Adam's Day of Culinary Adventures
Jun. 1st, 2003 09:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yendiSo, after waking up, I was overcome with the urge to reorganize the cookbooks, moving the books to the low and long shelf unit in the kitchen, instead of the top two shelves of the baker's rack. This was very important, as the top shelf has no sides, which means that any attempt to read The Joy of Cooking will result in books falling.
While reorganizing, I found the issue of Everyday Living with the recipe for chocolate gingerbread that I'd wanted to make (and that I knew![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
shadesong wanted to try). Amazingly enough, although we had semi-, milk, and unsweetened chocolate in the house, we were somehow missing bittersweet. So I made a trip to Kroger, then started to mix stuff. Opened the bag of flour, and ick. The flour had gone stale. So, two trips to Kroger for one recipe.
The recipe itself went fine. Except that it involved stirring molasses and flour. My thumb is still cramped from the stirring. Otherwise, it went fine.
After, I took the lazy route for lunch, and zapped the filet of salmon I had in the microwave, using some orange juice and salt and pepper. Was yummy.
I then got the urge to make my Douglas Adams Three Bean Salad (so named because it uses five kinds of beans, of course). Only, our vinegar has somehow vanished (well, the balsamic is still there, but not the white vinegar). So yes, a third trip to Kroger.
As I was finishing, Anexstacy called, and asked if I wanted to accompany her andthebaronofmspg as they hit Bed, Bath, and Beyond and other assorted stores. Since I'd been vowing to finally get a measuring plunger like my hero uses, I said yes, of course. They swung by, and we hit about five stores (including Target and the Dekalb Farmer's Market). Much fun was had, and I equipped our kitchen nicely. We not only have a plunger, but we also have a nice immersion blender. some mango croissants, two small birthday gifts for jet_li_wannabe, and other assorted necessities.
'twas a good day, food-wise. I cam home and ate a croissant and some dill hummus for dinner, and watched a kick-ass Futurama.
While reorganizing, I found the issue of Everyday Living with the recipe for chocolate gingerbread that I'd wanted to make (and that I knew
shadesong wanted to try). Amazingly enough, although we had semi-, milk, and unsweetened chocolate in the house, we were somehow missing bittersweet. So I made a trip to Kroger, then started to mix stuff. Opened the bag of flour, and ick. The flour had gone stale. So, two trips to Kroger for one recipe.The recipe itself went fine. Except that it involved stirring molasses and flour. My thumb is still cramped from the stirring. Otherwise, it went fine.
After, I took the lazy route for lunch, and zapped the filet of salmon I had in the microwave, using some orange juice and salt and pepper. Was yummy.
I then got the urge to make my Douglas Adams Three Bean Salad (so named because it uses five kinds of beans, of course). Only, our vinegar has somehow vanished (well, the balsamic is still there, but not the white vinegar). So yes, a third trip to Kroger.
As I was finishing, Anexstacy called, and asked if I wanted to accompany her and
thebaronofmspg as they hit Bed, Bath, and Beyond and other assorted stores. Since I'd been vowing to finally get a measuring plunger like my hero uses, I said yes, of course. They swung by, and we hit about five stores (including Target and the Dekalb Farmer's Market). Much fun was had, and I equipped our kitchen nicely. We not only have a plunger, but we also have a nice immersion blender. some mango croissants, two small birthday gifts for jet_li_wannabe, and other assorted necessities.'twas a good day, food-wise. I cam home and ate a croissant and some dill hummus for dinner, and watched a kick-ass Futurama.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-01 06:54 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-01 07:07 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-02 05:08 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-01 07:10 pm (UTC)So... as a semi-professional (since I am not pursuing it as a career anymore)chef can I get your DA Bean salad recipe. I like the concept of naming that. SO I wouldn't just want the recipe, but the recipe in fun format.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-01 08:48 pm (UTC)B.
The whole story is in my journal... and I mean whole story
Date: 2003-06-01 09:53 pm (UTC)3-4 months into culinary school I realized I loved cooking and having a true really inner working of a kitchen, recipes, and all the intricacies of food history, what makes something good, BUT I discovered I HATED the work of a production/restaurant kitchen. The physically fast paced atmosphere, little chance for experimentation, same thing day in/day out. I had decided my culinary life was more fitted for front of the house/business work (I had been taking a management course as well).
I've applied for many host positions and admin asst. jobs at restaurants, with follow-ups and such and have not even been called in for an interview on about 98% of my resume sends. Right now I've gotten so frustrated I'm looking for office work of any kind. There's very little out there that isn't through some agency who gets a cut of your pay or just work where it's not worth it to apply (Know Quikbooks, SPL, Program that does not exist, have 4-8 years experience with major conglomerate, MUST send salary requirements, Do Not Send Resume, We will find YOU!).
Anyway, that's it... I cook still plenty for friends, serious hardcore professional meals, but no desire to do it as a career.
P.S. Checked out your journal, gonna give you some NYC recommendations after I look over what you seem to be into more, but wasn't gonna add you as a friend unless you felt I should.
Re: The whole story is in my journal... and I mean whole story
Date: 2003-06-01 10:06 pm (UTC)As for the whole culinary (mis?) adventure, I can totally agree. Tony Bourdain's book Kitchen Confidential talks about that a lot -- you really have to be committed and agressive in that line of work... My stepson
I'm glad to meet you, and look forward to your suggestions about New York. I'm really excited to be going -- our travel, as
(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-02 05:12 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-02 05:35 am (UTC)....or we blow up your planet.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-01 07:10 pm (UTC)I wish I had a car - and loads of cash (get depressed going to stores not being able to buy what I want - and I want much).
Cooking.... Bed Bath & Beyond... Target...
I'm so jealous!!
(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-02 05:12 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-01 07:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-02 05:15 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-01 08:24 pm (UTC)You HAVE to share your recipes (pretty please?)
When I visited
(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-02 05:14 am (UTC)I do need a mixer (and a food proccessor) badly. Both items would make life a lot easier (although with our lack of counterspace, there'd be a trade-off).
(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-02 05:37 am (UTC)As to a mixer.... well, I'm the kind to want a workhorse, so I took down my cookbooks in the kitchen (moved them to the office bookshelves) and got a KitchenAid Stand. Well worth the money, if you use it regularly.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-02 06:09 am (UTC)As for the mixer, alas, we don't have any space to move the cookbooks to. And I can't justify the money until I do more mixing. It's a vicious cycle. :-)
Re:
Date: 2003-06-02 05:40 am (UTC)The mixer *did* make stuff a lot easier. I think he used a 20% off coupon and Bed, Bath and Beyond and it equalled the same as what he'd get at Amazon.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-02 05:09 am (UTC)ME WANT!!!!
*calms down*
Why can't I have a cool grocery store? It sucks having to go WAY out of my way to get cool food stuff.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-02 05:13 am (UTC)Speaking of cool foods,
(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-02 06:14 am (UTC)