Rarely funny.
Today I had the best phone conversation of 2011 (so far) with my friend Christine.
Christine: Emma, how do you feel about babies?
Me: I don’t know, I just don’t think I’m ready.
Christine: How do you feel about going with me and a baby to get some Sweet CeCe’s?
Me: OH MY GOD I LOVE BABIES!!!!!!
If you knew me in high school, then one of the things you knew is that I wanted to go to culinary school. I talked about it constantly. I would bring things I baked into school to share. I even walked around my neighborhood one evening asking my neighbors if they had any vodka they could spare as I was cooking vodka pasta and my mother had run out. I got into Johnson & Wales, but for many different reasons decided not to go.
To make a long story short, once I got to college I pretty much stopped cooking altogether. This happened gradually, of course. And it only recently started to make me a little sad, like I had completely lost that part of myself.
Well it’s 2011. And I’ve decided I’m going to start cooking again, among a very long list of resolutions (probably my longest list ever, and FYI I have stuck to almost every one of them). I think perhaps my problem in the past is that I was putting too much pressure on myself to make something really gourmet… something special. And when it did not come together the way I hoped, I would get frustrated. So I’m starting with small, simple things.
And what did I make? Chicken tortilla soup in a crock pot. Yes, EARTH SHATTERING STUFF RIGHT HERE. But the funnest (yes I know this is not a word!) part of making it besides the 6 hour wait, was the part where I got to shred the chicken. I thought to myself this must be some sophisticated process where I would need a special Pampered Chef tool, but no. When I looked online everyone told me just to get out two forks and go for it. So I did. And it was the most therapeutic 20 minutes I’ve had all year.
Posted in Food
Almost everyday I’m faced with a coffee dilemma.
I should preface this dilemma by letting you know that I have the unique situation of driving across state lines not only once, but twice a day. This presents itself with some unique advantages, specifically in terms of sales tax.
In the morning I leave Rhode Island, enter Massachusetts for a brief period, and then continue the rest of my commute in Rhode Island. As I live in New England, there are literally dozens of opportunities for me to purchase a Dunkin Donuts coffee (a thank you God for that!).
But every morning I must decide:
Seems simple – just buy in Mass and save the four cents. But then I drink almost the entire coffee before I get to school. If I buy in Rhode Island, than I have almost all of the coffee when I get to school. Most days I feel that is worth the four cents.
Therefore my willingness to coffee is high.
UPDATE: here is a map of my Dunkin dilemma.
My boyfriend’s mother turned 60 this week, so on Saturday there was a large surprise party with all her friends and family. On Saturday morning, I got to help him make Kung-Pao Shrimp for the party.
And what exactly did I help with? Onions. I chopped and chopped and chopped and ran to the freezer to keep my eyes from tearing up. I keep thinking one of these days my eyes will build up a tolerance to chopping onions, but this is yet to be seen. I think next time I’ll invest in a pair of goggles.
Ahhhh, Prosecco! I’m so glad they invented a sparkling wine for people who ultimately want to be drinking champagne, but don’t have a good enough reason for it to be a “celebration.” You’re the best!
When I made up my long list of Food’s I Don’t Eat, I was not eating hamburgers at the time. But now I eat hamburgers. What a shame for my arteries.
As a child, I had more than a few hamburgers at various cookouts either hosted or attended by my family, but I never liked them, and one day I decided not to eat them altogether (along with hot dogs).
It all started a year ago in January when I was visiting my sister in Atlanta. I cannot remember the particulars, but at some point it was decided that weekend would be the time that I break my long streak of not eating burgers. And we would do it with a bison burger at Ted’s Montana Grill.
At the restaurant I ordered a burger with bacon and avocado, thinking if I really hated the burger there would still be something delicious left to eat. But did the burger need the help? OH NO. It was delicious. I cannot believe I had gone so long without enjoying a real burger.
Since then, I have not picked up a burger habit like most people. I eat them only sparingly and when the mood strikes me. But let me tell you about the most delicious burger I have had in my life so far. It is at State Road Restaurant. It comes with homemade fries, as well as homemade ketchup. The burger is topped with caramelized onions. The meat is top notch. It shall be ordered medium unless you are completely lame.
Posted in Food
This past weekend I enjoyed a lot of free food. And beer! On Friday evening I got to have dinner with my 3 favorite high school girls– my sister Audra, Hope, and Courtney.
Our meal was comped! I think God knew I could use some free food.
And God really must have known, because he provided me with more free food that very next afternoon! My father competed in a Rib-Off. He may have lost, but at a Rib-Off, really doesn’t everyone win?
Then Saturday night I got some free booze while I sang karaoke with Nenn. And whoah, would not trade the fun times we had that night for anything!
I had to pay for my own food today. It was highly disappointing.
I don’t eat beef. There, I said it!
Just because I don’t eat beef doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with me. Every time I reveal this “secret” to someone, they immediately ask me if I am a vegetarian. NO, I AM NOT A VEGETARIAN. I just don’t eat beef.
What it ultimately comes down to is that I would just rather have chicken or fish. Beef just doesn’t appeal to me in the same way. And I think not wanting beef gives me an advantage–beef is expensive! But I guess my love of fish cancels that out… but still!
Exceptions:
- The queso dip at Chili’s that has ground beef in it
- Occasions when my mom throws beef into something and I don’t gag (these are few and far between)
- American Chop Suey
- My dad made beef tenderloin on Easter this year and it was pretty alright
Posted in Food
Dear cute guy who delivered my pizza about a year ago,
I’ve been seeing you around campus. I can count at least 3 times this week! You’re still cute, and hey… I’m still single.
Sincerely,
Emma
Posted in Food
