>Yin and Yang of Jellied Fish

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OK, firstly…there’s nothing really urban simple about this post other than it falls under the category of cooking, and that it is part of my work so I suppose it is also part of the sacred journey of my everyday life (though it doesn’t always seem that way when I’m stressing out at work). Anyhow, as I’ve mentioned before I work in a private city club, and in envioromets like this a cook is able to make things–classical things–that he/she may not otherwise have the opportumity to (in a public restaurant)…this is one such dish. It is a variation on the classic French dish chaud froid, or hot-cold, making reference to the fact that it was prepared hot and then served cold (to read more about chaud froid, click here). It can be done with most meats, fish or poultry; in this case I used salmon. Whichever protein you use it is usually coated in an aspic, or a sauce that has had gelatin added to it. In the instance of this recipe–after poaching the fish whole, chilling them, and removing their skin and fins–I also dipped thinly sliced cucumbers in aspic and applied them to the fish to make them a sort of pseudo edible scale. It’s also garnished with minced vegetables and whipped seasoned cream cheese. Sounds odd…maybe, but if you enjoy fish this is surely delicious. Anyhow, here’s how I made it. (The bottom photo is Steve–one of our cooks–holding a fish so you can get a perspective of how big the fish are)

Saumon Chaud-Froid avec Aspic Gelee et Concombre

We Need This Now More Than Ever

I’ve been riding past this spray-painting on the side of a building at Allen and Delaware Streets for the past week. I look at it every time I ride past it and I finally snapped it’s picture. It’s a powerful statement in just two words. America is now, for the first time in it’s short history, fighting three wars at once (and this is not counting the unofficial war at our southern border). Personally I find it terrifying and embarrassing at the same time. Maybe we should focus more on the violence and many other issues in our own country before we try to change another.  I’ve had to stop reading the daily papers because it make me so sad when I see the devastation that is happening…and which continues to escalate. Violence cannot be conquered with violence…it only leads to more violence. We need PEACE and we need it NOW. It is our only hope. I truly believe this.

>We Need This Now More Than Ever

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I’ve been riding past this spray-painting on the side of a building at Allen and Delaware Streets for the past week. I look at it every time I ride past it and I finally snapped it’s picture. It’s a powerful statement in just two words. America is now, for the first time in it’s short history, fighting three wars at once (and this is not counting the unofficial war at our southern border). Personally I find it terrifying and embarrassing at the same time. Maybe we should focus more on the violence and many other issues in our own country before we try to change another.  I’ve had to stop reading the daily papers because it make me so sad when I see the devastation that is happening…and which continues to escalate. Violence cannot be conquered with violence…it only leads to more violence. We need PEACE and we need it NOW. It is our only hope. I truly believe this.

Five Quotes from Helen Keller

“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.”

“Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there’s a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see.”

“Many people know so little about what is beyond their short range of experience. They look within themselves – and find nothing! Therefore they conclude that there is nothing outside themselves either.”

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

“The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.”

Click here to read more about the amazing life of Helen Keller. 

>Five Quotes from Helen Keller

>

“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.”

“Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there’s a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see.”

“Many people know so little about what is beyond their short range of experience. They look within themselves – and find nothing! Therefore they conclude that there is nothing outside themselves either.”

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

“The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.”

Click here to read more about the amazing life of Helen Keller. 

Close to the Summit?

I’ve noticed that the price of petrol station has jumped by 10 cents in the past week (not that I really care); twice: first 5 cents, then a few days later another 5 cents. It is very close to $4/gl (which of course is still much less than many other areas of the world have been paying for years (and years). I heard a newscaster today say that Americans are starting to change their driving habits as the price at the pump goes up (it’s about time). How much more, I often wonder, can our precious earth sustain. Hydrofracking has got me really freaked out.  Have we finally reached the summit of oil (peak oil) that can be extracted? We can probably squeeze out more…but at what cost? What will the earth look like for our children’s children? Our bodies were made to move themselves on the physical plane; It’s time we start to appreciate that.

>Close to the Summit?

>

I’ve noticed that the price of petrol station has jumped by 10 cents in the past week (not that I really care); twice: first 5 cents, then a few days later another 5 cents. It is very close to $4/gl (which of course is still much less than many other areas of the world have been paying for years (and years). I heard a newscaster today say that Americans are starting to change their driving habits as the price at the pump goes up (it’s about time). How much more, I often wonder, can our precious earth sustain. Hydrofracking has got me really freaked out.  Have we finally reached the summit of oil (peak oil) that can be extracted? We can probably squeeze out more…but at what cost? What will the earth look like for our children’s children? Our bodies were made to move themselves on the physical plane; It’s time we start to appreciate that.

Images of Spring

 
It was such a a beautiful day and I thought I’d snap a few photos of these flowers…they grow each spring in in front of my house, but mostly in the front yards of neighbors on both sides of me (as most of my front yard is used for planting vegetables). At any rate, I found them beautiful and inspiring, and thought I’d share…after a long harsh winter it’s a reminder of the summer to come. 

>Images of Spring

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It was such a a beautiful day and I thought I’d snap a few photos of these flowers…they grow each spring in in front of my house, but mostly in the front yards of neighbors on both sides of me (as most of my front yard is used for planting vegetables). At any rate, I found them beautiful and inspiring, and thought I’d share…after a long harsh winter it’s a reminder of the summer to come. 

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#298 & 299)…and why I won’t be posting for a few days.

#298 (top)…a raw loaf of whole wheat bread; carried on my way to work in the morning.

#299 (bottom)…a freshly baked loaf of whole wheat bread; carried on my way home in the evening.

I likely will not be posting for a few days because the Internet connection at my house is down (currently pecking away on my teeny netbook keyboard at a local cafe). It’s down because of a screwup with my Internet provider and “should” be back on in a few days….very frustrating; I feel powerless against the large corporation. Other than checking emails over the next few days I’m planning on using the time as a sort of brief electronic fast.  As always, thanks to everyone for visiting, reading, and commenting.

Be back shortly….

>Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#298 & 299)…and why I won’t be posting for a few days.

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#298 (top)…a raw loaf of whole wheat bread; carried on my way to work in the morning.

#299 (bottom)…a freshly baked loaf of whole wheat bread; carried on my way home in the evening.

I likely will not be posting for a few days because the Internet connection at my house is down (currently pecking away on my teeny netbook keyboard at a local cafe). It’s down because of a screwup with my Internet provider and “should” be back on in a few days….very frustrating; I feel powerless against the large corporation. Other than checking emails over the next few days I’m planning on using the time as a sort of brief electronic fast.  As always, thanks to everyone for visiting, reading, and commenting.

Be back shortly….

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#296)

A canvas bag containing, among other things, a few actual books and nearly 60 virtual books. Two ham-and-cheese panini. Two pounds of sliced turkey. A small cardboard box containing new headphones (for my son). A six foot cable lock.