Shuffle. Cut. Deal.

Well friends, I can tell you one thing. The worst day in the kitchen is better than the best day in the office. There is nothing that I have loved, hated, sweat for, bled for, or cursed, like cooking. That being said though, cooking, like crime, doesn't pay. Or it doesn't pay well and as I look at my bills piling up and my student loans looming large, I begin to realize that my job may just not cut it. I love it and I don't want to leave this industry that I've worked so hard to get into, but it may mean the difference between getting by and getting ahead.
Nothing is definite yet, and I'll never stop blogging. Just like I'll never stop cooking. I just may not be doing it for a living. But I know this much is true, working in kitchens is like working in a circus. Sometimes you're in with the lions, sometimes in the clown car, always working without a net. But it's still the greatest show on earth...

Baby It's Cold Outside

It is snowing today and I have an unexpected day off. I have a fire in my fireplace and a nice cuppa, not to mention some wool socks. I vow and declare that next year, they will be wool socks of my own creation. Since I'm home today, and I have a chicken in the fridge, there shall be some chicken and noodle made. Since it has been awhile since I gave ya'll a recipe, here you go. Make some when the weather is frightful.

Chicken and Noodle

1 rotisserie chicken

celery, chopped

carrots, chopped

rosemary, 2 tsp

thyme, 1 tsp

white wine, 1/2 cup

chicken stock, 1 carton

Now, this is not soup. It is a graceful melange of chicken and noodle-y goodness.

1. Pull the chicken off the bones. Save the bones and make stock. (what, you have somewhere to be in the snow?)

2. Pour the white wine and stock into a soup pot and add the chicken, veggies and spices. Cook until the veggies are al dente.

3. In a seperate pot, cook a 12 oz. package of egg noodles. I like the yolk-free because I have to watch my cholesterol.

4. Once the noodles are slightly less than al dente, drain them and add the to the pot with the chicken, veggies and stock.

5. Simmer all this together, stirring to mix occaisonally.

6. Salt and pepper to taste.

7. Spoon into bowls and serve with wine or a hot toddy.

So there you have it. Passed down to me by my mom who now has the silly thought that my chicken and noodle is better than hers. Fiddle dee dee is what I say.

Don't worry Mom, I'll never beat your mac and cheese.