Friday, July 31, 2009....
No. I didn't take advantage for the trade-in for gas guzzling cars, or buy great shoes. Instead, I bought a new scale. I know you're jealous. Admit it.
I had one, but it was wonky. Every time I'd step on it, which was next to never, the numbers would flash and then I'd get errrr..... as the end result. Hell, I know I have to lose weight, but I think there are better ways other than my scale flashing errr.....
Having a lot of time to reflect last week, I decided to start some sort of diet (I don't want to use that word because I envision big bowls of lettuce which is okay, I guess, if I were a rabbit) and thought I should weigh myself and figure out calorie count for my target 10% goal (counting calories allows me to sneak in a small Crumbs cupcake - the large suckers, although tasty as hell, are 780 calories).
Monday, scale works fine. Tuesday, same thing, same number. Wednesday down 2 lbs. I equate this to realizing I'm finally eating the right amount of calories and I exercised. However, Thursday, down another 2 lbs. NOT. Instead of jumping with joy, I think my scale is a big fat liar. I step on again. After several wonky readings, I get one that puts me 8 lbs higher. WTF???
Final straw. I'm not into Magic 8 Ball readings (although, they are helpful when making major life decisions - JOKING), I consulted YogaGirl because she loves her scale and purchased the Weight Watchers scale.
You can do a lot on the scale. I was only interested in a normal reading and one I can see. However, you can measure your body fat %, Body Water, Bone Mass. Isn't it enough to be depressed when you see the weight? Why add the others into the mix so early in the morning?
My favorite thing about my scale, other than it works, is the sticker on it. "Use of this scale by persons with any electrical implant such as a heart pacemaker or by pregnant women, is not recommended."
I get the lithium battery/pacemaker connection (okay, I can't, but can), but lithium battery/pregnancy? I'm not seeing it.
Either way, the warning label made me chuckle. Unfortunately, my weight on the scale didn't.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Rant and Rave Wednesday
Wednesday, July 29, 2009....
Any readers following me on a regular basis know if it's Wednesday, it's time to Rant and Rave about the past week. Without further adieu, here are my Rants and Raves from the past week:
Rant: I have one RANT and it lasted all last week - pain from injured back rib fracture. In addition to my pain, I enjoyed puking from the pain and being the ultimate pleasure princess to be around. I sucked in human behavior.
Rave: Wonderful friends, family and hubby who reached out to me last week, brought me flowers and took great care of me.
Rave: Caller ID. Yupper. It is the best invention and saved me from losing friends due to the fact I was such an ass last week.
Rave: Taking a long hot/warm shower and drying off with the most amazing thick cotton towel. Yeah, sounds lame, but showering last week sucked. The first enjoyable shower is like magic.
Rave: Great dinner party I had the Saturday before I became useless. It was great to see friends from all over the globe that I've known for so many years. I may make this an annual dinner party.
Rave: Fun brunch that I hosted the next day with some other friends to celebrate birthdays. Breakfast food + champagne = YUMBO...
Since I've been laying low, that's it for me for the past week. How was your week? Any Rants and Raves you want to share? I would love to hear them or if you're doing your own Rant & Rave Wednesday, put your link in the comments section so others can read.
Any readers following me on a regular basis know if it's Wednesday, it's time to Rant and Rave about the past week. Without further adieu, here are my Rants and Raves from the past week:
Rant: I have one RANT and it lasted all last week - pain from injured back rib fracture. In addition to my pain, I enjoyed puking from the pain and being the ultimate pleasure princess to be around. I sucked in human behavior.
Rave: Wonderful friends, family and hubby who reached out to me last week, brought me flowers and took great care of me.
Rave: Caller ID. Yupper. It is the best invention and saved me from losing friends due to the fact I was such an ass last week.
Rave: Taking a long hot/warm shower and drying off with the most amazing thick cotton towel. Yeah, sounds lame, but showering last week sucked. The first enjoyable shower is like magic.
Rave: Great dinner party I had the Saturday before I became useless. It was great to see friends from all over the globe that I've known for so many years. I may make this an annual dinner party.
Rave: Fun brunch that I hosted the next day with some other friends to celebrate birthdays. Breakfast food + champagne = YUMBO...
