jealous of the cable guy

Driving home post-call this morning, I mused over the happenings of the night with contented exhaustion. I cherished this moment, circa 5:30 am, knowing my next destination would be bed and feeling like I had put in a good effort in the last 24 hours.

I recalled a conversation last night wherein one of the girls on call with me mentioned that sometimes she envies the cable guy (mind you, we were hitting that wall). “He gets to be outside some of the day and visit different people’s houses. Then he gets to go home and not worry about it.” While I absolutely know that even the cable guy is not excused from life’s various stressors, I cannot say I have never wondered the same thing (I usually jump to sous chef). Are we made for any one job and destined to carry it out well? Or are we simply born with different capacities and passions and choose our jobs accordingly? For instance, would I really even be happy with a job less demanding of the whole person I was created to be?

When I finally hit the door—despite the bed calling to me—all I wanted was biscuits. Sometimes our brains just need a little immediate gratification…and sometimes, that’s okay. 

Wholesome Things (Buttermilk Biscuits)

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1 cup plain cake flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold butter, cut into 1/4 inch cubes

3/4 cup cold buttermilk

Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. 

Place flours, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt in a food processor (fitted with metal blade) and process with six 1-second pulses. 

Remove the cover of the processor and distribute butter evenly over the dry ingredients. Cover and process again with twelve 1-second pulses (should resemble course meal/lumps). 

Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and quickly form into a rough ball (do not overwork your dough). Using a sharp knife, divide the dough in quarters and then cut each quarter into thirds. Gently shape each piece into a rough ball and place on an a cookie sheet. Optional: brush biscuit tops with cream or butter. Actually, just do it.

Bake until biscuit tops are light brown, 10-12 minutes. Serve immediately with honey and butter or whatever you like!

Cooks Illustrated