tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43512097668624849222012-02-16T12:43:27.363-05:00Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.comBlogger2031100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-42979540553954008392010-04-10T15:42:00.000-04:002010-04-10T15:42:22.868-04:00

Here at Casa Flo we're working on shedding some unwanted extra body cells so I'm whipping up some new food types for the occasion.  Poaching has become the word of this Day for starters, and I'm not talking rustling someones cattle from their ranch.  Real Poaching of chicken and fish. I never really poached my chickens before but it is really pretty easy and very versatile.  You can poach up a

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-67058859591056065252010-03-21T14:59:00.000-04:002010-03-21T14:59:44.456-04:00

This dish is one of my favorites but it's kind of rich with the butter and all so I don’t make it very often. I also like a bit of kick to my food so I add crushed red peppers which you can omit if you are not the spicy type. Here is a photo of the list of ingredients minus the fresh clams since I ate them before writing this up. I used 12 littleneck clams for 2 people and one can of whole clams

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-34346338169228781202010-03-12T13:10:00.000-05:002010-03-12T13:10:48.191-05:00

Good Day Class: Today the topic of our study is Weight Gain.  10 little letters, when put together just like the title spell Misery, Anger and a Killer Attitude (not the good kind). I would much rather gain weight eating than anything else but the doctor put me on some medication that is increasing my weight.  That doc's gotta go!  Below is a self portrait (not really me cuz my room doesn't

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-92173279314430565642010-03-09T11:52:00.000-05:002010-03-09T11:52:51.674-05:00

That's what I call this recipe.  Its not the basic Chicken Cacciatorie but a little twist and then spin on that recipe. Here's what when on.  Chicken leg quarters were on sale so I bagged a grip of them.  I used only two here since there is one for each serving.  1/3 chopped onion2 generous cloves of garlic2 Tbsp olive oil 2 chicken leg quarters 1/3 cup red wine1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (more

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-55262833664466828522010-03-05T15:12:00.000-05:002010-03-05T15:12:00.138-05:00

If you are going to serve fruit to guests then you might as well 'play with it first'.  Buy an inexpensive book on fruit carving.  It's relatively easy and very impressive.  It just takes a little initiative to be more than you can be.  Something like that.  (what I keep telling myself) I made this fruit platter simply for the challenge of making a Duck out of a Cantaloupe!  It was fun and I

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-9741925095961038402010-02-26T11:57:00.000-05:002010-02-26T11:57:59.108-05:00

I had a nice piece of Mahi Mahi to cook and I wanted something quick, simple, easy and tasty.  I simply put salt, pepper and a dab of butter on the fish then pan sauteed it about 4-5 minutes on medium low (is that a real thing medium low?)  Not quite medium and higher than low.  I made some brown rice, which has become a staple of mine now and a few of those who know me will read this line with

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-2339442012712593562010-01-15T14:33:00.001-05:002010-01-15T14:36:38.464-05:00

Reading the local St. Petersburg Times this morning I saw a photo of a guy with a big fish net pulling little frozen fish out of the local waters.  Its too cold for the little guys and they're just freezing.  The turtles and manatees are really cold too.  At least its getting a bit warmer now.  That being said, brings me to what I had in the freezer yesterday - frozen fish.  Orange Roughy to be

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-80096236925262118972010-01-13T16:27:00.001-05:002010-01-13T16:30:51.364-05:00

When the weather gets as cold as it has been I long to cook me some old fashioned comfort foods.  This week it was Pot Roast.  The chuck steaks went on sale (when did the price of chuck meat get so high?!!) so that was all the encouragement I needed. I grabbed the staple ingredients that I had on hand (tomato sauce, ketchup, broth, flour, some herbs (cumin, thyme, bay leaf, Worcestershire Sauce)

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-76731862153365947212010-01-06T18:42:00.000-05:002010-01-06T18:42:12.542-05:00

2010 started out pretty miserable so I'm thinking things can only get better from here.  I caught some kind of bug New Years Eve day and it settled in my chest and struck me down like a cheap pair of heels.  I was sick with a fever which I hadn't had in maybe 7 or 8 years and all the coughing, some sneezing and some nose blowing.  I thought it was a cold/flu but I'm not sure.  True to Kitchen

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-40248140011984127172009-12-30T10:28:00.001-05:002010-01-06T18:46:50.444-05:00

For my non-Christmas/Holiday dinner this year I was craving a porterhouse steak.  I found a good one that was calling out my name, "yo Kitchen Bitch, I'm a real heart stopper" so naturally I fell for that line.  I knew it was way too much for just me but I had a plan for what I couldn't finish. When I'm in a meat eating mode basically that's all I really want to eat.  When I eat steaks I do like

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-55182945365309432382009-12-24T14:09:00.000-05:002009-12-24T14:09:29.902-05:00

I'm attending a Christmas Party where everyone dresses up tonight.  I was going to go as a bunch of mistletoe but with cold season and all I opted for the next best outfit to "blend".  I hope to snag a few presents when no one is looking.  It'll go with the outfit.  I hope I don't get to "lit up"!  It'll be tough driving home.  It may be tough driving to the party like this.  Too many dogs

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-75752054583775053092009-12-22T16:11:00.000-05:002009-12-22T16:11:18.264-05:00

I just woke up from my long year's nap ready to begin more blogging.  I needed to unwind and detox from all the work and learning I did at the Ca. Culinary Academy.  It is now December 2009 and I'm feeling oh so refreshed! I must admit that my cooking has improved and I've remembered a number of things they taught us, still.  So all in all the Mazillion Dollhairs paid through student loans were

