At this juncture, I thought it appropraite to provide a retrospective on what we've learned from Cooking Club over the months. Here are but a few of our discoveries:
- With preparation, you can pull off an aggressive menu (more than 5 menu items)
- Without preparation, an aggressive menu results in Jaeger bombs and a heated argument over lip balm.
- Over the first six Cooking Club sessions, Mary Kay has pulled a lot of thyme off the stem.
- Everyone suffers lapses in ingredient integrity. It's up to the group to hold one another accountable when we slip away to things like "Pumpkin Pie Spice" in favor of cinnamon and ginger. Stay true.
- Clean as you go. This is the only way to do it.
- Sister/Brotherhood of the Traveling Box: there are some things that we only need one of (e.g. parchment paper). In order to stop buying these things every time we need it, Cooking Club now has a traveling CC Box (CCB) that will be presented to each host by the previous host. I think we should have an inventory sheet on this for easy use of the box. I'll let Ben take charge of that, since he's trusty with a matrix.
- Everyone needs a mini-food processor.
- Commonly-used, yet surprising, ingredients: cake flour, thyme, whipping cream.
- Commonly-used, not surprising, ingredients: garlic, onion, olive oil, basil, parsley.
- What we still don't have quite figured out: pictoral proof of CC.
This list will likely grow over time. But it's a start. . .
Thanks for your loyal readership.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Cooking Club 6.0
Let's just call this one "full circle."
After four months and twelve days, the crew was back where we started: R. J.'s house. In just a third of a year, we've grown, we've learned, we've become better cooks--chefs, even?
Tonight, we put on the most organized Cooking Club ever. Not to brag, but we had an entire menu, an itemized grocery list, and an oven matrix all before the night even began. And let me remind you that this all took place on a Friday--right after work. The only thing missing? A flour sifter. But don't you worry--Martha Ellen had one handy at her house and she had to run back to get the hens anyway.
In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, we took on the American tradition as our inspiration, but decided to infuse the menu with a little bit of what you'd expect from Cooking Club. New and different menu choices, cooking techniques and a whole lot of wine resulted in a night that all will remember.
Highlights:
- I think it's the first cooking club without setting off a smoke alarm
- We almost cooked a warty maltese.
- Martha Ellen and Mary Kay mimicked Grey's Anatomy with their suturing of the Cornish Game Hens. Bridget would have nothing to do Game Hens or stuffing their cavities.
- Bridget won categories, even with Mary Kay's rules
- Two Talyors passed out early. We'd expect it from R.J.; it was a surprise from Martha Ellen.
Theme: Thanksgiving, With a Twist!
Cost: $$$
Menu
Cranberry Bruschetta
Garlic and Herb Roasted Cornish Game Hen
Fennel, Red Onion, and Focaccia Stuffing
Avocado Mashed Potatoes
Grill Roasted Vegetables with Pine Nut Pesto
Paula Dean's Pumpkin Roll Cake
Attendance: Founding Members + Associate Member Bridget + Elizabeth Kurfess (sponsored guest of MK)
Key Learnings:
- R. J.'s a sucker for whatever wine the wine lady recommends. Even if we've had it before and it sucked last time, too.
- Check the dishwasher. Make sure there are four or more dishes in it before starting the cycle.
- An Oven Matrix generates optimal results.
- No really, trust the recipe.
- Lemons should be squeezed before simmering in the butter.
- Mary Kay doesn't like to chop bread.
- Bridget is so-so on making desserts. Until they're done.
- You have to peel parsnips.
- Core the fennel. Then slice it lengthwise
- Mary Kay and R. J. live about one block apart.
- Mary Kay cannot lift R. J.
- Martha Ellen's dramatic hand gestures lead to candle wax spills
- You can alternate scissors for a knife
Memorable Quotes:
"How surprised were you about the Cornish Game Hens???" - Mary Kay
"I wouldn't expect two mushy things to go together." - Ben
Kitchen Audit Results: R. J. needs a sifter, vegetable peeler, aluminum foil, kitchen brush, another oven, and more stamina to make it through the evening.
Next Up: Asian Cuisine in December!
After four months and twelve days, the crew was back where we started: R. J.'s house. In just a third of a year, we've grown, we've learned, we've become better cooks--chefs, even?
Tonight, we put on the most organized Cooking Club ever. Not to brag, but we had an entire menu, an itemized grocery list, and an oven matrix all before the night even began. And let me remind you that this all took place on a Friday--right after work. The only thing missing? A flour sifter. But don't you worry--Martha Ellen had one handy at her house and she had to run back to get the hens anyway.
In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, we took on the American tradition as our inspiration, but decided to infuse the menu with a little bit of what you'd expect from Cooking Club. New and different menu choices, cooking techniques and a whole lot of wine resulted in a night that all will remember.
Highlights:
- I think it's the first cooking club without setting off a smoke alarm
- We almost cooked a warty maltese.
- Martha Ellen and Mary Kay mimicked Grey's Anatomy with their suturing of the Cornish Game Hens. Bridget would have nothing to do Game Hens or stuffing their cavities.
- Bridget won categories, even with Mary Kay's rules
- Two Talyors passed out early. We'd expect it from R.J.; it was a surprise from Martha Ellen.
Theme: Thanksgiving, With a Twist!
Cost: $$$
Menu
Cranberry Bruschetta
Garlic and Herb Roasted Cornish Game Hen
Fennel, Red Onion, and Focaccia Stuffing
Avocado Mashed Potatoes
Grill Roasted Vegetables with Pine Nut Pesto
Paula Dean's Pumpkin Roll Cake
Attendance: Founding Members + Associate Member Bridget + Elizabeth Kurfess (sponsored guest of MK)
Key Learnings:
- R. J.'s a sucker for whatever wine the wine lady recommends. Even if we've had it before and it sucked last time, too.
- Check the dishwasher. Make sure there are four or more dishes in it before starting the cycle.
- An Oven Matrix generates optimal results.
- No really, trust the recipe.
- Lemons should be squeezed before simmering in the butter.
- Mary Kay doesn't like to chop bread.
- Bridget is so-so on making desserts. Until they're done.
- You have to peel parsnips.
- Core the fennel. Then slice it lengthwise
- Mary Kay and R. J. live about one block apart.
- Mary Kay cannot lift R. J.
- Martha Ellen's dramatic hand gestures lead to candle wax spills
- You can alternate scissors for a knife
Memorable Quotes:
"How surprised were you about the Cornish Game Hens???" - Mary Kay
"I wouldn't expect two mushy things to go together." - Ben
Kitchen Audit Results: R. J. needs a sifter, vegetable peeler, aluminum foil, kitchen brush, another oven, and more stamina to make it through the evening.
Next Up: Asian Cuisine in December!
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