who's in the kitchen

‘Bombogenesis’ storm inspires bombs in the kitchen

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This past week, unless you were out of the country and even then, you would have heard all about the “bomb cyclone” storm. Bombogenesis is the technical term, bomb cyclone is the shortened version. Thousands of flights were cancelled, schools were closed, and many businesses didn’t even try to open.

The day before, grocery stores were raided and nothing was left on the shelves. I didn’t panic as I had the essentials and I figured by Friday the stores would be open. Then when Thursday morning rolled around, everyone realized the weathermen actually predicted this storm precisely and we all understood the term “bombogenesis.”

But bomb cyclone or nor not, I had a wedding to attend that Thursday night. The day before I made a manicure appointment for the morning, because I couldn’t go the day before. By the time I awoke at 7 am, I realized the staff would not make it in. I figured I would wait till 9:30 am and call just to make sure they weren’t in. Much to my surprise, ten minutes before my scheduled appointment, I received a text that the owner and staff were on their way but the roads were awful and they would be half an hour late. As much as I didn’t want to venture out, I felt that I had to; how could I tell them I can’t drive a few blocks, when they drove ten miles.

I bundled up, except for one glove, which I couldn’t find, and walked knee-deep in snow through my walk to my car. I cleaned off the windshield and was on my way. Yes I was the only idiot on the road — except for the van that I passed while he was skidding all over the place. Not a good sign. I made it to the salon and had the place to myself. I was their only appointment. The next one wasn’t till 2 pm. At that point as ridiculous as I felt for venturing out in a storm for a manicure, I did think I did the right thing.

Before I knew it, I had been there close to an hour and a half, as I was doing some work on my IPad while drying. By the time I left, my car was totally covered in snow. I asked if I could borrow their shovel, which I was convinced was a sand shovel for kids at the beach, but beggars can’t be choosers. I spent half an hour cleaning my car and trying to dig it out. My un gloved hand was numb as were my feet. I did have rubber waterproof knee high boots, but the snow was up to my thighs, due to the drifts.

So there I was with snow filling in my boots and I wasn’t wearing socks. I got into my car and started it. I got about a foot when I got stuck. I did the usual front and back routine, but no luck. A Hewlet-Woodmere emergency vehicle passed me, as I got out of my car and flailed my hands as a distress signal. Obviously they weren’t interested.

I tried digging out a bit more, and tried the back and forth thing. Then another emergency snow removal car was headed my way. I basically jumped in front of it, but the driver told me, due to insurance reasons he couldn’t help me. He did tell me to just drive forward and back. Great, thanks, been there done that.

I decided to call my husband Jerry, who was at home. I told him that I was ok, and not to worry. I was just stuck. He told me to be careful and just get a ride home. This from a husband who never lets me take the garbage out, carry in the groceries or shovel the snow if he’s home ( he’s usually not though). 

Ok, get a ride home. With who? I was the only person out! I figured he’d call back in five minutes, but no. I got out of the car again, and began to dig.

Just then a car drove by and stopped. Out stepped a twenty something guy and asked if I needed help. Yes, it was that obvious. He spent five minutes and physically pushed me out. I thanked him profusely and asked his name.

Phew, I was on my way — until I got stuck at the corner while trying to make a turn. Now what?

But before I knew it, Shlomo Lazarus, left his car, which was a block ahead and walked back to push me out again. I will always be indebted to you Shlomo! It then took me about 15 minutes to drive 5 blocks. But I finally made it home safely.

Oh, and my nails looked great. Thank you, Central Nails. 

Later that night as we headed to Esther Mallin’s wedding in Atlantic Beach, thankfully we chose to drive in Jerry’s Subaru.

I always tease him that once men hit middle age they want to drive flashy sports cars. He on the other hand, actualized his midlife crisis buying a Subaru Legacy.

Talking about the cyclone bomb, try this yummy cheesy recipe.

Garlic Herb Cheese BOMBs

Rosa Malaysia

This recipe uses ready made biscuit dough. For those of you who would like to make the dough from scratch, it’s pretty simple. The recipe follows the “bomb” recipe.

Ingredients:

2 cans (7.5 oz. each) refrigerated biscuits

4 oz. Mozzarella cheese, cut into 20 cubes

4 Tbsp. butter melted

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Separate biscuits. Place on cube of cheese in the center of each biscuit. Carefully wrap the biscuit dough around the cheese and seal. Place seam side down about an inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown and the cheese is melted.

3. While the biscuits bake, mix the butter, Italian seasoning and garlic powder together and set aside.

4. Remove the biscuits from the oven and immediately brush with butter mixture. Serve warm.

Biscuit Dough

Ingredients:

8 oz. (1-3/4 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour; more as needed

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. table salt

3 oz. (6 Tbsp.) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

3/4 cup cold, well-shaken buttermilk

Preparation :

In a large, wide bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-size lumps.

Using a silicone spatula, stir in the buttermilk just until the flour mixture is moistened. Do not overmix; the dough should just come together, and it will be sticky.

Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and gently knead 6 to 8 times, dusting lightly with flour if needed to keep it from sticking.

Make-ahead tips

The flour and butter mixture can be refrigerated in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 1 month. If frozen, thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before proceeding with the dough.