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-67476526866321758392009-02-07T20:37:00.000-05:002009-02-07T20:49:38.709-05:00

Well, I finished my purpose for this blog. I started it the day I decided to go to the Culinary Academy, I tracked my progress for the 15 months, and now I'm done. Finished. It's over. Very Cool.Looking back, the 15 months went slow, it was a new unpaved road. There were uphills, rocks in the road and some time for parking and enjoying the views. Over all, it was a task completed, learned

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-40127322469406733642009-01-26T22:22:00.000-05:002009-01-26T22:36:57.023-05:00

Life brings one special messages from time to time. You just have to make yourself aware of those little subtle clues. This sign was one of them that literally screamed at me from the side of the road. I couldn't believe I saw it at the exact time that I have 1 Week To Go at my internship with the San Francisco Chronicle! Naturally, I stopped to take a photo. One more week!! What joy I feel

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-53746913059196619522009-01-22T21:54:00.000-05:002009-01-22T22:16:15.931-05:00

It was such a beautiful day. A perfect day really. A Debra Day actually! I still laugh about how silly cousin Guy and I were on the way home playing with the shadows in the backseat like "kids". Hey, don't laugh, 'Papa John' told a friend of his that he and the 'wife' were taking the kids out for a drive!! Guy and I nearly choked with laughter. So we had to live up to his expectations by acting

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-79687906104209124522009-01-18T21:58:00.000-05:002009-01-18T22:31:41.386-05:00

The family took an outing on Saturday to see where Papa John grew up in Pescadero. The weather was perfect and the stop at Duartes for lunch was scrumptious! The Espinoza's were a prolific family back in the day and lived in about as many homes as there were children, but these homes were located in some mighty fine countryside. Rolling hills full of green acres, trees, and waterways. What an

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-39612679857151302172009-01-15T22:20:00.000-05:002009-01-15T22:59:42.037-05:00

This has been one heck of a busy week at the Chronicle! I've been fried, tied, hamstrung and skewered. And today, my dear work buddy Cindy was not there. Oh, Cynd, you left me to the wolves!! Here's a photo of Cindy working away in the kitchen last week.It was Photo Shoot day and I had 3 dishes to prep for the photographer. But then there was the 'family meal' day that was set for 1:30. I got in

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-90663134514223009522009-01-12T00:01:00.000-05:002009-01-12T00:29:16.851-05:00

My favorite time of the year is between November and January when tangerines are in season. Did you know that it got its name simply on a shipping route? True. Naturally known as Mandarines, years ago when trade routes were setup there was a special rought going through Tangiers, Morrocco. To differentiate to buyers that they were not the chinese varieties they called them tangerines.I made a

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-48821563095316965082009-01-09T21:56:00.000-05:002009-01-09T22:05:45.561-05:00

This morning while walking to the Chronicle I was stopped by the beauty of the morning fog being quickly burned off by the sun. I took two photos and you can see how quickly it was burning. I took both photos one after the other. Oh, I'm so going to miss my fog.

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-57713403992991828022009-01-09T00:22:00.000-05:002009-01-09T22:07:07.052-05:00

This has been a busy and rough week for me at the Chron. I've been slaving in the cellar over all the wines to unbox and log-in, I've been researching tons of information to print in the next few editions and I cooked (the bright side) today most of the morning. Tomorrow its back to the dungeon to tackle the wines again for the next upcoming tastings.As a treat for my hard (and volunteer) given

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-23070146086851293312009-01-06T23:07:00.000-05:002009-01-06T23:31:49.990-05:00

Part of my job at the Chronicle is prepping for the wine tastings each week. Its a big job. I have to open all the boxes that get delivered for a particular tasting and log the wines into a tasting sheet online by vintage, vineyard, appellation, price and importer. This week was German Rieslings.64 little marching Germans to be precise. I had to bring them up from the cellar today via the old

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-19486141779222510872009-01-01T18:20:00.000-05:002009-01-01T18:35:58.460-05:00

Happy New Year to You! Have you made your New Years Resolutions yet? Have you broken any yet? 2008 ended with a hugh bang. Literally. The neighbor next door to Casa Espinoza blew off his thumb while setting off a M100 bomb. No kidding. Sad, not safe, not too bright and very painful. I'm sure he will always remember 2009 and its tragic beginning since he'll only be able to count to 9 on his hands

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-88371245554323213232008-12-29T20:34:00.000-05:002009-01-01T18:37:01.183-05:00

For Christmas dinner the family pulled out the stops and nabbed a nice 7lb Prime Rib roast AND a 4lb roast. I was tasked with getting the job done so we had medium rare, which most of us like and a medium roast for the ones who like their meat cooked more.First, I make a spice rub for it using garlic, about 5 -8 cloves, and a bit of kosher salt (teaspoon) in a small mortar and crush it into paste

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-5081896521519831202008-12-28T22:04:00.000-05:002008-12-28T22:16:53.127-05:00

Christmas time came and went and now its time to squeeze in more kitchen time at the Chronicle. I'll be working this next week on some new recipe testing and more writing. Fun! Here's a photo of the Chron Kitchen where I spend my days. There are two stoves, one electric and the other gas. Naturally, I play on the gas stove. I love the overhanging pots and pans. They're so easy to find and no

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-17101037354290599782008-12-21T21:37:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:44:56.525-05:00

