Foreshadowing the tidal wave was one of my favourite lessons, for anticipating these crashes would allow one to make the appropriate preparations, to check in when symptoms are present, and to remediate before the situation grows dire. We have family doctors for physical illness, yet may not be as capable of depicting invisible warning signs to the same degree of detail.
Beyond deducing the preferred methods of information presentation and work tactics, making meticulous observations has assisted me greatly in the workplace, identifying areas of concern and predicting next steps of action needed. In a personal setting, toning down the saviour function has meant gradual steps to relieving satanic chaos. It hasn't been easy, but it's proving easier with each effort made. The first step was identification, followed by acceptance and rehabilitation - no "rectification", as the aim is cumulative benefit rather than instant rebate.
1) Chestnut Tart
With a penchant for purposing the holiday ingredient into a seasonal dessert of sorts, I took to the late-night construction of a Chestnut Tart. A faux Mont Blanc, so to speak, was formed from a no-oven, graham cracker crust instead of sponge base, then coconut rum-infused chestnut cream in place of airy whipped cream and threads of sweet chestnut paste piled sky-high.
Authentic it was not, but delectable it was, in light of its relatively straightforward procedure.
Sautéed with softened vine tomatoes and freezer-bagged cherry tomatoes was a plentiful portion of finely chopped onion and several cloves of minced garlic. This, along with white wine, ketchup, and rice wine vinegar, assumed the foundation for a tangy, sweet pasta sauce. Lightly scorched shrimp were tossed in for a dose of protein. A dusting of dried parsely finished off a midweek lunch.