sbandati student, cooks

I finally got to try my newly learned cooking skills on our friends. We had them over last night for a 'before the concert' (and oh what a concert... more about that later) wine and appetizer event. I enjoyed the cooking very much, was really stressed though, it's harder without Juri there leading me step by step (I actually called Ellina to ask for help!) I enjoyed it much though and learned by all the mistakes I made.

This looked so pretty, I had to try and get a shot of it. I made the herb salt you see. It is pretty darn tasty. Sadly in the end I threw the Asparagus out. I have learned from Top Chef, you do not serve something you are not proud of. It was way to salty and slimy, uck! Pretty here though!




Cooking is so messy...



I admit, these were the best Roasted Potatoes I have ever made (thank you Juri) I served them with an amazing Mustard Sauce that Brad and Kirsten gave us for Christmas, it is delicious. They were all gobbled up, every last morsel!



This is a Baguette, stuffed with a Pork Loin rubbed with my Herb Salt, Wrapped in Bacon. I then sliced it and served it with a Port Reduction. It was really quite good.



So it mostly turned out pretty well. It was a bit to salty but I am learning.... Yuri uses more salt and oil than I am used to and I think I over did it. It was really tasty regardless. We were just all really thirsty at the concert!

The concert.......... Somehow I convinced Bill we should go to this "Sisters Folk Festival' Concert. I love our friends and I wanted to be with them. Oh my, all I can say Bill was right.... I am not a fan of Folk Music at all.... I must say, It was well executed but almost creepy. The songs were just so stupid. I think I asked Bill if we could leave at least ten times. Out of respect for our friends (who I now found out no one liked the concert at all) we stayed. Well as long as I could, we did sneak out early, ugghhh. It was... so folky....

Regardless, here is a shot of our wonderful friends, saving our seats while we clean up at home.



What about Bob? We can not leave him out so he and Scott give me a nice pose.



It was a fun night because... I love to cook, our great friends and a glass of wine or two.

Thanks to my Professor/Instructor Juri Sbandati. I am learning and enjoying it so very much!