I've been trying to remember to photograph all the little things to blog but darned if I get caught up in the moment and forget until it passes! Poo!! Anyway, Here are some photos of me getting into the holidays with family and San Francisco.I like the one of the Musicians playing just the way it looks. Kinda blury and out of focus. I like it like that. Seems more magical to me. And I can't

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-71757266348286639402008-12-17T20:40:00.000-05:002008-12-17T21:41:56.550-05:00

I'm becoming quite the bus rider to and from work these days. Its been a learning experience and one that I'm getting better (?) at daily. There are some things I've noted however that would make riding the bus easier. I should jot them down here for those of you who commute on the bus (or soon will have to since it IS cheaper!). #1. There is no one to complain to if things are not going your way

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-46030429023022801322008-12-16T23:45:00.000-05:002008-12-17T00:01:56.347-05:00

It's cold. For me. My Chicago friends, Cher and Joe are suffering with single digit temps but they were born in that stuff. I was born here in San Fran but it was July not December. I think that has some merit here in this little diatrabe. Maybe if I was born in December I would be having a better time of this. Actually, its not really so bad. I love all the bundles of clothes. I like

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-78421802323106645342008-12-11T22:15:00.000-05:002008-12-11T22:46:09.767-05:00

Okay, this is Chicago's week to be in the barrel. The Pickle barrel (it's always related to food here). I feel for ya, it's a hellava pickle. It's also really hard not to make comments on. Like Garlic Ice Cream. You can't just hear that and NOT comment something! So I will cook up a few comments on Mr. Done-of-a-vich. 1. Axed Rod and Potti Mouth Patti are currently next year's Halloween costume

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-25847430057585785832008-12-09T20:50:00.000-05:002008-12-09T21:40:37.421-05:00

Cold cash, credit and money-saver coupons are a bit of a memory as the holidays approach...Darn, why do the Holidays always come at a bad time of the year. This is about as good as it gets for my Holiday Shopping. I just blogged my first present!Now-a-days, everyone's looking for ways to hang on. (I saw a guy on the bus today having a Real Hard time hanging on. There should be a 3 drink minimum

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-80971718216296528902008-12-06T15:03:00.000-05:002008-12-06T16:24:34.069-05:00

I made a tasty lamb stew yesterday at work with lentils and barley, zucchini, tomates, onions and garlic. It was the brainchild of one of the staffers. It was perfect for a nippy winter day. I didn't have my camera with me so I don't have a photo but I found this one on the web to get you started.Catch yourself a nice spring lamb if you can. If not, jam over to the market and buy some already

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-30003476752394149732008-12-01T00:15:00.000-05:002008-12-01T00:35:47.742-05:00

Yep, thas right, I et myself a Burger King burger. With fries too. Its been years since I had one and for some reason it just sounded right. There I was doing the good thing eating my fresh vegetable soup at Casa Espinoza when my dear cousin Guy bust in the house and dashed about asking if anyone wanted anything from Burger King. He was on a mission to get burgers, and get them NOW. I so admire

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-3344123262522645952008-11-28T19:38:00.000-05:002008-11-29T19:01:18.245-05:00

Thanksgiving Day fell on my dearly loved Grandmother's birthday this year. She was all of 96 years yesterday! She's still getting around on her own, living in her own home, having ups and downs but still moving forward. She tells us she can't really taste her food anymore, everything pretty much tastes the same. She can't hear us very well either, so we have to speak REAL LOUD close to her ear.

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-7508620096909357182008-11-23T20:40:00.000-05:002008-11-28T21:04:59.486-05:00

What with all the upcoming holiday cooking to be done, I got to thinking about SPAM as a food product. In my research I was surprised to know that the United States is the largest consumer of SPAM! I have personally Never eaten it nor do I know of anyone who has, yet this ‘meatloaf with no training’ is consumed in huge quantities in my own country. It is also known as ‘ham that failed its

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-15467699901119586592008-11-22T16:06:00.000-05:002008-11-28T21:06:01.044-05:00

This is a picture perfect day in San Fran. Blue skies, cool weather (my favorite) and I am sitting here wishing I could be going to Forbes Island again for dinner with my pals Cher and Joe! Oh I miss those two. We had such a terrific time together that October night. The restaurant is so very cool too. Joe got such a kick out of all the seals and sea lions basking on the pier, and Cher jumped in

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-49296757544679731912008-11-21T22:05:00.000-05:002008-11-28T21:07:30.808-05:00

Like any college environment, cooking school had its little silly 'frat jokes', its just that our pranks are food related. The only danger is to your ego. I'll miss some of these if just for their entertaining value.Often when beginning a new 3 week class we would find 'new' students among us. Like little sea creatures that beached themselves. Some we liked and would help back to the sea of life

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-45030106294810289862008-11-20T13:36:00.000-05:002008-11-28T21:08:18.461-05:00

This is my post for saving you some money during these difficult financial times. I'm in a do-gooder mood. I'm sharing with you my recipe for a healthy, nutritious, easy, speasy dinner for the coming winter months while saving you money. Think of it as my early Holiday Present to you all.I'm sure that most of you college-educated types have done this in your dorms before. I don't claim any rights

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-48309085695954585292008-11-19T19:05:00.000-05:002008-11-28T21:09:16.324-05:00

Of course I may be wrong. Like when someone feels they're coming down with a cold but don't. I've been working on a little research project for my blog and it has taken a life of its own. I may have to do it in parts. I think it is humorous but then I thought my brother getting hit in the head with a bat was funny too once.Either way, I'll publish it because I've lost all sense of write and wrung

