Found in Fishers

It's Liam's Turn to Celebrate

 Tell an eight year old that he has to wait to open his presents. Yikes. Liam's birthday is the day after Sarah's on the 13th. Of course little kids think of presents, that's what makes birthdays so much fun. When he heard that the party was not starting until dinner at 4:00, he was a bit miffed hoping that Sarah would reconsider a birthday lunch party instead and invite people over at noon.

It did not take Liam too long Saturday morning to call his neighbor friend over. She came over right away and ended up staying about 10 hours enjoying the day with us. We had a tattoo parlor running, there were some Lego events, and something about playing post office before the guests started to arrive. The kids were having fun while Sarah and I napped. We did one of those half sleep half awake naps. I was on the recliner, Sarah on the couch. We promised to nap until 2   when I heard a clanking noise in the kitchen and told Sarah she promised we would nap until 2 and yelled that she should get back on the couch. Oops, it was not her but the kids trying to find something to drink. That was pretty funny. After fully I was

 awake, I actually felt 10 times worse than before that quasi-nap. I should have just put on my walking shoes and went outside for some exercise. Guess I was just too lazy.

It was a great party. The food was delicious even though Sarah makes what I now call "Lazy Lasagna".

Happy Birthday Sarah!

What a great day in region as we celebrated Sarah's Birthday. She talked for weeks about wanting a white cake for her birthday but I only agreed to bringing a cake if she played Happy Birthday on her guitar.

I have not really found a bakery of choice in central Indiana that matches Calumet Bakery in the region so I did some research and found Encore in Fishers. The cake I ordered was called a Serendipity Cake; White cake with almond flavored icing, cheese cake and strawberry filling. It was only 6 inches in diameter but 4 layers high!

At guitar lessons during the last month, guess what she was learning? Happy Birthday of course. She did a good job with it too.

Next up was giving her the gift. Last weekend she was in Fishers visiting with Liam and we all went shopping. During the trip, Sarah made mention a couple times about wanting the Twilight Movie and Bella the Barbie. She has become a Twilight fan after watching the movie with my parents and then reading the books.

Funny how that book series was intended for teen-aged girls but has become the craze of 30 and 40 something women. Plus, I was told by my staff that knowing the details of the series was a must for good lunch conversations and something about being a Jacob or Edward fan. Don't know enough yet to decide. All was fun. Friday was Sarah's party, today is Liam's.

Come to Fishers and get a Great Meal!

 Sarah and Liam came to visit me for the weekend. I cannot believe that I have not seen them since the first week of January. The weather has not been cooperating so getting back and forth on I65 was just not possible. She and Liam were treated to a gourmet meal as I continue to practice my cooking skills. Sarah loved my Chicken Marbella, Mushroom Risotto, and Roasted Root Veggies. Liam did not. He had some of the chicken and a roll. Funny thing was Mark was trying to get him to taste the veggies but he would not because he saw dill on them. Mark trying to get someone to eat veggies? Now that is a miracle.

And of course it being Sunday today was my day for a "fancy" meal. Juan was in the medical clinic for 4   hours waiting to confirm that he indeed has a hernia that needs immediate attention. I made a chicken dish that I honestly just made up while standing in the kitchen. I started to make Chicken Marsala. As I was getting my ingredients organized I realized that I used all the mushrooms and there were only canned mushrooms in the house. No way, no canned mushrooms in my Marsala. I decided to take a couple techniques I learned and created as I was prepping. I coated my chicken breasts with some seasonings and cornflake crumbs. I browned the chicken in some olive oil in a skillet and put them in the oven. While they were baking I was thinking about how boring that was so I took the skillet I was using and carmalized an onion, added some garlic, white wine, chicken stock, flour and lemon juice. As it reduced, I added a couple tablespoons of butter and created a lemon sauce for my chicken. Once the chicken was done, I plated the breasts in strips and poured some sauce on the strips. I steamed some snow peas and served potatoes. It sure was yummy! In the end my Marsala turned into lemon chicken giving me quite a bit of confidence that I do not always need a recipe to make a good meal.

Next week cooking Mexican! Give me a call and RSVP, the more the merrier!

Weekend Chef Strikes Again

 The tradition continues. I made a special meal again today. This time I decided to keep it fresh and make a Stir Fry. I started with a large assortment of veggies. Of course it gave me an opportunity to practice my knife skills. I cut some bok choy, red peppers, mushrooms, onions, garlic, chicken breasts and put it all together with some udon noodles making a delicious dish. Mark took a pass. He felt there were too many veggies for him. I am thinking he did some snacking and was not hungry. Of course it does not help that Katie brought a box of Jimmy's from St. Louis- small square glazed yeast donuts with jelly filling. Yum!

