I had a very busy first 2 weeks of April, but this week much less busy with work.  I'd like work to be a little more balanced, but I really can't complain at all. 

This week I could get caught up on some things at my own home.  I think I spent Monday cleaning some, returning library books and I went to Jazzercise in the morning.  Tuesday I had designated as Chicken Soup Day, so I got some chickens, onions, carrots and celery simmering about 8 am and by about 4:30 had lots of soup for the freezer.  I also had some for dinner myself.

Yesterday I needed to go to Costco.  I've needed to go for a while but have been reluctant to venture there on weekends.  I filled the cart yesterday and then was very appreciative of the Element to get it all home.

I tried a new recipe last night to use up some Italian sausage I had left from a client cook day.  I threw it in the freezer when I got home and I didn't want to leave it there until it got freezer burn.  I don't like to waste food.  This was great with a couple changes that I made. 

The sausage I had was pork so I used that. Also, this might be strange, but I prefer crumbled sausage to sliced, so I crumbled mine to cook it.

I had Marsala, but also had some red wine open and I decided I felt more like red wine with this recipe.  It was delicious.  I did use the red pepper flakes and used a heaping 1/4 teaspoon, I like spicy.  This had a zing, but not too hot.  I also had penne pasta so used that. 

Rigatoni with Sausage, Peppers and Onions from Everyday Pasta by Giada De Laurentiis

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 pound sweet Italian turkey sausages
2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and sliced
2 yellow onions, sliced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup Marsala wine
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
1 pound rigatoni pasta
freshly ground Parmesan cheese, for garnish

1. Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.  Add the sausages and cook until brown on all sides, 7 to 10 minutes.  Remove the sausages from the pan.
   
2. Keeping the pan over medium heat, add the bell peppers, onions, salt and pepper and cook until golden, 5 minutes.
   
3. Add the garlic, oregano, and basil and cook for 2 minutes.  Add the tomato paste and stir until incorporated, then add the Marsala, tomatoes with their juice and red pepper flakes if using.
   
4. Stir to combine, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release all the brown bits.  Bring to a simmer.
   
5. Cut the sausages into 4 to 6 pieces each.  Return the sausage to the pan.  Simmer uncovered until the sauce has thickened about 20 minutes.
6. While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.  Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.  Drain the pasta, add to the sauce, toss to combine.  Spoon into individual bowls and sprinkle each with Parmesan.  

Now I need to fold laundry and will probably be meeting my friend Rosemary to chat over tea.  I am all ready for my Saturday classes. 

I love Spring and in Atlanta it just doesn't seem to last very long.  This year the weather is great.  I did have the pollen issue, but last week I chatted with a pharmacist at Target and she told me to get the Target Non Drowsy Allergy pills.  So far so good.  No more dripping, itchy eyes and generally feeling bad.  I take one in the morning and even my crying with onions is less intense.  Shallots are still bad though.

Friday was so gorgeous that I spent most of the day on the deck reading a book.  I donated blood first thing in the morning and then could relax.  I knew I was having pork tenderloin for dinner but didn't have any recipe in mind.  As I sat on the porch I decided we needed to eat outside for dinner so we may as well cook outside too.

I heated the trusty Big Green Egg to 350 degrees and threw on some red potatoes coated in olive oil, salt and pepper.  Once they were soft, I added strips of zucchini tossed in olive oil and Greek seasoning.  When the zucchini was soft, I added the pork tenderloin that I had butterflied, pounded, brushed with olive oil and Greek seasoning.  Delicious!  Little clean up which isn't my job after dinner, but my husband has been working a lot so that was nice for him. 



Saturday morning was very nice so we headed to the nursery for our summer herbs and tomato plants.  We may have purchased too much.  My husband spent the rest of the day getting the beds ready for planting, I got ready for the dinner party I was doing that evening.  I left about 3:15 to shop on the way to the client's house and was there about 4:30 to start prepping.

It was a nice dinner party for 6 people.  They chose a steakhouse menu, had appetizers outside, dinner in the dining room and dessert in the great room probably.  I left about 9:15, they were relaxing a bit before having dessert. 

No, I did not have a big meal Saturday, I had some cheese and pita chips when I got home.  My husband was not home when I arrived about 9:45 pm but left a note saying he had to go to work.  Not a good sleeping night Saturday.  I fell asleep about midnight, he came home about 4:30 am, I woke up at 7:15, he got up about 8:30 and had to go back to work at 11.

