Michael received a long, rectangular package via Fed Ex today. Inside the box, under a pile of green popcorn, he discovered the mandatory set of professional chef knives he ordered online for his first-ever culinary class which begins this week. The set includes 3 very sharp knives with rosewood handles, a sharpening steel and a storage/carrying case.
He is very excited about the class. It's offered at Scottsdale Community College, but is entirely on-line via video instruction. Michael will have a weekly lab assignment in which he will demonstrate via photographs the skill/recipe/assignment for the week. The pics will be posted online and then reviewed and graded by the Chef/Instructor. Mike has been watching the videos for Week 1. His first assignment is due this Friday. He (when I say "he" I mean "we") will be roasting winter vegetables, including parsnips, rutabagas, sweet potatoes, and shallots. Then he will truss a chicken and roast it. Sounds simple enough, right?
I can definitely foresee quite a hike in our grocery bill. At least we'll be eating well and discovering never-before tasted culinary delights like rutabagas and parsnips and ???. I'll be sure to post photos and recipes as they are rolling out of our kitchen.
