This post should be short and sweet. Kinda like my training. The Pittsburgh Half Marathon is exactly 6 weeks away. Funny enough 6 miles is about the farthest I have run in my training (well, not yet but I am about to go run 6 now if I get off the couch and stop blogging.) I have been fighting sinus/allergies which are new to me so I've been sluggish on my runs. I plan to work some fartlek (intervals) and hills into my runs to hopefully give me some strength for the race. The plan is to slowly increase my long runs until I get up to 10 before the race on May 2nd.
Thomas Family Running Updates:
My sister Leah is running the Pittsburgh Half with me this May. This will be her first half marathon! Her training is going well - I think she's up to 9-10 miles now (kicking my butt.) Plus, she was buried in snow up in DC and couldn't run outside for a while. Good work, Scussy.
My older brother Matty, who just turned 29 on St.Patty's day finished the Los Angeles Marathon this morning in just over 3 hours. He has been sick with a virus but still completed the race in a very respectable time. His PR is around 2:50. He volunteers with "Students Run LA" an organization that encourages at-risk students to run and complete a marathon. www.srla.org
My younger brother Zummy (Z's Blog) is nuts in a good way. He completed his first Ultra Marathon a few weeks ago in 6 hrs and 58 minutes for a first place finish. This was a 50 mile race. Yes, he ran for an entire workday. Think about that tomorrow when you're at your desk.
They continue to inspire me with each run...
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Night of the Phoenix
I work for Elon's Phoenix Club, the fundraising organization within the Athletic department. The past two years, the Phoenix Club has hosted an annual fundraising dinner and silent auction to raise scholarship funds for student-athletes at Elon. This year's "Night of the Phoenix" on February 19th was a huge success with close to $90,000 (net) raised! This is the most we have raised in the event's three year history.
The formal entertainment for the evening was a gentleman named Giovanni Livera, who is a performer, magician and motivational speaker. I didn't get to see much of his show but I know it included some cool tricks our coaches buzzed about for days after the event.
Our silent auction included around 170 items open for bidding. Items included everything from a Biscuitville t-shirt to a week long Caribbean Cruise on a private yacht. Oh and not to mention a dinner with yours truly. I made a cool $500 which far surpassed the amount bid on dinner with our head coaches. What can I say?! Priceless.
February is a frantic month for us in the office. Luckily, we had a great crew of people helping us make the evening memorable for all. Thanks to all who helped and put up with a sleep-deprived Sarah for a few weeks.
The formal entertainment for the evening was a gentleman named Giovanni Livera, who is a performer, magician and motivational speaker. I didn't get to see much of his show but I know it included some cool tricks our coaches buzzed about for days after the event.
Our silent auction included around 170 items open for bidding. Items included everything from a Biscuitville t-shirt to a week long Caribbean Cruise on a private yacht. Oh and not to mention a dinner with yours truly. I made a cool $500 which far surpassed the amount bid on dinner with our head coaches. What can I say?! Priceless.
February is a frantic month for us in the office. Luckily, we had a great crew of people helping us make the evening memorable for all. Thanks to all who helped and put up with a sleep-deprived Sarah for a few weeks.
Get in the game, Sarah
No, not basketball, although I have been consumed by the madness lately just like most college basketball fans. I'm talking about the blogging game. I've been hibernating lately but only concerning my blog, otherwise, I have been up to a lot. I will begin to share retrospectively.
Upcoming Stories:
*Comma splices in my blog posts (kidding - but see if you can keep track)
*Night of the Phoenix
*Half Marathon Training Update
*Culinary Creations
*March Madness
*Steve Young and the Economy
*Family, Friends, Life
Upcoming Stories:
*Comma splices in my blog posts (kidding - but see if you can keep track)
*Night of the Phoenix
*Half Marathon Training Update
*Culinary Creations
*March Madness
*Steve Young and the Economy
*Family, Friends, Life
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Curry Mmmmm
A few folks have requested one of my favorite recipes. This past fall I must've made this recipe a dozen times. Mind you, each time I make it I end up with about 5 days of soup. My body must've loved all of the antioxidants (sweet potatoes are loaded with Beta Carotene and Vitamin C.)
