Hello, all! Yes, you can believe your eyes-- A POST! I took a week off from the swanky blogging lifestyle to relax with family and friends for the Easter holiday. I wish the break was about a month longer, but what can you do?
A new month means a new mess of classes. I'm in Cuisine Across Cultures for my kitchen, a Nutrition class and a Spanish class. There's not much to say about Nutrition and Spanish thus far, so I will jump right into what I'm guessing you're all here for-- THE FOOD!
I've waited for the conclusion of the first week of kitchen before throwing up some pictures and thoughts because we essentially cook a whole mess of dishes in four-day cycles. This means that this whole week has been dedicated to the dishes you see above. It's done this way because it gives everyone a chance to make a variety of dishes, and the chef has been good about throwing in an extra dish here and there to keep it interesting.
I've been directly responsible for the Irish Lamb Stew, Colecannon, Black Pepper Spatzles and the Cream of Chicken and Dumpling Soup. I've also had a hand in other dishes my group has been involved with, including the Medallion of Veal with Fines Herbs, Hungarian Goulash and Chicken Paprikash. We also prepped homemade Perogies...but those are for Monday.
Each of the dishes I've had a hand in have been enjoyable. Who doesn't like soup? Who doesn't like a soup involving chicken and dumplings especially? Adding a considerable amount of pepper to Spatzles is a simple, but delicious twist on an old favorite of mine. And when you see Goulash and Paprikash on the menu...
Well...omNomNomNom...
The Colecannon is my favorite dish thus far though. It has cabbage, potatoes, onions and parsnips with some thyme, butter and parsley involved as well. You layers these, put some salted water over top and simmer, simmer, simmer. Everything breaks down into a mushy, one-identity kinda' state...and it's delicious. Whenever corn beef is on the menu at my house ever again, this will be the side. I'd probably add some carrots in there too for some color, but it's fine with just the ingredients listed above.
Another favorite thus far I haven't had a chance to make is the Rinder Roladen. You take thin slices of beef and wrap them around what is essentially meatloaf. Stick a pickle in the middle of the roll and braise the dish to Tasty Town-- population: You. Our class has been serving it on potato pancakes made from "old" baked potatoes. Mmm...
Speaking of potatoes-- take a red (or new) potato, take a knife and cut it as though you were going to slice it into chips...only don't cut it all the way through. You're essentially making an accordion out of it. Dip those in butter, top with bread crumbs and then roast until cooked. Garnish with more butter and parsley. It's fantastic. Take my word for it...
Be sure to check back for more food as the weeks continue. I won't leave you hanging, promise!
Other news...Seese is in town this weekend. By some crazy coincidence a local establishment is putting on a X-BOX 360, NHL 10 tournament sponsored by the Mario Lemieux Foundation. He (Mike, not Mario sadly) and I, as well as a couple of my other friends here in the 'Burgh, will be out doing our best to take home the $300 first prize tonight (we actually have a decent shot at this...crazy as it sounds-- Seese and I have a team ranked in the top 200 in the world).
Fingers crossed...
Also, check out Shereen's blog about a recent, uncommon surgery she underwent. She's trying to spread information about it and it's an interesting read to say the least...
1 comment:
Thanks for the link post on the blog. You also make me hungry everytime I read. And I want to visit Pittsburgh in the somewhat near future... at least after surgery recovery :)
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