It was our anniversary Sunday, we usually both forget, but we remembered and I decided to make a good hearty breakfast before he left again for work.  I had seen the recipe for Breakfast Pizzas in Cuisine at Home and had everything I needed. 

They are not difficult, there are just many steps.  I started them and I think the smell of bacon woke him up.  They are a biscuit base topped with sausage, bacon, gravy, spinach, onions, tomatoes and egg.  I partially baked the biscuit on parchment paper, made an indentation, filled it with the ingredients, made a nest, added the egg and back to the oven they went. 

They were delicious and very, very hearty.  Many more dishes to clean up than cooking on the Egg.  Here are the before and after cooking pictures.



My husband left for work saying they had a finish time of 2:00 pm.  That came and went and then the hard finish time was 5:00 pm.  No sign of him then and I was glad I had decided on a dinner of salad, smoked mojo chicken from the freezer and applesauce from the freezer.  No timing to consider.  He got home about 6:30, we ate and he stayed awake long enough to eat dessert. 

It was our anniversary after all so I made Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle - fresh strawberries, pound cake, whipped cream, cream cheese, orange juice and shaved chocolate. 

Yes, I went to 7:15 Jazzercise this morning and feel great!  Now some office work, laundry and planting.  Beef Pot Pies for dinner. 

I have not been at my desk to spend quality time and it looks like it!  I typically try and keep Monday as my office day but that hasn't worked the last two weeks.  I'm not complaining, I had fun the 2 Mondays that I worked outside the office, I just have felt slightly out of control.

Much better now.  Even though desk day coincided with tax day.  My taxes are done.  They were finished a couple weeks ago, filed online and we even have some refund back.  Of course it went to Steve yesterday for the deck staining, but at least we could get the deck stained! 

Tax day is writing those checks quarterly to the state and federal governments.  It's probably my least favorite part of being self-employed.  I know that I've always paid taxes, I just didn't have to actually write the check!

I need to follow up with some customers and see how they are doing.  I'm sure they'd call if they had questions or were confused but I like to make sure all is well especially with new customers until we are more comfortable with each other.

This week had lots of new things to celebrate.  Monday I cooked for a new client for the first time.  They needed me because they just had a new baby the Friday before.  We were set up to cook before the baby came so they'd have food.  I got to see new baby Ben and new big brother Sam on Monday.  A very happy day.

Tuesday I had long term clients but they have a new puppy!  She is 6 months old and very, very cute.  I got to cuddle with her in the morning.  No pictures yet, she's the sister of Beckie Sue and Charlie Brown the Shih-Tzus.  Apparently they are not convinced they needed a new sister dog in the family.  I'm sure they'll work it out.  I also gave the older dogs a little chicken from the chicken enchiladas.  Chicken never hurts.

Wednesday was a second time client and that's always a good thing.  They need to eat healthy food, they are dealing with health issues but weren't sure they would enjoy food from the freezer.  They are very happy with the meals they had so that means I could have another long term client!  They have Rosie the Rottweiler who gave me a nice big morning kiss on the cheek! 

That brings us to today.  I'm disappointed that the 7:15 Jazzercise class was canceled this morning.  I like to go early and have not been this week yet.  I'm going to try and remember to go at 4:45, but have doubts. 

I did get my banking done this morning, wrote the checks for taxes, got organized for a dinner party on Saturday and now  I think I need some breakfast.  I need to leave the house to go to the bank, post office and library to complete my organizing.

After all the organizing, I may still have time in the day and may have to start cleaning.  We'll see how that goes. 

Busy, busy week!  After the 3 day frosting fest last week, I had a new client on Thursday.  His daughter gave him a gift certificate of a personal chef service (me) for his birthday.  We met, decided on the menu, he likes pretty much everything and has a beautiful kitchen. 

I had a great day cooking last Thursday with my new best friend, a 13 year old Shar-Pei who slept behind me most of the day.  I never stepped on him and we got along fine.  He was disappointed that I'm pretty neat and didn't drop any chicken or anything.

I have little recollection of Friday, I think I had errands and a chiropractor appointment.  Have to keep in balance!

Saturday I cooked for a dinner party for a birthday at a very beautiful house, one small white dog, one 17 year old son who did not have dinner but did manage to eat the extra strawberry shortcake I had for him.

