Triumph!

As of today, I have completed my lame web class, and was informed by the dean that I will in fact be receiving a full refund for my tuition and fees since the class was so bad. Phew. That is a relief. They asked if I would be returning for the next class in the series... I said I was busy.

Tonight for dinner, we had baked boneless skinless chicken thighs with bbq sauce, roasted baby potatoes with olive oil and kosher salt, and fresh green beans and corn cut off the cob. Delicious. For dessert, we cooked apples with cinnamin and sugar, and ate them with vanilla ice cream. It was a total hit with my niece and nephew.

Vacation

I have been on vacation for almost a week so far - it is great. Yes, I knew I needed one, but it makes such a difference. So far I've spent most of the time hanging out with family. Tomorrow is my niece's 3rd birthday, so that should be fun.

The only damper on the trip so far has been the utter disappointment of my web design class. I am so glad that I did not quit my job for this. My professor is a hack. He has only spent 5 hours in the past week teaching (with 27 hrs of scheduled class time!), starting late and ending early each day. He also seems a bit sleazy, making excessive sexual references in class, and inviting several of us back to his home office (awkward!) "to see a few projects" -- he promptly left us there in his pot-scented house to do his job for him (ie -- redesign client websites with zero instruction or supervision). Great. I have written a strongly worded letter to the dean requesting a refund for the course. It has really been a waste of time and money. Ugh. Glad I took the low-risk vacation from work to try it out instead of making any major commitments.

Anyway, despite the fact that my professor is a total loser, I have had a good time visiting and relaxing for a while. It has been nice just to have a break, get some fresh air, and see my family. Today I taught my nephew a new song on the keyboard, ran around the yard with the dog, and had delicious and simple taco salad for dinner. Awesome.

Vegan Taco Salad
1 head lettuce (your favorite kind)
1-2 limes
1 can black beans
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 ear corn, sliced off the cob (good use for leftovers in summer, or use canned)
1 tomato, diced
1 avacado, diced (optional)
Salsa
Sour cream (vegans can use the soy version)
Cheddar or vegan cheese, shredded (optional)
Corn chips
Spices to taste -- cumin, chili powder, paprika, cayenne

1. Pour black beans with juice into saucepan. Add garlic, onion, and spices, and allow to simmer until onions are cooked.
2. Wash and shred lettuce, then place in large salad bowl. Add tomato, avacado, and corn. Add shredded cheese, and toss salad with lime juice, salt and pepper.
3. Serve salad at table with chips, sour cream, salsa, and beans on the side so everyone can create his/her own salad. This was delicious with a fresh fruit salad accompaniment.
   

Coconut Lime Curry

This was my most successful curry to date. Delicious and very versatile -- I actually sort of made it up as I went based on what was in the refrigerator.

Coconut Lime Curry

1 can coconut milk

1-2 tbsp. oil for sauteing

1-2 onions, chopped

1-2 tbsp. fresh ginger, chopped

1/2 tsp. curry powder

1/4 tsp. cumin

1 jalapeno, finely diced (remove seeds if you like less spice)

4 tbsp. lime juice

1 tbsp. lime zest

2 c. vegetables (I used fresh green beans, carrots, and halved cherry tomatoes)

1-2 c. protein of choice (I cut up boneless chicken breasts, but this could also be good with tofu, fish, or mussels)

Jasmine rice

• In a large skillet (with high edges), saute onions, ginger, and any other longer-cooking vegetables such as carrots until soft.
• Add protein and cook until mostly done (will vary depending on what you use), then add spices and cook another minute.
• Add coconut milk, jalapeno, and lime zest. I also added a little cayenne since my jalapeno wasn't very hot. Salt to taste.
• Allow coconut milk to get hot, then add additional vegetables of choice. Pineapple chunks would probably be good with these flavors, or broccoli, peas, bell peppers, etc. As noted, I used cherry tomatoes and green beans.
• Continue to cook until vegetables and meat are done. Add lime juice just before serving, and stir. Serve atop hot jasmine rice.

Les Miserables vs Solo Computerized Marimba

This week, I went to see two completely different shows -- the traveling broadway production of Les Miserables, and a solo computerized, amplified marimba show. Though I am not a huge broadway fan, I felt the urge to see Les Mis because it has been so popular for so long, Bastille Day is quickly approaching, and because I was offered free tickets.

