Back to the Basics

Even though our home is without a television, the internet, specifically www.hulu.com has enabled my reality television guilty pleasure to continue. I am fascinated by The Biggest Loser and have always loved design and makeover shows. Even as a young child, Trading Spaces, an old TLC show captivated me during breakfast after Swim Team in the summers. There are not as many shows available since it is summer and with a one year old, there is not exactly time to watch marathons of FOX. But, Henry was sick a few weeks back and all he wanted to do was sleep on me while I sat on the couch. To pass the time, I searched Hulu for a show to watch. "Hell's Kitchen" showed up as a "show I might like," as the website helps introduce you to new shows based on what you have previously watched. At first, the cheesy intro and the cursing of the host, Gordon Ramsay, turned me off from the show. But, it was about cooking and that I loved. With not much else to watch and a very sick baby, I gave in and watched three seasons in one week. Gordon Ramsay is an extraordinary chef with many successful restuarants. In a new show, called "Master Chef," he allows amateur home chefs to compete for $250,000 and their own cookbook. There were many stay at home moms but also construction workers, lawyers, doctors, and college students competing. I thought to myself for a minute...maybe I could do that. I have catered events, cooked for my family, and I love reading recipes. I am adventurous in the kitchen and have a basic knowlege of food, I told myself. Then their second challenge threw me for a loop. It was basic - chop onions. Make one bowl of sliced onions and one bowl of chopped. Simple? Yes. Terrifying? Yes. I know I chop onions incorrectly because I cry every time. I realized that learning some basic technique would be good for me, probably good for all of us. Here is Chef Ramsay's youtube video on "How to Chop an Onion" if you want to learn.

Happy Chopping!