I entered my chili into work’s Diversity Day Chili Cook-off. I named my entry Habanero Pork Chili. I made it by making a basic chili and adding pork shoulder cut into small cubes and about ten finely chopped habanero peppers. It was hot! My buddy Tom E. came over last night to taste-test it with me. He likes spicy food. But it was too much for even him. So I added some extra tomotoes, a can of tomato paste and some water to mellow it. Even after all that it was still hot. So no suprise that I won the award for hottest chili. They gave me a kitchen apron that reads, “Diversity Contributes to Mission Success”.

I also baked cornbread muffins. Those disappeared! They were very good with the chili.

My parents came over for BBQ on the Fourth of July. My buddy (also named Tom) came over as well. He raved about my deviled eggs. So, why not share my recipe for the perfect deviled egg.

First, put the eggs in a large pot and cover with water. Heat the water to boiling. Remove the eggs from the heat, cover and let sit 15 minutes. Now the trick is to get the eggs to stop cooking. Immerse the eggs in ice water and sit them in the fridge. This will keep the yolks nice and yellow.

Once the eggs have cooled down, remove the shells. Cut them lengthwise and dump the yolks in a mixing bowl. To the yolks add several tablespoons of Miracle Whip, a teaspoon of prepared mustard, a pinch of sugar and splash of apple cider vinegar. Mix well.

Fill the egg halfs with the yolk mixture. I find filling a sandwich bag and snipping a corner helps cut down on the mess. To complete the presentation I sprinkle on a little paprika and place an olive slice in the center of the yolk.

Sound good?

I added a resume to my website. It is available as a HTML version, a text version, a PDF version and an unformatted XML version.

My brother called and told me he bought a food processor. As an expirement he made some gazpacho soup. He tells me next time he is gonna add a couple jalepenos for some kick. Soup-er!

On the weekend of the 21st I hopped on a train and went to visit Kevin in Chicago. After a tour of the Sears Tower, we met with his friend and headed for dinner at the Mashed Potato Club. Eventually, we ended up with the Co-ed Prison Sluts at the Annoyance Theater.

I fear I will have a difficult time topping that one when he comes down to visit me in St. Louis! Heh.