It is rare that I have a whole day off from Indochine. I felt the 'urge' to create something since yesterday (which was Sunday, which I spent all day at the Denver Mart talking to various product producers). I got to meet some very inspiring entrepreneurs - one being Theresa from Kitchen TLC in Montanna. Theresa and I have become good friends - not because we love each other's products - but because we can talk business and feel that the other person understands. As I got to meet all these amazing people; I got the will, the urge to do something for Meals In A Minute's product lineup.
So, I got up this morning and while Jeff is at the other end of the kitchen's counter; I brought out - what seemed like hundreds of dried herbs, spices....and started to create. I mixed something together in hope of getting to an Asian-inspired dip but sadly, I did not like any of them. So, dips to the side....I moved on to make some dried rubs. Now, rubs and dips should not be that difficult given the kind of sauces we have been producing. Boy, I am used to deal with wonderfully fresh ingredients that having to work with dry ingredients throw me on a curve. I cannot seem to get it together. Until I thought of a way to 'fool' myself. I imagine the 'wet' rubs I want to make and just do them using dry ingredients. I have used about 6 chicken thighs so far to test all these rubs. I am hoping I will have a winner today - after 10 hours of mixing, eating and numerous mixes and plenty of sneezes. Between 'creating'; I worked on the marketing email to be sent out to Indochine customers tomorrow; updating the Product Strategy list, blogging (ha! I was able to do two posts today...), and quoting for a big catering on Wednesday morning (225+ people). I feel good to be able to do that much...but I feel a bit guilty of leaving my team at Indochine by themselves today. I am certain they don't mind and probably wish that I should take off more often. I just need to delegate and feel good about it.
But the best thing for me and Jeff today was to be able to drive the girls to school, pick them up and at home when they get home. I don't remember when the last time we were able to do that. This is something I need to do more often before the girls all move out to college.
Now I am waiting for the chicken to be done grilling. I cannot wait to taste it....
Tasted them...the aroma is nice but need more seasoning. They are a no-go for now. I will adjust the recipe and add more salt before I think they are ready for prime-time. Until Thursday, these rubs will have to wait...I might do wet rubs instead...