the quantified cook Infographic

After tracking my time all semester, it was finally time for me to gather all my data in to one large infographic. I originally envisioned a large line graph with clickable pictures linking to my blog entries. But, when I went to design the chart, I had so much data it was impossible to decipher the pictures! Rather than scrap my blog, I decided to show the final infographic here...on the blog! 

I wanted the final graphic to have a homemade, vintage feel like it was torn from an old recipe book. I found a great grunge paper texture and added even more stains on top of it. I'm a very messy cook! 

I thought I would find that I tended to cook much, much less the more I study. When I ran a linear regression (and, as you might notice I mention in my blog entries), the correlation was fairly low! I  think my willingness to cook might depend on the errands I ran that day (I grocery shop on Mondays and wash laundry at the laundromat on Wednesdays. Can you tell I'm Type A?) and whether J is traveling or not. It appears that there might be a slight correlation on both fronts. 

It was extremely interesting to track my habits and see what factors do (and don't!) influence each other. 

A Quantified Thanksgiving

Studying Time: Ha!
Cooking Time: 4 hours
Recipe: see below

There's just the two of us around for Thanksgiving, so we didn't go the turkey route. We collected a fine group of recipes that made a delicious Thanksgiving for Two! J was actually home for a few days (before taking off for more interviews) and we definitely enjoyed our time together. What was on the menu?

Bacon, Caramelized Onion and Havarti Rolls from Bev Cooks
Drunken Game Hens from Poor Girl Eats Well
Roasted Carrots
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Pumpkin Pies

YUM!

We also enjoyed a snuggle session with a very happy puppy. She even got to try on her new coat.

That she hates.

Asian Turkey "Empanadas"

Studying Time: 2 hours
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Recipe: Adapted from Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps | Damn Delicious 

Where have I been might you ask? J has been out of town (in California. Hate him.) and I've eaten largely cereal, oatmeal, and pancakes. Nobody wants to see that.

But, today, I'm back! J really wanted empanadas and together we created an Asian style empanada. If I were to make these again, I would use a different brand of hoisin sauce. Other than that, they were pretty good for an off the cuff creation. Reminded me a little bit of chicken roll ups that I used to eat when I was little.

Asian Turkey "Empanadas"
Serves: 2

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 package crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 375. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks. Set aside. Add garlic, bell pepper and onion to the saucepan. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender. Return turkey to pan. Stir in hoisin sauce, soy sauce and ginger. Stir until well combined. Allow to cool. 

Unwrap crescent rolls, but do not separate into triangles. Seal edges and combine triangle pieces of dough into one large square. Spoon cooled turkey mixture onto dough. Fold over edges and seal. Repeat with remaining meat and dough making sure edges are sealed. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes until rolls are cooked through and golden brown.

Sell! Sell! Sell!

A few week's back, my Media Theory class talked about Juliet Schor’s Overspent American. (She also made a video, which I shared, above....fancy!)

What I found particularly interesting about Schor’s book was the concept of “downshifting.” Schor discusses how we as Americans have become caught up in a spending war always searching for bigger, better and more expensive. As she points out, some are rejecting the “traditional” concept of more-is-more in favor of “downshifting” or what Schor describes as living on less, hand making more items and, perhaps, even taking a job that makes them feel more fulfilled and is one that they actually enjoy rather than whatever career makes them the most money. 

I agree with Schor’s that downshifting is happening. I’ve witnessed the turning back towards a “simpler” way of life across the Internet. Downshifting has moved from a conscious counterculture paradigm shift to another one of Hebdige’s commodified counterculture of conforming non-conformists. This trend has become even more pervasive as the downshifting is shared across social media, blogs, Instagram especially as these mediums allow for the connection to other people with similar ideas whether or not they are in the individuals specific locality. The mothers and wives I read about very well could want to lessen their footprint, make homemade jam or eat all organic, free range brown eggs from happy chickens, but, overall, these choices have all become just another marker of downshifting. A way of keeping up with the “crunchy” Bobo Joneses. (And I write this with the full disclosure that I would love to do all those things...) 

