Part 1: Creating a Gourmet Meal

My favorite meal is prime rib, Caesar salad, grilled mushrooms and asparagus from La Linda Stein's Kitchen. Linda is Todd's stepmom (or as she likes to be referred to the "wicked stepmonster"). So, I thought it would be fun to learn to how she makes such an incredible meal. This weekend while I was in Colorado seeing her and Barry (Todd's dad), I was the chef. Friday was the big day, we already had been to Kremling Meat Market to get the prime rib and all there was left to do was for Linda to instruct me on how to prepare this wonderful dinner.

First thing I did was read the recipes, but I soon learned that the recipes were of no help. Linda uses recipes as loose guidelines not as something she actually follows. Basically me learning how to prepare my favorite meal went like this...

Me, "Okay, now we are ready to add four tablespoons for vetagable oil and two tablespoons of olive oil to the Caesar salad dressing (I was reading straight from her recipe that was written by her).
Linda, "No, you need three of each."
Me, "Why don't you just change the recipe to reflect the right amounts."
Linda, "Because if I give the recipe to someone else that is how I want them to do it."
Me, "That makes no sense... but okay I don't know any better."

I had to do everything, Linda just stood there with my video camera getting every movement on tape as I slaved over the hot stove for hours. But, I guess it was all worth it. Thanks to Linda for teaching me how to prepare my favorite meal. I did figure out one of the reasons it is my favorite meals is b/c I don't have to do anything but show up for dinner. Also thanks to Tim (my brother-in-law), Amy (Todd's sister), and their adorable kids, Paige and Aaron, and last but not least, Barry (my father-in-law) for raving about my meal and hard work (okay they might not have raved but they wanted to but were scared to hurt Linda's feelings).

Part 2 of Gourmet Meal is happening in September... you will just have to wait and see.