Since I've been laying low, that's it for me for the past week. How was your week? Any Rants and Raves you want to share? I would love to hear them or if you're doing your own Rant & Rave Wednesday, put your link in the comments section so others can read.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
I'm Mad at the Canadians
Tuesday, July 28, 2009....
Why? Curling.
Last week, I was watching Hell's Kitchen and the grand prize is to be the chef at some fancy resort (name escapes me) in Canada where the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held.
During the last Winter Olympics, Curling was introduced into the mix of events and this is all I heard from my sister -- "I can win a medal, how hard is Curling?"
Everyday, several times a day, the conversation would revert back to her being a gold medalist. Here's the rub, she's never played and she has already won the medal in her mind.
I can only imagine the coverage Curling will get as the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held in Canada. For me, this means I will be hearing SEVERAL thousand times how she could do this, how she'd win, blah, blah, blah...
After the last Winter Olympics, it was agreed upon that the only way she'd could go on-and-on about her imaginary Olympic win is to play it. Otherwise, not one peep.
Recently, she met a woman in one of her golf leagues (yeah, you can do that if single with no kids - wait, I have no kids, but don't have the patience) who is on a Curling team in NJ. It starts up in October which is right after golf season and before ski season. I could be screwed.
She could actually go to the rink, sweep it and then have free rein to call and torture me for 17 days. I envision conversations about her winning the medals, what outfits she'd wear and wondering if her hair would hold up in the rink.
However, these conversations are all secondary to the constant statement I'll hear for 17 days straight "Ya know LMB, I could do this. I could be in the Olympics and win a medal".
Damn You Canadians!
Why? Curling.
Last week, I was watching Hell's Kitchen and the grand prize is to be the chef at some fancy resort (name escapes me) in Canada where the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held.
During the last Winter Olympics, Curling was introduced into the mix of events and this is all I heard from my sister -- "I can win a medal, how hard is Curling?"
Everyday, several times a day, the conversation would revert back to her being a gold medalist. Here's the rub, she's never played and she has already won the medal in her mind.
I can only imagine the coverage Curling will get as the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held in Canada. For me, this means I will be hearing SEVERAL thousand times how she could do this, how she'd win, blah, blah, blah...
After the last Winter Olympics, it was agreed upon that the only way she'd could go on-and-on about her imaginary Olympic win is to play it. Otherwise, not one peep.
Recently, she met a woman in one of her golf leagues (yeah, you can do that if single with no kids - wait, I have no kids, but don't have the patience) who is on a Curling team in NJ. It starts up in October which is right after golf season and before ski season. I could be screwed.
She could actually go to the rink, sweep it and then have free rein to call and torture me for 17 days. I envision conversations about her winning the medals, what outfits she'd wear and wondering if her hair would hold up in the rink.
However, these conversations are all secondary to the constant statement I'll hear for 17 days straight "Ya know LMB, I could do this. I could be in the Olympics and win a medal".
Damn You Canadians!
Monday, July 27, 2009
I'm No Chuck Norris
Monday, July 27, 2009....
I'd like to thank everyone for their well wishes and for my friend, Poncho Girl, for taking such great care of me last Monday. Hubby was out of town and she was right there to drive me to the medical facility, wait while I got x-rays and listen to me when I was screaming my head off (not, one of my proudest moments).
After x-rays and a cat scan, it turned out that I injured an old fracture. My doctor called on Tuesday to give me the news about the injury and also that the cat scan revealed something more which requires an ultrasound.
What I love about this doctor is that he doesn't hold back. When we were discussing the placement of my original fracture he was stumped as to how I did it. He explained the rib which was fractured was next to impossible to break unless you're an extreme sports person. He shared the story of how his son fractured that same rib as a result of falling off his bike while traveling 30 m.p.h.. Heck, I travel at 30 m.p.h. and faster when in my Passat.
This doctor knows me well after performing 3 surgeries on me and could easily tell me in his politest way he was mystified because I had achieved an injury only an elite athletic could do (me, elite, who knew?).
If I wasn't in such pain, I would have told him that I sleep walk at night and had been known to climb tall trees and pretend to hand glide without the sail. Alas, I was in pain and just focused on getting off the phone.