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-64565557184407293922008-11-18T23:46:00.001-05:002008-11-28T21:10:17.739-05:00

Good Things About Not Being in School AnymoreNo More Fire DrillsGot Rid of the Cement Weight Kitchen ShoesNo More Running for the Free ShuttleNo More 5:30am Wake UpsThrew Out the Commis Cap (really stupid hat)My feet are showing signs of lifeNo need to carry around the 20 lb knife and tool bagNo more being stuck with teams that don't work outSad Things About Not Being in School AnymoreNo More

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-25650276845534291512008-11-17T00:24:00.000-05:002008-11-28T21:11:10.211-05:00

Well, I finished my first week at the Chronicle and it was indeed interesting. They are so busy with the upcoming holidays that I'm learning by default. The best thing I liked about last week was "family meal" which comes each Thursday. On Thursdays we cook many recipes, the interns and the staff, and at 1:30 we set up a buffet in the kitchen and we all eat together in the large conference room.

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-45269568759773919192008-11-13T23:31:00.000-05:002008-11-28T21:12:10.100-05:00

OMG! We have been testing several turkey recipes these last few days at the Chronicles test kitchen in time for Thanksgiving. I may just bring my own hot dog and peanut butter to this year's holiday dinner. I don't think; scratch that; I KNOW I can not eat another piece of Turkey for another year. I wish that bird would just grow feathers and fly the coup.However, the good side was that I got to

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-2396366043504482572008-11-10T21:30:00.000-05:002008-11-28T21:13:15.134-05:00

Today was my first day at the San Francisco Chronicle's Food and Wine Department. It was a cool morning but well past my usual 5:30am wake up. I boarded the Muni bus in nice weather for my short ride to Market Street and 5th then proceeded to walk the remaining few blocks to the Chronicle.I have come to find out that the F&W dept. don't get in on Monday's until around 10ish (insert smile here).

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-22995893537460760852008-11-06T23:33:00.000-05:002008-11-28T21:14:23.193-05:00

Our humungeous Political Luncheon on Election Day was such a hit it made several San Fran political blogs such as www.sfbg.com/blogs/politics/2008/11/election_day_luncheon_in_sf.html and www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/04/BAGO13TUEL.DTLFormer Mayor Willie Brown was there as well as U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and Attorney General Jerry Brown.They gave their accolades to our

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-89468333735229653112008-11-04T19:05:00.000-05:002008-11-28T21:15:20.433-05:00

Today was the hardest day of my schooling. The CCA hosted local politicians to a luncheon buffet which included Mayor Newsome and probably Jerry Brown showed. I don't know since I was busy trying to avoid my nervous breakdown from all the work we had to do.Other classes were also involved, since it was a special event for Election Day. We had pastries from the Baking Classes, all the terrines,

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-45296847384970556482008-11-03T20:26:00.000-05:002008-11-28T21:16:43.159-05:00

Word was that I've been reported missing in the blogsphere; but I am now found. I stepped away for a while to do some life patching. Something like making a quilt, only a bit more difficult. Ripping out threads that have needed redoing and finding some cheeryier fabric to continue on with. I'm in a renewing process and just hope my ol'machine doesn't deconstruct. You don't wanna mess with cranky

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-69482399876017863742008-10-17T19:50:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:17:24.565-05:00

The Advanced Garde Manger class is now over. I really liked the work we produced but it was a hugemongous amount of hard work. These last two classes have been production classes, meaning that we were working all week for the Friday Buffets for our public restaurant.This week my buddy Phil and I had to make a vegetable terrine with an egg salad and accompanying Horseradish Sour Cream sauce; and a

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-27505371150497192832008-10-09T20:33:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:18:30.104-05:00

This has been another hectic week for the Kitchen Bitch. Half our class showed up for the first three days so that meant that the rest of us worker bees had to hustle to do all the presentation dishes.I filleted out about 6 trout, cut them in half, put them in fish brine overnight, then smoked them in the smoker the next day.I cleaned and trimmed a big ole Artic Char fishy and cut it down thin

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-12207194473140469102008-10-03T22:31:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:19:29.108-05:00

This week is OVER! What a ton of work we did. We busted our butts all week to make platters of food today for the Friday Buffet in our Careme Dining room. Phil and I made a brickload of Chicken Sausages, Smoked Racks of Lamb, a grilled rack of lamb, a Chicken Liver Terrine and a gallantine of Poussin (small chicken). In addition we had to make accompanying sauces for each and salads, salad

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-79918393332936780092008-09-30T21:16:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:20:23.016-05:00

I'm not sure if I should say this but after working with things like gallantines, terrines, pate's and such I'm pretty sure I'm cured ('scuse the pun) of eating them in the next 50 years. Its a personal thing. I just don't want to eat pure pork fat. I don't like squishing all the meats together to look like brown baby food. Adding some dried fruits and nuts does nothing to entice me to eat

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-71871967384701945582008-09-30T01:39:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:21:22.598-05:00

Today in our Advanced Garde Manger class I had a little misunderstanding. With the Chef. Oh Boy. First day of class.We're working in teams and FINALLY I have my best teammate, Phil to work with. I'm happy. We are all working on foods that will be presented in our restaurant on Friday's Grand Buffet. This means lots of smoked proteins, pate's, gallantines, ballantines and terrines. Google them if

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-71583259397452582162008-09-28T15:30:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:22:30.156-05:00