Quick Lesson:
Free radicals - unstable and dangerous oxygen molecules
Antioxidants - "shields" or natural compounds that defend against free radicals
The goal is to have the free radicals attack the antioxidants in your body instead of your healthy cells. This means you have to make sure you're consuming antioxidants in the first place. Hence, curried sweet potato soup...
Curried Sweet Potato Soup
Copied from The Survivor's Handbook - The Cancer Porject
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 cup water
4 cups vegetable broth
5 cups peeled, cubed sweet potato
1.5 cups plan soy yogurt (optional but adds good creaminess - i tried to use
Heat the olive oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and curry powder and saute for 2 minutes.
Add the water, broth and sweet potatoes. Cook for 30 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.
Place one third of the sweet potato mixture in a blender and process until smooth. Repeat the procedure with the remaining sweet potato mixture in batches.
Return the pureed mixture to the saucepan. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in one cup of the yogurt until blended.
Top each serving with a tablespoon of the yogurt - garnish with cilantro.
I like my soup creamy and mushy so I definitely blend it all the way, but you can leave it chunkier if desired. The first time I made this I tried fat free plain yogurt which did not blend well with the sweet potato mixture. I then tried low fat sour cream and it worked really well.
Delicious and nutritious.
Quick Lesson:
Free radicals - unstable and dangerous oxygen molecules
Antioxidants - "shields" or natural compounds that defend against free radicals
The goal is to have the free radicals attack the antioxidants in your body instead of your healthy cells. This means you have to make sure you're consuming antioxidants in the first place. Hence, curried sweet potato soup...
Curried Sweet Potato Soup
Copied from The Survivor's Handbook - The Cancer Porject
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 cup water
4 cups vegetable broth
5 cups peeled, cubed sweet potato
1.5 cups plan soy yogurt (optional but adds good creaminess - i tried to use
Heat the olive oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and curry powder and saute for 2 minutes.
Add the water, broth and sweet potatoes. Cook for 30 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.
Place one third of the sweet potato mixture in a blender and process until smooth. Repeat the procedure with the remaining sweet potato mixture in batches.
Return the pureed mixture to the saucepan. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in one cup of the yogurt until blended.
Top each serving with a tablespoon of the yogurt - garnish with cilantro.
I like my soup creamy and mushy so I definitely blend it all the way, but you can leave it chunkier if desired. The first time I made this I tried fat free plain yogurt which did not blend well with the sweet potato mixture. I then tried low fat sour cream and it worked really well.
Delicious and nutritious.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wintry Mix - Weekend Couped Up
College opens our eyes to all kinds of new people, ideas and experiences. My vocabulary expanded along with my blood vessels. It wasn't until I began college in 2001 that I learned the phrase "Wintry Mix"* You see, in Pittsburgh we had BLIZZARDS. That's right people. Snow so high we jumped from our old maroon and white conversion van into heaping piles. And, school was only closed because it was physically impossible to navigate a bus through 5 feet of snow.
I remember racing to high school in a little gray two door Honda something praying I wouldn't slide off the road. At the age of 16 I learned just how to navigate snow covered back roads and remain cautious of black ice. It made me stronger. Somehow I lost all of my bada** northern driver-ness when I became scared to hit the road in the rain. For goodness sake, who am I and where am I from? This is all part of my identity crisis, which I will likely blog about in the near future since this blog may quickly become my therapist.
Fickle NC Weather
In one January week we went from 60+ degree weather to a snowstorm with ice and freezing temperatures. Things that make you go hmmmmm...
MY EVENTFUL UNEVENTFUL WEEKEND
January 29-31
Friday
Left work around 6 p.m. Stopped at the Food Lion across from my townhome complex. Place was packed with folks loading up on milk, bread and eggs. Sounds like some good french toast. I picked up only the essentials: Herb rub for my pork tenderloin, light vanilla soymilk, roasted almonds and smoked almonds, avocado, rice cakes, apples, yogurt, olive oil on sale, goat cheese, edamame, etc.
I love to grocery shop and cook (even when there's a chance of snow.) Who am I kidding - especially when there is a chance of snow. At this point, approx 7:30 p.m., the snow had been falling for about an hour and was slowly beginning to stick. When I arrived home, I parked and unloaded half the groceries. I left the door ajar just a touch because I had to come back to grab the remaining bags. Instead of going back to the same door, I opened another door, unloaded and raced back inside to the warmth. Later that evening, I watched a movie alone since my roomy, Jules, was out of town. Fell asleep on the couch. Woke up around 4:30 a.m. and went upstairs to bed.
