Some Final Words for Mandy

To my dear friend Mandy, who left Seattle today for an adventure across the western United States and eventually to Maine, I love you dearly and will miss you more than I have words to say. I'm not very good at goodbyes and I know this will continue to sink in for weeks before I truly feel the depth of your absence. It's been such a pleasure to know you for the last 2 years and i don't know what life is going to look like yet without you in it. I'm counting on October in Puerto Rico so don't you dare cancel! I wish you the best and I hope this adventure turns out to be a life changing one that sets you on the road to a life of happiness, success and peace. I love you! A little note from outside Stump Town Coffee to you, wherever you are.

P.S. Don't forget to write your blog, I'll be checking and stalking you by text if you don't!

Fried Chicken Dinner

Last night I finally made it to the fried chicken dinner at Spring Hill in West Seattle. This definitely lived up to its hype. The plate of chicken could have fed 10-12 easily and we shared it with 5. There was probably 8 pieces left over, none went to waste though. The chicken was juicy and tender and perfectly crisped on the outside. The sides stood their own with the chicken. Buttery mashed potatoes and brown gravy, charred broccoli, lemony cucumber and radish, perfectly tender spatzle bathed in a creamy sauce, and fluffy jalapeno cornbread. Perfection. Wash this down with a whiskey cocktail and I'm in heaven.

With the addition of two mammoth size meatballs, and a white pasta, the tab with tip, only ran us $37/person. This is a steal. You have to book your reservation of at least 4, around three weeks in advance as they only make 10 of these dinners each monday. I highly recommend getting about six friends together and indulging in this experience! You will NOT regret it. While you're at it, try some of the playful and expertly designed desserts. They are unique and delightful.

So many things...

So much has happened in the last few weeks, none expected. My neatly laid plans fell through the cracks oh so quickly. My good friend lost her place to live and took up residence in my tiny studio with me for the last 3 wks or so. Needless to say, it's difficult to get much done personally with someone else living practically on top of you. I'm glad I could be of help though. As of my last post, we did have a brilliant dinner. Here are some pics of making baked gnocchi with a gorgonzola pear sauce. It was really tasty but a little chewy. They overworked the potato a bit and developed too much of the gluten. We also had steamed artichokes with lemon butter sauce, roast chicken and bacon brussels sprouts. It was fantastically delicious. We paired all of this with about 10 bottles of wine and champagne. It was a lush evening but so very needed.

My sister cracking up at her lack of gnocchi making skills. It was pretty funny to watch!

I can't wait to make this a tradition although next time I'm making people bring their dishes cooked from home so i'm not stuck with three days worth of dishes to do.

I officially started my second job, which is exhausting. It has made me extremely grateful for my job at Poco, and for cooking in general. I've decided that I am not a front-of-house kind of person. I like being behind the scenes and I think I'll just stick with that. I guess for now it's broadening my horizons and forcing me out of my comfort zone. Working 60-70 hrs a week is not ideal but it is nice to know the bills are getting paid and school loans are slowly dwindling.

Now that my friend is moving out of my place and off to Maine tomorrow, it's time to get back on track. I spent the weekend BBQing on Vashon, shooting guns in Bothell, and dining at Via Tribunali on the Hill. What a lovely weekend. I out-shot my friend who took me which was funny since I haven't shot a gun in probably 5 yrs. Forgot how much I enjoy it. I feel like that sounds a little creepy but I think most people who have shot one would agree.

Via Tribunali was great. We were there for Seattle Restaurant Week and still managed to spend a pretty penny. We started with clams in white wine and a charcuterie plate. Both good but the meat was a little dry, like it had been sitting out awhile. We followed up with two pizzas, one margarita and the other prosciutto, arugula and fresh tomato. They were very tasty and very large. We definitely took leftovers home, which i ate for breakfast. Lastly for dessert we had a rum cake and chocolate gelato with coffee. The rum cake was shaped quite interestingly. I can't imagine how the chef let that design go without a good laugh. We certainly shared one. I'm kicking myself for not taking a picture.

Thats all for now.

Fresh Starts!