Sunday was church, groceries for us and we were invited to my friend Ahmed's house for dinner.  He said "come at 3 or 4, we're having couscous".  He is also a personal chef and ignored me when I asked what I could bring.  We got there about 4, got caught up, watched his sister making tons of couscous. 

When it was time for dinner, she put the couscous in a huge wooden bowl.  Huge.  She then topped it with falling off the bone beef, acorn squash pieces, Korean sweet potato pieces, zucchini, carrots, turnips, maybe a few more things.  The giant bowl was placed in the middle of the table and 6 adults gathered around.  We had napkins and spoons. 

The kids had their own large bowl of couscous and Ahmed's sister helped them.  We dug in.  It was wonderful!  Ahmed said it is a traditional Friday meal eaten with family.  We had a great time with several of his friends.  Ahmed and his friends are from Morocco.  If ever anyone invites you for Moroccan couscous, go, and really you need to bring nothing! 

This week is meeting week apparently and that's a good thing.  It means new business and I am ready for it!  Yesterday I met with a couple who received a gift certificate for a dinner party from their realtor.  I'll be cooking for them on April 17th.  It will be a small dinner party with an Asian theme.  They have a gorgeous kitchen!

Today I have 3 meetings so I'll be in the car quite a bit.  I'll start at Office Depot because I am completely out of folders I use for customers.  Once done there I'll meet with Don who received the gift of a personal chef service from his daughter and son-in-law for his birthday.  He's excited about food.

When I leave him I have a meeting to look at the kitchen for a dinner party on April 10th.  The hostess is going on vacation for a week starting tomorrow and will be back right before the dinner party so we need to get the details confirmed so she can relax and doesn't have to think about the party while she's gone. 

I'll leave her and meet with Reginald who I talked to yesterday for the first time.  He's interested in personal chef services and also in the cooking class parties.  He's excited and wants to get started as soon as possible. 

I'll leave him and get home to relax a little and go to church for our class.  After class it's home for dinner of Bolognese sauce from the freezer with cheese ravioli and salad.  I love the freezer for quick meals.  My husband often says "It's like you have a personal chef of your own."  Well I do, it happens to be me! 

Monday I tried a new recipe and it was delicious.  It looked like spring and was a nice sunny meal.  I found it in a special magazine put out by Fine Cooking about Italian food.  It was Saffron and Shrimp Risotto with Scallions.  I served it with salad.



Off to get ready for this beautiful day.  Sun, blue skies, temperature to be 77!

I cooked for a new client last week on Thursday,  They found me through a chef friend and have some pretty specific food needs.  The husband is fairly young at 60, has a family history of diabetes and heart problems and has been diagnosed with the same issues.  The family wants to change the way they eat so he can continue to enjoy his work, family and life.

I am happy to have the work, but also happy that I can help this family.  The wife likes to cook and may start again once they learn more about the needs and they settle into a new routine after doctor visits, blood sugars and the heart gets into a normal rhythm.  They are a little overwhelmed right now and I am happy to step in for however long they need me.

I had a wonderful kitchen that day to use, with a refrigerator that I now would like to have and a new customer dog that I would like to have.  I snapped a picture of the fridge and of my new dog friend.



When I met with my new customer family, the husband took responsibility for some poor food choices he's made in the past and is committed to eating better. 

I am blessed to have a great job where I feed people, teach people to eat better, gain confidence and care for themselves.  Many of the people I work with when teaching are under the age of 18 and I've been working with that age group for 11 years now.  I truly love working with kids.

I watched the 2 hours of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution last night and thought the program was well done and hope he can bring attention and change that is drastically needed.  One of the reasons I like working with kids, is that often they don't get a choice in what they eat and have not made poor food choices on their own. 

Kids don't generally do the grocery shopping, prepare the meals, choose restaurants or have the money to pay at the restaurant of their choice.  We as adults have responsibility to guide them in their choices, show them that food can taste good, where it comes from and that chickens don't come in nuggets. 

For many years Ann Cooper has been on the same mission with kid's school lunches.  She's made great progress, you may not have heard of her.  She has a great (scary but great) book called Lunch Lessons Changing the Way We Feed Our Children.  It came out in 2006. 