Since I don't remember the original fracture, I couldn't even tell you what I did to re-injure myself. I can't imagine lifting my Hop, Skip and Go Naked glass caused it.
I'm still stiff, but I can now eat, talk, breathe and not spew words and fire at my poor hubby.
One last note, in addition to thanking Poncho Girl for taking me and insisting that the doctor give me something strong for the pain, I want to say Happy, Happy Birthday!
I'd like to thank everyone for their well wishes and for my friend, Poncho Girl, for taking such great care of me last Monday. Hubby was out of town and she was right there to drive me to the medical facility, wait while I got x-rays and listen to me when I was screaming my head off (not, one of my proudest moments).
After x-rays and a cat scan, it turned out that I injured an old fracture. My doctor called on Tuesday to give me the news about the injury and also that the cat scan revealed something more which requires an ultrasound.
What I love about this doctor is that he doesn't hold back. When we were discussing the placement of my original fracture he was stumped as to how I did it. He explained the rib which was fractured was next to impossible to break unless you're an extreme sports person. He shared the story of how his son fractured that same rib as a result of falling off his bike while traveling 30 m.p.h.. Heck, I travel at 30 m.p.h. and faster when in my Passat.
This doctor knows me well after performing 3 surgeries on me and could easily tell me in his politest way he was mystified because I had achieved an injury only an elite athletic could do (me, elite, who knew?).
If I wasn't in such pain, I would have told him that I sleep walk at night and had been known to climb tall trees and pretend to hand glide without the sail. Alas, I was in pain and just focused on getting off the phone.
Since I don't remember the original fracture, I couldn't even tell you what I did to re-injure myself. I can't imagine lifting my Hop, Skip and Go Naked glass caused it.
I'm still stiff, but I can now eat, talk, breathe and not spew words and fire at my poor hubby.
One last note, in addition to thanking Poncho Girl for taking me and insisting that the doctor give me something strong for the pain, I want to say Happy, Happy Birthday!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Blogging Hiatus
Tuesday, July 21, 2009....
I am in the process of recovering from fractured ribs and will not be blogging for a bit. Well, I could blog, but it would just read OUCH......because that's all I've been saying.
Enjoy the week.
I am in the process of recovering from fractured ribs and will not be blogging for a bit. Well, I could blog, but it would just read OUCH......because that's all I've been saying.
Enjoy the week.
Friday, July 17, 2009
The Viral Meme
I was tagged by Dan over at The Art of Panic for the viral meme floating around. So here goes.
First the rules:
1. Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your blog. Replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, and add one more question of your own.
2. Tag other people.
Now the questions:
What are you wearing today? At the moment, yoga pants and a Life is Good t-shirt. I have a lot of cleaning for tomorrow's pot luck to do and hate cleaning. Figured yoga pants = comfort AND may add some possible zen to my day.
What's for dinner? I don't know, but it'll be quick and easy. Besides, it's 10:30 a.m. and dinner is too far away for me to think of.
What would you eat for your last meal? That's a tough one. I love various types of food that you'd never pair together. However, there would be Brussel sprouts, pizza, hot dogs and key lime pie.
What relaxes you most? Depends on the day, where I am and who I'm with. For instance, when I was hiking in the Grand Canyon, stopping to journal and enjoy the day was so relaxing. However, I've been known to relax while cooking or being outside. I guess I relax when I'm just enjoying the moment. Too many times do I let external thoughts ruin the moment.
If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would it be? Wow, only 1 hour - I'd guess I'd be on a massage table
What language do you want to learn? I'll just come out and say it - I SUCK AT LEARNING NEW LANGUAGES. My parents spoke French Canadian (French + a lot of 'r' rolling) and although I took French in school, I couldn't master it. I can understand bits & pieces, but I insult the French when I open my mouth. Personally, I'm still trying to master my native tongue of English and that's enough for me.
What do you love most about where you currently live? The fact that I'm close enough to NYC, but far enough away not to pay the outrageous rents/mortgage to live there. In addition, there are great restaurants, bars and stores all within 2 miles of the beach.
What style is your current home decorated in? Shabby Chic (I hate that term) with a lot of clutter (who knew stacking books would get written up as a decorating must)...
