Doubt, Fear and Garbanzo Bean Curry

I have a friend who is a great cook.

I recently spent a long weekend in Sunriver with 4 families and this friend, Steve, did all of the cooking the entire weekend! He used a blender to puree the sautéed vegetables to make a sauce for his Puerto Rican food. He wrapped asparagus spears in thin slices of salami (or some kind of round meat) before he drizzled them with something wonderful, sprinkled them with something delicious, and then roasted them until they were perfect... and this was just ONE side dish. At the same time he was pulsing chunks of bread in the blender to make fresh crumbs for the hamburger patties... which were also mixed with fresh garlic, spices, and eggs and then stuffed with Dubliner cheese!! And because we still, apparently, needed a salad... he cubed and toasted the french bread for fresh croutons and prepared a balsamic "reduction" for the dressing.

Needless to say... we ate like royalty all weekend. It was amazing! And I'm convinced that every "dish" I attempt to make from here on out will simply suck in comparison. Tragic, but true. (My culinary skills are limited to chili, spaghetti, pulled pork sandwiches made in the crockpot with bottled barbeque sauce, eggs, and a few soups.)

So, I saw Steve again this past weekend and asked his wife if he ever makes curry. Apparently yes, often, and very well. So I ask Steve if he will teach me to make a decent curry (I'm envisioning chunks of meat and vegetables, a sauce made from some yellow powder, and rice) and Steve says Yes... that's a great idea! "How bout we take a Curry class??" A class?? But I thought we were just going to hang out in Steve's kitchen... Doug and I, Steve and Heidi and a couple bottles of wine?? Sounds like "class" to me!

Then today I get this email... titled "Curry Class". And there's a link to a site called "In good taste" with a list of cooking classes held in either Lake Oswego or the Pearl District. Steve has found our Curry Class and sent me the menu... (it's $95 per person, by the way)...

Hands on Complex Curries Simplified
with Leena Ezekiel

The festive season has begun in India, starting with Durga Puja which is one of the most celebrated festivals in Bengal, Orissa and Assam.Leena will share her favorite festive dishes, going back to her childhood,while demystifying the complex cuisine of her homeland.

Lamb Rogan Josh
Cubes of lamb cooked in a rich and spicy tomato/yogurt sauce

Palak Paneer
Homemade cubes of paneer cheese in a spinach sauce

Sarso Bata
Fish steamed in a mustard curry sauce

Allo Matter
Curried potato and peas

Chana Masala
Garbanzo bean curry

Pooris
Deep fried Indian puffy breads

Basmati Rice with Whole Aromatic Spices

Ummmm... yeah. Can you possibly imagine how intimidating this is for me??? I mean, this food sounds AMAZING, but I've never even heard most of those words!! It's like a 9 year old Little League baseball player being invited to spend the day practicing with the Yankees! "Make sure you glove up Son, we're putting you at shortstop!" Holy cow!! Could my shortcomings BE more on display???

So... now I have a choice...

Do I bow out gracefully, claiming financial hardship? Or do I suck it up and realize that I've gotta start somewhere, and it just might be fun? And maybe I won't be the only insecure novice in the group? And maybe I'll gain just a tiny bit of confidence in the kitchen? And most likely I'll have a great evening doing something new and different with my husband and our friends??

You know... I continue to travel even though I hate to fly because I refuse to limit my life's experiences due to fear. Here is a new experience knocking at my door... What's the worst that can happen?? My puffy breads end up flat, my cubes of lamb taste like shoe leather. Maybe I spill wine or cut my finger. But maybe... just maybe... I conquer a small bit of my kitchen-phobia, make a great meal, and gain the courage to try it again! Or, heaven forbid, throw a fabulous Indian-inspired dinner party of my own someday!!