2010 is a year of change for me. I have recently moved from greenwood to capitol hill. For the first time in my life, i am living alone, which turns out to be the best decision i've made in a long time. I absolutely love living alone! I thought i would be lonely but it turns out i've been living in a constant overload of people. It's nice to experience a bit of quiet once and awhile.

My good friend and sous chef just got married and a week later informed me that she is pregnant and also moving in 2 weeks. I'm happy for her but also overwhelmed. I hired a new sous for Poco and am excited to start collaborating. I then found out that my pastry chef is also moving in 6 weeks. Have not found a replacement yet and i'm considering taking it on myself. I tried this before and ended up really stressed so we shall see.

I also finally graduated in december so i am adjusting to life without school. Although i do NOT miss writing papers, studying, constantly being on the verge of a total breakdown, i do however, miss the social aspect and learning. Already i find myself considering further education. It seems i secretly enjoy the never-ending stress of it all.

So in light of much change, i have decided to go with the flow and continue on this course. I am taking the months of April, May and June to do some things for myself that i have been talking about doing for ages. First, i am cooking at home. This may sound silly since i am a chef but i rarely cook for myself. I can't believe i'm writing this but i'm actually kind of tired of going out. Plus its pretty pricey! So healthier foods cooked by me.... Second, i'm working on getting in shape again. Culinary school and being a chef can be a little hard on the body. Since moving, i can now walk to work, which is approximately 8 blocks, slightly uphill. I found myself a bit winded recently and was highly embarrassed by my total lack of cardio ability.

I am also taking on a second job. Those school loans are a bitch and they have now hit. So i guess i am going to be a barista 2 mornings a week. I haven't done this since high school and hadn't really planned on it, but the job presented itself and it's just the supplementary income i need.

Anyhow, i've decided to blog about the next couple months and my trials and errors in an attempt to keep myself accountable and also to get back into writing, which is truly where i wish to be. Yesterday was day 1 of 90. So 89 more to go.

Breakfast today consisted of muscat grapes and green tea. Probably should eat some eggs or something of substance. I'm still trying to re-adjust my body to eating breakfast. For months i just stopped buying groceries, so i would stay at home until i became desperately hungry and then would head out for the day. As a result, i'm not used to eating until around 2pm. This doesn't work if you are working out 6 days/week. Breakfast is necessary. I hate cereal so i'm trying to find creative things to do with yogurt and cottage cheese. I absolutely hate flavored yogurt so i pretty much have one option there.

My agenda for today includes getting off the computer and doing "Yoga X" and "Ab Ripper X." Just the sound of it makes my body hurt. Then i'm off to Trader Joe's for chicken etc. for dinner which i am cooking with 3 of my girlfriends. I believe the menu is roast chicken with pan sauce, gnocchi, bacon brussels, artichokes with lemon butter and strawberry shortbread. All of this will include ample wine and champagne. It's a celebration, not exactly sure of what but it's going to be fun. Pictures will follow. Cheers!

A Day Off

It's been a few days since i've made it on here. Things have been crazy at work and absorbing most of my time. I am finally having a day off, three actually and i feel restless. How sad is it that i can't think of what to do on my day off. I spend all week, every week, dreaming about this day. Just savoring the thought of it. A day to do whatever i want! And then, when the glorious day arrives, i am lost. I had hoped it would pour rain today so i wouldn't feel so guilty about sitting at home. But, no, it's bright and sunny, well a little cloudy, but still nice weather. I literally haven't left the house today. I'm still rocking my pjs and watching whale wars. I'm contemplating the greenwood market and possibly cooking something. I should do this, get up and be productive but some part of me just doesn't want to move. I was thinking about Julie & Julia and wondering if i would like to take on a similar challenge but only on my days off. I've decided that i'm exceptionally good at starting things but not so good at finishing them. Not sure what this means about me but i try not to think on it too hard. One conclusion i have come to is that there are a lot of things i love to do and would like to do but it's not so enjoyable after awhile to do them alone. Ahh, the cost of a job where i work opposite hours to the rest of humanity. For now i'm going to feast on lamb tika masala and take that trip to the grocery store! More exciting updates to come (sarcastic smile)!

