"That's just what I'm afraid of." Our time together had become less tense as the evening wore on because we'd focused solely on business, and that was just fine with me. I didn't need anything else infringing on my thoughts.
"Wow, there's so much to think about," I said, after we had ordered dinner. "I guess I've been living in a bubble. I had no clue things would be so expensive." I sighed. "And then there's your labor costs-" My head was swimming in dollar signs and appliances.
"Right. But you'll be making money from teaching and from sales on the gadgets. Everyone who cooks loves gadgets."
"True. I just hope my mother's correct about the number of people who'll want to take classes. Of course, I have no way of knowing that firsthand"
"Okay, so you run a dummy ad in the newspaper, and see how many sign up."
"That's actually a good idea, but then what happens when I don't follow through? I don't want to develop a reputation for being unreliable."
44Use a fictitious name. Or, when people call, tell them the " class is full."
"I guess that could work, but it feels so dishonest."
141t's business, Cass. There's nothing dishonest about trying to find out whether your idea is going to work." He cleared his throat. "In the alternative, you could hire a solicitation company to do it for you" His brow furrowed.
I groaned. "I don't think so. Okay, I'm going with your idea. I'll do that tomorrow." I took a sip of my drink. "So, do you have any idea how much you're going to charge me?"
"I'll lower my fees if you let me take all the classes."
"Well, yeah, but that's only going to offset your fees by a few hundred"
"Yeah, but at least it's something."
"Why don't you go to culinary school?" I asked, as the waitress delivered a hot basket of naan.
"Are you trying to talk me out of taking your classes?"
"No, not at all. I know you're interested in learning and thought you'd rather have something more well rounded."
"Well, I'm pretty certain I want this, but I need to make sure. I figured your classes would help me decide if it's the right field for me or if it's just a hobby."
"You're right. It does make sense to test the waters first," I said. His intense stare caught me off guard, the slight smile curling the corners of his mouth and my stomach waving with nervous energy. Was he testing the waters with me? I couldn't remember ever being around a guy who made me this nervous. I took a deep breath and continued talking. If I didn't do something fast, there was no telling what would happen. "You know, I want to start teaching these classes right away, like before the rest of the store is finished."
It was no secret he sensed what I was doing. "Ah, no. I think you neglected to tell me that. But you can't have people walking around in the shop while I'm working. What if someone falls? You'll be setting yourself up for a lawsuit. I don't think you want to start out like that, do you?"
"No," I sighed. "Charlie told me the same thing. But I really need to start bringing in money."
"So, what's my time frame? I think I can be done within three months or so. Will that work?"
"I'm not sure yet"
"Okay, but remember, you're holding up production until you do decide."
"I know. I'll decide soon. I promise."
He lifted his drink and clinked his glass against mine. "Here's to a long and meaningful friendship between us.
I almost choked on my drink.
NAAN-OF-THIS-AND-NAAN-OF-THAT BREAD
Dissolve the yeast in a cup of warm water (105-110 degrees). Use a thermometer to test the water's temperature-if it is too hot, it will kill the yeast. Allow it to stand 10 minutes until foamy. Unless you want to kill off the relationship; then use real hot water, and you won't have to worry ever again. But that's getting mighty old.
Add the remaining ingredients and blend on medium speed until you have soft dough, approximately 10 minutes. If you do not have a mixer, add the remaining ingredients except for the flour to the proofed yeast, and add the flour 1 cup at a time, kneading the dough with the heels of your palms until it's smooth and elastic.
Spray a large bowl with oil, place the dough in the bowl, and turn dough over to coat both sides with the spray. Cover and store in a cold oven or microwave, with the door closed, away from drafts. Allow the dough to double in size, approximately 1 hour. Punch down. Pull apart pieces of the dough and roll into golf-ball-size pieces. Cover and allow the pieces to expand, approximately 30 minutes. Getting involved with someone like him is a very good thing. Just think, you wouldn't be faced with the hassle of fighting your commitment issues every time some good-looking guy comes along, and it'll make your parents happy too. Mama will stop nagging-well, maybe not until she's had enough grandkids. Isn't being an only child grand?
