A Day of Rest

We are having a nice quiet day today after a busy Friday and Saturday.  My Friday wasn't bad, just some errands but my husband worked until 3 am Saturday.

Saturday morning I went to 7:15 Jazzercise by myself, husband did not want to go and then came home to get ready for the day.  I had a library program scheduled.  It was tied into Asian Heritage month and was at the Flat Shoals Public Library in DeKalb county.  I must say I am getting to see lots of new places in Georgia doing programs for libraries.

I asked my husband to come and help at the library because I had agreed to teach a class at Cook's Warehouse Saturday night also.  I was asked Wednesday evening about Cook's and knew the timing between classes was tight, but possible.  I wanted to make sure I could get cleaned up from the library quickly to get turned around for Cook's Warehouse. 

All worked well.  We got to the library at 11:45 after terrible traffic on 285.  Wasn't expecting that but stayed good on my timeline.  We got setup and got water boiling for the program.  I had decided on Noodles Three Ways to show several Asian ingredients and also show how some ingredients are common in other cuisines.  I had an hour for the program and for eating so I had to be very organized!





I made all the noodles at once and then divided them into the three different recipes.  The audience was wonderful!  They asked questions and loved the food.  They were ready to go home and try the recipes for their families.






I made Sesame Noodles, Peanut Noodles and Spicy Coconut Noodles. All are good and with summer coming are a good way to get some easy interesting meals. 




Sesame Noodles
serves 6 to 8

1 pound linguine or noodles of your choice
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
8 scallions, sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 cups snow pea pods, cut in half
1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Cook linguine 9 to 11 minutes or according to package directions.
   
2. Meanwhile, whisk soy sauce, sesame oil, canola oil, rice wine vinegar, crushed red pepper, scallions and cilantro.
3. Add noodles, snowpeas and bell pepper, toss to coat.
   
4. To serve garnish with sesame seeds. 
   
5. Add cooked chicken, turkey, pork, or shrimp if desired.

The program was scheduled for 12:30 to 1:30 and I stayed with my timeline.  We left the library clean and happy at 1:50.  I drove home, unpacked the car, my husband said he'd do dishes, I changed to a clean chef coat and headed to Midtown. I was home for 20 minutes, just enough time. 

Wendy (cooking school director) had called me Wednesday evening to see if I could do a class with the teen girls from Hillside.  I had worked with them a few years ago and had fun so of course I said yes. For more information check out www.hside.org. 

The class started at 5 so the assistants and I started at 4 getting everything prepped and organized.  The girls had requested a Southern menu so I planned Catfish with Lemon Pepper, Southern Oven Fried Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese and Blueberry Cobbler.

The girls arrived at 5:00 and were excited to cook. They got into groups and started cooking.  They did a great job.  Once a group had their recipe in the oven, they cleaned their dishes and area and helped set the tables for dinner.  While things finished cooking we reviewed the recipes so everyone could ask any questions and we could talk about changes they could make to the recipes such as different fruits in the cobbler.

Dinner was served at 6:30 and it was delicious!  I love having someone cook for me and I was hungry! I got home about 8:15, asked my husband to make me a cup of hot tea and relaxed.  My legs were very tired! 

Today we went to church, went out for breakfast, picked up some groceries, bought some dishes and have been relaxing.  Now I have to go make dinner.  Quick and easy sausage with roasted red pepper pizza.