If you were a time traveler what era would you live in? I'm happy now, but would like to visit and observe other time periods - the 1960s, 1800's and 1920's.
What is your favorite color? Not beige.
What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? Yoga pants
What were you doing ten years ago? Working for a small start-up wireless company that eventually went public. I was married (different guy) and probably not happy. Wait, I wasn't.
What are you going to do after this? Clean, clean, clean. Ughhh...my least favorite thing....
What are your favorite films? I don't have just one, but here are some that come to mind: Clockwork Orange, When Harry Met Sally, The Jerk, Rebecca, Shawshank Redemption, Dodgeball. I could on, but these are the ones that came to mind first.
What are your favorite books? Any book that makes me lose track of time.
Do you collect anything? Cookbooks and pottery (platters/plates).
What makes you follow a blog? It piques my interest. It could be a witty comment someone made on another blog that leads me to it or a follower of mine that I've checked out.
What was the most enjoyable thing you did today? Don't know too early.
Ann's Question: What makes you comment on a blog? I read many blogs and may comment if the author posted something I liked or if I can contribute to it. Many times I read a blog without commenting.
Amy's Question: What is your favorite thing to do when you have free time? Cook, spend time with friends and family, not clean.
Tonya's Question: What is a talent you wished you had? Some people may not agree with this, but I would like a high metabolism. I believe it a talent to be able to eat what you want without ever worrying about a calorie.
Noelle's Question: If you could go to heaven, who would you see and why? Not a clue. I think I'd be just interested in listening to every one's stories.
Vickie's Question: Who is your favorite actor? Living: Kevin Spacey, Dead: Jimmy Stewart
Kitten's Question: Other than Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, etc. what are your most frequently visited websites? Yahoo. I have an email account there and I catch up on headline news.
SeptemberMom's Question: What was your favorite subject in school? History and Art, but not Art History.
Christy's question: As a child/teen how did you envision your adult life? LOL. Probably nothing like this. At 35, everything changed.
Dan from Art of Panic's Question: How much time do you spend on your average blog post? Varies and depends upon if I get interrupted. Today, I started at 9:00 a.m but 3 phone calls later, finally got to sit down and write at 10:20.
My Question: If you could would you want to control the weather? NO WAY. I don't care if it were to squash hurricanes out at sea.
Done.
Time to tag...
Lora
Edder
First the rules:
1. Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your blog. Replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, and add one more question of your own.
2. Tag other people.
Now the questions:
What are you wearing today? At the moment, yoga pants and a Life is Good t-shirt. I have a lot of cleaning for tomorrow's pot luck to do and hate cleaning. Figured yoga pants = comfort AND may add some possible zen to my day.
What's for dinner? I don't know, but it'll be quick and easy. Besides, it's 10:30 a.m. and dinner is too far away for me to think of.
What would you eat for your last meal? That's a tough one. I love various types of food that you'd never pair together. However, there would be Brussel sprouts, pizza, hot dogs and key lime pie.
What relaxes you most? Depends on the day, where I am and who I'm with. For instance, when I was hiking in the Grand Canyon, stopping to journal and enjoy the day was so relaxing. However, I've been known to relax while cooking or being outside. I guess I relax when I'm just enjoying the moment. Too many times do I let external thoughts ruin the moment.
If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would it be? Wow, only 1 hour - I'd guess I'd be on a massage table
What language do you want to learn? I'll just come out and say it - I SUCK AT LEARNING NEW LANGUAGES. My parents spoke French Canadian (French + a lot of 'r' rolling) and although I took French in school, I couldn't master it. I can understand bits & pieces, but I insult the French when I open my mouth. Personally, I'm still trying to master my native tongue of English and that's enough for me.
What do you love most about where you currently live? The fact that I'm close enough to NYC, but far enough away not to pay the outrageous rents/mortgage to live there. In addition, there are great restaurants, bars and stores all within 2 miles of the beach.
What style is your current home decorated in? Shabby Chic (I hate that term) with a lot of clutter (who knew stacking books would get written up as a decorating must)...
If you were a time traveler what era would you live in? I'm happy now, but would like to visit and observe other time periods - the 1960s, 1800's and 1920's.
