life bites

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

Two weeks ago it was my birthday. I turned 28, which I was assured is NOT old, no arguments please. Although in the 19^th century I would’ve been a bonafide spinster. And if I didn’t have a rich Daddy or relatives to support me, I would have had to turn to either governessing or prostitution. Fortunately for me, the dilemma I’m faced with is where I am to put all the lovely presents I got. Almost everything I received was food related, just showing how well my friends know me. And I thought I’d put them up here for you all too see.

The cake in the picture above was baked by Casey. It was a Chocolate Coffee Cinnamon Cake topped with chocolate ganache. I took it along to the restaurant. No guesses what everyone had and loved for dessert. It felt really good to be baked for! Even though I so love it myself, it’s special when someone takes the time to do that for you. On that note, below I’m putting a picture of the delicious cheese and pepper bread that Leigh baked for me:

She also baked these really delicious Dark Chocolate Strawberry Muffins. However, they were so good that they were eaten up before any photos could be taken. Yip, Leigh, they were that good!

I also received the cutest baby wok, whisk and Japanese knife set from Amy and Kyle. It was awesome using those knives for the first time. Although I was afraid I’d sever a finger. I haven’t used the wok yet because in between shifts at the restaurant, freelancing and taking naps I haven’t had the opportunity to cook for a while.

On the home front my landlady, Sandy, and her family got me an array of Lindt chocolate. Yoh! By the way landlady is the worst word to describe Sandy. She’s the sweetest and most considerate person you could hope to share a home with. Come on, she buys me chocolate!

One of the biggest surprises of the day came when this not so little package arrived in the mail.

It contained this:

Yes, a ridiculous amount of nougat sent from my friend Mario in the States. You see, when Mario was still in South Africa I introduced him to “real” nougat (his term), which he loved. So, it makes it even more special. Also, I have to point out that he didn’t once hint at the fact that he was planning this. I was caught completely off guard!

Thank you all for the wonderful gifts! I will no doubt become fatter because of them. My day ended with a lovely dinner at Rock: Sushi Thai (the restaurant I’m now a waitress at). I just wish that you all could’ve been there to join me!

Waste

One of the first things I learned from living on my own is that it is way easier than you can imagine to waste food. For a good few months I saw myself throwing away too many fruits and vegetables that had gone bad. When I bought these groceries, I honestly believed I would use them, my intentions were always good. But, as we all know, and as I came to learn – life happens. Specifically, any well meaning plans for recipes strewn with a certain ingredient often get jettisoned because – you’re too tired to cook, you’re in the mood for something else, or you’re just getting plain sick and tired of eating the same thing day after day! It happens, all of it.

Even though I was cooking for one, I was shopping for many. Partly I wanted to save money, and I thought that I was doing just that by buying in bulk. A friend turned me onto what is now one of my favourite blogs, The Skint Foodie. I have adopted many, if not all, of his simple tips and tricks for eating well without breaking the bank. But the one thing that has stuck with me and has become part of my shopping routine is to buy in smaller amounts. If you had to take a look at my shopping basket it will most probably be filled with 1-2 potatoes, 1-2 onions, 1-2 tomatoes, etc. Get the picture? You’re cooking for one now, so even if you cook a meal meant for four, it probably/should last you for more than one day. Meaning fresh ingredients are sitting there, in the fridge, begrudging your existence because they aren’t being used.

Coconuts are the most hateful

Unlike the Skint Foodie, I cannot be bothered to create a food calendar. I know it eventually saves time and money, but the thought of it just makes me sad and a lot of what I cook depends on my mood. I generally buy the basics. The things I know I will use in most dishes. This includes spices, herbs, onions, garlic, tomato paste, stock, pasta, rice, canned tomatoes and canned beans. Remember, your list should suit your needs and tastes. For instance, I always need to have a can of beans in my cupboard. It is versatile and tastes great in curries, which I often make. Thing is there are times when it can sit in the cupboard a good few weeks before I end up using it. And that’s the great thing about canned goods – you can keep them for ages. Same goes for spices, pasta, rice and oils -once you’ve bought them, you don’t have to again for a while. As a result, I’ve saved money and I’ve eventually gotten into the habit of regularly checking my fridge when I go out, just to see if I need an onion. Plus, there’s nothing like the feeling of paying 67 cents for a vegetable that you’ll probably use for two meals!

Bitches be saving!

Another part of my progression as a single cook was jumping from one extreme to the other. At first I cooked only occasionally. I was spending my hard earned money on ready-made meals and shop made sandwiches, at the end of the month I wondered where my money had gone. I then decided I needed to shape up and save a little! Being the epitome of inconsistency I swung in the completely opposite direction. Austerity reigned in my little kingdom with no luxuries or treats allowed. I definitely  saved, but I wasn’t particularly happy. Not because I was cooking more or because I had less to work with, but the rigidity of my schedule just wasn’t fun and left little room for spontaneity. This is when I needed to decide what was important to me and what I could let go. I love baking, but sometimes ingredients can be expensive. I made a choice to buy the basics, which is enough to make a batch of cupcakes every now and then. And when I have that little extra, I’ll make something more extravagant. I get to bake either way and don’t have to sacrifice something that makes me happy. At the end of the day there’s no set formula for how you should do things. It’s really about figuring out what you want. However, I can’t emphasize enough how very important it is to treat yourself. Don’t deny or punish yourself if you don’t have to. Even if it is something very little (because money’s tight this month), always remember that you could die tomorrow and you deserve that cupcake!

Unless it's your tenth

Another offshoot of my change in shopping habits is that it has become clear, to others, that I am single. Specifically to cashiers. This makes sense when you think about it, because that’s what they see all day. I see the little grin on their faces as they check-out one potato and one onion at a time. Sometimes they’ll even say, “You live alone, don’t you?”. “Not out of choice,” I think rather than say. I just smile, because why not? I do live alone and I do really like buying one potato and I’m sure the potato loves it too. 

I do!