Ginger Syrup

from Dr. Justin
time 30 min
yield 3/4 – 1 Cup

Ingredients
1 lb ginger
1/4 C honey
1/4 C sugar
1 C water

Directions
1. Peel ginger and cut into 2″ chunks
2. Combine all ingredients in a pan
3. Set heat to medium-high and bring to a boil
4. Reduce heat and simmer until reduced

I got tiger stripes on my decaf this morning! Mille grazie, Lavazza!

Made Linguine with Pesto tonight, used 18 basil leaves instead of 24 and it was perfect.  The garlic was a little old and oniony (even though I bought it yesterday).  I also made some scallops in brown butter and saffron.

Now I have pasta for the week and Pesto in the freezer.

I’m really tired from the last two days of training and a lot of work. When I get tired, I get punchy:

I see you found my turkey cannon…
Turkey Cannon…..NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

That is all.

I’m trying to start cooking a meal (a real meal) at least once a week.  I am also aiming to try one new recipe a week.  I pull all of these recipes out of magazines and then they sit in a giant pile of culinary dreams.  So tonight I tried a new sauce recipe, three ingredients (tomatoes, onions, butter) and it was actually delicious!  (I had it over penne)

I also had  been meaning to try making my auntie’s pesto recipe that I love SO MUCH.  She used to send it home with me on visits, but after the whole liquid/gel controversy, I really need to make it myself.  And I did, and I took J’s suggestion and froze it (just like my auntie does) so I can have it whenever I want.  It was so easy, I was really embarrassed that I hadn’t tried making it earlier.  I just put the ingredients in my mini prep and it was done in basically a minute.

So this week, I have some pasta to have for lunch or dinner and choices of two sauces, which is great since I am teaching 3 classes this week starting at 7am

Next week I want to try Saffron Scallops…

I’ve been trying to do more cooking lately.  And by more, I mean ANY.  I am starting with things like cooking my pudding (instead of using instant) and making my own cheese (instead of buying it.

Tonight I made my own mini pizza with a Boboli shell and my own toppings.

What sucks about cooking for one?  You use more plates with 6 people, but the same number of prep items, pans, spatulas, etc.

I tried making cheese again. My third attempt. It came out great and I got more cheese from a 1/2 gallon then I did from a whole gallon the first time.

http://flutt3r.com/~llama/photos/cooking/cheese/html/index0001.html

It still needs more salt, but I really love it and am going to make it a Sunday ritual for my cheese for the week.

You know, steriods have their uses OTHER than pro-ball.  They make me very effecient at cleaning.  My place, other folks’, I should rent myself out for some extra money.  Because I have so much extra energy and it is focused (I’m doing this rather than being angry at people, I hope) I accomplish so much more.

My other secret weapon is Tivo-to-go.  I can load my shows on my laptop and then put the laptop whereever I am cleaning and it makes the time go much faster.  Some shows I want to focus on the visuals, but some of them I just need occasional visuals.

I was going to try and complete all my filing and paperwork before I left but as I look at the pile over my shoulder, it is too much.  On the other hand, I have done a TON this week and I will soon reach my goals.

• No papers that aren’t filed
• Scan and recycle what I can
• Get my craft area clean for crafting
• Decide on a few key hobbies to FINISH projects in
  • Knitting (blanket, sweater)
  • Crafts - cards, jewelry (inventory, get rid of non-working items, take some classes)
  • Italian - get back into practice
  • Cooking - one new recipe a week
  • Photography - get rid of my Film camera and get a digital SLR with macro capabilities
  • (wow, and that is the shortened list)

Off to bed, and more items to prep for my trip tomorrow.

I was going to play bocce tomorrow for some practice, but the place was all booked after 3:30pm, fooey