To flavor my dish, I added some fresh ginger, soy sauce, and vinegar. I also decided to make a cold radish salad. I sliced up some radishes, cucumbers, and red peppers combining them into a cold salad with a vinaigrette dressing. When I was done with both I chose to place the cold salad on top of the stir fry. I like that technique of adding cold to hot. 

Had enough left overs for both me and John to take some to work. I bet it will taste even better tomorrow. I also took some time to slap on some spices and garlic to sit overnight on my pork tenderloin this week. I am going to roast it tomorrow after work and get a couple meals out of it for the week. It will be a quiet night. John and Liz have to work. Mark is in school. Think I will also make a brussel sprout dish for myself. Can't wait. 

End of the Line

 My luck ran out today as the next blogger for the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I am not sure what is bringing about this bad luck lately but I sure hope it ends soon. The last finalist was announced today. Another blog written by someone who has been to the museum. It is not going to stop me from visiting the IMA and checking it off my bucket list, but I am bummed. Might need to organize a pity party for myself. So for all my blogger fans, here is my entry, ya know the one that lost:

  

Bucket List #9 - A Glimpse into my Culture Exploration.

Those who already know me, know about my crazy lists. I always have a list of things to do. I even make lists when I have a week off work of what I want to get done at home. Who would want a week off and forget to caulk the door or touch up paint on the mailbox post! 

Many people have a bucket list. I never really had a formal bucket list until I watched the movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. What a tear-jerker! Besides replenishing my box of tissues, I decided to start my own official bucket list...determined to experience life to the fullest. Besides, how can you not start a list after seeing that movie! My list is rather long, only because some items are a bit lame, but nonetheless important to me. Others require much more money than I have right now. I add to the list frequently. Some would say a bit too much. I steal ideas from other people's lists, too. Silly as it may be, you are probably wondering: "What exactly is on this crazy list?" Here are just a few:

#1 See the Terracotta Warriors in Xian, China (I can't believe I was in China for a summer and didn't see this),

#3 Ride London's Tube,

#14 People watch in Indy at the 2012 SuperBowl,

#16 Eat at Rathkellers in Indy,

#9 - Explore the IMA.

I enjoy exploring cultural experiences. There are so many in my own backyard that don't require me to travel to Europe or Asia. As much as I enjoy exploring, I also like sharing my experiences with others. I have been to the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) three times since relocating to central Indiana. Guess what? I haven't seen any exhibits yet! How pathetic that I have been in the museum that many times and have yet to see the exhibits. It's been on my bucket list for goodness sake! The trips I have made were events held in the Deer Zink Pavilion at the IMA but my cultural experience ended at the banquet hall doors. I continue to see "Exploring the IMA" unchecked. The time is now to work on #9. I am looking forward to sharing a glimpse of my experience with you. Everything at the IMA will be new to me.  Here is your chance to experience a first-timer's view of the museum. Keep checking...

Weekend Chef

I spent over an hour in Meijer this afternoon looking over all of the vegetable choices. As I stood in the produce department I was able to look with new eyes, the eyes of a cook. I spent 4 more hours today in my cooking class learning the basics of preparing a variety of veggies. And a couple pieces of fruit. I could not believe all that we learned in such a short amount of time.  We used fennel, parsnips, bok choy, swiss chard, brussel sprouts, spinach, jalepenos, yukon gold potatoes, all colors of peppers, red onions, radishes, cucumbers, mushrooms, carrots, rappini, and blood oranges.There was probably more but that I am just not remembering. I cannot wait to make some of these same dishes at home this week. I learned to cut and cook a variety ways. My favorite was roasting veggies. In the photo is baby bok choy that I was getting ready for a Japanese Noodle Stir Fry. 

 My mind is spinning with some new ideas. I think I might start a new tradition and make Sunday dinner. This way I have a chance to practice my skills while at the same time not feel pressured during the week to prepare anything beyond the basics. So, frozen pizza would still be ok.

I can't wait to start thinking about Sunday's dinner. Until then I have some work to do today. I have three chickens to cut apart. I need to make some chicken stock for the week. I figured that if I was going to do all that work for stock I would make two pots and freeze half. It is a lot of work and time to cook the stock. I chopped an awful lot of onions, carrots, and celery. I also ended up with 3 meals of chicken pieces. I am thinking about something with the dark meat for tomorrow.

