Top 5 shows filling up my TiVo...

I am rarely home in the evenings which has really cramped my TV-watching addiction. So usually on Saturday mornings this is what is what I am catching up on:

• Modern Family
Dare I say it? This is the best comedy to ever be on TV. You know on most shows there are characters that you could do without or you kinda ignore their story line? Not the case with MF. Once of the subtly smartest shows ever. Favorite characters: Cameron and Phil

• Lost
It's the last season. I can't say it's the best season, but it's the last season. I have a consistent group of people I watch it that constantly have to explain to me what the crap is going on in this show, but I am still hooked on it and can't wait for Tuesday nights to roll around. Favorite characters: Kate and Sawyer

The Soup
The highlight to my week is watching Joel McHale mock VH1 reality idiots, LA morning show and Laguna Beach pricks. Favorite character: Joel closely followed by the chihuahua

Parks & Recreation
• Amy Poehler is brilliant. Diverse cast which makes the show appeal to a wide audience. I love style of the opening credits too. Favorite character: April and Andy

24
• Sure, this show has been on forever and every season it's basically the same plot, but it's still good. It's the last season and, like a dying dog, even though I'm fine to see it go, I'll stick with it till the end. Favorite character: Cloe

I (really) cooked for the first time

For real. I mean I've cooked a grilled cheese here and there. I've even thrown a few patties on my George Foreman, but REALLY cook? I don't know the first thing about it.

The kitchen is the place that I go to microwave things. I know it has many other uses, but like I use my bedroom to sleep in, my bathroom to shower in, my laundry room to clean clothes in, I use my kitchen to microwave in.

My friend and self-taught chef, Allie, agree to trade Photoshop lessons for cooking classes. So last Friday we spent a few hours at Whole Foods getting everything we needed to make my first 3-course meal. She taught me that using the best ingredients is key. We smelled all the cheeses, sifted through the stacks of vegetables, and conversed with the butcher about the best choice in chicken. It was the best 2 hours I've spent in a grocery store and I didn't even leave with bags full of Eggo waffles, Coke, little smokies, and tortilla chips.



The menu included an appetizer of an green apple & brie bruschetta on pumpernickel. The main course was homemade fettucine alfredo with grilled asparagus. For dessert, we had an baked apple crisp thing. It had a fancy name but I can't remember it. We shared the meal with Tim and Jake and it was a hit! I mean they have had my specialty "Pigs in a Blanket" but this blew that out of the water.

Here are the top things I learned after my first night of cooking with Allie.

• The most important item you should have when cooking is a great knife and a great cutting board.
• Always taste every ingredient before using it.
• Clean up as you go.
• People eat with their eyes before they eat with their mouths. Presentation is everything.
• Everything looks better on a white plate.
• Great food requires great ingredients. Don't be a tightwad.
• When it comes to cheese, the stinkier the better.
• When possible, use chicken with the bone in and the skin still on it. Not quite as healthy, but the taste is so much better.
• Cook for and with fun people.