Cooking with a Little Class

Chef Mark whisks together a vinaigrette. 

Shane and I took a cooking class tonight.  It was a beginners' course that had us cook and eat an entire meal in 3 hours.  It was at "CulinAerie" in Washington DC, near Shane's office.  We made a salad of mixed greens with a Balsamic-Dijon Vinaigrette, Butternut Squash and Apple Puree (soup), Seared Chicken with Mushroom Tarragon Sauce, and Rice Pilaf. 

The highlight of the class was the soup.  I did not think it would be something I liked, but it was really good. Overall, the class was fun, but I thought it was a bit pricey ($85 per person), but they did serve wine throughout the evening.  School sure has changed since I went back in the day. 

Seared Chicken with Mushroom Tarragon Sauce

and Rice Pilaf

The chicken wasn't that great,

but not as bad as I let on here.

Same Sex Marriage Headed Toward DC Vote?

The Washington Post reported today 39 GOP leaders (37 Congressmen and 2 Senators) have joined the crazy haters in their attempt to force DC to vote on same sex marriage rights.  They have filed an amicus brief supporting a public vote on the issue.  A vote has never gone our way thus far, so I hope this doesn't happen. 

The article quotes DC Council member Mary Cheh, a constitutional law professor at George Washington University, as saying she thinks the group could win in court.  Let's hope she is wrong.  

Am I Outside the TV Mainstream?

I was recently reading a copy of Entertainment Weekly and perusing the list of the top-rated television show, and it occurred to me that I may not be "with it" anymore (like I ever was). 

I am quickly heading near 50 after all -- it is just a little less than 19 months away.  I know there was a time that I was familiar with most of the top-rated television programs (like MASH and All in the Family), but I suddenly realized I had not seen any of the top 20 programs listed in EW.  None.  Nada.  Zilch.  In my defense, the listing was for the week of December 14-20, 2009--a slow TV week with lots of shows resorting to reruns. 

The number one show that week was NCIS.  Who watches that?  I have never watched that show and I likely never will.  More than 20 million people did watch it however, but not me.  I know that handsome Mark Harmon is the star, but I have no idea what NCIS even means.  I know it will probably be my final Jeopardy question someday, but I will lose.

Three of the top 12 shows listed were various versions of CSI.  I haven't ever watched any of them.  They must be good shows, because they continue to multiply like the Duggars, but I don't see the appeal. 

Three of the top 15 were related to Survivor.  I never got into Survivor this year.  I watched the first season, and I tried to watch another season once since then, but not this year.  One night, I saw a few minutes of the opening credits in high-definition and the tropic scenery did looked amazing. 

Number 19 on the list was a Saturday Night Live special called SNL Presents:  A Very Gilly Christmas.  I'm not a big Gilly fan, but I probably would have watched that if I happened upon it.  As anyone who saw my 12 Days of Christmas posts can attest, I like SNL.  I know it can be terrible sometimes, but it has always been like that.  There is occasionally a gem (very occasionally this season).

Anyway, I thought it was weird that I didn't see any of the top shows that week.  I'm sure I watched something that week. 
There are some "popular" show I like.  Really!  Here's a list of shows I usually record on the DVR--  Intervention, Hoarders, Modern Family, The Middle, Cougar Town, 30 Rock, Community, The Office, Parks and Recreation, Brothers and Sisters (Shane), Desperate Housewives (me), Nurse Jackie, Curb Your Enthusiasm, True Blood, Big Love, Glee, Saturday Night Live, The Suzi Orman Show, and Judge Judy. 

I had you until Judge Judy.  I had you until Judge Judy.