Get involved with the schools, eat there, see what is served.  Yes, I know that the amount of money for school lunches is absurdly low, good food can be made for not a lot of money. 

Cook with your kids.  Yes, it takes longer but it's a skill that can teach them math, reading, nutrition, organization, self esteem.  Let them help make the weekly menu.  Jamie said last night "Kids are people too."  I've been saying that with my kid's classes for years.  Kids have palates too and like good food. 

Here is a good starter recipe.  I think I've posted it before, but generally everyone enjoys it and it covers all your needs - protein, starch, vegetable.  If you don't eat pork use chicken, turkey or soy crumbles.  Use frozen green beans to make it easy.  I included some possible changes in the recipe. 

Szechuan Green Beans with Ground Pork  from Cooking Light April 2006

1/2 pound lean ground pork
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper (or black)
1 teaspoon peanut oil (or canola)
2 1/2 cups (1 inch) cut green beans
1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper (omit if kids don't like spicy)
2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 cups hot cooked white rice (or brown)

1. Combine the first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. 
   
2. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium high heat.  Add prok mixture, beans and garlic; cook 3 minutes or until pork loses its pink color, stirring to crumble.
   
3. Combine hoisin sauce and next 3 ingredients (through soy sauce) in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.  Add hoisin mix to pan.
   
4. Cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently.  Serve over rice.

I had a good cook day today.  For me a good cook day is a day where I don't make any serious mistakes, I seem to be flowing with the day instead of fighting against the day, and the food is delicious.

My customer today is a long term customer.  I've been cooking for them for 11 years.  When I arrived, the gate was closed, the garage was closed and I thought there might be some sleeping customers! 

Of course I know where the key is so I let myself in and begged Lucky to stop howling.  She gets very excited when I arrive and I was afraid we'd wake people.  No problem, when I went to open the garage there were no cars.  They were out and about early. 

Lucky came out with me to supervise the unloading of the car.  Sometimes we play "race around the yard like a crazy dog" but she was calm today.  I just watch and clap my hands and she does the crazy dog part.



My customers today are healthy eaters.  They like vegetables, chicken, not much red meat, I include Weight Watcher points also.

Today's menu:

Orange Cranberry Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Roasted Orange Paprika Carrots

Italian Vegetable Soup

Asian Stir Fried Shrimp with Snow Peas
Couscous with Lime Ginger Sauce

Herb Parmesan Roasted Chicken
Green Beans with Caramelized Red Onion and Mushroom Topping

Turkey Meatball Stroganoff with Egg Noodles.

I managed to take a couple of food pictures but didn't get everything.  I was pretty busy cooking, cleaning and leaving the kitchen cleaner than when I got there.

 

My own dinner tonight will be very easy.  We are taking a class at church on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 so I need a fast meal for when we get home.  I planned on pizza tonight, the Thai chicken pizza I froze a couple weeks ago.  The class got canceled for tonight  but I still have my easy dinner plan!

I hear the dryer beeping at me.  Off to fold laundry and heat the oven.  I may go crazy and open a bag of salad. 

It has certainly been a typical spring with varied weather!  Saturday was in the 70s and sunny, perfect for a hike and picnic.  Sunday I was thinking about smoking something for dinner but glad I went another way.  We had rain all day and thunderstorms at dinner time.  We even lost power for about an hour and we rarely lose power.

Luckily we were just finishing our dinner and we have candles on the table.  I made a new recipe with a new beef cut and it was very good. 

Hearty Glazed Tri-Tip Roast with Creamy Gorgonzola Sauce from Beef, It's What's for Dinner
serves 6 to 8

1 beef tri-tip roast (1-1/2 to 2 pounds) 
1 red onion, cut into 16 wedges
4 cups Broccolini or baby broccoli, trimmed (about 9 ounces)
Nonstick cooking spray
Salt and pepper
Marinade:
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
Creamy Gorgonzola Sauce:
1/4 cup reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup plain nonfat yogurt
2 tablespoon crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1 tablespoon minced onion
1/4 teaspoon pepper

1. Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons for basting. Place beef roast and remaining marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn roast to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes to 2 hours.
2. Heat oven to 425°F. Remove roast from marinade; discard marinade. Place roast on rack in shallow roasting pan. Place onion wedges around roast. Do not add water or cover. Roast in 425°F oven 30 to 40 minutes for medium rare; 40 to 45 minutes for medium doneness, basting with reserved 2 tablespoons marinade halfway through roasting time.
3. Remove roast when instant-read thermometer registers 135°F for medium rare; 150°F for medium. Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10°F to reach 145°F for medium rare; 160°F for medium.)
4. Meanwhile prepare Creamy Gorgonzola Sauce. Combine all sauce ingredients in small bowl; mix well. Set aside.
5. Spray Broccolini with nonstick cooking spray, tossing to coat. Place on metal baking sheet. Roast in 425°F oven 10 to 15 minutes or until crisp-tender and slightly browned. Toss onion wedges with Broccolini. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.
6. Carve roast across the grain into thin slices. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Top beef with Creamy Gorgonzola Sauce. Serve with vegetables.

I served it with Garlic Bread and Sauteed Spinach because the vegetables at the store weren't nice.  Spinach was the best option for green.  I would toss the onions in a little olive oil the next time also. 

This morning I went to Jazzercise at 7:15 and noticed sleet on the windshield and some snow flurries!  Have plans to grill tonight, but I might have to revise and broil.  Another new recipe tonight for marinated, grilled lemon chicken. 

I have to work now.  I have paperwork for one customer finished, I finished a proposal for cooking classes, I have another customer to prep for and assorted house things to do.  Also if I get bored and have lots of free time, I can work on taxes!

The weather has been very springlike with rain, hail, wind, sun, cool temperatures.  A couple more days and it is officially spring.  I wonder if it will snow?

This has been a busy and fun week for me.  I had a great time at the library Thursday afternoon.  The librarian decided to have me cook as a treat for the teens that participated in the Peach reading program.  There was a list of 20 books that the teens read, rated and discussed.  The library is in Buchanan which is quite a drive.  I always say to myself that I won't drive such and such a  distance, but then I actually talk with the librarian, find out more about the program, and usually can't help myself. 

The library is in the old courthouse.  Lots of old wood - benches, floors, witness stands, ceiling.  I took a couple of pictures while I waited for the teens to arrive. Since it was a peach party we had Pork Tenderloin with Peach BBQ Sauce, Sweet Potatoes and Peach Pie Smoothies.  I used sweet potatoes because they are peach colored. 





Friday I had lots of work to do.  In the house.  I needed to clean and get ready for my step-daughter and grandson to arrive.  They spent last week in Florida, my husband joined them last Wednesday and they all were coming back on Saturday.  I had some work that I couldn't change, so I stayed home.

I spent Friday morning cleaning the house, then off to the library, picked up a cake so we could celebrate Beth's birthday (from February),  hit the grocery store, made a casserole for Saturday dinner, relaxed a little Friday night.  I was amazed I got everything done that needed done.  I locked the cats out of the guest bedroom and bathroom and that was a little traumatic for them. 

Saturday I spent several hours at Macy's at a bridal event as a KitchenAid product specialist.  I left Macy's, zipped home, unpacked my KitchenAid products and loaded the car with some things for a cooking class.  I changed and became Chef Carlin instead of KitchenAid Carlin and went off to my client's house.

Saturday night was a cooking class/dinner party.  I cooked with Paul and Whitney who received the class as a Christmas gift from Paul's mom who lives in Florida.  They decided to invite a few guests to help them enjoy the meal they cooked.  They had Thai Crabcakes with Mango Salsa, Panko Crusted Pork, Asian Potato Cakes, Ginger Lime Carrots and Flourless Chocolate Cake with Strawberries and Whipped Cream. 

Paul and Whitney did a great job and ended up with delicious food, a clean kitchen and happy guests.  It was a fun and tasty evening.



I got home Saturday night about 9:15 and we had birthday cake and Beth opened her present.  Everyone was pretty tired after a busy Saturday so we headed off to sleep.

Sunday morning we realized that we totally forgot the time change but had no time schedule to keep so we were good.  Matthew wanted pancakes for breakfast so of course Grandma Carlin made them.  The adults didn't eat too much since we were doing a big lunch when my son-in-law arrived to pick up Beth and Matthew.

Sunday lunch was something I've been craving and it was delicious.  I made pasta primavera with onions, carrots, celery, red bell peppers, asparagus and fettuccine.  We had salad and garlic bread and of course cake.  Matthew loved the chocolate cake from Lulu's Bakery.  It was delicious. 