What’s more, these supposed ways of downshifting can require their own set and checklist of “essential” items for a happy life. Where the traditional consumer seeks after the latest computer, biggest TV, bigger house or what have you, these consumers seek after that must-have Vitamix, the amazing sewing machine or other gadgets they “need.” How else can they perform downshifting activities such as making themselves a healthy dose of green juice (they care about their bodies and health!), hand make their child’s dragon costume (boycott the Big Box stores!) or feed their baby handmade all-organic baby food (do you know what’s in that store bought Gerber jar?!)? It is interesting to note that this lifestyle trend extends all the way to the food purchased. (The Bobos in Paradise description is apt.) It’s no longer appropriate to shop at the likes of Stop and Shop. Grocery stores contain “levels” much like the levels of traditional retail stores Schor mentioned. Can’t get on the list for your cities co-op like the hippest and crunchiest of your favorite bloggers? Live in an area devoid of farmer’s markets? Whole foods will do in a pinch. Can’t afford Whole Foods? A downshifter can shop at Trader Joe's. Still too much? There’s an Aldi for those who can only look into the window of Whole Foods and dream of local ostrich eggs, Bob’s Red Mill oat flour and growlers filled with locally brewed kombucha. 

From keeping up to keeping down, rest assured that someone will find a way to commodify it, package it up and sell it to you.

Enchiladas Suizas

Studying Time: 5 hours
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Recipe: Adapted from Pepper Jack Enchiladas in The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner by Liz Edmunds

I'm now almost positive that my desire to cook has nothing to do with how much I actual study. Sometimes I feel like cooking to take a break from studying (like today) and sometimes I feel like cooking is the last thing I want to do! I definitely don't make as many elaborate dishes, but the time I spend cooking really isn't related to how much I've studied during the day. Like today. I spent almost all day researching for a big Media Theory project and there I was in the kitchen cooking with J.

This recipe is one of my favorites. My mom gave me The Food Nanny for Christmas and this is the recipe I find myself coming to again and again. Probably because there is almost a complete lack of decent Mexican food on Long Island. I've had better Mexican food in Omaha, NE. (Seriously. If you're ever in Omaha, this place has amazing adobado burritos. I can't even...in Omaha!? Yes.) But, my standards for Mexican food have been lowered substantially. And I bastardize poor Enchiladas Suizas at home.

"Enchiladas Suizas" adapted from The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner
Cook Time: 20 min
Serves: 8 

8 flour tortillas
2 cups {8 oz} shredded Swiss cheese
1 jar Trader Joe's Salsa Verde

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat tortillas in a small skillet until soft and pliable. Spread 2 heaping tablespoons of the cheese into tortilla and roll up. Place tortilla seam side down in a 13 X 9 inch baking dish. Pour salsa over tortillas and top with remaining cheese. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes until cheese is browned and bubbly.

Serve with chips, salsa, and refried beans.

Morn the loss of traditional Mexican food.

Caico e Pepe

Studying Time: 6 hours

Cooking Time: 30 min

Recipe: Caico e Pepe | Dinner a Love Story

I've always wanted to try caico e pepe (that's cheese and pepper since it seemed like such a simple, delicious recipe. When I saw a great recipe over on a Cup of Jo featuring the great couple from Dinner a Love Story, I knew what I was having for lunch. How can you go wrong with these simple ingredients?

Spaghetti, enough for 1, about ¼ pound

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. good, freshly ground black pepper 
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan 
Kosher salt

Head over to A Cup of Jo and check out the full recipe. It's perfect for eating alone when your fiance is at the hospital for 13 hours a day. 

You won't be disappointed. Although, I might recommend a dishwasher. The cheese is awfully sticky!

Bi Bim Bap in West Hartford, CT

Studying Time: 0

Driving Time: 30 min

Recipe: Bi bim bap from Pick & Mix in West Hartford, CT

This delicious rice and veggie bowl was my lunch in West Hartford yesterday. I've always wanted to try bi bim bap. This surprising little place in a West Hartford strip mall was crowded during lunch time! I heard the bi bim bap was good here and that's what everyone in the place was getting. I can see why! I'm not sure how authentic this little rice bowl is, but it was certainly delicious! Brown rice, fresh steamed veggies, chicken, a little drizzle of sesame oil and teriyaki....MMMMmmmm! And it was so bright and colorful on such a cold, cold day! Just waiting for J to finish up his interview so we can head home! It's going to be quite the drive, but I'll rest easy tonight knowing that we could end up in a place that has at least two good places to eat.