What is your favorite color? Not beige.
What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? Yoga pants
What were you doing ten years ago? Working for a small start-up wireless company that eventually went public. I was married (different guy) and probably not happy. Wait, I wasn't.
What are you going to do after this? Clean, clean, clean. Ughhh...my least favorite thing....
What are your favorite films? I don't have just one, but here are some that come to mind: Clockwork Orange, When Harry Met Sally, The Jerk, Rebecca, Shawshank Redemption, Dodgeball. I could on, but these are the ones that came to mind first.
What are your favorite books? Any book that makes me lose track of time.
Do you collect anything? Cookbooks and pottery (platters/plates).
What makes you follow a blog? It piques my interest. It could be a witty comment someone made on another blog that leads me to it or a follower of mine that I've checked out.
What was the most enjoyable thing you did today? Don't know too early.
Ann's Question: What makes you comment on a blog? I read many blogs and may comment if the author posted something I liked or if I can contribute to it. Many times I read a blog without commenting.
Amy's Question: What is your favorite thing to do when you have free time? Cook, spend time with friends and family, not clean.
Tonya's Question: What is a talent you wished you had? Some people may not agree with this, but I would like a high metabolism. I believe it a talent to be able to eat what you want without ever worrying about a calorie.
Noelle's Question: If you could go to heaven, who would you see and why? Not a clue. I think I'd be just interested in listening to every one's stories.
Vickie's Question: Who is your favorite actor? Living: Kevin Spacey, Dead: Jimmy Stewart
Kitten's Question: Other than Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, etc. what are your most frequently visited websites? Yahoo. I have an email account there and I catch up on headline news.
SeptemberMom's Question: What was your favorite subject in school? History and Art, but not Art History.
Christy's question: As a child/teen how did you envision your adult life? LOL. Probably nothing like this. At 35, everything changed.
Dan from Art of Panic's Question: How much time do you spend on your average blog post? Varies and depends upon if I get interrupted. Today, I started at 9:00 a.m but 3 phone calls later, finally got to sit down and write at 10:20.
My Question: If you could would you want to control the weather? NO WAY. I don't care if it were to squash hurricanes out at sea.
Done.
Time to tag...
Lora
Edder
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Summer Edition of Cooking Experiment
July 16, 2009....
Last month, I blogged about a little experiment I'm doing (Crazy Ass Cookbook Experiment) and have to admit that I love it.
I love it in theory and in practice. But, here's the rub: I haven't been so good at the practice part. It's not that I still don't have the desire, but I guess it's true what they say about cooking when it's warm out and I own a great Weber grill. Wait, not using the grill as much as I just implied in the last sentence, so I'll just say I've adopted what many magazine publishers do during the summer months - one edition for 2 months.
As I'm still completing the recipes I picked out for June, I can tell you from what I've done, Jacques Pepin is the MAN.
He can take 3 ingredients and create a tasty recipe which is harder than it sounds. For instance, mustard greens + hot Italian sausage + onions = yummy dish [Note: dirt loves to cling to mustard greens so clean well unless you like the taste of dirt, if so, I promise I won't judge].
The books I chose for June/July and what appears to be August are:
1. More Fast Food My Way (Jacques Pepin): It should be noted I have his first Fast Food My Way book, but it is way down in one of my stacks of cookbooks (yes, I said stacks). What I loved about the recipes I've prepared is that they are quick and easy, but still good. However, I did make one dish, Cod in Olive Tomato Crust, and made the fatal error of using sun dried tomatoes packed in a SEASONED oil. Combine salty sun dried tomatoes and black olives and you have instant salt on a plate. In fairness to Jacques, I will be redoing this recipe using unseasoned tomatoes.
What appealed to me about this book is that he either used ingredients I've never had before [mustard greens (give me a break, mom had a repertoire of meals that were repeated each week and mustard greens never made it into the rotation)] or used in a very different way (cooking lettuce is new to me and I have yet to make that recipe).
Recipes from the book I selected: Scallops Grenobloise (excellent, but made modifications because hubby hates mushrooms and couldn't be bothered with making croutons), Cod in Olive Tomato Crust (this is do over for me), Curly Mustard Greens with Hot Sausage (yummy), Rigatoni with Lettuce & Eggplant (yet to make).