Sunday evening I had another bridal event for KitchenAid.  Monday I met with a potential client who has some health issues and needs to eat better, so they've asked me to help.  I cooked today for my new clients, the ones that helped me when the car battery died.  I enjoyed my day of cooking today.

Tomorrow I am cooking at Becky Sue and Charlie Brown's house (the shih tzus).  They are getting a new baby sister and I think I'll get to play with a new puppy tomorrow.  I'll have to cook too, but I'll try and fit that in around the puppy cuddling!

I decided to ditch Jazzercise tonight so I could blog, not a problem there.  The problem is that when I finish this I am off to search for the birthday cake that I want for my birthday.  Maybe too many cakes?  I'll make it Friday so it's ready for Saturday birthday breakfast!

So it's still February but wow, it is flying by.  I've been pretty busy which I much prefer and what started out as a slow month with business has changed for the better. 

The new cat is still a baby and will calm down.  That's what I keep telling myself.  It's either that or she's just bad.  In all my years of having pets that included dogs, cats, most recently a Great Dane and cats, I have never had a problem leaving things on the counter in the kitchen.  Until now.

Darling little Layla, weighing less than 5 pounds, has eaten through a bag of hamburger buns.  She took some tomatoes off of the counter, out of the bowl, I found one in the kitchen,  one in the dining room and there is still one missing. Maybe 2 missing. 

She had a nibble of pound cake of Friday, tried for some bread over the weekend and is lucky she's cute.  Tonight I placed my new glasses on the dresser to take a shower after Jazzercise.  The phone rang when I got out of the shower and as I talked I went to get my glasses.  Not there.  Of course I thought I left them at the computer - no, maybe the nightstand near the phone - no, maybe they went under the bed - no, maybe under the dresser - no.  I start all over - office, phone, dresser - no.  I finally look behind my nightstand and yes they were there.  They are very light and darling Layla likes to stand on the edge of the dresser to pounce on unsuspecting cats below, I guess the glasses were in the way. 

She's resting now so she can scurry over my head when I go to sleep tonight. 

The life of a personal chef can be interesting.  I had a new client interview last night and since I expect to get lost occasionally, was early to the appointment.  I stopped the car in a shopping center parking lot to wait 15 minutes.  Did the car start at 7:15?  No, the battery seemed to be dead.  I called my husband to warn him that I would need car assistance from him or AAA.

I called the new potential customer to say "hi, can you come and pick me up for the interview?"  They were very nice, picked me up, we went to their house only a couple minutes away and I am cooking for them next Friday. 

Of course it was then 9pm, wonderful husband did get the car started and we made it home.  Of course I had a new client interview this morning at 7:30 and a car with a dead battery.  Not to fear, I took the other car, husband got a battery and my car was ready for the day at 9 am when I got home.  And yes, I am cooking for the other new client on Wednesday!  And they didn't have to pick me up.

Tonight we had a great dinner.  I made it for two of us, didn't use that much cheese or meat but other than that followed the recipe.
 

Seared Rib-Eye Steak with Arugula and Roasted Pepper Salad from Giada De Laurentiis

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons for cooking steaks
2 (1-inch-thick) rib-eye steaks (about 1 pound each)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 cups arugula, washed and spun dry
11/2 cups roasted peppers, rinsed and pat dry
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Small block Parmesan (about 8 ounces)

In a large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season steaks with salt and pepper. When pan starts to smoke, carefully add steaks. Allow the steaks to cook for about 6 minutes on side, without moving or piercing the meat. This will help create a good, crusty sear. If steak starts to brown too quickly, reduce heat to medium. When steaks are brown, flip and sear the other side for 6 minutes for medium rare. Cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium well. Remove meat to a large plate and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

Decoratively line a large platter with arugula. Tear the roasted peppers into large pieces and scatter over the arugula. In a small bowl, whisk the 1/4 cup-extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and any meat juices that may have collected on the plate from the steaks. Season with salt and pepper.

Slice the steaks across the grain and on a bias into 1 1/2-inch thick pieces. Lay the slices on top of the salad and drizzle with dressing. Using a vegetable peeler, shave about 8 pieces of Parmesan over the dish.

We're supposed to get some snow tomorrow and I hope we don't get too much.  I usually like snow but need to go to the cake store tomorrow to get something I can find no where else.  Hope for clear roads in the morning!