Using a rolling pin, flatten each ball into a thin circle. You can also stretch these into shape the way you do with pizza dough. Now, brush one side of the naan with melted butter and place on a hot grill for approximately 3 minutes or until it puffs and is lightly browned. Flip it over and repeat with the other side. Makes approximately 14 pieces.
I could see daylight poking through the curtains as I lay in bed after a long, sleepless night. I rubbed my eyes and willed myself to get up. A few more groans and I stretched my legs over the side of the bed and stood up quickly. Maybe caffeine would make me feel better.
As I ambled across the floor to the kitchen, my mind was focused on Josh. I couldn't deny the enjoyment I felt when I was around him. But then there was that little matter of a girlfriend. The fact that he hadn't mentioned her during the evening made me wonder if they'd broken up. Or, worse, that he was one of those who disregarded his girlfriend and continued to date. He didn't seem the type to cheat, and I certainly wasn't the type to go out with someone who did.
But why did he want a meaningful friendship with me? What exactly did that mean? Or was I imagining what I wanted it to be? Maybe he was just being friendly. Or maybe it was his way of promoting good business.
I filled the coffeepot with water and trudged over to the phone to check for messages. There were two. I clicked on the first and was surprised to hear Josh's voice. When had he called? The minute he dropped me off and before I'd walked through the front door? Hearing his voice made my heart race.
"Hi, Cassie, it's Josh. I forgot to mention that we should go to a few more showrooms if you haven't already decided. I'd like to make an appointment with a dealer who carries Viking appliances. I know you probably used Wolf in culinary school, but I'd like you to check out these before you make a final decision. We should also check out cabinetry. Call me so we can schedule an appointment. Looking forward to hearing from you.
I saved his message. Hearing my mother's voice on the next message was like being plunged into ice water.
"Cassie, call me. Some girl named Jamie Burke stopped in looking for a job after you left with Josh ... what a goodlooking guy ... and so nice. Now, that's the kind of guy you need in your life. Too bad he's not Italian, but hey, you can't have everything. Know what I mean? But he's handsome, has a stable job, he's a responsible businessman, handsome, nice build, and did I say handsome?" She laughed and hung up.
I shook my head and hit the shower, knowing Mom's agenda, but what was mine? On my ride to work, the train stopped short, and the driver announced the train would go no farther due to the snow. I gathered my knife case and handbag and walked the rest of the way.
"Good morning, Cassie," Charlie said when I arrived earlier than usual. "I'm glad you got here before the gang arrives. How'd your evening with Josh go?"
"You told them, didn't you?"
"Told them what?" he said, with a twinkle in his eye. "I swear, I didn't tell them much except that he's a good guy and he did a great job on Maddie's kitchen."
"You didn't tell them you think he's into me?"
"Well ... no, not exactly ... but they asked a lot of questions," he said in a rush of words.
"Oh, man, you did, didn't yo
u?" rolled off my tongue.
"Ah, no. You're the one who can't hide your feelings. You never have been able to. It shows all over that cute little face of yours. So don't go blaming me."
"You're just trying to get out of this one, Charlie." I half laughed. "You and Dad have become turncoats, and I no longer trust either of you"
"Well, at least I'm in good company."
"Yeah, real good company. Between the three of you, I'm being burned like a marshmallow on a campfire." I shook my head with disgust. "And you certainly aren't helping my cause."
"And what cause is that?"
"The staying single cause"
"Yeah, good luck with that one," he said, then asked, "Did Josh give you a good price?"
"What? Are you kidding me?" I threw my hands in the air, baffled by Charlie's inability to get my meaning. Or maybe it was all a ploy to defray the continued backlash he'd expected from me. "Oh, never mind. Forget it."
"Is this where you tell me you're going to hate me for the rest of your life?" He pushed his tongue partially through the small space between his teeth, trying to make me laugh.