2. Best of Food & Wine 2009: I've only made one of the recipes I selected, but it made a great rub for the meat and I made some extra and have used the rub to spice up other dishes and found it yummy when used in hash browns. However, I modified a recipe because of time (yeah, still working on learning to leave enough prep time), but loved the concept (use zucchini and yellow squash to make linguine).
Zucchini & yellow squash as linguine is genius! Me trying to figure out how to use my mandoline on the julienne setting is just crazy talk. Ugh...I actually pulled out a peeler and cut them lengthwise so they'd be thinner strips. Sure I didn't blanch them as the recipe called for, but sauteing with oil and lemon and adding goat cheese created a really yummy dish.
I have to admit the veggies kept their firmness like a noodle and absorbed the flavors of the oil, lemon, etc.. I made this dish for a friend and raved about it later to hubby who was such a skeptic that I made zucchini linguine again (but changed the recipe to make with garlic and Parmesan cheese).
To make a long story short, try this. Summer squashes are in season (zucchini works better) and veggies are good for you.
Recipes I selected from F&W 2009 are: Crisp tomato, Zucchini & Eggplant Bread Gratin (yet to make), Squash & Zucchini Linguine with Goat Cheese (didn't really follow so will probably do again), Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce (yet to do) and Mexican Spice Rubbed Rib Eyes with Lime Butter (yummy)
3. Gourmet Magazine, June 2009: Again, slacker with these recipes. I made 1 out of 4, but really enjoyed the Chipotle Pork Cheeseburgers and realized with some minor, if any, modifications this recipe could work using ground turkey.
Recipes I selected from this issue of Gourmet (btw, a bit saddened because I believe my subscription ran out and can't justify while unemployed the expense of renewing when I own so many cookbooks. Sniff, sniff): Grilled Zucchini Pasta with Pecorino Walnut Crumble (yet to try, but sounds fab-u-lous), Chipotle Pork Cheeseburgers, Warm Quinoa Salad with Grilled Veggies & Fresh Cheese (yet to make and I have high hopes since my last quinoa recipe fell short), Seasoned Fried Chicken (yet to make and it should be noted, it's not a breaded chicken).
4. Bon Appetit, Fast & Fresh: 2 out of 4 recipes and have to admit, one of them, SUCKED. Remember I mentioned I was in awe of Jacques' ability to throw 3 ingredients together to make a memorable dish, well, sometimes 3 ingredients thrown together is just 3 ingredients.
Pancetta Green Beans = pancetta + butter + green beans. When I picked the recipe I was swayed by the title and had not read the ingredients. When I went to make the recipe, I was baffled and wondered why no shallot or onion. I added it to the recipe because it needed it and yet I'd still never make again. I felt as though this recipe was created to fill the pages of the book and no real tasting went on. I know that was harsh.
The other recipe I tried, Grilled Corn with Smoked Paprika Butter was simple and I liked the flavor of the butter (the recipe was the butter). It was nice to give butter a little lift for my corn. I'd make again.
The recipes I selected from Bon Appetit's Fast Easy Fresh are: Pancetta Green Beans (don't bother), Grilled Corn with Smoked Paprika Butter (I'd do again), Spinach & Leek Gratin with Roquefort Crumble Topping (yet to make, but sounds promising) and Green Beans with Walnuts & Walnut Oil (yet to make and a bit nervous that it too will fall flat)
5. Bon Appetit's Keep It Simple: 1 out of 4 recipes made and it was another green bean recipe. It didn't fall as flat as the last one, but I wouldn't make again. My husband and gf enjoyed, but I think they enjoyed other parts of the meal better (I don't believe seconds were taken on this dish).
The recipes I selected from Bon Appetit's Keep It Simple are: Rice Pilaf with Spinach & Caramelized Onions (yet to make), Creamy Scrambled Eggs with Asparagus and Goat Cheese (yet to make), Warm Spinach Salad with Parmesan Toast (yet to make) and Sauteed Green Beans with Shallots (hmmm...made and I'd pass although shallots and balsamic vinegar made this interesting).
