blue artichoke

I've never really been a "joiner." Neither is GC, and that's one reason we get along so well. I might have joined Y-teens in middle school, the International Club in high school and the Outing Club in college (not to mention a rather disastrous year in a sorority), but my membership in those organizations was either calculated or half-hearted. I'm just not a group person. I'm a lone wolf. But this week I joined two groups. The first is a ladies' disc golf league. I enjoy playing disc golf with GC, but more for the company and exercise than a love of disc golf. I don't hang out with a group of girls very often though, so thought I'd give ladies' league a whirl. Let me tell you, girls talk about the weirdest things. It would be too girly for me to repeat them here, but I had fun, wasn't the worst one in the group, and will go back again next week.

The second group I joined was a Muay Thai class. For a long time, I've wanted to learn how to drop someone with a kick. It's a good skill to know for self-defense, and for general bad-assery. My class is for beginners, ages 8+. I was afraid I'd be the only adult, but there is a lady older than I am, a dad, his two sons and another boy, age 10. We do circuits, and I've learned that I suck at push-ups but can churn out a surprising number of sit-ups/crunches. But my favorite part is hitting the heavy bag and working the mitts with my instructor. We just worked on punches today, but get to learn kicks next week. I already feel like a Thai warrior.

Both of these new activities go on the 30 New Things list:
1. Roast a duck
2. Learn to make glass beads
3. Swim in an underground river
4. Sea-Trek
5. Touch a sea turtle
6. Make a chocolate meringue pie
7. Eat collard greens
8. Cirque du Soleil: Ka
9. Make ice cream
10. Eat lunch with a down's syndrome guy
11. Learn to post pictures on my blog
12. Wear shorts, a tank top and a thong on purpose, all day and in public
13. Join a Ladies’ Disc Golf League
14. Begin Muay Thai lessons

Because both of these new groups are in the evenings, this means a lot of make-ahead and crock pot meals that can be put on the table soon after I get home. We had a chicken and rice crock pot meal tonight that was less than spectacular. Last night, though, we had a great make-ahead dinner. Oat cakes. Not oat pancakes, but oatmeal cakes. You make a batch of oatmeal, using the super-good-for-you-and-cholesterol-lowering-but-long-cooking steel-cut oatmeal, put it in a 13x9" pan and let it cool and harden, cut into squares and pan-fry. Here's a more detailed recipe:

Griddled Steel-Cut Oatcakes

3 1/2 cups (or more) water
1 3/4 cups steel-cut oats
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup plus additional for serving
1 tablespoon (packed) dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Melted butter (for brushing)
2 pints strawberries, hulled, sliced

Butter 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan or rimmed baking sheet. Bring 3 1/2 cups water to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Add oats and salt. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until oatmeal is tender but still firm to bite, stirring often and adding more water by 1/4 cupfuls if too thick, about 30 minutes. Add cream, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, sugar, and vanilla; stir until mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Spread oatmeal in prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 4 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

Cut chilled oatmeal into squares or triangles. Heat griddle or heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat. Brush griddle with melted butter. Cook oatcakes until golden brown and heated through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Divide oatcakes among plates, drizzle with maple syrup, spoon strawberries over, and serve.

Makes 4-6 servings

Bon Appétit | September 2007

Yum! I served it with sausages, making it a breakfast-dinner. Had I used turkey sausages, it would have been a healthier meal, but it was delicious nonetheless.

Getting to Know All About You: What's your favorite make-ahead meal?