"You're pathetic."
"Thank you" He gave me a gentle hug. "I don't think you're pathetic"
"Yeah, yeah"
"So, do you hate me?" he asked.
"No," I sighed, "I suppose not. But I want to"
He chuckled. "Well, forget it, because I'm not going to let you. So, did Josh give you a good price?"
"We didn't get that far. We checked out appliances instead."
"And did you decide what you wanted?"
"No, I'm confused"
"You're using commercial-grade appliances, aren't you?"
"Absolutely. What do you think of buying used appliances from a restaurant supplier?" I asked.
"They're okay to use in the back of the house kitchens, but honestly, I'd go with something newer if everyone is going to see."
"Do you think the manufacturer will give me any kind of a discount if I use Wolf or Viking in my kitchen? It would be like advertising their appliances. What do you think?"
"I know I would, but you'd have to contact the company. Hey, listen, before you walk away for coffee," he said, holding up a handful of papers, "I was up late last night and decided to begin designing your workshop. You're going to teach the masses to make a cheese souffle"
I groaned. "Oh, no, souffles are not my strong suit."
"By the time we're done, they will be. I promise." Charlie looked up when the dishwasher, Abellio, entered through the back door. He gave a wave as he headed for the locker room to hang his coat.
"Why are you so afraid of souffles?" Charlie asked.
"Because I've already tried a few times, and each one flopped. I'm surprised you chose something so difficult."
"Ah. See, that's what most people think. A souffle is not difficult at all, and that's why I chose it. Of course if you don't think you can do it"-he gave me the arched brow-"we can find another recipe."
"No-o-o-o" I didn't want to sound defeated before I started. "I need to challenge myself, and this will be a good thing to try.
"Okay, so why don't you prep the ingredients, and then we'll take it step by step" He walked away to take a phone call.
I measured out the ingredients, and, without waiting, I made the base with flour, butter, egg yolks, and milk. Josh came to mind, but now that I was more awake, my resolve wavered, and building my business became more imminent. Anger over my silliness about having a relationship surfaced, and I distractedly stirred the stiffened egg whites vigorously into the base. The more I tried to stop thinking about Josh, the more his face popped up in my mind, and the faster I stirred.
Charlie walked over. "Where are the ingredients you prepped?"
I pointed to the ramekin filled with the mixture.
"Oh, you've finished already? Good initiative, Pirelli. Looks like you're beginning to feel more confident, then?"
"I wouldn't say that"
He laughed. "Put it in the oven and set the timer. But admit it. It was much easier this time, wasn't it?"
"If you want to know the truth, I don't even remember making it" My gaze darted into the distance.
"Why is that?" He looked at me with curious eyes. "Preoccupied, are we? Did Josh keep you out late last night?" he teased.
I groaned. "Don't do that. Cripes, Charlie, I just met him." --- - -- - - - - - - -- -
"I know, but it's obvious that he's taken up residence in your heart"
"You guys are all delusional. Besides, he has a girlfriend."
"He does?" His mouth opened in surprise. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. She was here the day he brought in my crate of spinach."
Charlie laughed. "You mean the demanding brunet with long hair? That girl?"
"Yes, that girl."
"That's his sister."
"Oh, swell" escaped my mouth. That's all I needed to know. Wasn't it bad enough I couldn't stop thinking about him when I thought he had a girlfriend?
"What's wrong?"
"My souffle," I used as an excuse to kill any further discussion about Josh's relationship status. "I need to check my souffle" I rushed toward the oven and placed my hand on the handle, ready to pull down the door to check.
Charlie rushed over. "Hey, you know better than that. Don't you dare open that oven door," he said firmly. "Is that what you did before, when it flopped?"
"I don't remember. I did so many things wrong, it could have been any one of them"
"It's not even close to being done." He checked his watch. "You have another fifteen or so minutes."
"You're right" I held the timer in my hand. Charlie walked away, and I continued to clean up the mess and anxiously awaited the results of my efforts. When the buzzer sounded, my nerves gnawed away at my confidence.