6. Cooking @Home, The CIA 2 out of 4 recipes made and loved both.
The Chicken Paillards with Orange Thyme Butter was quick and easy (the recipe is the butter you put on top of the grilled chicken) and gave a nice flavor to the chicken. I'd make again.
The other recipe I made was Risotto with Asparagus Tips. I haven't met a risotto I haven't liked and this was both easy and provided me with a veggie (I struggle with incorporating enough fruit & veggies into diet and look for any ways to do this - okay, I digressed enough). My point is that I'd make again.
The recipes I selected from the CIA book are: Chicken Paillards with Orange-Thyme Butter, Fettuccine with Puttanesca Sauce (yet to make), Potato Pancakes (yet to make) and Risotto with Asparagus Tips.
I'd have to rank Jacques book my favorite, then F&W 2009, then CIA, then Gourmet Magazine,then Bon Appetit's Keep it Simple and then Bon Appetit's Fresh, Fast, Easy (solely based on poor Pancetta Green Bean recipe).
In the past month, I've gotten better about my timing and able to have all components of the meal finished at the same time. Yay for a hot meal!
Next time, I'm thinking of using some of my cookbooks written by the Food Network stars.
Bon Appetit!
Last month, I blogged about a little experiment I'm doing (Crazy Ass Cookbook Experiment) and have to admit that I love it.
I love it in theory and in practice. But, here's the rub: I haven't been so good at the practice part. It's not that I still don't have the desire, but I guess it's true what they say about cooking when it's warm out and I own a great Weber grill. Wait, not using the grill as much as I just implied in the last sentence, so I'll just say I've adopted what many magazine publishers do during the summer months - one edition for 2 months.
As I'm still completing the recipes I picked out for June, I can tell you from what I've done, Jacques Pepin is the MAN.
He can take 3 ingredients and create a tasty recipe which is harder than it sounds. For instance, mustard greens + hot Italian sausage + onions = yummy dish [Note: dirt loves to cling to mustard greens so clean well unless you like the taste of dirt, if so, I promise I won't judge].
The books I chose for June/July and what appears to be August are:
1. More Fast Food My Way (Jacques Pepin): It should be noted I have his first Fast Food My Way book, but it is way down in one of my stacks of cookbooks (yes, I said stacks). What I loved about the recipes I've prepared is that they are quick and easy, but still good. However, I did make one dish, Cod in Olive Tomato Crust, and made the fatal error of using sun dried tomatoes packed in a SEASONED oil. Combine salty sun dried tomatoes and black olives and you have instant salt on a plate. In fairness to Jacques, I will be redoing this recipe using unseasoned tomatoes.
What appealed to me about this book is that he either used ingredients I've never had before [mustard greens (give me a break, mom had a repertoire of meals that were repeated each week and mustard greens never made it into the rotation)] or used in a very different way (cooking lettuce is new to me and I have yet to make that recipe).
Recipes from the book I selected: Scallops Grenobloise (excellent, but made modifications because hubby hates mushrooms and couldn't be bothered with making croutons), Cod in Olive Tomato Crust (this is do over for me), Curly Mustard Greens with Hot Sausage (yummy), Rigatoni with Lettuce & Eggplant (yet to make).
2. Best of Food & Wine 2009: I've only made one of the recipes I selected, but it made a great rub for the meat and I made some extra and have used the rub to spice up other dishes and found it yummy when used in hash browns. However, I modified a recipe because of time (yeah, still working on learning to leave enough prep time), but loved the concept (use zucchini and yellow squash to make linguine).
Zucchini & yellow squash as linguine is genius! Me trying to figure out how to use my mandoline on the julienne setting is just crazy talk. Ugh...I actually pulled out a peeler and cut them lengthwise so they'd be thinner strips. Sure I didn't blanch them as the recipe called for, but sauteing with oil and lemon and adding goat cheese created a really yummy dish.
I have to admit the veggies kept their firmness like a noodle and absorbed the flavors of the oil, lemon, etc.. I made this dish for a friend and raved about it later to hubby who was such a skeptic that I made zucchini linguine again (but changed the recipe to make with garlic and Parmesan cheese).
To make a long story short, try this. Summer squashes are in season (zucchini works better) and veggies are good for you.
