Friday, April 8, 2011

The First Supper

Hard to believe I’ve reached the one year milestone. I had delusions of grandeur that I would faithfully post a shiny new blog post every week displaying my writing prowess, score an amazing book deal and quit my dumb job at the slave market. Well now I’ve falling a bit short of this lofty goal and I’ve even had a few reposts but crap, I’m doing the best I can for Pete’s sake. My first couple of posts only gleaned a few paltry comments, mostly from my family who felt only pity for my sad little project. But I feel since we’re all new BFF’s I would commemorate my one year anniversary with my very first post for you critique.



Hello blogger world! Welcome to my small corner of the universe. Why, even though we work all day, we are all faced with the age old question, "What's for Dinner" when we walk in the door. I suppose since I have never changed a flat tire, my spousal unit considers turn about fair play. The difference being I've only had about 5 flats my entire life and dinner is expected 365 days of the year. My goal is the same as many, to spend minimal time in the kitchen so I can spend my off time enjoying my life with the Big Tuna (same significant other).

My mom ran a catering business on the side, so my family members relegate me to peeling potatoes and washing dishes since they believe they are better around the stovetop then me. My friends however are the first to belly up to the table for seconds. I hope you find this blog helpful in pulling things together for a meal and make you a rock star with your family and friends without driving yourself over the cliff. The most important thing to remember is to enjoy the company and pour yourself a glass of wine before commencing. Let the games.

As we approach springtime in Arizona we are entering the calm before the inferno. Grilling now is perfect as opposed to July when you can just throw the food on the sidewalk and it basically cooks itself. I feel like the first official recipe should be a little fancier then the basic in and out of the kitchen. It will however follow the basic rule of minimizing my time in the least favorite room in the house.

Fancy Smanchy Salmon
Salmon fillet, no skin or bones. Typically, I buy a piece from Costco which will feed 8 main courses.
Dijon Mustard
3 Tablespoons capers 16 ounces mushrooms, sliced and browned
1 can artichoke hearts quartered 1 ruby red grapefruit
Place the salmon on a large piece of aluminum foil big enough to enclose all the ingredients. Heavily smear the top of the fish with Dijon mustard. Sprinkle the capers, mushrooms and artichokes over the top. Squeeze the juice from the grapefruit over the assembled dish. Roll the ends of the foil and enclose the fish in an aluminum pouch.
The joy of this particular dish is that you can cook it on the grill or in the oven depending on the weather and the crowd. Set the grill to medium high or the oven to 375 degrees for approximately 30 minutes. The way to tell if it’s done is to stick a fork in it and twist it. If the fish turns easily, you are good to go. A great side is grilled asparagus, just coat with olive oil and grill for 3 to 5 minutes.

And there you have it, my first attempt at public humor. During the year I’ve noticed the post that has had the most disturbing amount of page views is New Adventures of a Naughty Schoolgirl. Google search makes me feel a little bit dirty. Note to self, during the next year I will strive to pick post names that will raise me out of the gutter…….and perhaps score that book deal after all.

54 comments:

Sharon Wilfong said...

I like your humor and I fully empathize with being a tired working mom and still having to come up with something (besides canned Ravioli) for dinner. I'm now following you from BPOW. Have a great weekend.

Matty said...

Oh I remember being in your shoes. Just under two years ago, I put up my very first post. No one knew about me, and it sat unread for a long time. On my first year anniversary, I ran my first post just as you are doing now. It's a nice way of giving earlier posts some exposure after you've developed a readership.

Kristina P. said...

Can I hire you as a personal chef! I think I need to go back and delete about the first 10 months of my blog. I look back, and am embarrassed. I had no idea what I was doing, had no idea strangers could even read your blog, and was blogging for quantity over quality.

I'm So Fancy said...

well, firstly Happy Anniversary. And secondly, thanks for reposting that salmon recipe! We have a monster grill that is itching for some salmon action...

Kimberly said...

I love your humor....and about such an ordinary topic :) And Amen to what Kristina said. I'd like to delete the first half of my blog...I really had no idea what I was doing.

Happy Anniversary!

Lisa ~Suburban Retreat~ said...

Happy One Year Blog Anniversary! Yes, what were we thinking when we started out and how our hopes, dreams and goals changed as we struggled to find our next faithful 'follower'! Forget about a book deal; I see you in front of the camera with a cooking show, full of humour and wit. And how much fun would it be to watch an oversized tuna in the kitchen?

Empty Nester said...

Happy Blogversary! And thanks for the salmon recipe- I've been looking for a different one!

Java said...

Happy Blogversary!! You crack me up...I love coming here and I'm definitely going to try that recipe!