Saturday
Woke around 10 a.m. to the sound of my neighbor shoveling snow. Of course, I knew it was supposed to snow all night but somehow I woke up with no idea what to expect outside. Certainly was not expecting a phone call from my neighbor informing me that my car door was OPEN. My mind suddenly backed up...work, car, snow, people, Food Lion, groceries, door open to come back and get the rest. SHOOT! Not only was my door open, but it had been open ALL night in the midst of a snow storm, or should I say a large accumulation of a Wintry Mix.
It's Saturday morning and I'm wearing the same pajama pants and shirt I had on the night before. I quickly throw on a bra and some heavier sweats and head outside to salvage what I can from the back seat of my car. For those who know me, you can imagine how many shoes and pieces of clothing I had resting on the back seat of my car and on the floor. I also expected my car battery to be dead from the dome light being on all night. I kept repeating to myself "idiot" but continued to laugh through it all.
After cleaning out the frozen snow which looked like tiny little ice pellets, probably because it was tiny little ice pellets, I went inside to complete my itinerary of doing nothing. Moments later I receive a call from my neighbor, Diesel**. No, my car door was not still ajar. He locked himself out of his house! That's right. After shoveling three driveways in the freezing cold, helping me de-ice my car and chit-chatting with the mailman, he discovered the door from his garage into his house had locked behind him. He had no keys on him whatsoever - just had the clothes on his back, phone and whatever was in the garage.
Poor guy. We began just as anyone would. We attempted to break into the door using every part of the swiss army knife, my Harris Teeter mini-VIC card, and our body weight. No luck. Diesel poked, prodded, twisted and turned as much as he could to somehow get the door to budge. I tried some of my magic to no avail.
We then began trying to front window. Darn screen was locked in along with the window latch. Next, we trudged in our wet boots through my house to get to the back entrance. The sliding door would be too much to handle because the latch clings to the hook securely. Beast. Back windows were not an option either.
I felt useless. Until...I found a longer flathead screw driver in one of our kitchen drawers (yes, for some reason that is where we keep it.) With a new tool in hand, he made his way back to his already torn up garage entrance. In the meantime, I found a few locksmiths on the internet and called one just to see if they'd answer. Just as I began speaking with the nice lady who answered the emergency line, I heard someone beeping in. Diesel got in!!
Crazy. What should have been a lazy snowed-in Saturday became a 2 hour tutorial on breaking and entering.
SUNDAY
Woke up planning to attend church. Checked a few websites and finally called to see if it was cancelled. Sure enough, no services. I was free to begin making my whole-wheat pancakes with crushed walnut pieces. This time I added a few crasins to one 'cake.
*Wintry Mix - generally refers to a mixture of freezing rain, ice pellets, and snow (wikipedia) I'm sure the meteorologists in Pittsburgh used this but I usually remember terms such as rain, snow, sleet, hail, ice, blizzard, storm, etc. Still it makes me laugh when I hear it. It sounds like an elementary school teacher is teaching her 2nd graders about weather and overuses the term "wintry mix."
** Diesel is his nickname- he's our next door neighbor - literally attached to us. I won't disclose his real name, which is fine because to me he is and always will be Diesel. When he moved in, Jules and I noticed the license plate on his truck that read "DIESEL". Diesel happens to be a pretty fit, muscular guy...go figure.
I remember racing to high school in a little gray two door Honda something praying I wouldn't slide off the road. At the age of 16 I learned just how to navigate snow covered back roads and remain cautious of black ice. It made me stronger. Somehow I lost all of my bada** northern driver-ness when I became scared to hit the road in the rain. For goodness sake, who am I and where am I from? This is all part of my identity crisis, which I will likely blog about in the near future since this blog may quickly become my therapist.
Fickle NC Weather
In one January week we went from 60+ degree weather to a snowstorm with ice and freezing temperatures. Things that make you go hmmmmm...
