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All I ever want to do is take pictures of food. I can't help it. I'm even starting to photograph food I've already photographed before, like Molly's chili. It is a rather fun and challenging thing to photograph, though, (and, of course, a wonderful thing to eat) so I guess it stands to reason that it makes a second appearance here.
Now if I could only enjoy cooking food as much as I like photographing it. Must crack the code on that one...
It was a week after Perry was born. My friends put together the obligatory meal-making schedule that is required of all friends of a new mom. A woman I didn't know very well generously offered to be a part of the schedule and called me one afternoon...
Her: "Hi. I'm making you guys dinner tonight. What's your favorite meal?"
Me: "Hi. Oh...umm...hmm...I don't think I have one."
Her: "Come on, what is it?"
Me: "Umm...(I was thinking Chicken Cordon Bleu)...well, I don't think it's possible to make it from scratch. I think it's only possible to get it at a restaurant or something."
Her: "Shut up. What is it?"
Me: "No, seriously. It's too hard to make."
Her: "Oh my god, just tell me what it is!"
Me: "Okay! Chicken Cordon Bleu."
Her: "Done. What else?"
Me: "Done?"
Her: "Yep. Done. What else?"
Me: "Okay...umm...twice-baked potatoes?" (This will push her over the edge.)
Her: "Done. How about a salad?"
Me: "A salad on top of all that? Wow. Sure."
Her: "Uh-huh. And for dessert?"
Me: "Dessert? That's enough, really, we don't need dessert."
Her: "Shut up. How about cherry pie?"
Me: "You're my new best friend."
Needless to say, the Chicken Cordon Bleu and the twice-baked potatoes and the salad and the cherry pie were completely awesome. It was one of the best meals I've ever had in my whole life. And she seemed to think nothing of it. As I was scrolling through the Internet looking for something to make for dinner last night, I happened upon this recipe from skinnytaste and I was like, I'm totally making this tonight because it totally reminds me of that time my friend made me Chicken Cordon Bleu after I had Perry.
Chicken Rollatini Stuffed with Zucchini and Mozzarella isn't exactly Chicken Cordon Bleu but it's no slacker either. It's rolled-up chicken yumminess and sometimes that's all you need. Just some minor tweaks to the recipe: I made my own breadcrumbs by toasting spelt bread and grinding it up in my little mini-food processor, then adding about 3/4 tsp. of Italian seasoning. And, I salted things to taste as I went. And, I didn't use chicken cutlets but used two large chicken breasts and split them through the middle for four flat pieces. And, I baked them in the lower half of the oven so the breadcrumbs didn't burn.
And, it's now one of my favorite meals.
It was a rainy, windy, blustery day. School was out and we decided to meet the mister downtown. We had a bite to eat and toured some new art. It was wonderful to see him, in his element, in the middle of the afternoon.
Must do it again soon...
Sunday dinners are starting a little earlier around here. I'm heading into the kitchen around 4:00 pm and having dinner served by 5:00 pm. With all of the showering and bathing and dish washing and laundry that needs doing on a typical Sunday night, I'm liking a more leisurely pace.
You know what else I'm liking? This delicious Spinach, White Bean, and Turkey Sausage Soup from Closet Cooking. Though I changed mine up a bit and used chicken sausage and Swiss chard instead of turkey and spinach, it was so, so good. I also topped it with Parmesan cheese (I've been known to use Parmesan like salt) and that made it downright perfect. Nice and warm and just a little bit spicy, perfect for an early Sunday dinner in February.
How in the world do people come up with such amazing recipes?
This kid does it to me every time.
Trying my best to claw my way back after a hellacious few weeks, shaky though I may be. I spent yesterday morning in the garden, clearing weeds and readying some beds for planting. And, truthfully, hoping a little digging would clear more than just soil.
Maybe it will.
A simple Dutch Baby Pancake, made by my hubby...
And a new iron skillet, given to us by my sis...
Have changed the way our family does Saturday morning breakfast.
Instead of the kids racing back and forth to the table to finish their pancakes,
We eat together, all together. Rather indulgent for a Saturday morning, but scrumptious all the same.
Dutch Baby Pancake
1-1/2 cups flour
1-1/2 cups milk
6 eggs
1 tsp. salt
Approx. 1/3 stick butter
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees, with skillet in oven. Mix all ingredients except butter in a bowl.
2. Take skillet out and coat with butter. Add mixture to skillet.
3. Bake for 20 min. or until slightly brown on top. Top with confectioner's sugar if you're feeling fancy. Serve warm.
