Side Dish: Lost job (March 15, 2010)

15/03/2010

They say that when one door closes another opens. Well, I certainly hope so, because until that happens you can feel stuck in a room with no way out. As I’m sure many of you know by now, San Estephe closed its doors for good this week. Despite our best efforts at staying afloat, we went the way of so many other small restaurants in a down turned economy.

I almost couldn’t bring myself to write a blog this week. Its hard to not feel like a failure when you pour your heart and soul into something only to see it not succeed in the ways you had hoped. But my Dad used to tell me, “You’re only responsible for the effort, not the outcome, kid.” I guess I will just hold onto the idea that everything happens for a reason. So as long as the reason this happened isn’t so the universe could get a good laugh at my expense. You know, sometimes you’re on top and you’re totally in control. Other times you’re on the bottom where all you can do is grit your teeth while you get slammed from all sides. At least Kevin can commiserate.

So what’s next for me in the long term? Who knows? I can always do some catering to make ends meet. Maybe I’ll get to open my own restaurant some day. A place that I’ve dreamt up all by myself. What’s next for me in the short term? A little bit of comfort food (see recipe below) and a few bottles of wine that were gifted to me from the bar at San Estephe.

Scotty’s Mac and Cheese

1 Box Large Pasta Shells
¼ cup butter for sauce and ¼ for top of casserole
¼ cup flour
2 cups whole milk
Salt, pepper, garlic salt, onion salt to taste
Splash Worcheshire sauce
1 8oz bar of sharp cheddar cheese cubed
1 8oz bar of extra sharp cheddar cheese cubed
2 cups Italian style bread crumbs

1.) Cook pasta as directed by box and set to the side
2.) In a medium saucepan melt butter mixing together with flour over medium heat.
3.) Gradually add milk while stirring. The sauce should get think.
4.) Add salt, pepper, onion and garlic to taste.
5.) Add Worcheshire sauce.
6.) Add sharp cheeses while stirring continuously.
7.) After all the cheese melts combine with pasta and pour into casserole dish.
8.) Sprinkle bread crumbs on top and dob butter on top.
9.) Cover and bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until bubbling.
10.) You can take the cover off for the last 5 mins if you want it crispy on top.
11.) Cool and serve.

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