Saturday, May 1, 2010

Culinary skills

As I've mentioned previously, to have fun and enjoy life I think it's really important to be able to laugh at yourself. I mean let's be honest, other people laugh at us all the time. So I'm going to share a story that is definitely worth a chuckle.

Last weekend was the Anzac Day public holiday and we had some friends over for the Aussie barbeque. I branched out and made Bruschetta for the very first time. I googled a few recipes and chose the one I liked. Here it is.

BRUSCHETTA
1 french stick loaf
4 firm tomatoes (peeled and chopped)
1 red onion (finely chopped)
4 cloves garlic (cut in half)
1/8 cup basil (chopped)
1/3 cup olive oil
3 Tbs balsamic vinegar

Drain the tomatoes for 20 mins.
Combine oil, vinegar, basil in large bowl and whisk together.
Add tomatoes and onion. Marinate for 10 mins.
Cut bread into 1/2 inch slices and toast lightly on both sides.
Rub garlic on the top side and cover with mixture.

Now if you're like me, you're thinking this recipe looks simple enough. I agree.
I got out my chopping board and started dicing everything....basil....onion....and wait! peeled tomatoes?
Hmmmm....I've never been asked to peel a tomato before....oh well....I got out the potato peeler and went on my merry way.

Now again, if you're like me everything sounds right so far....right?
HOWEVER....there are others who are laughing with great amusement right now. Here is the cooking tip for the day; apparently you don't peel a tomato with a potato peeler; you mark it with a cross on the bottom and put it in boiling water and the skin just lifts off all by itself. You learn something new every day hey?

My guests arrived ready to try my Bruschetta last week and were oh so amused by my culinary skills. Overall....I am amused by them myself. But then the Bruschetta was so good I really didn't care!