Match list in, corrections to prev. blog

I should mention that I am incapable of using American-English idioms correctly as:

1. I grew up in predominately Mandarin-speaking household;
2. That household was in a small Midwest town;
3. I didn't pay attention to use of idioms.

The last point is really the reason why I can't use idioms properly. This being said, in the previous post beefsteak should be beefcake.

In other news, my match list is in! I am still stressing about it, even though I recognize that I can't change it. Arrrgggh. Fingers crossed, hoping I get my top 3.

Two more days of work, the weekend, then one month with cardiologists. In terms of popularity, the Infectious Disease doctors will be hard to beat. There is nothing quite like Candy Rounds (yes, we get candy, and it is educational).

I am halfway through a collection of Voltaire's short stories, including Micromegas, Candide, and Zadig. I read Candide about fifty times and was delighted to read more of his work. I enjoyed Zadig, found Micromegas amusing, and another one of his stories an allegory of the dismal state of humanity in the 18th century. *sigh* Will write more later.

Matchmaker, matchmaker make me a match . . .

Find me a find, catch me a catch.

My match list is due February 25, the submission thereof will determine my fate.

I have been having anxiety dreams: ones where I match, don't match, locations where I match, I don't match and become a crazy cat woman with husband, and strangely, one where I was an African servant in Dutch West Indies in the 18th century. I don't think that was an anxiety dream.

For those who don't know what match is:

The to-be-a-doctor regulating body decided that the most judicious manner in determining where residents are place is through a computerized system where the applicant enters in their top 20 choices, the residencies enter in their top applicant choices, and voile! Come March 19th, we are "matched" to our respective top choices/applicants. If you've ever done one of those find-your-match-Valentine's-surveys in college or high school, residency match sort-of works like that, only instead of matching characteristics, you put the top 10 beefsteaks (or wenches) you'd like to date, and vise-versa.

Sort of. There is a strategy to it.

So this is occupying my mind greatly. If I seem distracted in the coming weeks, it's because I'm writing a paper, creating two presentations, working on two consult services, and doing match-stuff.

And so tonight, I'm going for steak and beer.

Potato Soup

Makes a lot of soup. At least 8 servings.

5-6 Medium-large potatoes, peeled, diced
2-3 carrots, peeled, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 quarts chicken broth
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
2/3 tablespoon whole dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 tablespoon dried sage, coarse
salt to taste
pepper to taste

On medium-high heat, in large pot, sautee onions, garlic, mushrooms, carrots until onions translucent, approx 2-3 minutes. Add chicken broth, potatoes, carrots and bring to boil on high heat. Add rosemary and sage, turn pot to medium-low. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until potatoes soft and begin to thicken soup (can be quickened by taking a potato masher to soup for 1-2 minutes). Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with rolls.

Variations:
Add a dash or two of hot sauce per serving for some added zing.
Add diced chicken to soup for added protein.
Add 1 cup corn, diced chicken, and 2/3 cup cheddar, 1 cup milk to make chowder.

Scottish Scones

Makes 10-12 scones.

Preheat oven to 425F

Ingredients:
1 egg
1 cup cold milk
2-3 tbs butter
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 3/4 cups flour
2 tbs sugar

In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, sugar. Set aside. In separate bowl, melt butter, mix in egg, milk. Make well in dry ingredients, mix in wet ingredients until dough forms. Roll into large circle approx. 1/2 inch in thickness. Cut wedges, place on floured baking sheet. Bake at 425 for 12-14 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm with jam, butter, whipped or clotted cream.

Variations:
Soak 1/2 -2/3 cup dried cherries or berries and add to mix with 1 tsp vanilla.
Add 3/4 c. chopped dates, craisins, currants, or raisins with 2 tablespoons brown sugar instead of white sugar.

Chicken and Corn Soup

Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients:

1 quart chicken broth
2 eggs, beaten
1 can creamed corn
1-2 cloves garlic, minced finely
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1-2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in cold water
1 chicken breast, minced
salt to taste
white pepper

Heat vegetable oil on medium high in large nonstick pot (2 quart pot). Saute garlic and chicken breast quickly 2-5 minutes until chicken browned. Add chicken broth and creamed corn. Bring to boil on high. Lower heat to medium. Slowly add in cornstarch to thicken. Once thick, slowly pour in eggs (in a large circle). Bring to boil on medium (or heat until egg cooked). Add dash of salt and white pepper to taste. Serve hot.

For starters - things I absolutely must have in my pantry

(this is a work in progress)

Dry Goods and seasonings:
rice flour - glutinous and non-glutinous
corn Starch
corn flour
wheat flour
white sugar
brown sugar
salt
white pepper
black pepper
chili peppers (whole or crushed)
chili powder
paprika
garam masala
curry powder (some variety)
cinnamon (whole and ground)
cloves (whole and ground)
allspice (whole and ground)
anise (whole and ground)
nutmeg (whole and ground)
rosemary - whole
thyme (whole and ground)
oregano (whole and ground)
sage (whole and ground)
ground ginger
parsley flakes
garlic powder
baking powder
baking soda
spaghetti
oatmeal
an assortment of dried fruit

Liquids:
olive oil
vegetable oil
apple cider vinegar
soy sauce
hoisin sauce
oyster sauce
chili paste
vanilla extract
syrup (maple, corn)

Canned goods:
crushed tomatoes
whole tomatoes (plum)
pineapple
pineapple juice
Salsa
black and red beans
chicken broth
beef broth
refried beans
tuna
sweetened condensed milk
condensed milk
salsa
pasta sauce (I enjoy Prego)

Other:
green mung beans
red beans

Eating for Under $2/day

Possible? Yes!
Tasty? Surprisingly yes!
Will I have the time? If I can, yes!

This is my recipe consortium of tried and true dishes that are actually tasty and fall within a budget. And if you have allergy questions, I'll try to make adaptations for them.