A Hobby of Sorts

I've never really been one to have hobbies. Growing up, my hobby was reading. Or reading and watching TV and listening to the radio simultaneously (seriously.) I did lots of other things, but once I grew out of the toy phase I never really replaced them other than with books and extra-curricular activities.

College pretty much killed my joy of reading for a time, although it did drastically improve my skill level (to pretentious geek stage apparently...) I appreciate this, but with putting a decent bit of distance between myself and my formal education I have realized that having pursuits outside of work (and my head) is incredibly important. And while I now enjoy reading and try to get in at least 30 minutes a day for pleasure (or to put me to sleep) I need something else. Since I read or write upward of 8-10 hours a day during the week, reading even for pleasure is not satisfactorily different to constitute a true reprieve from my work activities. And while I absolutely love TV, there are only a few quality shows on air. I will actually defend the merits of television (I can't stand people who think they are too good for TV or that watching TV means your are unintelligent or simplistic of mind. If you choose not to because you have other uses of your time or simply don't enjoy it - fine by me. However, don't judge me because I take a slight pleasure in the escapism television provides. I can even make an intellectual case for the merit of at least limited TV watching, but that's for another day.)

Unfortunately, my cynical side doesn't allow me to find much joy in "meaningless" activities that most people enjoy. I would rather cut away at my own finger with a left-handed Kindergarten safety scissors than scrapbook. I greatly appreciate sewing, knitting, quilting, and needlepoint but don't really have the patience or time to devote to it right now (I plan to start soon though. I figure if I start sewing a baby quilt now, by the time it's done I'll have a friend or family member to give it to.) I can play a video game for all of about 10 minutes before getting bored or not having the skills to go further. (Except the Sims... but that takes too much time to play and my computer can't support Sims 3 anyway.) I would love to paint or sculpt, but really do not have the talent for it. And the last thing I need in my life is the clutter than comes from collecting things. I'm an abysmal athlete, so sports for fun also holds no appeal. The list could go on. (Enter caveat: If the activity provides value to the person engaging in it, great. Good for them! I just happen to not be interested in things that are not of immediate urgency or provide a tangible good/service. I'm too pragmatic and wish that I was not.)

However, last fall I discovered my love for baking. I always loved baking with my grandmothers when I was a kid, but hadn't done much since I was about 12. This was a great first step because I began to experiment and re-learn techniques that I had forgotten in the last 13 years (or never mastered to begin with.) I began combing through recipe websites and cook books. I also read food and cooking blogs like there is no tomorrow. While I still find baking more enjoyable than regular cooking, I am beginning to pick up more cooking since having tons of delicious baked goods around the house isn't exactly advantageous to my wasteline. It also takes so much time that I typically cannot justify baking during week nights. However, actual cooking always must be done.

Now, to say I diligently prepare a gourmet meal every night of the week would be the grossest overstatement since the OMB claiming that Obamacare will save money. However, I did have the opportunity to prepare a two side dishes for some friends' cookout last Friday. The fruit salad I was particularly pleased with, so I'll share that recipe now. And, since it's my blog, I figure I can write about whatever I want, right? As fun as ranting is, I am actually attempting to keep a low blood pressure these days. And I truly love cooking for others if not for myself.

Sweet and Sour Stone Fruit Salad
(I forgot to take a picture. Next time...)

Ingredients*:
2-3 nectarines - sliced, skin on
2 plums (Damask for tartness; Satsuma if you prefer more sweet) - sliced, skin on
1 ripe mango (bordering on over-ripe to get the full sweetness. It adds another dimension to the salad which is perfect in my opinion) - peeled and chunked
1-2 peaches (or substitute white nectarines depending on preference) - peeled and chunked (unless using nectarines... then slice and leave skins on for color)
1/2 pint blackberries (can substitute cherries as well since they are in season. The blackberries add a balancing color to the orange shades of the other fruit and bring out the taste and color of the plums)
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp white sugar
1/2 lime - juiced
*Note, the fresher the fruit, the better the salad. I don't recommend making this with anything that is not in season or not perfectly ripe (including the lime.) I got my produce from Fresh Market and it was excellent - and surprisingly not very expensive since these are all in their prime seasons and were on special.

Directions:
Cut fruit and place in medium-sized bowl. When half of fruit is in bowl, sprinkle with white sugar to get the juices naturally running from the fruit. Stir. Add remaining fruit. In a small bowl, juice the lime. Whisk in 1/4 tbsp of brown sugar (or omit if you prefer extra sour.) Once sugar is dissolved into juice, pour over fruit and stir. Sprinkle top of salad with remaining brown sugar. Set out for 15 minutes or so, then refrigerate until 30 minutes prior to serving. Stir all together once more before serving to ensure the salad is fully coated.

This recipe is simple and delicious. Just don't be afraid to get your hands sticky!