Found in Fishers

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.

Yikes, 2 down…only 3 more to go

The Indianapolis Museum of Art announced Entry #2 in their blogging contest. Yikes, it was not me! OMG IMA. I hate this waiting game. I cannot believe another week has gone by without seeing my site as a finalist. One thing that the two entries posted to date have in common is that the bloggers are regular IMA visitors. They also both posted pictures. When I submitted my entry, I did not expect them to display it as an actual blog posting or I would have added a picture too.

 

I wrote from different perspective. My blog was about my Bucket List. I have actually been to the IMA three times but not to seen the exhibits. I was at the IMA for their meeting space. My thought was how exciting it would be for them to have a blogger who could look at exhibits with fresh eyes and provide a prospective from a first-timer. I hope I am correct because now I am getting nervous. If you want to check out the IMA site, see the first two entries for yourself. Congratulations so far to Jessica and Crystal. Waiting for Flora?