All the little things...

It's been quite a week at Poco. A few very busy days have kept me there for many many hours. It's all good though. I'm exhausted and looking forward to tuesday and my day off. I'm planning on bicycling around Lopez Island for the day. Not the most physically relaxing day but good for the soul and it will feel wonderful to be out in nature for a while. Spend a little time communing with my surroundings! : )

This last week has been all about the little details. I've been working with my sous chef to create new seasoned salts for our chocolate plate, infused oils for garnish, pickling vegetables for the antipasti plate and marinating cheese and olives for our new trio of munchies. I have to say it feels really good to get some of the "need to do" items off my list. It's also wonderful to see some of these plates slowly but surely coming together into something i am really proud of.

I ran a new seafood as well that i am totally loving. I'm calling it Seared Halibut Cheeks with creamy corn, beefsteak tomatoes and fresh basil. It actually includes cilantro oil and a drizzle of Saporoso which may be the most delicious thing i have ever tasted. I was introduced to this little piece of heaven at a previous job and it definitely left an impression. It's an aged balsamic and i give it the highest of recommendations! Be prepared to spend a pretty penny though as a 200ml bottle costs close to $50. Well worth it in my opinion.

Seared Halibut Cheeks:

Salt generously and sear to a golden brown. Only cook these things to about medium. Set them aside and turn the heat up to high. Lightly sear both sides of two thick slices of beefsteak tomatoes that have been lightly salt and peppered. (hopefully you get these at the market or somewhere local so that they actually have some flavor. If you are getting them at safeway or such, probably going to taste like water). Set these onto your plate and drizzle with cilantro oil. Next heat your corn mixture (recipe will follow) and when hot, spoon onto the tomatoes followed by the fish and some torn basil. Then drizzle it all with Saporoso. Wow, this is delicious!

Creamy Corn:

Roast 4 ears of corn (still in their husks) at 475 for 11 minutes, remove and let cool. Husk and cut kernels from the cob. Compost cob.

Saute on medium Heat-

1T minced garlic

1T minced shallot

1/2 yellow bell pepper, finely diced

1/2 small habanero, minced

1 medium jalapeno, minced, seeds removed

When everything is nice and sauteed but not browned, deglaze with about 1/2C white wine and let it reduce a bit. Then add the corn kernels and mix well.

Add to mixture-

1t cayenne or TT

1t ground coriander or TT

1t cumin or TT

About 1C heavy cream

Squeeze of lemon

S&P TT

Let this mixture simmer for a few minutes and then take half of it and blend it or put it in a food processor till smooth. Reincorporate it to the rest of the corn and adjust seasonings if needed. This is so yummy!

I really hope you enjoy this as much as i have been! Right now the beefsteak tomatoes, not to mention the rest of the gorgeous heirloom tomatoes, at Sosios in Pike Place are AMAZING! The best i've found!

My picture perfect kitchen....

My kitchen is tiny tiny tiny! It's only got two induction burners, two convection oven and a slicer. Well actually i have a mixer and a slurry of other tools but they are all hidden away in little nooks and crannies!

It's been quite the experience getting used to working in such a small place. I still feel blessed to be cooking my own food no matter what the kitchen looks like. Today i made one of my flatbread toppings that consists of a blend of roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, roasted garlic and sauteed shitake mushrooms. I dry out the stems for things like mushroom powders etc. It's a fantastic way to utilize your waste. We also put a new soup on the menu: Roasted Yam and Curry with cilantro oil, paprika and fried zucchini chips. It's divine!

My essential kitchen: all my favorite cook books, lots of vinegars and oils, citrus galore, fresh pasta and tons of produce! Yum. I'm obsessing over mushrooms right now! So many delicious varieties. All i want to do is cook mushies with lots of garlic and olive oil! So so so tasty! Clearly i'm obsessed with these purple carrots too. I mean produce just doesn't look yummier than that! Ah another order of hummus with those beautiful specimens. I better get going!