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externship: sutra bliss.
This place really is magic. It just absolutely kills me how damn proud of it I am. Truly, working in this restaurant is a pleasure, no no, its more than a pleasure- its bliss. The hours pass so unbelievably quickly that I find myself reeling at the end of the night staring, mouth agape (smiling all the while), at the clock. One minute Im putting on my apron and the next, it seems, Im plating and folks are flooding in. Prep time simply melts away and by eight o’clock I realize that I havent used the bathroom in 6 hours…and Im okay with that- surprised, but very much okay. I get lost in the work and when my shift is over Im hesitant to leave- I just want to plate one more dish or assist Chef Colin in one more course. Its ridiculous. I lucked out with this externship, I really really did. This is what we’re cooking up at Sutra this week.
First Course: Chilled Tonnemaker Watermelon and Melon Soup with Pickled Nectarines and a Zucchini-Nigella-Mung Bean Pancake with a Billy’s Heirloom and Sapho Tomato-Lemon Basil-Urfa Biber ConfitSecond Course: House Smoked Chanterelle-Ground Cherry-Sea Bean-Hijiki-Red and Tom Thumb Butter Lettuce Salad with a Yuzu Tahini Dressing finished with Spicy Candied Sunflower Seeds
Third Course: Nettle Tea Infused Beluga Lentil-Cashew Cheese stuffed Masa Breaded Ancho Chile with White Cardamom Basmati Rice, sauteed White Russian Kale, served with a Grilled Eggplant-Fennel-Saffron Sauce finished with Peppercress Truffle Oil
Fourth Course: Berry Torte with a Pecan Fig Crust and topped with Lavender-Cacao-Coconut Ice Cream
Posted on August 20, 2010 ()
Seattle is home.
Im a yoga teacher.
My time is spent... horseback riding, writing and reading too much.
Some of my favorite books- Welcome to the Machine (Derrick Jensen), I Know This Much Is True (Wally Lamb), East of the Mountains (David Guterson), Whores and Other Feminists (Jill Nagle), Cunt (Inga Muscio).
I am drawn to...
The Southwestern portion of the US- cacti and desolate dry sprawling earth.
Photography- pictures of people mainly, black and white.
Music- Mostly country. And anything that I can dance to.
Foods that I never tire of- blueberries, figs, squash, tempeh, radicchio, avocado, red grapes, heirloom tomatoes, tahini, olives, walnuts, asparagus, eggplant, cherries, kale, apple butter, pears, mango, mushrooms, melon, brussels sprouts, collard greens, peaches...
I abhor factory farming. To know my food is of utmost importance-where its been, how it was raised...I respect the earth and myself too much to plead ignorance. The family farm is collapsing under the weight of big business. I want to take responsibility for my food and I feel our current system fails to do that. I fully applaud those folks that are still living off the land and providing for their families. Having worked on small farms in the past and seen firsthand what sustainable farming (animal & vegetable) looks like- its apparent that our current conditions are far removed from the original respectable idea. It shows in our tasteless food, our declining health, our damaged environment.
I'm a fan of spicy foods- Indian and Thai cuisine.
My drinks- red wine, dark beer and a good gin neat.
Dessert- nice dark chocolate in small amounts, a fresh piece of fruit. I don't have much of a sweet tooth.
Coffee- good ol' fashioned drip, an espresso or an americano...always black.
Cooking, eating, interviews, road trips and photographs- I share my adventures here. I feel fortunate as hell and immensely grateful for the opportunity to visit farms, sample restaurants and meet the truly lovely folks behind it all.
Questions/comments? Email me at: cherie@cheriepicked.com