FINALLY our Banquets and Catering class is over! Of all the classes I've taken this one was a real bee-yotch. We were all little sheep having daily run-ins with the Head Tomato about one thing or the other. I would be remiss if I told you about all the countless little things that was driving us nuts on a daily basis. Really. I love my school and Mr. Tomato Head is part of that so I won't degrade

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-42658343337744929312008-09-24T18:36:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:23:14.733-05:00

This has been a very trying week. We've had a LOT of work to do in our Banquets and Catering class. We put together a beautiful event Monday for our Career Fair at the Academy. We had a beautiful ice carving centerpiece that had the words SLOW FOOD etched in the ice and there was a ice vase on top of it that held Fall colored flowers. It was pretty cool. (slight pun intended)The term Slow Food is

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-53683008514873164282008-09-20T15:52:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:24:11.977-05:00

Our Banquets and Catering class is putting on a onsite banquet Monday, a continental breakfast and a lunch. We will be making everything from scratch. We spent Thursday and Friday prepping the doughs, preparing the veggies and being happy because we were in the kitchen again sporting knives as accessories.We've prepared about 45 crossiants, danish, yogurt, granola, fruit jams and honey butter for

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-88360246957615899662008-09-16T22:33:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:24:50.426-05:00

Brief note: Too many things that shouldn't be written happen in our Banquets and Catering class. I'm in a connundrum. I don't believe in trashing others so I'm not writing much during this course.Teaching styles are different depending on individuals and students are reactive in exchange. Let me just say that in one way this class is kinda fun, on the other hand, its pretty difficult to keep

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-61465736095436040872008-09-11T23:07:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:25:54.609-05:00

I will be interning at the San Francisco Chronicle in their Food and Wine Department! Wow, what a catch. Its perfect for me. The internship of 3 months is required by the CCA in order to get your degree for the Culinary Program. I'm so fortunate. It is a Mon - Fri position 9-5. YES!For those of you who don't know, the Chronicle's Food and Wine department has a full service kitchen where they test

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-75726112960627069252008-09-09T21:14:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:27:19.989-05:00

We started a new "sit-down" non kitchen class yesterday called Banquets and Catering. You may already know how I feel about non kitchen classes. In case you don't I've added a new Cat-O-Meter picture demonstrating my feelings at this point.So far this is a lecture class. [read: stay awake numbskull!] Our Chef Instructor has a looong drawn out voice that tends to find one figeting or engaged in

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-65880336881014193872008-09-06T12:34:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:28:34.612-05:00

The downtown San Francisco Civic Center has done something pretty amazing. They are using grow food! All food products harvested from the site will go into the SF Food Bank to help feed those in need.I think this is very forward thinking. Its received a lot of good attention and was the backdrop for the recent Labor Day Slow Food Nation fair. I walked through it the other day to see what they

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-78718989295091730002008-09-03T23:57:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:30:07.951-05:00

The California Culinary Academy has its own public restaurant called the Careme 350. The students prepare and cook all the food for this dining spot. I had a chance to eat there this past Friday evening with my friend Jana and her two friends. It was really pretty impressive. The buffet portion wrapped around all three sides of the room and each station had completely different food offerings,

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-52216710903755197652008-09-03T01:37:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:31:32.754-05:00

Today in Baking and Pastry my group migrated to the bread making. We made kalamata olive bread, baguettes, foccacia breads (2 diff kinds), bread sticks, and tortilla strips oiled with a tumeric oil for one batch and a paprika oil for the second batch. This was just for color. I prepped 15 large tortilla "baskets" to hold the mini breads. This was accomplished by oiling large flour tortilla's then

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-16519166330456713962008-08-27T20:04:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:32:31.661-05:00

Every day we must take on the onerous task of tempering and working with chocolate. The first day's work had me looking like I just got off one of Mike Rowe's Dirty Jobs episodes. One of my classmates even refused to continue to work with me as she didn't want to clog up her washing machine that night. It was hellacious work. So much dark, gooey chocolate, so little clean space to work in, so

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-71008040654286020492008-08-24T19:11:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:33:21.293-05:00

Its been about 10 months now living in the "indoor campsite" and I'm getting starved for the use of an oven. I have to make do with store bought baked goods. Like Costco's chicken, which is delicious to me since they brine it before roasting it, but its huge. I think it's almost bigger than my campsite refrigeratorette. I have to eat a lot of chicken before I can get it in that little thing. I'm

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-54970950521546036242008-08-18T18:42:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:34:19.166-05:00

Mom, mom. Guess what I did in school today? I made you a rose mom. Here ya go. We worked with blinding hot sugar today. Got a blister on the finger in the process but I made my rose! I'm pretty impressed with myself since it was my first time ever working with moldable lava. Its a safe bet that I won't be taking on this facet of the culinary world anytime soon. It looks good but I prefer others

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-90784419771805191632008-08-17T22:58:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:35:17.768-05:00

The second Saturday of this month was my catering day at my cousin's Art Gallery Art Walk. I decided to do something other than the usual cantaloupe duck or watermelon basket. Introducing the Radish Family Mice!The mice moved in while I was out flying my kites. (lousy segue) but you see my dilemma with my other creation. I loved it and it was very well recieved by the artists and the public! I

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-19782266958869299582008-08-12T21:02:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:36:00.089-05:00

