." The most romantic moment comes with Flava ask Hoopz to be "his baby" and presents her with a set of gold tooth caps. So much for diamonds ladies. This is the new engagement gift of the millennium.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Vodka Pasta

So...a friend of mine who knows how much I LOVE Vodka, sent me a recipe that Rachael Ray recently featured on Oprah. Without hesitation, I gathered up the ingredients (rest assured that Vodka was already on hand) and began peparation for what I thought would be a FABULOUS dinner. I even added SHRIMP!! Blessed be my friend who is open to trying almost anything (barring olives), who shoveled in a few spoonfuls before finally announcing that the dish is just shit. Well hell, I tried. And I never thought that anything with Vodka could fail me. Damn Rachael Ray.