Happy weekend!

Clare and Gary said...

Congratulations..and we all feel a bit dirty by Google sometimes

The Big Tuna said...

Just remember Baby, in almost 30 years we have been together, total cash outlay for all home and car maintenance is still under $20.000. That includes 3 A/C units and a roof. So while you have had only 5 flat tires. I still cook at least a couple of days a week, when I am not working like a dog, as well as I am just a simple meat and potatoes guy. Yes I know ICK!!!!!!

The Zadge said...

Happy Anniversary!!! Love your humor!

con-tain-it said...

Happy Blog Anniversary! I love your humor in the irony of blogging. I've been blogging for four years now and have found that I write for me first because if I waited for followers then I'd have given up a long time ago. It's kinda like motherhood...the most unappreciated job (at times ;) I can't even get my family to make pity comments...lol But it is what it is and I just can't imagine a life without blogs. Have a wonderful weekend. Fondly, Roberta

mamahasspoken said...

Happy One Year to you,
Happy One Year to you,
Happy One Year Dear Mrs Tuna,
Happy One Year to you!

Annie (Lady M) x said...

Mrs T my dahlink! We were separated at birth. The kitchen should be not heard or seen. In fact if it has tumbleweed in it, that is a sign of success.

I loved your first post, it was very erudite and engaging unlike my gawky first attempt.....long live the Tuna!

Missy said...

Congrats on One Year!!!

Sultan said...

While I do not like salmon (even though it is amazingly good for me) this does look tasty. I will try it. Thanks for posting the recipe.

Jean | Delightful Repast said...

Happy Blogaversary, Mrs. Tuna! Loved this post (how's that for a critique)! My first blogaversary came and went in February with no book deal in the works for me either!

The Onion said...

Congrats! The first post would have reeled me in too, except no one here except me will eat salmon. :-)

May we all get book deals.

www.alotoflayers.blogspot.com

Jojo said...

Happy Blogiversary!!! Isn't it ridiculous that even with a job we walk in the door to hear "what have you planned for dinner?" My husband knows not to ask me what I'm making lest I explode. His substitute word is "planned."

The salmon sounds yummy!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary!! I hope you'll be around for many more. :)

Sarah @ Life as a Movie said...

Ewe on the most Google hits on the Naughty School Girl. Mine is my post "The Truffle Shuffle" about my growing gut but I think it gets so many hits because people are looking up the picture of Chunk from Goonies doing the Tuffle Shuffle and nothing to do with me, I get hundreds a week, LOL.
Fancy Salmon for sure! And I love grilled Asparagus. You make me want to cook.

Unknown said...

Happy blogaversary!

Love your stuff, hate my kitchen. Well don't hate it, it is gorgeous, but all I use in it is the coffee machine and the popcorn popper thing...

Jessica Shivers said...

Congrats on getting through your first year on the blog!! New follower from Friday Blog hop! Stop by www.dinnerwiththeshivers if you get a chance and want more recipe ideas!

Sandra said...

LMAO at New Adventures of A Naughty School Girl! See, I'm not the only one who thinks you ooze sexy, pantyhoseless hotness!
Congrats on one year! Mine is coming up too and I completely agree: by now I was suppose to have a book deal and wasn't going to be putting up with crappy nursing school. Where's the book deal???? At the very least, you should be getting a cook book deal, right! Am I right!!!

FatAngryBlog said...

You commented on my blog (and made a good point too - though the older kids were at their other parents' houses - Son with my ex and Step-Daughter with Hubs' ex - so he wasn't even watching all of them)... so I came here to check out yours.

I haven't had my Fat, Angry Blog for a year (yet) but I'm going to bet that a first blogiversary is a pretty cool feeling to have.

So happy blogiversary!

MommyHeadache said...

I don't really know what's going on. I am not a working mum yet very rarely make anything fancy for dinner. Just something from the freezer with some fresh boiled veg - that's about it. My hubby is irish and his idea of heaven is boiled ham and cabbage so there's no point going all nouvelle on him. So I don't know how you have the energy to rustle up something after a day at the coalface but I commend you for it!

Life As I Know It said...

Happy one year blog anniversary! I think it's pretty awesome :)

thanks for the comment...the funny thing is that I am so NOT a wild thing. Like, at all. I drive a station wagon and live in the suburbs and wear cardigans. And I hate to cook dinner, which is why I read your blog.

Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey said...

Happy one year anniversary! I am so waiting for grilling time but this spring doesn't want to come. I bet we will go from cold Spring to scorching summer.

Stephanie said...