While I did not think that the performers were at their best, I can say that the music contains several very memorable melodies, and it avoids a lot of the usual cheesiness of broadway shows. Most of the time, they actually had something to sing about, though the best singers in the show were actually the more minor roles. Cosette was not good -- she had trouble carrying some of her solo melodies. Even though I was unfamiliar with some of the songs, I could tell she was missing her notes. Her mother, Fantine, was also off-key, however, Eponine (a side character) had a beautiful voice, as did some of the Marius' friends, and Javert, the police inspector who is after Valjean. In all, it was an enjoyable show, however, some of the leading roles could use some work.

The marimba show was completely contemporary -- the solo artist (Nathaniel Bartlett) had composed several of his own pieces in addition to the other two that he performed. I had never seen anything like it -- it was amplified and the marimba was hooked up with a computer and speaker system so he could control sound effects and other background noises to accompany the marimba. Part of his set-up included theremin-like sounds, but also other unidentifiable effects, and the speakers were set up at different places around the theater as well as different levels to create a complete surround-sound experience. Very unique. His work is clearly for a niche audience, but if you are interested in avante-garde marimba work, he's your man.

Grilled Corn

Corn on the grill is delicious and apparently pretty easy.  I just tried for the first time tonight with dinner, and it turned out great!

Grilled Corn

Corn on the cob, in husks

Water

Remove silks from each ear of corn, but keep husks attached to the cob.  Fold husk back over corn, and soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes before cooking to prevent burning on the grill.  Place ears of corn along outer edges of grill while you cook the rest of your dinner over the fiery center of the grill.  Cook for 5-10 minutes on each side -- husks will brown and/or scorch slightly, but the corn on the inside will stay moist with a great concentrated smokey, corny flavor.

I did not put anything on my corn, but it could be great with some butter and cumin or chili powder.  It was easy and delicious.  I served it with grilled sausages, zucchini, and onions -- for the vegetarians, instead of sausages, you could bulk up the veggies by adding some eggplant, peppers, mushrooms, and other easy grillables.  Yum!

4th of July Weekend -- What to bring to a BBQ?

Despite this summer being a little on the cool side so far, it was perfect bbq weather this weekend -- the type of nights when you wear a sweater after dark and don't mind being near a warm grill.  Whenever friends have parties, I always try to think of something unique to bring to the table -- partly just because I enjoy bringing something different, but also because they all know that I cook and expect something good!  In a pinch, I'll bring a bottle of wine, but for cookouts especially, it is fun to play with food.

Amongst all the hot dogs, bags of chips, and other cookout staples, you can stand out with dessert.  One thing I've made at cookouts before is grilled pound cake with fresh strawberries.  There is hardly any work involved since you can buy the pound cake at the grocery store, and everyone will love this for dessert.  Best of all, it makes dessert for a crowd for only about $6-$8!

Grilled Pound Cake with Fresh Strawberries

1 pound cake, sliced (store-bought is fine for this purpose)

1 lb. fresh strawberries

Sugar to taste (amount of sugar will vary depending on the natural sweetness of your berries)

1- Slice up the pound cake and put slices back in the pound cake container from the store for transport to the party.  

2-Wash and cut up strawberries -- put in a container with a lid for easy transport without leaks.  Sprinkle sugar over top of strawberries to help draw out the natural juices of the berries.  Mash berries slightly with a potato masher or large spoon, and set aside for at least an hour before serving so the juices have time to come out.  

3-When it is time for dessert at the party, simply grill each slice of cake for 2-4 minutes on each side (cake can burn easily, so keep an eye on it).  Pound cake will have grill marks on both sides that bring out a caramelized sugar flavor.  Top with strawberries and eat.

Another dessert treat that everyone enjoyed at a bbq last night was my new recipe for Coconut Cookies.  Cookies are great for outdoor eating because they are finger food, and very easy to transport to the party.

Chewy Coconut Cookies

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 c. each of brown and granulated sugar

1 egg

1 1/4 c. flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 c. flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Cream butter, then add sugars gradually, beating well.  Beat egg into mixture.  Mix together flour, soda, and salt in a separate bowl, then add into butter mixture gradually -- beating after each addition.  Add vanilla and coconut.  Using two spoons, drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet -- allow space for cookies to expand while baking.  Bake for 9 minutes or until lightly browned.  These cookies taste best after they have cooled.