pre fixe dinner special: harry potter

The other day I was on the train.  A group of high school boys were standing next to me when I overheard the following:

Boy 1:  He was awesome.  He took us all out to a pre fixe dinner.  It must have cost $50 a person.

Boy 2:  Pre fixe like in Harry Potter?

Boy 1:  No, you idiot.  That's prefect.  Pre fixe is when the price is already set and you get different courses.

It's nice to know that Harry Potter spans all ages and types. 

And while we're talking about Harry Potter, check out this amazing, new trailer.  I think I held my breath for the entire two minutes:

food, glorious food

Food has become my new passion.  It's been a long time in the making, but over the last year or so, I just can't get enough.  If I could, I would quit life as I know it and run away to culinary school.  I daydream of making it big, buying a home with an amazing kitchen, and spending all my days creating culinary masterpieces.  I envy those who can make their dreams of food creation a reality.  Unfortunately, I'm not in a position where I can do that.  My days are consumed with the normal routines of life.  However, it doesn't mean that I'm not going to try to fit in as much as I can.

A few weeks ago, I made a new goal to try at least two new recipes a week.  So far so good.  It's been fun to get creative in my kitchen--my very, very small kitchen.  Despite the limitations of a minuscule workspace, here are a few of  my most recent successes...

• Arugula, Fennel & Apricot Salad
• Ground Beef Wellington
• Bolognese Sauce
• Roasted Veggies with Rosemary
• Chicken Coconut Curry
• Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and cream
• Poached Eggs
• Curried Zucchini Relish
• Banana Cream Pie
• Tiramisu

...and here's to many more!

Update:  I have included a few of the links to the recipes that I used.  Keep in mind that I hardly ever follow the recipe.  I always make modifications along the way.  For example, with the Tiramisu, I used Pero instead of coffee and omitted the wine.   For the banana cream pie, I mashed up bananas and put it into the pudding mix.  Should I make this again, I would strain the pudding mixture to preserve the integrity of the texture.  etc. etc.

ummm, sad...no, wait....funny?....no....i don't know....

peter!!!

So I was at the gym and looked up and two machines in front of me I saw someone that looked really familiar.  Then he smiled at me and I realized that I had seen that smile before.  And then I realized that it was Peter (Tim DeKay) from White Collar!!!!  

Of course I couldn't restrain my smile at this point so it turned into what I can only imagine, a goofy grin.  He then started to really smile and gave me a slight nod.  I think he realized that I had recognized him.  I hope it made him feel good that I turned a giddy school girl.  We didn't talk to each other but floated around the same weights area for about twenty minutes and my heart felt warm and fuzzy.  :)  

P.S.  He was lookin' good.

are you happy?

Dear Blog,

I have neglected you so.  For that, I apologize.  I've been busy.  Soon you will have the information you need to be complete.

In the meantime, here is something to tide you over.  It's somewhat characteristic of what I have been thinking about lately. 

Yours,
Malia