Recipes I selected from F&W 2009 are: Crisp tomato, Zucchini & Eggplant Bread Gratin (yet to make), Squash & Zucchini Linguine with Goat Cheese (didn't really follow so will probably do again), Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce (yet to do) and Mexican Spice Rubbed Rib Eyes with Lime Butter (yummy)
3. Gourmet Magazine, June 2009: Again, slacker with these recipes. I made 1 out of 4, but really enjoyed the Chipotle Pork Cheeseburgers and realized with some minor, if any, modifications this recipe could work using ground turkey.
Recipes I selected from this issue of Gourmet (btw, a bit saddened because I believe my subscription ran out and can't justify while unemployed the expense of renewing when I own so many cookbooks. Sniff, sniff): Grilled Zucchini Pasta with Pecorino Walnut Crumble (yet to try, but sounds fab-u-lous), Chipotle Pork Cheeseburgers, Warm Quinoa Salad with Grilled Veggies & Fresh Cheese (yet to make and I have high hopes since my last quinoa recipe fell short), Seasoned Fried Chicken (yet to make and it should be noted, it's not a breaded chicken).
4. Bon Appetit, Fast & Fresh: 2 out of 4 recipes and have to admit, one of them, SUCKED. Remember I mentioned I was in awe of Jacques' ability to throw 3 ingredients together to make a memorable dish, well, sometimes 3 ingredients thrown together is just 3 ingredients.
Pancetta Green Beans = pancetta + butter + green beans. When I picked the recipe I was swayed by the title and had not read the ingredients. When I went to make the recipe, I was baffled and wondered why no shallot or onion. I added it to the recipe because it needed it and yet I'd still never make again. I felt as though this recipe was created to fill the pages of the book and no real tasting went on. I know that was harsh.
The other recipe I tried, Grilled Corn with Smoked Paprika Butter was simple and I liked the flavor of the butter (the recipe was the butter). It was nice to give butter a little lift for my corn. I'd make again.
The recipes I selected from Bon Appetit's Fast Easy Fresh are: Pancetta Green Beans (don't bother), Grilled Corn with Smoked Paprika Butter (I'd do again), Spinach & Leek Gratin with Roquefort Crumble Topping (yet to make, but sounds promising) and Green Beans with Walnuts & Walnut Oil (yet to make and a bit nervous that it too will fall flat)
5. Bon Appetit's Keep It Simple: 1 out of 4 recipes made and it was another green bean recipe. It didn't fall as flat as the last one, but I wouldn't make again. My husband and gf enjoyed, but I think they enjoyed other parts of the meal better (I don't believe seconds were taken on this dish).
The recipes I selected from Bon Appetit's Keep It Simple are: Rice Pilaf with Spinach & Caramelized Onions (yet to make), Creamy Scrambled Eggs with Asparagus and Goat Cheese (yet to make), Warm Spinach Salad with Parmesan Toast (yet to make) and Sauteed Green Beans with Shallots (hmmm...made and I'd pass although shallots and balsamic vinegar made this interesting).
6. Cooking @Home, The CIA 2 out of 4 recipes made and loved both.
The Chicken Paillards with Orange Thyme Butter was quick and easy (the recipe is the butter you put on top of the grilled chicken) and gave a nice flavor to the chicken. I'd make again.
The other recipe I made was Risotto with Asparagus Tips. I haven't met a risotto I haven't liked and this was both easy and provided me with a veggie (I struggle with incorporating enough fruit & veggies into diet and look for any ways to do this - okay, I digressed enough). My point is that I'd make again.
The recipes I selected from the CIA book are: Chicken Paillards with Orange-Thyme Butter, Fettuccine with Puttanesca Sauce (yet to make), Potato Pancakes (yet to make) and Risotto with Asparagus Tips.
I'd have to rank Jacques book my favorite, then F&W 2009, then CIA, then Gourmet Magazine,then Bon Appetit's Keep it Simple and then Bon Appetit's Fresh, Fast, Easy (solely based on poor Pancetta Green Bean recipe).
In the past month, I've gotten better about my timing and able to have all components of the meal finished at the same time. Yay for a hot meal!
Next time, I'm thinking of using some of my cookbooks written by the Food Network stars.
Bon Appetit!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)