Potluck Lunch
I had my first (yes, again) company potluck today! There's a whole system where half the office does lunch one month, then the other half does it the other month. I was on the list for this month, along with 8 others (including my roommate), and I prepared two apple desserts. How else am I going to get rid of this half-bushel of apples?!
Anyway, it turned out great! For appetizers, there was Insalata Caprese (see below) and Samosas.
Then, for the main course, we had spinach curry with rice, pizza, and spaghetti. That was followed by an Indian custard, apple twists, and apple walnut cake (recipe at end).
We also had a big company meeting for all the employees (including California, Texas, Massachusetts, etc.) with the CEO as the host. I was only able to stay for the first half of the meeting, but it was hilarious - we got to see TJ (that's the CEO) in a picture about 20 years old, wearing a cowboy hat, surrounded by girls. Apparently, one of them had just published the first two databooks for the company and it was a cause for celebration - albeit, an embarrassing one upon reflection! TJ's strong affinity for the Green Bay Packers also shone through in his slides, awards (Packers paraphernalia), and speeches. He even encouraged the Minnesota (I think it was them) office to bet against him in the upcoming game!
It was really refreshing to see such a friendly rapport between the CEO and everyone else at the company, when other tech companies are usually bogged down with top-heavy hierarchy. I won't name any names - but I'm sure you know what I mean.
Why do companies feel that promotions always have to result in a more managerial position? This only results in most employees sitting in comfy chairs, listening to their peers in all-day meetings, while a small percentage of lowly workers (who have been with the company for less than 5 years) have to carry the load? Other times, the company has hit hard times and is forced to cut back on resources. This usually means that they cut back on the employees who do all the actual work, while the managers all pool together in their plush offices, in some cases outnumbering their charges! I guess disorganization is bound to root itself in bigger companies simply because there are too many employees to keep track of. Ah - the burden of success.
Anywho - the cake!
Apple Walnut Cake with Caramel Nut Topping (slightly modified from the Urban Programs Resource Network version)
Cake:
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup oil
1 egg (yolk and white)
3 egg whites
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 apples (peeled, chopped)
1 cup walnuts (chopped)
Topping:
1/4 cup margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup whipping cream
1 cup walnuts (chopped)
Method:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. LIghtly grease a 13x9-inch baking pan.
2) In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
3) In a large bowl, mix sugar, oil, egg, egg whites, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
4) Stir in flour mixture. Mix just to combine. Batter should be very thick.
5) Fold in apples and walnuts.
6) Spread batter evenly in pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove and cool for 15 minutes.
7) In a medium saucepan, melt margarine over medium heat.
8) Stir in brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil on medium high heat.
9) Simmer mixture on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
10) Pierce cake all over with a toothpick. Drizzle topping all over cake and sprinkle walnuts on top. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.
Anyway, it turned out great! For appetizers, there was Insalata Caprese (see below) and Samosas.
Then, for the main course, we had spinach curry with rice, pizza, and spaghetti. That was followed by an Indian custard, apple twists, and apple walnut cake (recipe at end).
We also had a big company meeting for all the employees (including California, Texas, Massachusetts, etc.) with the CEO as the host. I was only able to stay for the first half of the meeting, but it was hilarious - we got to see TJ (that's the CEO) in a picture about 20 years old, wearing a cowboy hat, surrounded by girls. Apparently, one of them had just published the first two databooks for the company and it was a cause for celebration - albeit, an embarrassing one upon reflection! TJ's strong affinity for the Green Bay Packers also shone through in his slides, awards (Packers paraphernalia), and speeches. He even encouraged the Minnesota (I think it was them) office to bet against him in the upcoming game!
It was really refreshing to see such a friendly rapport between the CEO and everyone else at the company, when other tech companies are usually bogged down with top-heavy hierarchy. I won't name any names - but I'm sure you know what I mean.
Why do companies feel that promotions always have to result in a more managerial position? This only results in most employees sitting in comfy chairs, listening to their peers in all-day meetings, while a small percentage of lowly workers (who have been with the company for less than 5 years) have to carry the load? Other times, the company has hit hard times and is forced to cut back on resources. This usually means that they cut back on the employees who do all the actual work, while the managers all pool together in their plush offices, in some cases outnumbering their charges! I guess disorganization is bound to root itself in bigger companies simply because there are too many employees to keep track of. Ah - the burden of success.
Anywho - the cake!
Apple Walnut Cake with Caramel Nut Topping (slightly modified from the Urban Programs Resource Network version)
Cake:
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup oil
1 egg (yolk and white)
3 egg whites
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 apples (peeled, chopped)
1 cup walnuts (chopped)
Topping:
1/4 cup margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup whipping cream
1 cup walnuts (chopped)
Method:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. LIghtly grease a 13x9-inch baking pan.
2) In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
3) In a large bowl, mix sugar, oil, egg, egg whites, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
4) Stir in flour mixture. Mix just to combine. Batter should be very thick.
5) Fold in apples and walnuts.
6) Spread batter evenly in pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove and cool for 15 minutes.
7) In a medium saucepan, melt margarine over medium heat.
8) Stir in brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil on medium high heat.
9) Simmer mixture on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
10) Pierce cake all over with a toothpick. Drizzle topping all over cake and sprinkle walnuts on top. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.