MY EVENTFUL UNEVENTFUL WEEKEND
January 29-31
Friday
Left work around 6 p.m. Stopped at the Food Lion across from my townhome complex. Place was packed with folks loading up on milk, bread and eggs. Sounds like some good french toast. I picked up only the essentials: Herb rub for my pork tenderloin, light vanilla soymilk, roasted almonds and smoked almonds, avocado, rice cakes, apples, yogurt, olive oil on sale, goat cheese, edamame, etc.
I love to grocery shop and cook (even when there's a chance of snow.) Who am I kidding - especially when there is a chance of snow. At this point, approx 7:30 p.m., the snow had been falling for about an hour and was slowly beginning to stick. When I arrived home, I parked and unloaded half the groceries. I left the door ajar just a touch because I had to come back to grab the remaining bags. Instead of going back to the same door, I opened another door, unloaded and raced back inside to the warmth. Later that evening, I watched a movie alone since my roomy, Jules, was out of town. Fell asleep on the couch. Woke up around 4:30 a.m. and went upstairs to bed.
Saturday
Woke around 10 a.m. to the sound of my neighbor shoveling snow. Of course, I knew it was supposed to snow all night but somehow I woke up with no idea what to expect outside. Certainly was not expecting a phone call from my neighbor informing me that my car door was OPEN. My mind suddenly backed up...work, car, snow, people, Food Lion, groceries, door open to come back and get the rest. SHOOT! Not only was my door open, but it had been open ALL night in the midst of a snow storm, or should I say a large accumulation of a Wintry Mix.
It's Saturday morning and I'm wearing the same pajama pants and shirt I had on the night before. I quickly throw on a bra and some heavier sweats and head outside to salvage what I can from the back seat of my car. For those who know me, you can imagine how many shoes and pieces of clothing I had resting on the back seat of my car and on the floor. I also expected my car battery to be dead from the dome light being on all night. I kept repeating to myself "idiot" but continued to laugh through it all.
After cleaning out the frozen snow which looked like tiny little ice pellets, probably because it was tiny little ice pellets, I went inside to complete my itinerary of doing nothing. Moments later I receive a call from my neighbor, Diesel**. No, my car door was not still ajar. He locked himself out of his house! That's right. After shoveling three driveways in the freezing cold, helping me de-ice my car and chit-chatting with the mailman, he discovered the door from his garage into his house had locked behind him. He had no keys on him whatsoever - just had the clothes on his back, phone and whatever was in the garage.
Poor guy. We began just as anyone would. We attempted to break into the door using every part of the swiss army knife, my Harris Teeter mini-VIC card, and our body weight. No luck. Diesel poked, prodded, twisted and turned as much as he could to somehow get the door to budge. I tried some of my magic to no avail.
We then began trying to front window. Darn screen was locked in along with the window latch. Next, we trudged in our wet boots through my house to get to the back entrance. The sliding door would be too much to handle because the latch clings to the hook securely. Beast. Back windows were not an option either.
I felt useless. Until...I found a longer flathead screw driver in one of our kitchen drawers (yes, for some reason that is where we keep it.) With a new tool in hand, he made his way back to his already torn up garage entrance. In the meantime, I found a few locksmiths on the internet and called one just to see if they'd answer. Just as I began speaking with the nice lady who answered the emergency line, I heard someone beeping in. Diesel got in!!
Crazy. What should have been a lazy snowed-in Saturday became a 2 hour tutorial on breaking and entering.
SUNDAY
Woke up planning to attend church. Checked a few websites and finally called to see if it was cancelled. Sure enough, no services. I was free to begin making my whole-wheat pancakes with crushed walnut pieces. This time I added a few crasins to one 'cake.
*Wintry Mix - generally refers to a mixture of freezing rain, ice pellets, and snow (wikipedia) I'm sure the meteorologists in Pittsburgh used this but I usually remember terms such as rain, snow, sleet, hail, ice, blizzard, storm, etc. Still it makes me laugh when I hear it. It sounds like an elementary school teacher is teaching her 2nd graders about weather and overuses the term "wintry mix."