Time is Running Out

Sadly, the Indianapolis Museum of Art announced their 4th finalist in the So you Think You Can Blog contest. It was not me...again. Now I'm really starting to wonder if my take on writing as an art museum newbie was such a good idea after all. The newest submission is actually quite good. So far I like number 1 and number 4, but the first is my fav. If I am chosen as number 5 then I of course will think mine is the best.

Here are some interesting facts about the four winning entries: They all have pictures, all talk about their love of art, and they all talk about visiting the IMA and the satisfaction of those visits. They are all women. Hmmm... Except for being written by a woman, my entry had none of those qualities. I'm usually a pretty positive person but I am not feeling particularly hopeful this time.I am thinking it may not have been a good match after all. Check in again next week to hear the news about the last finalist. Now I know what those American Idol contestants feel like waiting word from the judges!

Bon Appetit

Valentine's Day was my big debut. The debut of my gourmet meal for Juano and Mark. I decided that Valentine's Day would be perfect for me to try my special recipes from my cooking class. (Check out the beautiful flowers I got from my friend Katie.)

Chicken Marbella

Parmiagano-Regiano Mushroom Risotto

Fresh Green Beans with lemon butter

Banana Cream Pie with caramel & chocolate sauce

I did some of the prep work on Saturday, starting with marinating the chicken. The chicken was placed in a plastic bag with an assortment of goodies such as olives, olive oil, oregano, plums, garlic, vinegar and more. It sure smelled wonderful. Next I whipped up my egg yolks and fresh heavy cream into a custard which rested while I made homemade caramel and chocolate sauces. The pie included some fresh bananas and sent to the refrigerator to set overnight.

When I woke up on Sunday I started my day hanging with Katie. We went to breakfast and flea market. I came home to do some laundry and watch a couple movies. About an hour before eating I put the chicken in the oven and started my risotto. Everything was perfect. It turned out delicious. I was quite satisfied with the food and felt it was restaurant quality. I think John felt the same. We were both stuffed but felt we could not have eaten better today.

 I am looking forward to trying other new recipes as well. I have been learning a lot of layering flavors and it showed in my risotto dish. Can't wait for more experimenting. I also want to cook this same meal for company. Come to Fishers, I promise you will eat well!

My Turn to be a Student

Cooking classes began today. I was a pretty good student. I am taking classes this month at Frazier's Gourmet. Cooking 101 with Chef Rob from the Chef's Academy. We had a busy 4 hours of work today. We started with basic first aid and kitchen sanitation. I was excited but a couple people were a bit nervous. I am not sure why.

The class is made up of 8 students. Mostly men.  According to Chef Rob that is common. I really want an opportunity to become a better cook but it was apparent some were there to learn to cook. Needless to say, both are the perfect students for this class, foodies. This class is not meant for those wanting to go into the profession just those who like to cook and eat.

After learning about some basics about first aid and safety we started with knife skills. We practiced on carrots, onions, potatoes and celery. We also learned to cut a whole chicken in order to get bones for chicken stock. I even learned how to cut the chicken for boneless breasts. It sure would take a lot of chickens to made a dinner of chicken wings.

After practicing our knife skills we took our chicken bones and veggies and started a chicken stock. We also started talking about thickening agents and wet and dry cooking. It was very interesting. The class was divided into two teams. Thank goodness it was nothing like Hell's Kitchen. Our Chef was helpful and kind to us. My group made Chicken Velvet Soup. The other group Cream of Mushroom Soup. Of course class concluded with lunch. Yummy. Tomorrow I am cooking Valentine's Dinner. Check in to read the details later.

Only 2 more chances; the bad luck continues

The third week has arrived and once again my blog entry was not chosen in the IMA blogging contest. I am really getting bummed out and starting to think that they didn't like my idea of not seeing the exhibits and blogging as a new visitor. So far each of the winning entries are from folks who have some writing background and are frequent IMA visitors. They also included pictures. When I was entering I didn't know they were going to post the entries along the way. This waiting time is killing me. There are now only two weeks left and I'm not feeling very confident about my entry now. But, don't dispair. If my blog isn't picked I'll post it here for all my friends to review and give me their honest feedback. Besides, I can delete you comments! Here's to the next two weeks. Keep your fingers crossed for me.