BEEF!

Okay, I am back to cooking at home. Feeling much better about it. Although cheap mexican tacos still sound sort of tempting. Nonetheless, I broke my bad streak by grilling ribeye. Hub actually did the putting of meat on fire but whatever. I had to tell him what to do so its like I made it myself. I swear I can grill too! Stop teasing me! I seasoned the meat heavily with the bicentennial rub from penzey's spices and served it with a fennel salad. The fennel salad was 2 bulbs, thinly sliced and tossed with lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, and capers. Easy, refreshing and a good steak topper. I also grilled sweet potatoes. I boiled the slices first and then seasoned them with the same grill seasoning and tossed them with a little olive oil. Just grilled them until marked and slightly crisp on the outside. They looked colorful and festive. I will figure out how to take pics and put them onto posts. Its a big goal. Next few nights will include a take on carbonara and possibly cold soba with dipping sauce and daikon radish. And I think I might make pickles. Research needs to be done first. Any pickle tips? That sounded gross.

Idle hands...

So being super bored while no longer working and waiting for school to start is expensive. I have put myself sort of out of harm's way by not allowing any redecorating of house or shopping. There is, however, the eating problem. I am just finding all sorts of places to spend money on food. I am obsessed with japanese pub food at the moment. Oh, and the noodles at Fukada. These are not cheap habits. I wish I could be totally content just scrubbing floors and exercising. I am not that person. So I need to not eat out and figure out a way to be totally satisfied eating from the pantry and clean my house. And exercise. But its so hot out, ma! and I am a wuss in the heat.

To entertain myself last week I hosted Cuba day. My friend and I made mojitos (she made amazing mojitos), cuban sandwiches, black beans, yuca, and chickpea and octopus salad. We swam in the pool and got sort of drunk on those damn mint/lime sodas she was making ("but they don't taste strong?"). So going to Cuba was fun even if the trip back was a little rough. Everyone seemed to be slightly seasick from that ride. I have to recommend the recipe for the cuban sandwiches. It was from the gourmet cookbook. Its just rolls with roasted pork, thinly sliced ham, swiss cheese, pickles, and yellow mustard smashed in a sandwich press and grilled. My favorite food group is not sandwiches but I loved me some cuban sammie. And it wasn't just from the rum, I swear. Really.

Cooking School, 90210

So at the orientation we were given super large books, knives, and measured for uniforms. I was relieved to see that it was a randomish mix of men and women. No marcel from top chef types. No real housewives looking ladies. Except one. We'll see how that pans out. But in all real chill. The first impressions are shallow and judgemental so I'll wait to really dig in to my classmates. Otherwise, just your ordinary orientation with basic rules: No raised rings, big earrings, open toed pumps, fake fingernails. We were given the cia cookbook. Largest book I have ever owned. And a cordon blue baking book. And a servesafe sanitation book. We were given a calendar with our curriculum schedule. One of my favorite moments was when the chef was describing how some female students had there uniforms altered to be more flattering. Awesome. Halfway through the course they had to order new ones because they were uncomfortable.

The course will last until end of February. You get to come to school with me.