*1198 - chopped #1

We are obsessive Food Network watchers.  And one of our favourite shows is, of course, Chopped.  So much so we decided to recreate it at home--well, toned down for me, being a non-chef.  Four ingredients, just one course, no time limit, and access to the ... very much smaller pantry i.e. our fridge.

Here's what D picked up at the store for my Chopped Episode #1.

Mango, vanilla wafers, raspberry ginger beer, and swordfish.

Hmm ... head scratch.

Here's what I ended up creating.  I actually thought it was a delicious meal, so I declare it a win.  Swordfish marinated in raspberry ginger beer, ginger, and soy, crusted with vanilla wafers and seared.  Over couscous with mango chunks and peppers.  With a mango salsa on top.  And beans on the side caramelized with ginger beer.



Followed up with a berry and peach crumble, made with raspberry ginger beer of course and topped with crumbled vanilla wafers with walnuts.

*1197 - i'm alive

Yes, work has been hard.  I've been putting in at least twice as many hours as I'm supposed to, which is blowing through our budgets completely.  But when there's work to be done, then there's work to be done.  What is one to do?

It's all been very dramatic.  Intrinsically I do love what I am doing.  I still do because I'm an obsessively perfectionistic hardworking geek as we all know :)  Hard work doesn't get to me--well, not much anyway.  It's the other things outside my realm of control that are more difficult.

But I am extremely cheery today.  I pottered around the office the whole day full of smiles.  It's all a matter of perspective, and a matter of reaching out for help when you need to.  Big learning point but at least I learnt!

Anyway.  Today, for the first time in maybe half a year, I was done with work before 7 pm.  I don't think I'm exaggerating.  It feels great :)  D is still sitting beside me on the couch tapping away, but it's "only" 8 pm.

This Saturday, we do round #2 of the moving.  Round #1 happened last weekend but we're still in our current apartment.  We're officially going to be residents of the lovely sunny Potrero Hill, in a little unit of a house that has a backyard.  A backyard!  I've never had one and am thrilled that my wilting basil plant might actually have a chance now.  Poka has settled on my tummy and I can't see what I'm typing anymore because I'm slumped over.  I wonder how she's going to take to the move.

Speaking of, here she is, looking all fat and lazy again and even slightly cross-eyed (??):

She's actually still quite lithe and thin--we make her jump for her feathered toys and crushed paper balls to keep her fit.  She's just gotten very puffy-looking when she curls herself up cutely like that and sleepily narrows her eyes.

And that was my 5-minute stream of consciousness :)  Off to cook ... something healthy.  Probably tilapia!

*1196 - funghi

Mushroom pizza with truffle oil.



This begs the question, truffle oil--yes or no?  I remember the chef sprinkling it liberally across my polenta in culinary class, but I also see Gordon Ramsay going berserk over the mere mention of it.  I think it's smelly and I could do without.  Some day I will eat white Italian truffle and understand what the fuss around REAL truffles is all about.

*1195 - booked

October 7 - October 28.

SEE YOU IN SINGAPORE.  (And meet D for two weeks!  Imagine that!!)

Can't explain how happy I am to get that approved and finally booked!!!