Check out this week's recipe.
It’s graduation season. Granted, this year’s high school seniors have experienced an extremely weird junior and senior year. But the conclusion of this once-in-100-years craziness is nearing an end. It seems that is this part of the world we are, once again, hosting graduation ceremonies with caps, gowns, cords, and commencement addresses. The world might have been a little better off for the lack of the latter, as I am sure no one ever remembers what was said during their graduation ceremony’s commencement address.
When my two children went off to college, I wrote each of them letters and tucked the letters into the desk drawers of their dorm rooms just before leaving and saying my final goodbyes. I have combined and tweaked each of those letters to serve as this year’s unofficial 2021 commencement address to all Mississippi high school seniors.
Dear graduates, there are two, seemingly unconventional,
routes to success in your upcoming professional and personal life— through passion
and fun. The decision regarding your professional life should be the easiest
decision you’ll ever make. Your career should be about one thing— PASSION
It took the first 20 years of my life to find my passion.
But once I did, my career path was set. The minute I started working in
restaurants I fell in love with the industry, instantly. I knew that was what I
was “supposed” to do. I love restaurants. I eat, sleep and breathe restaurants.
Restaurants are my hobby.
A few years ago, my son and I were riding in the car. He
asked, “Dad, what should I do when I grow up?” I thought for a minute and then
said, “Son, whatever it is, don’t follow the money, follow your passion.”
Someone once said, “Do what you love to do for a career and
you’ll never work a day in your life.” That is passion. It’s true. I do my
hobby and I get paid for it. That is what I want for you.
Success follows passion, every time.
The second piece of advice is about fun. Go out and have
fun. Seriously, it’s as simple as that. But it’s got to be the right kind of
fun, and it’s got to come from the right kind of places.
Having fun is where it gets a little trickier. It took me a
much longer time to figure out how to be a success in my personal life, and how
to find the true source of fun—it’s not at a frat party or at someone’s
apartment at three in the morning. Granted, those things might be fun in a
fleeting sort of way, but you’re never going to achieve a fuller life at a frat
party.
After I graduated high school, I looked for fun in a lot of
the wrong places, and I searched for fun for a long time. It was around the
time that my children were born that the 40-year old me I figured out what life
is all about— faith, family, friends, food and fun. Those things, in that
order, are what lead to a full, fruitful, joy-filled and productive life.
Graduates, befriend the underdog. Laugh a lot. Make others
laugh a lot. Visit a nursing home (when it safe to do so again). Make them
laugh a lot. Hug your parents long and hard. Hug them so long that they’re the
ones who let go first. The next time you see your favorite teacher and give him
or her a big hug. Thank them. If you don’t appreciate them today, I promise you
that you will in the near future. Hug the teacher you liked least, too. They’re
likely in need of a hug. They worked just as hard, you just don’t appreciate
that, yet.
Take care of your teeth. Walk a lot. Drink milk. Don’t hate.
Stay in touch with your friends. Make new friends. Share a meal with your
friends. Travel.
Don’t ever compare your insides to other people’s outsides,
and always stay humble. When your head begins to swell, your mind stops
growing.
Recently, I have come to the realization that we are not
human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human
experience. Just know that if God were small enough for you to truly
understand, God wouldn’t be big enough to take care of all of the things God needs
to handle in your life. Have faith. Trust God.
At the first sign of trouble, go to God first. The will of
God will never take you where the grace of God won’t protect you (though your
second call should be to a parent). They say, “Nothing will happen today that
you and God can’t handle.” They are right.
You will face challenges and setbacks over the next several
years. Remember that despair is only a visiting moment, hope is always around
the corner. I have learned that the difference between intention and decision
is that intention is followed by more intentions. Decision is followed by
action. Always take action.
Never confuse pleasure with happiness. Trust me, there’s a
difference. Ladies, always know that “no” is a complete sentence.
Don’t worry too much. I’ve lived through the worst stuff
that NEVER happened way more than I’ve lived through the stuff that actually DID
happen. Again, trust God. If you pray, don’t worry. If you worry, don’t pray.
Eat French fries. Be nice. Be bold. Behave. Spend time with
your grandparents (when it’s safe to do so). Love your neighbor. Love your
neighbor’s neighbor. Love your neighbor’s grandparents. Make mistakes. Then
don’t sweat the mistakes you make. Go out and make more mistakes, you’ll get it
right eventually. Forgive others for their mistakes. That whole “Do unto
others” thing is truly good advice. Floss every day. Don’t be so hard on
yourself. Don’t be so hard on others. Just make it a general rule not to be
hard.
Volunteer where you feel led. Don’t just “give back.” To
“give back” you have to have received something first. Just “give,” then give
some more. Give of your time, give of your resources and give your love. When
you think you’ve given enough, then give even more.
Don’t forget the laughing thing. Don’t forget the hugging
thing either. Don’t forget any of it. Find your passion. Make that your career.
Then go be passionate. Have fun. Help others. These days aren’t some rehearsal
for some upcoming future event. This is your moment. This is your life. You
will make mistakes. Don’t dwell on them. Learn from them and move on.
