Al-Sisi, Emir of Kuwait discuss bilateral ties, Gaza takes centre stage    Egypt facilitates ceasefire talks between Hamas, Israel    Egypt's Al-Sisi urges unity at African Development Summit    IFZA: 2k Egyptian firms join UAE market in 3 yrs    CBE receives offers worth $1.117bn for USD-denominated T-bill auction    Mexico's economy expands by 0.2% in Q1    UAE, Iran rare economic commission set to convene in Abu Dhabi    EU funds body backs capital market union plan    KOICA, Plan International mark conclusion of Humanitarian Partnership Programme in Egypt    Microsoft to invest $1.7b in Indonesia's cloud, AI infrastructure    Egyptian, Bosnian leaders vow closer ties during high-level meeting in Cairo    S. Africa regards BHP bid typical market activity    Sweilam highlights Egypt's water needs, cooperation efforts during Baghdad Conference    AstraZeneca, Ministry of Health launch early detection and treatment campaign against liver cancer    AstraZeneca injects $50m in Egypt over four years    Egypt, AstraZeneca sign liver cancer MoU    Negativity about vaccination on Twitter increases after COVID-19 vaccines become available    Environment Ministry, Haretna Foundation sign protocol for sustainable development    Swiss freeze on Russian assets dwindles to $6.36b in '23    Amir Karara reflects on 'Beit Al-Rifai' success, aspires for future collaborations    Climate change risks 70% of global workforce – ILO    Prime Minister Madbouly reviews cooperation with South Sudan    Ramses II statue head returns to Egypt after repatriation from Switzerland    Egypt retains top spot in CFA's MENA Research Challenge    Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    Egypt forms supreme committee to revive historic Ahl Al-Bayt Trail    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    President Al-Sisi embarks on new term with pledge for prosperity, democratic evolution    Amal Al Ghad Magazine congratulates President Sisi on new office term    Egyptian, Japanese Judo communities celebrate new coach at Tokyo's Embassy in Cairo    Uppingham Cairo and Rafa Nadal Academy Unite to Elevate Sports Education in Egypt with the Introduction of the "Rafa Nadal Tennis Program"    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Buttered Up: Sunshine toast and patience learned
Published in Daily News Egypt on 20 - 05 - 2011

Here comes the jet lag and holding its hand that is the flavor of the week: lethargy — that which follows a long flight and a vacation to Cairo. I'll have to admit that I haven't yet turned lethargic for it was only last night that I fired up the rotisserie grill and made two spring chickens stuffed with lemon slices, fresh thyme and crushed black pepper.
I had to let my kitchen know that I was back and a distant hello wasn't going to cut it; although three weeks away from the kitchen will let you forget a few things like the need to wash your hands before rubbing your eyes after you've chopped chilli peppers. In fact, that was the deciding moment when I knew to take it easy and stick to simpler things until I've slept enough to get my mind back on track.
The jet-lag at that point had really kicked in, and I woke up almost screaming at the fact that I had slept through the morning and was edging closer and closer to stereotypes of the childless unemployed. No, I could never give in to this. I shall make breakfast, or should we say brunch, at 1:30 p.m. and return to the extra steps I've learned to take that many people find pointless. Why can't we just crack the eggs and fry them up while the bread toasts in the toaster? Because that would be giving into lethargy and would make it feel more like a chore than an enjoyment.
Upon starting to cook, I, like many others before me, combated the intricate details in recipes. Intentionally avoiding the seemingly simple instructions, I'd leave out the extra tablespoon of butter to be added at the end because really, it wouldn't add anything, in my opinion at the time, except some grease. I was wrong.
I was wrong again about sauces. Straining a sauce really does make a difference and straining it a second time will only deepen the flavor and give it that velvety element we usually find at fine dining establishments. Would people really be able to tell if I blanched all my vegetables in the same pot? Did I really have to change the water? The idea that I thought, “If I skipped a step, I'd end up with the same result,” now baffles me today.
When the time came, I sincerely threw myself into the world of technique and only then did I start connecting the dots. Simplicity was not at all simple. Details, just as in my previous advertising career, counted. Finding the hardliner in me, I became more critical of my end product and demanded more of myself. Patience made things happen in the kitchen and patience made everything taste more like itself than ever before.
The most important thing I learned is that there is no need to fuss for the sake of change, an idea that customarily poses as creativity. Adding more ingredients will not necessarily make your dish any better just like extra shopping won't make your problems disappear. Even if all you have are two ingredients, they will demand your attention to detail, partial discipline, patience, tidiness and organization. Use all of these skills as investments that will pay you back upon serving your dish.
In the spirit of simplicity and patience, maybe it's time we summon some of the revolutionary food spirit thrown our way in V for Vendetta, the movies starring Natalie Portman. This breakfast idea is known as egg in a hole, egg in a basket, egg in a nest, toad in a hole and even one-eyed jack but I will refer back to the sun and will eternally call it Sunshine Toast. With the simplest of ingredients, all you need for this one is some patience and approach the kitchen with all of its ups and downs – even when it reaches your bathroom scale.
Sunshine Toast
You will need:
2 tablespoons of butter
1 slice of bread
1 egg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Use something small and with a round edge (like a glass or a cookie-cutter) to cut a hole out of the center of your bread. Don't discard the cutout. Begin melting your butter in a pan over low heat. The perfect eggs really depend on the temperature you use and not the time it takes to make it. Toast your bread and cutout on one side in the pan until golden. Don't turn your heat up. You'll risk burning your bread and butter. Turn your bread to the other side as well as your round cutout. Melt a tiny bit of butter in the bread hole, crack the egg directly into the hole and cook until the egg is set to your preference. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the toasted cutout.
Blog: www.buttered-up.com
Twitter: @butteredupblog
Facebook: www.facebook.com/butteredup
Email: [email protected]


Clic here to read the story from its source.