This week has the makings of a very good, easy-going week. We are studying Wines II. Today was a pleasurable tour through the Piedmont area of Italy where one of my favorite wines finds its home - none other than Barolo and also its kissing cousin Gattinara from the delicious, heavenly Nebbiolo grape. During our tasting of the Pio Cesare (my favorite producer) Barolo I couldn't help but think of

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-73986663032336800292008-08-04T19:54:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:36:57.831-05:00

This is week two of being inside a classroom with computers and chairs. My hip joints are beginning to complain about all this sitting down. I don't want them to memorize the shape of the chair. Maybe I could get a smaller chair. Humm, wonder if that would reduce the size...... oh, nevermind. Anyway, after sitting so long when I go to get up my legs and hips refuse to agree on how to manage this

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-3240237374199592392008-08-02T00:00:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:38:02.074-05:00

Yes, my team mate and I got second place in the competition along with 13 other teams. LOL The first place winners got an all expense paid trip to Thailand courtesy of the Royal Thai Government and week to cook with the Chef that visited our school to instruct us on the principals and food profiles/ingredients of authentic Thai foods.It was a great experience! We had 15 clock hours of extra

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-1677147527619246312008-07-26T20:30:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:39:04.770-05:00

Somehow teh last too days of Asian cookin wur a stunnin, horibl, mess for me. Me needs to tink on it a lot. I hurt my head just tinking on it real gud.Chef din like anyting I did xcept my plate wuz hot when I had to present my fud. I felled purty yucky.On the other hand however, I thought it was a good plate and I think "someone" had a grudge against a strong-minded determined lady (who shall

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-69547698897483719022008-07-24T23:29:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:40:00.774-05:00

One more day of Asian food cooking and I'll be glad of the exit. What? Are you surprised? Yes, you should be and so am I. I loved it right up until we entered the world of Judge Judy with a Tall White Hat. Something happened to the instructor at the very end when it came to the final days. I think we got on the dark side of the 28 day cycle. Period. (know what I mean? Come On!)Outside I'm putting

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-4315458216468346172008-07-21T23:51:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:40:50.617-05:00

Tomorrow our class meets in Historic Chinatown to continue a day class walking around the shops, herbal stores and markets. I'm very pleased with this since our chef is Chinese and will be able to speak and ask our questions for us. Thus eliminating tedious hours spent in front of my computer taking various dialects of Chinese so I can find who has a good Peking Duck.I'm also working on a school

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-8019514670449497152008-07-16T19:03:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:42:07.471-05:00

This year was a bust for the birthday. Had a head cold, didn't feel spunky, and really getting tired of these B-Days. Way too many of them now!I'm hoping this head stuffage issue clears up soon as it is affecting my sense of humor gene. How funny is it to blow epidermis layers off the schnoze all day while trying to cook! Yeeeuuuck! Oh, and I just love the hacking attack during the Chef's

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-61611299777879439632008-07-12T15:22:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:43:16.013-05:00

I was off for summer break from school from my last post till Monday the 7th. I'll recap briefly.Friday the 27th my friend Dee and her grandson Brennon (13) came to my school to take a tour since Brennon is VERY interested in becoming a chef. He's worked in several high end restaurants in Austin, TX, Newport Beach, CA and Santa Monica already! He's helped on events of 3,000 people too. He's

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-63412489531822577362008-06-27T18:33:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:44:03.618-05:00

My nerves are shot and I'm ready to resumeAnger Managementclasses!!We did our finals yesterday and today. Our class was divided in teams of two Team A and Team B. The final was the "Mystery Basket" cooking test and today was our teams chance to show off our skills and creativity. A mystery basket is an array of foods; fruits, veggies and staples and then a mix of proteins. None of which we are

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-61646321013011169252008-06-24T23:30:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:44:59.567-05:00

We're almost done with the America's. A few more days of lard, lossa oil, lossa beef and pork and fried foods. I can almost see the finish line but for my hardening arteries getting in the way. Alas, today we enjoyed Fish and a Shrimp stew or something like that. 'Cept it had okra in it. I really don't care for that little slimy vegetable. The fish was a blackened cajun style which was very spicy

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-15511973586442542122008-06-20T17:18:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:46:12.036-05:00

Not Funny anymore. Some oddballs like the heat, even some I'm related to, not me. Half of me, the cheap Irish skin part cannot deal with the Blistering Sun God. After cooking all morning in an extra HOT kitchen with layers of clothing, socks and big ol' heavy shoes, I boarded the Shuttle or the 'ol' tin can', for the ride home. I could close my eyes and was sure I was on a diesel bus rattling

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-2870075816775762892008-06-19T00:16:00.001-04:002008-11-28T21:47:18.971-05:00

Interesting day today in FOA (Foods of Americas). But before I get into anything in depth let me say for the record that I realized today that I love the kitchen madness. I love being part of the fun, the gossip, the anger, the conflicts, the jokes, and the rush of the whole experience. It is addicting in a very foundational sense.Now, on to the conflicts and anger. (This is the gossip part where

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-40837398026170327292008-06-17T23:23:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:48:09.373-05:00

Guess what was on the menu today? Roasted Pork, Jerk Chicken and Shrimp with Scallops. That's right, something completely different from our last 8 days of cooking! NOT.I have to admit that I ate some pork and then some more since it was really tasty. I wasn't too keen on the shrimp with scallops (sorry Phil) but I've got high cholesterol and they are packed with it. I tried the Jerk Chicken, my

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-1121470625314259182008-06-16T22:55:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:49:10.660-05:00