** Diesel is his nickname- he's our next door neighbor - literally attached to us. I won't disclose his real name, which is fine because to me he is and always will be Diesel. When he moved in, Jules and I noticed the license plate on his truck that read "DIESEL". Diesel happens to be a pretty fit, muscular guy...go figure.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Pittsburgh Half Marathon x 2
I was born and raised outside of Pittsburgh, PA. My parents are still there while my siblings and I are scattered throughout the country. My younger sister Leah graduated from college May 2, 2009. The whole family was back in town which was such a treat. I really value when the four of us siblings are together again. To celebrate the family reunion and graduation, I decided to run the Pittsburgh Half Marathon on May 3rd, the day after her graduation ceremony. Okay, it just so happened to work out that I would be home the weekend of the race. Good planning for once, ST. Plus, I wanted to showcase my stellar running abilities for my two brothers who are truly stellar runners.
The race was cool. Crossing multiple bridges while panting and waving to un-sweaty strangers lining Smallman Street, where the race began, was just what I needed to feel accomplished in life. I finished in 1:53 (I think) which was a PR for me. I do remember my calves burning way too early and my arch hurting for a good few miles before it just went away (Thank God.) The race was very well organized and the race packet was full of all kinds of goodies. Not to mention, the running Expo was phenominal; there were so many running stores and vendors with great sales!
So...I decided to sign up and make my way back to da Burgh. I completed the online registration form which represented a loss of any free time the next three months and 65 bones. It's worth getting me off the couch/out of my bed earlier
www.pittsburghmarathon.com
My memory is foggy on dates...
Pretty sure I ran my first half marathon in April 2007 with Kaylea and Eric* (Charlotte Racefest) and then did the City of Oaks Raleigh Half in November 2008 with Elly. The Pittsburgh half last year marked my third race. Now. I'm ready for #4.
I started "training" today (3 miler on treadmill 10 min/mile pace with 2.0 incline... it felt like 13.1) I put the word training in quotes because I tend to sort of/kind of train for these things, which to me is like fake training. This year, however, I want to get some good miles in so the race isn't painful and I can accomplish another PR. I'll have to consult with my little bro who just finished the Phoenix Half Marathon in under 1 hour 10 minutes. Crazy fast. Well done, Z. Check out his post at bagdaddy.blogspot.com
Stay tuned for my training updates. Elly might even come to Pittsburgh with me to run the FULL marathon! She's such a baller (and much more disciplined than me in all facets.)
*Kaylea and Eric - My good friends whom I met while student-teaching. Kaylea was teaching and coaching soccer and Eric was teaching and coaching as well. I was the maid of honor in their wedding June 2008. They now have twin baby girls!! Kaylea and Eric are curently training for a half. If the newlywed parents of twins can find time to run, I sure as heck better be able to.
Here's to lots of mileage in February...
The race was cool. Crossing multiple bridges while panting and waving to un-sweaty strangers lining Smallman Street, where the race began, was just what I needed to feel accomplished in life. I finished in 1:53 (I think) which was a PR for me. I do remember my calves burning way too early and my arch hurting for a good few miles before it just went away (Thank God.) The race was very well organized and the race packet was full of all kinds of goodies. Not to mention, the running Expo was phenominal; there were so many running stores and vendors with great sales!
So...I decided to sign up and make my way back to da Burgh. I completed the online registration form which represented a loss of any free time the next three months and 65 bones. It's worth getting me off the couch/out of my bed earlier
www.pittsburghmarathon.com
My memory is foggy on dates...
Pretty sure I ran my first half marathon in April 2007 with Kaylea and Eric* (Charlotte Racefest) and then did the City of Oaks Raleigh Half in November 2008 with Elly. The Pittsburgh half last year marked my third race. Now. I'm ready for #4.
I started "training" today (3 miler on treadmill 10 min/mile pace with 2.0 incline... it felt like 13.1) I put the word training in quotes because I tend to sort of/kind of train for these things, which to me is like fake training. This year, however, I want to get some good miles in so the race isn't painful and I can accomplish another PR. I'll have to consult with my little bro who just finished the Phoenix Half Marathon in under 1 hour 10 minutes. Crazy fast. Well done, Z. Check out his post at bagdaddy.blogspot.com
Stay tuned for my training updates. Elly might even come to Pittsburgh with me to run the FULL marathon! She's such a baller (and much more disciplined than me in all facets.)
*Kaylea and Eric - My good friends whom I met while student-teaching. Kaylea was teaching and coaching soccer and Eric was teaching and coaching as well. I was the maid of honor in their wedding June 2008. They now have twin baby girls!! Kaylea and Eric are curently training for a half. If the newlywed parents of twins can find time to run, I sure as heck better be able to.
