A Few Weeks of Fun

I just have to share this picture, it always gives me a good laugh... (Courtesy of Top Chef Season 8 "Night at the Museum")

So it's been a fun few weeks with some silly stuff happening...

First of all some great news. My quantity foods class had an "Iron Chef" Challenge in class, cooking a meal not knowing what ingredients we had. We had to serve an appetizer, entree, two sides and dessert was optional. And my group won!! Hooray!! The winning menu:

Appetizer: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Kebob
Entree: Chicken Roulade with Spinach, Asparagus and Parmesan Cheese
Sides: Oven Baked Diced Potatoes with Parmesan, and Side Spinach, Pear and Strawberry Salad with homemade Balsamic Vinagrette Dressing.
Dessert: White Cake tppped with Strawberry and Pineapple Infused Whip Cream

On the way to school one day I came across a very mathematical equation to make a baby, I found it quite hilarious:


And of course had to take a picture to share, even though it has no relation to nutrition.

We have been working in the TCU kitchen as part of my class and recently we were working with the receiving department. (Receiving food, putting it away) One of the days while we were working in the coolers (which are super cold btw) we finished putting food away and went to another room to make a shipment order. About 5 minutes later we realized one of our group members was missing. We go back to the cooler and see him banging on the window shouting that he was locked in. Another employee opened the cooler door and pointed to a sign that was posted on the inside part of the cooler door:

We all had a really good laugh for a few minutes after that.

Only 4 more weeks until the end of the semester and it is going by super fast. Next semester I hear is fairly less hectic, so maybe I won't have as many fun stories. :( But I am very much looking forward to a month off for Christmas break. I love the holidays and getting super excited for Christmas approaching.

~Brittani

"A cheerful heart is good medicine."  Proverbs 17:22

Gloves... Boo

Let me vent here just a little bit on the requirement of gloves in the kitchen.

I now despise them....

 Of all kinds....

Basically they just add an extra layer, get hot, and get in my way.

Now these cutting safety gloves (bottom right) are to prevent you from chopping off your fingers. Not only must you wear this, but you must place an additional plastic glove OVER these. (2 gloves, 1 hand) (Disclaimer: I am not super chef when it comes to chopping food) BUT if you're paying attention to what you're doing it shouldn't be an issue, and these gloves slow me down so much, it's painful to cut anything! Plus, half of the plastic gloves don't fit, so I end up chopping off excess glove that gets in the way (hmmm.... Food safety issue... partial glove in the salad!!!) I will admit that there have been a few times I've taken them off while chopping because they frustrate me so much. Shhh don't tell :)

These "one size fits all" gloves (bottom right) drive me nuts too, they just get in everything, it's almost as though my fingers extend an extra inch, but there's nothing to hold them up and they just tend to droop into anything and then they're dirty within 5 minutes of wear.

Sometimes I feel as though there should be a Knife Skills 101 Class for glove wearers, because I suck.

Sidenote, I would also love to take my knives with me, because they are badass... (Thank Aunt Jane!) I am way more comfortable with a chef's knife versus these long skinny knives most kitchens have.



My Knife



What is this?



At least I can make my own rules in the Castle Kitchen. Other than this minor setback, I'm still having fun and will update shortly.

Until next time!

~Brittani