OMG. This class may end up being the end of me. We eat pork, beef, chicken and fish every day. The last two are tag-alongs to the first two main players on this team. I'm soooo FULL of eating red meats and no real vegetables or salads. I've got to smuggle my way out of this class ASAP before my doctor realizes this stuff is the cause of my rising cholesterol. I think the Chef doesn't really care

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-81708379376451402852008-06-12T23:30:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:50:38.424-05:00

Tourist Travel Culinary Guide to South American Countries: Mos of dees cuuntrees, dey eat lossa beef en pork en lam. Please be prepare to hab no-ting but a-lossa dis typa foods eff jew go dare. Eef jew don keer for ameat products den jew my wan to aboyd dis country.I'm learning alot from our Chef who hails from Chile. I'm learning how to 'aspeak hiss lang-guich'. It was difficult at first but I'm

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-83303168942174289662008-06-10T22:40:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:51:45.181-05:00

In keeping with my little "conquering" theme, we docked our ships on the coast of Argentina yesterday and planted our flag in the middle of the Pampas where the beef do roam. I think the weather has the troops at a disadvantage since it seems the Argentinians are making 'stews' to weigh us down and slow us up in the current heat wave melting San Francisco. If it doesn't get below 75 soon I'll

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-21363967062461249502008-06-09T22:24:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:52:59.378-05:00

I've been MIA for 5 whole days. Wow! Time sure flies. I'll have to blame it on the weather. San Francisco has seen some of the most beautiful days lately that are hard to ignore. The mornings are simple poetic. The sun shines on all green things and the skies are so clear and blue it begs all birds to fly, then there's the air which has a mix of a bay marine dried aroma that sends your salt buds

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-52909623274132483462008-06-04T23:17:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:53:55.512-05:00

My project for Southern German cooking was due today. A complete report, menu with pricing, description of region, area, and information, recipes, timeline for cooking plan and plate presentation. I would have had a perfect score but the whole class was late in putting all the plates up at the same time so I was docked points for that. Otherwise, taste, flavor, composition, use of ingredients,

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-48617335749085933922008-06-02T19:08:00.000-04:002008-11-28T21:55:12.429-05:00

Our school put on a tour of the Napa Valley this past Saturday for 40 students - FREE -! It was a great day into the lovely countryside and a nice break from the City. We went to the Robert Mondavi vineyard for a tasting, tour of the grounds and private tour of the cellars where they hold the huge 2 story 5,000 gallon barrels and the secondary cellar where the 60 gallon barrels are held. It was

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-10916694327492725832008-05-29T20:40:00.000-04:002008-05-29T20:52:46.607-04:00

You're lookin' at it Baby. My next assignment or project for European Cuisine. Dare I call this assortment Cuisine? How's 'bout we jest call it supper.We Hat Picked our mystery country yesterday and I somehow mistakenly picked Southern Germany! Yikes. No one wanted to trade with me. Iceholes! Our project is due next week and I have to put together a four course meal for it. Seems to me

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-32320191910106537162008-05-27T23:27:00.000-04:002008-05-27T23:47:42.165-04:00

Finally we have arrived at the sacred ground of Italy (right Joey?). Ahhh. The lusciousness of it, the aromas, the fragrance, the garlic! We covered Northern Italy today and my team had 3 dishes to divide amongst us and I chose the one I wanted ASAP. One of these days these guys will realize that I'm not the real leader and start choosing for themselves. Until that happens, I'm taking the

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-24980825566811391472008-05-24T11:42:00.000-04:002008-05-24T12:17:11.063-04:00

We've completed one week of our European Cuisines ending on the shores of Britain including the Loovely Land O' Errrland. (you know, shamrocks and leprecauns) Accents are so hard to to electronically. Bloddy 'ell.How good was the food you ask? Eh. I made something called Colcannon and Boxty potatoes. The Boxty's are something like a hash brown with buttermilk in them. They were hard to

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-16622608969073213342008-05-21T16:45:00.000-04:002008-05-21T17:01:49.276-04:00

Finally, we are back to cooking. Our current class is The Principals of European Cuisine. Monday we cooked Scandanavian and Russian, Tuesday we tackled Germany and devoured it and today we invaded Spain and Portugal leaving just the bones behind! Yum. Every day gets better tasting. Monday was not a favorite by the way. I love the buffet style dining we get to do after we're all done. We

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-48561159943832611022008-05-17T12:38:00.000-04:002008-05-17T12:53:27.827-04:00

I cooked up a new idea the other day and its my new favorite so I'm cooking it again tonight for my Cousin Guy. I had 3 pieces of boneless, skinless chicken thighs and a big "what to do" with them thought. The day before I prepped up some fresh tomatoes by chopping in 1 inch pieces, adding to them some minced garlic, chopped shallots or onions - fine dice (smaller than the tomatoes), added salt

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-85901449984372680272008-05-16T17:23:00.000-04:002008-05-16T17:46:29.919-04:00

Well, our Intro to Wine class is over today. I'm happy to say I scored Aces on both tests, scoring better on the Business Mgmt test! Go Figure. We ended class with some Fortified Wines, like Sherry's and Port's before being released back into the system. We were fortified!We learned from a Master Taster, Chef Roy Sandoval. He taught us the stuff other wine teachers don't. Other classes are

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-76355505783254738762008-05-14T15:39:00.000-04:002008-05-14T16:05:23.714-04:00