Here's to lots of mileage in February...
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Homemade Ravioli
I love my family. I received a pasta maker for Christmas this past year. Mom and Dad wholeheartedly support my cooking habit.
LAST NIGHT AT HOME WITH ELLY* AND JULIE^:
After throwing some diced tomatoes, sauce and paste in the slow cooker with ground turkey (93/7) I decided to put my pasta maker to work. To date, I have made homemade ravioli (dough and filling) 3 times. Each time presented new challenges yet each attempt yielded something quite delicious. Tonight was no different. I began making the dough while Julie and Elly watched with awe-inspired eyes. Els clearly thinks I need my own cooking show because somehow floating around the island with flour all over my hands, saying things like ...(see below)... makes me a future Rachel Ray.
"Now I'm gonna step over here and gently place the 'egg wash' on the dough. This helps it stick together a bit better. It's important to seal all sides of the ravioli. Now, if I had more time, I would ..."
The recipe I used actually came from the pasta maker instruction/recipe book. I made the dough the traditional way this time. The past few times I made the dough I used olive oil and water. This time the recipe looked like this:
DOUGH
2 1/2 Cups Flour
3 Eggs
RICOTTA FILLING (You can put whatever you want in your ravioli - try something new!)
1 cup Ricotta Cheese
1 Egg
Additional cheese - I threw in some grated parmesean
Spices as desired - Italian Seasoning, Salt and Pepper
I also added spinach (learned that I need to at least wilt the spinach leaves before adding to filling - Thanks Jodi) To wilt- simply place leaves in hot water until softened. I did not pat them dry before adding to mixture but I will next time because the water made it more runny than I would've liked!
1. Place flour in mixing bowl creating a well in the center. Place the eggs in the well and begin to blend the flour with the eggs. If sticky, add flour. If dry and crumbly, add a bit of water. I used a fork. Blend until there is an even consistency - knead with hands. Let dough sit for at least 10-15 minutes under damp towel to allow ingredients to blend.
2. Make ricotta filling by blending all ingredients and place in refridgerator until the dough has been rolled.
3. When the dough is ready, begin rolling through the pasta maker or with a rolling pin until very thin. I do not have a ravioli maker attachment so I just grease a cookie sheet and lay out the dough. Brush the dough with egg wash (egg and bit of water) to help it stick (See quote above.)
4. Drop a few dollops of filling on the dough about an inch apart and then cover with another piece of dough or roll over one side of the piece I am working with. Gently press the sides with a fork to seal the ravioli.
5. Let the ravioli sit for a bit to dry. They become very difficult to work with without breaking them open. Cut them into squares so they are now individual pieces.
6. Boil a pot of water. Throw in the ravioli. When they rise to the top of the pot, they are done. Because they are homemdae they take under 3 minutes when you pop them in. Just be ready to take them out quickly and experiment with cooking times.
Warning - these thingys look like little aliens or something. No, ameobas. At least, mine do. And they have each of the 4 times I have made them! Can you tell I just want to eat and don't care much for asthetics at this point?!
*Elly - May also be referred to as Young Eleanor Shearman, Els, Smelly, Sous Chef in future posts. Elly and I work together. Perhaps I shouldn't disclose this information; we've been known to wander around the office chatting with innocent co-workers who quickly become guilty by association. There's just always jestering to be done, especially during the 9-5.
^Julie - Also known as Jules or Roomy. You guessed it, I live with Julie. She has a beautiful house that I love to live in. I take over the front foyer with bags that should've been unpacked weeks earlier and make messes in the kitchen. I do clean the dishes after making a masterpiece. Julie and I met while coaching. She coaches full time which is why she's my coaching mentor - always with the best soccer training advice.
Phew this blogging is almost as exhausting as making homemade ravs. I am sure I forgot something in all of this. Forgive me - I am a novice at this point. Pictures to come.
LAST NIGHT AT HOME WITH ELLY* AND JULIE^:
After throwing some diced tomatoes, sauce and paste in the slow cooker with ground turkey (93/7) I decided to put my pasta maker to work. To date, I have made homemade ravioli (dough and filling) 3 times. Each time presented new challenges yet each attempt yielded something quite delicious. Tonight was no different. I began making the dough while Julie and Elly watched with awe-inspired eyes. Els clearly thinks I need my own cooking show because somehow floating around the island with flour all over my hands, saying things like ...(see below)... makes me a future Rachel Ray.
