Breakfast of Champions

Mmmm... Bacon, egg (basically done like an omelette, only slightly mixed so there's still separation of yolk and white), and thick bread. Some HP sauce would have been perfect… too bad I didn't look in the fridge until after I'd scarfed it down.

Culinary Center of Monterey

A circle of chefs, ready to slap us silly

Last week I was with a group invited to attend a 'class' at the Culinary Center of Monterey. We had a fantastic time and learned a thing or two along the way. The agenda of the day was to basically cook our own lunch and eat our own mistakes victories. The menu was varied, from French Onion Soup and Tarte Aux Epinards to Boeuf Bourguinonne and Roasted Cornish Hens. I was assigned to the Roasted Beet Salad, the only item on the menu with no recipe. The chef insisted… "oh I don't know, do whatever you like!". Alrighty then.

Beets ready for the roastin'

Assistant chef Claire, poking my beets

The beet salad was a hit among all, even those who normally don't like beets. We washed, peeled, chopped and roasted a shedload of beets, candied almonds and made up a garlic/balsamic/red wine vinegar/honey vinaigrette dressing to go over it all, and it was gorgeous!

Roasted Beet Salad! Imagine red and green…

There was also a fantastically easy recipe for a Fresh Fruit Tart Tatin which I made at home last night… mmmm! Unfortunately it was devoured before I could get the camera on it… sorry. But it's so simple to make; just melt some butter, cinnamon and brown sugar in a pan, drop in some fruit (apples, berries, whatever), and top with a puff pastry sheet cut to fit the pan, drop into a 375ºF oven for 25 minutes… then invert onto a serving tray and serve. Delicious. That was your birthday dessert Alenka, so sorry you weren't here to enjoy it :(

Last day in Madrid

OK I never got back to posting about the final day in Spain, so here's a litany of photos and scattered comments to fill the 'missing day'. I spent my last day in Madrid wandering the streets, visiting El Museo del Prado, picnicing in the park, and enjoying the Spanish sun.

Fantastically colorful posters outside of El Prado

And some pretty paintings

I had to buy some local art from the artist

Ah, a picnic in the the Parque del Retiro

And a walk by the royal lake, Estanque del Retiro

EuroBasket07; European Basketball. Wait, Where's Slovenia??

Sushi & Pasta… are you f'ing kidding me???

Free hugs for all!

Salad with tuna, roasted red peppers and olives

I'll, erm, let you translate that one. A Mexican bar in the middle of Madrid. Love it!