I did my first job last night from the staffing agency that I hired on with. I work in a Chef capacity at events in San Francisco. I was really really nervous on what it would be like, how I could get there and more importantly, how to get back home safely. I was stressing Beeg Thyme.I decided to take a taxi there which cost me $10. The event was huge. 2400 people! It was for the telecom

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-61782197550514783572008-05-12T22:25:00.000-04:002008-05-12T22:38:52.176-04:00

Well, I just finished round 2 of a 6 month event at my Cousin Guy's Art Gallery, 2611 Gallery, (his website is added on my main blog page) doing the fruit and cheese platters. I love the event as I get to "play" with ideas to spice things up a notch.This time I tried a new style of making Art from fruit by creating a Duck from a Cantaloupe Melon. I had a great time getting it done. Then I added a

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-60353729632797067702008-05-05T19:32:00.000-04:002008-05-05T19:57:54.688-04:00

We're studying the wines of France right now and so far we tasted the Alsace region of white wines and today we entered the Loire Valley region. Again white wines. The region of both is cold and damp so the wines are more acidic which is something I do not like in a wine. I know some people just love a brisk refreshing glass of lemon juice but not me. We tried a Muscadet wine which had to be

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-6879898860223236222008-05-04T01:55:00.000-04:002008-05-04T02:00:59.656-04:00

How can you even cook something this beautiful?! This is a member of the cabbage family. I'd say the rich Second Cousin twice removed. Its called "chou Romanescu" and it is a beautiful example of fractals in food. There is so much to appreciate with food. Fork, knife, spoon. That pretty much covers it. Okay, lets all get terribly spiritual here and say this is the only veg that grows on Tom

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-31259069801543194822008-05-02T17:14:00.000-04:002008-05-02T17:37:27.224-04:00

Today in class, we tasted an Alsace (region) - Gerwertztraminer (grape) which is from France. But the name of the grape sounds German you may say. Yes, but the French had a war and took over that section of Germany a long time ago and now it's in France with the German name. I'm guessing the French never changed the name as a little reminder to the Germans. Something along those lines.But I

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-6346781862721140192008-04-29T23:20:00.000-04:002008-04-29T23:41:17.220-04:00

Recovering from an anxiety meltdown of financial distress yesterday after paying some bills now and looming in the near future I took prudent steps to help quash the tide of dollars gushing down the drain on bills so I secured myself a position (part-time) as a cook for a catering company here in SF. I met the gal from the Catering Staffing firm at one of the CCA's career fair's recently and

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-78882853510260560602008-04-28T21:11:00.000-04:002008-04-28T21:31:05.091-04:00

Today we started with Business Management from 7am to 9:30, then moved on to Intro to Wines. Like slipping on a comfy pair of house slippers. Business Mgmt reminds me of where I just came from (law office mgmt). Its easy enough since it deals with things I'm familiar with on running someone else's business using their money! My favorite setup. Oddly, the business wasn't doing well so they sold it

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-78429774653804983342008-04-26T13:37:00.000-04:002008-04-26T13:56:57.950-04:00

I like this RICE pudding. I don't believe there is a shortage of RICE! I think its just China getting back at the US and the World for the hubbub over the Olympics. Just like the contrived Gas Shortage. Give me a break. The powers in governments (global) are looking to fill their pockets and try to find ways to panic the people by "inventing" these absurd 'shortages'. So, with all that in

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-83072297526121989822008-04-25T22:07:00.000-04:002008-04-25T22:13:10.657-04:00

I'm toooo excited because I PASSED my final exam in Purchasing Math with an 80%. You may say, Oh Deb, how you've let go of your High Standards! I'll say a resounding No because I am notoriously NO GOOD at math. I know it. But I studied real hard. I have band-aids surrounding my head like a crown of thorns. Yes, my head hurts but I passed. I do believe this sets me up for an "A" in Kitchen

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-37761360983207096682008-04-22T16:42:00.000-04:002008-04-22T17:22:34.705-04:00

I've been sitting in front of my computer for 15 minutes waiting for something clever, witty, original, plagiarized, anything to put down on my blog and nothing comes up. I know I haven't written for 3 days or thereabout but I'm an empty slate. I think the math stuff is wiping my brain clean of all right brained activity. Either that or I'm so left brain heavy that the right brain went on "tilt

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-51501105543901773592008-04-16T23:42:00.000-04:002008-04-17T00:17:08.678-04:00

Having loads of cheap fun in computer class these days. We started doing Kitchen Math. WTF, you say is that? Well, we try to do metric conversions from US standards. Why? As if I knew. I don't plan on moving to the EU anytime soon. Actually, its so we can price out the value of items comparatively. (I'm beginning to sound like my Chef Instructor) Meaning, if Vendor A was selling a 12 fluid ounce

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-84997541039161987502008-04-15T21:48:00.000-04:002008-04-15T21:52:14.575-04:00

Its April 15th whether you like it or not. For some reason, being unemployed for 10 months last year I STILL have to pay taxes! I just don't get the reasoning behind Govn't "benefits". The photo Explains everything about where my "refund" is going. Martini time. Must rush off.....

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4351209766862484922.post-44864181705441632292008-04-10T23:31:00.000-04:002008-04-11T00:00:26.582-04:00

[this post may disturb senstitive stomaches] it did mine momentarialy (read, for about 10 minutes)Since I have no COOKING news, I do however have a new set of neighbors as of today. Earlier this evening as I was finishing up my culinary resume I heard this oldster yabbering about not being able to open the door to the room next door with his plastic key card. I felt compelled to help, opened

Debra Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10646230705470620401noreply@blogger.com2