Random

So I was just watching Top Chef: New York, and I'm pretty sure that on Jeff's caption, it said the Dildo Club instead of what I'm guessing was supposed to be the Lido Club. I may be wrong. I know they've been having some trouble with spelling and grammar in the captions this season.

Sick Food

(my current buffet setup. Delish!)

Winter is upon us in full force, so it seems appropriate (and sucky) that I have a cold. I’ve been trying to recover before I return to school next week, so I’d like to share with you some of my favorite things to eat while I’m feeling under the weather.

Chicken Soup

o This one seems obvious—it’s true! The Jewish panacea is up to its old tricks and more delish than ever.

o In our family, my mom makes stock from scratch using whole veggies and a whole chicken (not just the bones!), as well as a nice little sachet of herbs [note-she has yet to spill the entire recipe to me].

o Simmer in a stock pot for a few hours and when done remove sachet, veggies and chicken.

o You can cut up the chicken and veg to put back into the soup, and add matzo balls, of course!

o Unused soup can be frozen in small portions and defrosted for all of those peripheral colds during the springtime!

Miso Soup

o When I’m up at school and sick I love a cup of miso soup while I’m studying.

o Trader Joe’s has a wonderful instant miso that rivals any restaurant’s bowl.

o I try to add some shelled edamame, kale, or frozen peas for a nutritional kick while I’m sick, because we tend to eat less, especially less healthy veggies.

Bananas

o Bananas are great sick food because they have lots of potassium and are easy to get down when you have a sore throat, which is a nice break from eating soup.

Matzo Brei

o Traditionally a Passover breakfast dish, this is also great when you’re sick

o Really easy and delicious! Take two pieces of matzo (I recommend using plain and not egg) and break it up into cracker-sized pieces.

o Soak in water for about 5 min to soften and gently squeeze out excess water. Add to 2 eggs and scramble up in a pan. It's basically scrambled eggs with matzo.

o There is the great sugar-salt debate that has yet to be resolved: I personally like to sprinkle (more than) a little sugar on top while my mom is a firm salt believer. Please do not add ketchup—that is blasphemous. Ok, you can, but only if I don’t have to look at it. Other options are jelly, applesauce or maple syrup.

I try not to eat a whole lot of milk products while I’m sick. I find it messes with my stomach and makes me feel even more lethargic.

I love the really strong menthol-y cough drops, but I try to alternate them in with a delicious chocolate hard candy. It’s easier on my taste buds and makes me feel like a functioning member of society again. The reason I pick chocolate is because 1) it’s chocolate and 2) it’s easier to handle chocolate and menthol (like mint chocolate) than anything else and menthol.

Other tips are: don’t drink alcohol (drinking cough syrup is ok!), get lots of sleep (usually not a problem) and drink lots of water. A lot of people forget to drink water while they are sick. Tea is great but it’s a natural diuretic so you lose a lot of water when you drink it, and OJ is good for colds but has a lot of sugar.

If you are sick too, I hope you feel better soon!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Let's hope 2009 will be better than everyone thinks it will be.

I just want to introduce/explain a little about myself for anyone who reads this. I'm a senior in college, entering my last semester (wow, scary). In the fall I decide that I didn't want to continue on the academic track that I was on, which was psychology. I don't want to do grad school, which is what I would need for any sort of career in psychology, and probably also a PhD. I love science and psychology and I always will, but it's definitely not what I want to do with my life. I want to go to culinary school. I love tasting food, handling food and making food. I like reading about it and following trends. I like experiencing food from all directions--not just eating it, but picking out items in the store, trying new flavor combinations and new ways of making things. It took me a long time to realize that it's not just a hobby for me--I want to be involved with food as my career path.

After I graduate in May, I'm going to move back home to the NYC area and attempt to get a job/internship anywhere that will take me. Maybe a restaurant, maybe a bakery, maybe a food blog. I need experience and want to save up some money to attend culinary school within the next few years. This blog will a record for me to keep of my experiences, but I'd like to share my story with anyone else who is considering changing their lives in any way. It's never too late.

I've been applying for jobs and internships galore, but haven't heard back from anyone. Yes, it's disconcerting but I'm learning to deal with rejection. I'm definitely going to keep trying and sending my resume and calling about interviews. I know that I have so much to offer to anyone who will give me a chance. I'm going to stay positive.

Feel free to contact me with any words of advice, questions or comments: my email address is seafoamgreen07@gmail.com