Winging It (And other forms of Procratination)

I have a rewrite of one of my short stories due tomorrow. I also have two critiques due tomorrow. Plus a short-short story (500 words) (Ha! As if I could even write a grocery list in 500 words). I was out of the office all day today and will tomorrow too. So – the chances of “finishing” (which would also imply STARTING) anything are pretty damn slim.

You’d think that TONIGHT – when I have time, I’d be writing away like mad, wouldn’t you? You’d be wrong. (Technically, blogging doesn’t count towards college credits, so this doesn’t count) Instead, I am cooking dinner. But! It was a quick dinner. Because we all have to eat, yes?

It actually DID turn out to be quick – ready in 30 minutes. And good! (Especially when you consider I made up the recipes).

Do you do that? Have to come up with stuff on the spur of the moment? I thought, “I’ll just make something up!” because I didn’t want to go home, go on-line, find something and THEN go back to the store.

I wanted fish. I wanted crunch. I wanted heat. I wanted a lime/cream sauce. (I have no idea where that desire came from, it just presented itself).

I stopped at the store. I went to the fishmonger section first and had a heart attack. Then decided Tilapia at $5.99/lbs was in my budget. After choosing the fish, I went to the produce section. Lime, cilantro, Thai chili. Dairy – heavy cream. Asian section – Panko Breadcrumbs. Bulk foods, almonds. Wine – a white blend – citrus notes. Oh! A veggie. Back to the produce section – Sugar Peas! And I was out of the store.

At home, I tried to find a recipe for the fish. Of course, there wasn’t one, because I was making it up! I used a tried-and-true one for the rice – but didn’t have green onions (because “tried and true” does not mean “memorized ingredients”). I “winged” it on the peas.

The meal? I could serve it to guests and I don’t think they’d be disappointed.

Here’s my evaluation, scores, and cooking notes for the nights meal.

Tilapia in Panko Breadcrumbs:

• Ease of Recipe: 8
• Visual: 8
• Taste: 9
• Execution: 9
• Notes for Next time: Bigger dish for flour. Sprinkle/dip/dredge all pieces BEFORE adding to skillet.

Lime/Thia Chili Cream Sauce:

• Ease of Recipe: 8
• Visual: 8
• Taste: 8
• Execution:6
• Notes for Next time: Damn it! Be patient! Let the cream reduce, alright all ready.

Basmati Pilaf with Almonds/Cilantro:

• Ease of Recipe: 9
• Visual: 9
• Taste: 9
• Execution: 9
• Notes for Next time: Have scallions/green onions. (using chicken broth instead of beef did not deteriorate flavor at all)

Sugar Peas:

• Ease of Recipe: 10
• Visual: 7
• Taste: 8
• Execution: 4
• Notes for Next time:Hello? Tender Green things – cook, for, like TWO MINUTES!!! (not 5 – and quench in ice-water to maintain crisp texture (d’oh!)

Over all dinner score? 7.88

Not bad I guess for “winging” it.

Edit to add: I just realized. I am not just avoiding "homework". This is my FINAL in my writing class. :( (Guess I better get-to-it)