"Now I'm gonna step over here and gently place the 'egg wash' on the dough. This helps it stick together a bit better. It's important to seal all sides of the ravioli. Now, if I had more time, I would ..."
The recipe I used actually came from the pasta maker instruction/recipe book. I made the dough the traditional way this time. The past few times I made the dough I used olive oil and water. This time the recipe looked like this:
DOUGH
2 1/2 Cups Flour
3 Eggs
RICOTTA FILLING (You can put whatever you want in your ravioli - try something new!)
1 cup Ricotta Cheese
1 Egg
Additional cheese - I threw in some grated parmesean
Spices as desired - Italian Seasoning, Salt and Pepper
I also added spinach (learned that I need to at least wilt the spinach leaves before adding to filling - Thanks Jodi) To wilt- simply place leaves in hot water until softened. I did not pat them dry before adding to mixture but I will next time because the water made it more runny than I would've liked!
1. Place flour in mixing bowl creating a well in the center. Place the eggs in the well and begin to blend the flour with the eggs. If sticky, add flour. If dry and crumbly, add a bit of water. I used a fork. Blend until there is an even consistency - knead with hands. Let dough sit for at least 10-15 minutes under damp towel to allow ingredients to blend.
2. Make ricotta filling by blending all ingredients and place in refridgerator until the dough has been rolled.
3. When the dough is ready, begin rolling through the pasta maker or with a rolling pin until very thin. I do not have a ravioli maker attachment so I just grease a cookie sheet and lay out the dough. Brush the dough with egg wash (egg and bit of water) to help it stick (See quote above.)
4. Drop a few dollops of filling on the dough about an inch apart and then cover with another piece of dough or roll over one side of the piece I am working with. Gently press the sides with a fork to seal the ravioli.
5. Let the ravioli sit for a bit to dry. They become very difficult to work with without breaking them open. Cut them into squares so they are now individual pieces.
6. Boil a pot of water. Throw in the ravioli. When they rise to the top of the pot, they are done. Because they are homemdae they take under 3 minutes when you pop them in. Just be ready to take them out quickly and experiment with cooking times.
Warning - these thingys look like little aliens or something. No, ameobas. At least, mine do. And they have each of the 4 times I have made them! Can you tell I just want to eat and don't care much for asthetics at this point?!
*Elly - May also be referred to as Young Eleanor Shearman, Els, Smelly, Sous Chef in future posts. Elly and I work together. Perhaps I shouldn't disclose this information; we've been known to wander around the office chatting with innocent co-workers who quickly become guilty by association. There's just always jestering to be done, especially during the 9-5.
^Julie - Also known as Jules or Roomy. You guessed it, I live with Julie. She has a beautiful house that I love to live in. I take over the front foyer with bags that should've been unpacked weeks earlier and make messes in the kitchen. I do clean the dishes after making a masterpiece. Julie and I met while coaching. She coaches full time which is why she's my coaching mentor - always with the best soccer training advice.
Phew this blogging is almost as exhausting as making homemade ravs. I am sure I forgot something in all of this. Forgive me - I am a novice at this point. Pictures to come.
Here we go...
Welcome to ST Banter.
A place where stories, people, recipes, travel, adventures, thoughts, questions and jestering will be shared. I love the idea of an online journal for all to see. I hope my close friends and family enjoy this little glimpse into the world of ST. Although vanilla at times, there are always a few sprinkles to make things just a touch more colorful (and tasty!)
Oh, and a shout out to my little bro Zummy ("Bagdaddy") and friend Erwin ("Cheerstothetinythings") for inspiring me to start blogging.
A place where stories, people, recipes, travel, adventures, thoughts, questions and jestering will be shared. I love the idea of an online journal for all to see. I hope my close friends and family enjoy this little glimpse into the world of ST. Although vanilla at times, there are always a few sprinkles to make things just a touch more colorful (and tasty!)
Oh, and a shout out to my little bro Zummy ("Bagdaddy") and friend Erwin ("Cheerstothetinythings") for inspiring me to start blogging.
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