Know to your core that the best things in life aren’t
things, and until you give up the idea of happiness being somewhere else,
you’ll never find it.
Give of yourself and give of your time. The only thing we
take from this world when we leave is what we gave away. Now is a great time to
start giving. Your life will truly begin when you stop expecting the world to
give you something and you start trying to figure out what you can give to the
world.
Share your happiness. Count your blessings. And when all
else fails, follow directions.
Know that life is short, but it’s the longest thing we’ll ever do. So have fun, be kind, and call your parents.
Tobacco Onion Caesar Salad
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 Tbl fresh garlic, minced
3 anchovies
2 Tbl red wine vinegar
1 Tbl Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tbl Dijon mustard
1 cup light olive oil
Combine the yolks, lemon juice, garlic, anchovies, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard in a blender or small food processor. Puree for 1-2 minutes and then slowly begin drizzling in the olive oil while the blender is still running. If the mixture becomes too thick, you may add a 1-2 Tbl of warm water, then continue to add the oil.
Store refrigerated until ready to use.
Garlic Croutons
2 cups French bread, cut into 1/2” cubes
3 Tbl olive oil
2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
Preheat oven to 275
Place the cubed bread into a mixing bowl and drizzle the olive oil over the bread. Sprinkle the garlic powder over the bread, and toss the uncooked croutons well, evenly distributing the oil and garlic. Place the cubed bread on a baking sheet and toast for 8-12 minutes, stirring them every 3 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle them with the kosher salt. Allow croutons to cool completely, then store in an airtight container until needed.
Tobacco Onions
1 large red onion, shaved into VERY thin circles (about 1 1/4 cups)
2 Tbl white vinegar
1/2 Tbl kosher salt
1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup milk
1 whole egg
1 1/2 cups seasoned flour
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
Combine the onions, vinegar, salt and pepper in a medium sized mixing blow and let marinate for 30 minutes.
Heat the oil to 350 degrees in a 6-quart heavy duty sauce pot, or a large cast iron skillet.
Whisk together the milk and egg in a mixing bowl.
Place the onions in the milk mixture then drain them well.
Place the seasoned flour in another mixing bowl, and toss the onions in the flour, making sure the onions are all coated with flour. Remover the onions from the bowl and shave off any excess flour.
Place the coated onions in the hot oil, and using a slotted
spoon, gently turn them 2-3 times. Fry for 3-4 minutes. Remove the onions and
place them on a paper towel lined baking sheet to drain.
For the Salad
3 romaine hearts or 1 large head of romaine (outer leaves discarded)
2 cups garlic croutons
1 1/2 cups Caesar Salad dressing
Tobacco onions
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Place the clean lettuce in a large mixing bowl. Add in the croutons and dressing and mix well, making sur the lettuce is well coated. Gently fold in half of the tobacco onions. Divide the salad onto serving plates. Use the remaining tobacco onions to top each salad. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
7 comments:
Who cares. These zoomers are absolutely worthless and brainwashed.
Never even went to my HS graduation. I was on a bus to Great Lakes to start my Federal Employment by the time they were walking.
The problem with this theory is that most of these idiots want to sit on a couch and scroll the internet all day. Not enough jobs in that field for them all to do that. My daughter got a very good degree that cost her nothing so I'm not stressed. She could be making large money but she got a job far beneath her abilities and education and likes doing minimum. She pays her bills and is a good kid but no desire to move ahead. Thinks home ownership is for suckers because she pays $800 a month for crappy apt but loves that is has no maintenance has no desire to move out of it. I have explained that's $9600 a year she could be paying on a nice house she owns. She thinks that's stupid. Go to the simple job, come home and cruise the internet and watch movies and start over the next day. I love her and as I have said she is a good kid. She has a boyfriend of 3 years, he's a good kid too. He has a great education but does the same as her...nothing but minimum and no ambition to achieve. Don't say it's me and my wife's fault we made her do her share we were in no way helicopter parents. Its something about this generation. Not all are like this but way too many are. I owned a home, was married and had a child by the time I was her age. I guess as long as she's ok I should be too.
@1:02
Millennial here. Bought a home when i was 21 in 2006. I paid about 40k more than it is worth today. After the 2009 crash, most of my neighbors were foreclosed upon. All of the houses around mine became rentals. The neighborhood went to complete shit. I it has been 12 years and I am still upside down on this house.
Homeownership is a boomer dream. You were all told that a house would always go up in value. HUD exists to ensure that fact is not always true. HUD fucked up my neighborhood and flooded it with the dregs. Boomers created HID.
Fuck HUD.
HUD created by Boomers? WTH. It was founded in 1965. Son, the Boomers were either just born or at most 19 years old. THEY didn't create HUD. "The Greatest Generation" created HUD, specifically Democrat Lyndon Baines Johnson. He was born in 1908. No wonder you're upside down.
Great column RSJ !
Now if you could only take Sid down to some laid back New Orleans restaurants.
Getting his confused self away from Starkville for a day or two would be a good thing for Mr. Salter and the rest
of planet Earth.
Well said, Mr. St. John. Thank you for your time, effort, and delicious recipes.
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