We settled on a mustard sauce recipe and went for it. We picked up some mustard seeds, grainy mustard (Grey Poupon) at Meijer and headed back to get started. Maranda made the sauce while I prepared the grill and readied the salmon. Salmon wasn’t going to be enough for dinner so we made some rice and grilled up some asparagus. I kind of made up a quick glaze for the asparagus. I mixed some vegetable oil and Worcestershire sauce and dipped the asparagus in it. I then put a little coarse sea salt and crushed black peppercorn and threw it on the grill. About 3 minutes on each side was enough to cook it to perfection.

It turned out absolutely amazing. We paired it with a nice Chardonnay.
We’re becoming quite the chefs. Or grill-master in my case.

After…

1. Lose Weight: I don’t consider myself overweight, and I am in no means overweight when considering my age/height, however, I’m above my target weight. I feel like I’ve eat too much and am not as active as I’d like to be. Here is my plan: Purchase a stationary bike, play Hockey, quit laying around after work.

2. Get back into shape: You’d think that this would fit under No1, but to me, it doesn’t. It might certainly be a result of No1, but I could easily lose weight without increasing my stamina and energy level.

3. Get my General License: Now that the FCC has dropped the Morse Code requirement for all Amateur Radio classes, I have no excuse. I just need to hunker down and study. It really only gains me HF privileges and I don’t have an HF radio, but I would still like to do it.

4. Catch up on new/old Technology: This is pretty much a requirement of my job, but I’ve been doing a lousy job of it lately. I get so busy at work that I don’t have time to read/research/poke around with new technology. And once I get home, I don’t feel like it. I got a few good books for Christmas and need to set aside some time to read them. I also need to read up on a few of the things we’re going to be implementing at work.

5. Cook More: I can do it. I’ve got the tools. I just need to make myself cook. Too many microwave dinners, too much eating out, too many pizzas.

6. Save for a Down Payment: I kinda started this in August but I need to work a little harder at it. A buddy of mine moved in December, seeing his house and helping him move/rearrange made me jealous. I want the flexibility of a house, and I want to start gaining equity. And I want a garage. :)

7. Do something Racy: (Its not what you think Mom) I often say I own a street legal Race Car. And I do. But what have I done with it? Nothing. I want to autocross, or rally or something. Maybe even just go to a performance driving school.

This is the end of Part 1. If/when I think of more, I’ll add a Part 2.

1. Lose Weight: I don’t consider myself overweight, and I am in no means overweight when considering my age/height, however, I’m above my target weight. I feel like I’ve eat too much and am not as active as I’d like to be. Here is my plan: Purchase a stationary bike, play Hockey, quit laying around after work.

2. Get back into shape: You’d think that this would fit under No1, but to me, it doesn’t. It might certainly be a result of No1, but I could easily lose weight without increasing my stamina and energy level.

3. Get my General License: Now that the FCC has dropped the Morse Code requirement for all Amateur Radio classes, I have no excuse. I just need to hunker down and study. It really only gains me HF privileges and I don’t have an HF radio, but I would still like to do it.

4. Catch up on new/old Technology: This is pretty much a requirement of my job, but I’ve been doing a lousy job of it lately. I get so busy at work that I don’t have time to read/research/poke around with new technology. And once I get home, I don’t feel like it. I got a few good books for Christmas and need to set aside some time to read them. I also need to read up on a few of the things we’re going to be implementing at work.

5. Cook More: I can do it. I’ve got the tools. I just need to make myself cook. Too many microwave dinners, too much eating out, too many pizzas.

6. Save for a Down Payment: I kinda started this in August but I need to work a little harder at it. A buddy of mine moved in December, seeing his house and helping him move/rearrange made me jealous. I want the flexibility of a house, and I want to start gaining equity. And I want a garage. :)

7. Do something Racy: (Its not what you think Mom) I often say I own a street legal Race Car. And I do. But what have I done with it? Nothing. I want to autocross, or rally or something. Maybe even just go to a performance driving school.

This is the end of Part 1. If/when I think of more, I’ll add a Part 2.

Items needed:
Large stainless steel pot
large size frying pan
normal stirring, chopping, and serving utensils

Ingredients:
(2) pounds ground beef
(3) 15oz cans of diced tomatoes
(1) 12oz can of Tomato paste
(2) 15oz cans of Tomato sauce
(1) 16oz can of kidney beans
(1) 16oz can of Hot and Spicey Chili beans
(1) pinch of Cumin
(1) pinch of Celery Seed (ground)
(1) pinch of brown sugar (add to taste)
(1/3) diced white onion
(1) chopped green pepper

Directions:
Cook ground beef in oiled frying pan
At the same time, add other ingredients (minus spices and brown sugar) to pot, mix, and begin heating on low
once ground beef is ready is cooked, add it to pot, mix and stir, cook for a few minutes on medium to low, stir often
At this point, check consistency, you can add a small amount of tomato juice if it’s too thick
Add a pinch of cumin and celery seed, mix and taste
Add brown sugar to taste, I usually add 2 or 3 pinches just to give it a hint of sweetness
Cook for another 10 minutes or so on low, stir occasionally, then serve!

I realize this isn’t something out of the ordinary, but several people have asked me for my recipe and until now, I had never actually written it down.
And now I know exactly the quantities I used for last time.