"I'll get it," Charlie said on his way over. I stood and watched with interest until I saw the expression on his face. When he brought it into view, the souffle was flatter than a pancake even though I hadn't opened the door. He jerked his head toward me, a disparaging look on his face. I wanted to run and hide.
"I guess I'm not having a very good day today either, huh?"
"Do you know what you did wrong?" he asked.
"No, I don't. Do you?"
"I do. You stirred all the air bubbles out of the egg whites, but you must have had a little egg yolk mixed in there too when you separated the yolks and the whites."
"I didn't think that tiny bit of yolk would make a difference."
"Well, now you know it does. Good lesson for you" He drew a picture of an egg on a piece of parchment paper. "Think of an egg like this. The yolk is fat and a little bit of protein, but the egg white is all protein and no fat. Even just a little yolk will break down the air bubbles you need for it to rise. I must admit, I was watching you from my office window. You stirred the whites into the base like you were a mad scientist. You're supposed to fold it in"-he twisted his wrist to demonstrate folding-"like this." He picked up the ramekin and scraped the contents out into the garbage.
"You saw me stirring it like a madwoman and didn't stop me?"
"Yes, I did, and no, I didn't, because I wanted you to learn. Okay, make another one"
"Beautiful souffle, Cassie," Charlie said when I removed my second attempt from the oven. "See, I knew you could do it. You just needed to focus on what you're doing." I nodded because I knew he was right. "Okay, tonight when you go home, I want you to put your own spin on what I wrote and practice, practice, practice until you have it ingrained in your memory."
"Thanks, Charlie." The excitement I felt knowing I could really do this made me smile. "Now I'm going to run a dummy ad to see how many students might be interested in cooking classes."
"Go get 'em, tiger."
LOVE-IS-LOVELIER-THE-THIRD-TIME-AROUND
CHEESE SOUFFLE
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan over low heat until liquid, and forget how he ma
kes you feel. You've been allowing yourself to become sidetracked. You already crucified one souffle-don't make another. Besides, you have to make up for the previous faux pas that went up in flames.
With a wire whisk, blend in the flour, salt, and seasonings until it's smooth and bubbly-yeah, nice and smooth just like he is. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the milk, stir to incorporate, and then return the saucepan to the heat again and allow it to boil-don't let up on whisking, but do let up on the picture in your mind. Don't let his singleness destroy your strong will. Trick your mind into thinking he's still involved.
Let the liquid bubble for 1 minute. Add the cheese and continue to stir for another minute until it's completely melted. Remove saucepan from the heat and chuck any lingering thoughts into the trash along with the eggshells.
Ina large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until you can make soft peaks with a spatula. Beat the egg yolks with a mixer until thick and a pale-lemon color-about 5 minutes. Stir into the slightly cooled cheese mixture. Now add half the egg whites and fold. This means, use a spatula in a circular motion by lifting it and repeatedly turning it over, without stirring or beating. Pay attention to what you're doing. Add remaining egg whites until completely folded into the mixture.
Carefully pour the mixture into a greased 1V2-quart souffle dish (ramekin) or 6 six-ounce ramekins and bake uncovered in the oven until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. Bake 50-60 minutes; remove from oven and serve immediately-oh, and don't worry that it deflates slightly. That's normal. Seriously, sit down and stuff your mouth with the souffle-it's bound to minimize the negative thoughts that are trying to sabotage your career. Makes 4-6 servings.
it was dark when I left the restaurant. The streets were alive with commuters rushing to their subway entrances, horns honking from heavy traffic congestion by impatient drivers, their taillights leaving a brilliant stream of scarlet glow, sirens wailing in the distance, and beat cops blowing their whistles in an attempt to keep the traffic moving. The cold air felt good on my warm face. Snow mounds lined the street in between parked cars, but slush created from the heat generated by the underbelly of automobiles made its way toward the curb, where it would become ice once the night air encroached.
Dishing Up Romance Page 6