February 24, 2010

Almond-Panko Crusted Ruffy

With Lemon Ginger Vegetable Medley

1 lb Orange Ruffy fillets
1 lb Asparagus
1 lb Yellow Zucchini
4 cloves Garlic
1 Lemon
1 Egg
Fresh Ginger
All-Purpose Flour
Panko Bread Crumbs
Almonds
Olive Oil
Salt/Pepper


Prepare vegetables: Preheat oven (450°). Snap off bottoms of asparagus, rinse, cut into 1/4" slivers at angle. Cut zucchini into quarters lengthwise, remove seeds and cut into 1/4" slices. Rough-chop garlic. Set all aside until fish is nearly finished cooking.

Prepare fish: Process almonds into a course grind, combine with bread crumbs for crust. Rinse fillets, pat dry, cut each in half to create approximately equal portions. Beat an egg with 1 tbsp water. Season flour with salt and pepper, dredge all sides of the fish. Brush eggwash on tops, apply almond-panko mix. Place in medium-hot oiled skillet (crust up) for one minute or less to sear. Loosen fish pieces before placing skillet in 450° oven for about ten minutes (flaky fish/golden crust).

Prepare sauce: Zest one lemon, avoid white pith. Grate fresh ginger to taste (at least a couple teaspoons). Juice lemon into a few tbsps of olive oil, whisk with ginger and zest. Cook vegetables briefly without stirring in lightly oiled hot skillet. Pause before adding garlic so it won't burn, add a bit of salt. Remove from heat, add sauce and toss. Plate fish atop medley.

February 17, 2010

Scofflaw

February 9, 2010

Snow day

snow day

February 3, 2010

Remember to forget

One of the paramount characteristics common to great poker players is an acute faculty for recollection. Poker is a game played with incomplete information, and the ability to retain data (i.e. e.g. - what types of hands an opponent has played in a particular way) is an unquantifiable asset to any player. Inconspicuously, however, the sharp ability to forget is a crucial component to a well-functioning memory.

AN ILLUSTRATION FROM LAST WEEK'S PGA TOURNAMENT
Playing at Torrey Pines near San Diego, local Rickie Fowler was a crowd favorite. He is 21 years old, and facing a short putt the commentators raised this question:

"What is it about youth that makes those short ones so easy to knock into the back of the cup?"

The answer is simple. Young golfers lack a memory bank of missed putts, manifesting in their apparent fearlessness. At a farther end of the golf psyche, longtime pros are known to develop "the yips" when attempting easy putts. This condition can virtually paralyze a golfer, unwilling to initiate a backswing from the set position behind the ball.

Is poker, or life, so different? Recollection of tough beats can reduce a robust winning strategy to an anemic frailty. Dwelling on times when it all went wrong is certain to perpetuate such fate. Try to remember to forget.