Congratulations on your one year anniversary! That salmon recipe looks delicious - never thought about using grapefruit juice before.

betty-NZ said...

Congrats on one year of blogging! I think we all have those first posts from before we found our way around in blogland, so don't feel badly!

twelvedaysold said...

Happy bloggy birthday!

Julie said...

Happy One Year, lady! Be proud that you have gone where many have never attempted to go (and lasted longer than many who have attempted).

You may not post as often as you'd like to, but I appreciate knowing that whenever I come here, I will be laughing. And nodding in commiseration. And sometimes snorting liquid out of my nose.

You are one HOT Naughty Schoolgirl.

Congratulations to you, friend. Hearty ones.
And good luck on the book deal for sure!

jules said...

Happy 1 year. I go through periods where I write a lot, and then ones where I don't have a lot to say. Sounds like you've come a long way in a year though!

Hippo Brigade said...

Happy Bloggie Birthaversary! You and your blog look like you will be very happy together.
Oh, and for some reason I'm scared of using aluminum and citrus together. Is it an old wives' tale that when the two are combined they will turn your food into flesh eating gremlins? Perhaps I should just give it a go, and see what happens. But if my face gets eaten off by a rabid 80s pop culture icon, you'd better expect a very CAPS LOCKED email.

Unknown said...

My brain has been fried on blogging. I'm going through some most difficult times and I don't want to whine and cry on my blog. I don't want pity. Congrats on your 1 year and I most certainly will have to try to learn from you cooking. I can not cook at all. Maybe that is why I'm getting ready to go down the road of divorce.

Hilary said...

Congrats on your 1st year! Woo hoo! But, really... This was your first blog post? It was amazing! I can't even read mine. It was so bad, and my spelling...UGH!

Ca88andra said...

That recipe sounds absolutely delicious - I wish my boys ate salmon... Never mind, I'll try it when they aren't around one day.

lovinangels said...

Happy blogoversary! For what it's worth, I featured your blog a bit ago. You make me laugh so hard.

Meg at the Members Lounge said...

Happy 1st, Mrs. Tuna! You always make me laugh! Keep them posts and recipes coming...

Jessica said...

Congrats on one year! For what it's worth, you totally deserve a book deal! =)

Travelwade said...

Congratulations on your 1 year milestone! The book deal is probably just around the corner for you! My wife and I just started our own blog and we are feeling those starter blogging pains.

We are now following you.

Alexandra said...

Happy Anniversary!

I love your blog, your style, your friendly nature.

So glad you are a blogger. And a "real" kind of blogger, too.

Happy Anniversary!

Alexandra said...

Oh, my public humiliation tendencies only come out here, for some reason.

42 comments...I.just.can't.

Just can't live with that.

I have to make it 45.

My OCD thing, about numbers ending in 0 or 5, with comments.

Alexandra said...

People, don't get on me about the OCD comment.

Just undiagnosed, and I'm OK with that.

Alexandra said...

And....with that?

Bingo.

45.

My work is done here.
xo

Love you, woman. I don't see you far nearly enough.

And I'd better go, I feel the itch to get this post to 50.

Alexandra said...

Sorry. Just had to tweet this out. Gotta get you to 50. Are you @mrstuna on the twitters?

Amy said...

Happy Anniversary. Great Blog!

Ms. G said...

Oh, I'm sorry I'm so late to the party. Happy Blog Anniversary! 48. Only two more to go ; )

feefioto said...

Umm... you've been blogging only a year and you get more or less 50 comments per post? What am I doing wrong? Maybe I just have no friends, because it can't be that I'm a bad writer. Yeah, that must be it -- I'm a lone wolf. Or something.

tattytiara said...

What good luck to stumble upon an introduction on my first visit here! Happy anniversary!

Kernut the Blond said...

Congrats on One Year of Blogging! I, too, recently passed the one year mark. My original goal was to post 2 to 3 times a week. Now it's once a week, but I'm not even hitting that mark.

Like you, I also had high hopes for my financial blogging/book writing/affiliate marketing future. Well, I'm a Lady of Leisure - which is what I've always wanted. Only thing is I forgot to add "Wealthy" when I asked The Universe. Adding it now.

Unknown said...

Yay! Another mom blogger from Arizona. I just read 3 of your posts and I am cracking up. I am loving your sense of humor. I'll be sure to pop in more often :)

Hopping over from voiceboks.com
Sharon
www.sharon-moms-madhouse.com

Unknown said...

Congrats on being around a whole year. New to your blog and enjoying it immensely you have me in stitches and a bonus there's food too:-)yay!

Anonymous said...

Very nice article, exactly what I was looking for.