Apple Soup - Mixed by Joplin by joplin

Apple Soup - Mixed by Joplin  by  joplin

Homemade Mayonnaise

I suppose I assumed it would be difficult... but then after reading how-to in Mastering the Art of French Cooking - Ms. Child made it seem pretty easy! I was certain I would be fine... ummmm... not so much. It's amazing how difficult things can be that seem like they should be simple. I swear I never saw any chefs on Top Chef dribble in drop by drop the oil until it emulsified, but somehow they end up with perfect handmade mayo?! Crazy... but I guess that's what PRACTICE is for. Don't know till you try, fuck up, learn from it, try again... Here is a great link I found and am about to go for round 2 in a few minutes once the man gets home with more oil! Mayonnaise Basics

I am pretty excited for some gourmet tuna melt's tonight.... Picked up some more expensive tuna, bread, some crazy uncured bacon, provolone. Yum. All for you Megan!! :)

Shrimp and Grits?!

I just saw an episode of Man vs Food and they cooked up some shrimp and grits that looked HEAVENLY!! Found a Bobby Flay recipe and must try it tonight... I don't love shrimp... and I've never had grits but something is forcing me to make this. Mike hates shrimp and grits (uh oh heh) so I've decided not to tell him, thrust the plate in front of him and force him to eat it. We shall see!
UPDATE: we still hate shrimp. grits were fab!

Soupe a l'Oignon Gratinee (French Onion Soup!)

One of the most comforting dishes EVER, oh how I love a (good) french onion soup... So of course, I have to make it myself. And I can never do anything simple, so it's been about a two hour process so far, including the 30 minutes of tear-shed during onion slicing... The unfortunate part of our kitchen, which I otherwise thoroughly enjoy cooking in, is that there is really no "low" setting on the stove. Low is really medium, which never for a simmer makes. Boo.... Onions burned slightly, but I won't get upset yet (I either have a major freak out when things go not exactly as planned, or I laugh and pour myself another glass of wine! This wine is lovely...) I love that in french cooking they call the fat that rises to the top "scum." It makes me snicker... Ok, back to paying attention - final result with pic coming soon!

New Beginnings...

As cliche as the title may sound, I think we all (mostly) like to view a new year as a new beginning.... a chance to "really do it this time!" Maybe this blog is one of those for me - I have had this account for over a year and never tried to do anything with it... my actual website has had a splash page on it with nothing more than an email and link to some music for over 3 years... sad. But no need for negative reflection - forward thinking!

I intend for this blog to be entertaining ... I hope ... I realize that my friends, my better half and myself - do some pretty fun and interesting shit. I always tell myself I need to write down everything we do because I am bound to forget 90% of it. Well here it is :) Though I should put this out there now - I tend to get really excited about ideas and projects and once started - never finish. But one can always change...

What to Expect: Over the last year or so I have become obsessed with cooking.. expect to read a lot about food. Since music also rules my life, expect to read a lot about that, too. I am smitten with my boyfriend of 5 years so be prepared. I am absolutely in love with all my friends - even they might get sick of reading about themselves.

With that said - Bon Appetit! ;)