Sick (Ratatouille)

I woke up at 5:30 this morning, as I still needed to write my recipe cards. I hit the hay around 11 last night, minutes after M, M's boyfriend and E split. Totally wiped. When I woke up, I felt shaky and my voice raspy. I hoped by just getting going (and a few spoonfuls of soothingly delicious ice cream), I'd snap to. Left on my bicycle a little after 7 as usual, and about 5 minutes later found myself struggling to pedal on a flat, empty street. It was pleasantly cool but I was a sweaty mess, and my head was pounding.

So I turned around and went home. I hate missing school, but if I were to force it, I suspect I'd get much sicker tomorrow and miss even more school, miss the weekend with B, and make other students sick. Still, I feel a little bit like a rat for leaving N, St and Sb in the lurch. I know N can rise to the occasion, if he took the time to write up his recipe cards.

I do feel good that I wore myself down by cooking and rocking hard in three different kitchens yesterday -- in the end, it was a lot of work, but I really enjoyed the day. Right before I plated the risotto yesterday, I had some blanched asparagus tips to garnish the dish for some visual interest. On a whim, I through them in the hot fry oil and deep fried them for 30 seconds, it added a nice tasty snap to an already unctuous dish. Satisfying.

In honor of yesterday's stews, I watched 'Ratatouille' on cable, silly movie but fun to see the little bon mots of culinary knowlege thrown around.

Watched a bit too much TV today, mostly the Food Network and Top Chef reruns, and saw this commercial:



Is it me, or does the clip of the woman in the last few seconds look like she's about to attempt something extremely pornographic with that sandwich?! Sick day, indeed.

BREAKFAST: 6am, granola with good milk, 2 spoonfuls of ice cream, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5

AM SNACK: 11:30am, 3 scoops of ice cream, 1 bowl, hunger 4/5

PM SNACK: 2pm, homemade power bar with good peanut butter, .5 bowl, hunger 4/5

PM SNACK: 3:30pm, asparagus risotto, .75 bowl, hunger 4/5
A little gluey, but the flavors really melded the 2nd day. A tad salty, but very asparagussy!

PM SNACK: 5pm, 1 scoop of icecream, .25 bowl, hunger 4/5
Hey, I'm sick, and it feels soooo good going down.