tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307152382024-03-12T23:25:06.864-03:00Teh Culinary SkillzA sordid account of Meg's culinary (mis)adventuresMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-51018413037406048482008-12-09T00:25:00.000-04:002008-12-17T00:30:54.831-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2kuldD24vgI/SUiAXndNnvI/AAAAAAAAAhA/u1S2FPUoJk0/s1600-h/IMG_0173.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2kuldD24vgI/SUiAXndNnvI/AAAAAAAAAhA/u1S2FPUoJk0/s400/IMG_0173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280611706308763378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2kuldD24vgI/SUiAXAAeXMI/AAAAAAAAAg4/-LkxCyuwXOA/s1600-h/IMG_0201.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2kuldD24vgI/SUiAXAAeXMI/AAAAAAAAAg4/-LkxCyuwXOA/s400/IMG_0201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280611695719242946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2kuldD24vgI/SUiAWxD9nRI/AAAAAAAAAgw/pXb8aa053Dg/s1600-h/IMG_0202.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2kuldD24vgI/SUiAWxD9nRI/AAAAAAAAAgw/pXb8aa053Dg/s400/IMG_0202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280611691707342098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2kuldD24vgI/SUiAWTKVbtI/AAAAAAAAAgo/h9ir-gOcCCg/s1600-h/IMG_0203.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2kuldD24vgI/SUiAWTKVbtI/AAAAAAAAAgo/h9ir-gOcCCg/s400/IMG_0203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280611683681005266" border="0" /></a>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-86053702781396249142008-03-30T16:37:00.000-03:002008-05-17T14:16:12.731-03:00coconut grilled peaches<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeIhu2w7HI/AAAAAAAAAUw/T9TYnJg0Tmw/s1600-h/IMG_5021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeIhu2w7HI/AAAAAAAAAUw/T9TYnJg0Tmw/s400/IMG_5021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127216813879389298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeIiO2w7II/AAAAAAAAAU4/6DS_-m2NNlM/s1600-h/IMG_5022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeIiO2w7II/AAAAAAAAAU4/6DS_-m2NNlM/s400/IMG_5022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127216822469323906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeIie2w7JI/AAAAAAAAAVA/9GsjcGqov4Y/s1600-h/IMG_5024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeIie2w7JI/AAAAAAAAAVA/9GsjcGqov4Y/s400/IMG_5024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127216826764291218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeIiu2w7KI/AAAAAAAAAVI/94V1ztRix1M/s1600-h/IMG_5026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeIiu2w7KI/AAAAAAAAAVI/94V1ztRix1M/s400/IMG_5026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127216831059258530" border="0" /></a><br />Not exactly what I had in mind, but they blew canned peaches out of the water.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-68087257685151112042008-02-25T09:16:00.000-04:002008-05-17T14:15:20.283-03:00Brunch.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RqdAamdgQxI/AAAAAAAAAQY/dSgBComOKok/s1600-h/IMG_3782.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RqdAamdgQxI/AAAAAAAAAQY/dSgBComOKok/s400/IMG_3782.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091108729510707986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RqdAa2dgQyI/AAAAAAAAAQg/KtfzEglK62Q/s1600-h/IMG_3784.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RqdAa2dgQyI/AAAAAAAAAQg/KtfzEglK62Q/s400/IMG_3784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091108733805675298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RqdAbWdgQzI/AAAAAAAAAQo/9lHuceF3JPs/s1600-h/IMG_3785.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RqdAbWdgQzI/AAAAAAAAAQo/9lHuceF3JPs/s400/IMG_3785.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091108742395609906" border="0" /></a><br />Father's Day buffet. Those lemon scones were AWESOME.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-65207332655001749292008-01-30T16:41:00.000-04:002008-05-17T14:17:55.725-03:00thai peanut stir-fry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeKC-2w7QI/AAAAAAAAAV4/FR83vq6tHj0/s1600-h/IMG_5043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeKC-2w7QI/AAAAAAAAAV4/FR83vq6tHj0/s400/IMG_5043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127218484621667586" border="0" /></a>Pasta: the staple and failsafe student standby. It was also free!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeJle2w7MI/AAAAAAAAAVY/mSIThAfqC68/s1600-h/IMG_5038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeJle2w7MI/AAAAAAAAAVY/mSIThAfqC68/s400/IMG_5038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127217977815526594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeJl-2w7NI/AAAAAAAAAVg/XwUflV4u30Q/s1600-h/IMG_5039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeJl-2w7NI/AAAAAAAAAVg/XwUflV4u30Q/s400/IMG_5039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127217986405461202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeJmu2w7OI/AAAAAAAAAVo/8RKqUQtA6v0/s1600-h/IMG_5040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeJmu2w7OI/AAAAAAAAAVo/8RKqUQtA6v0/s400/IMG_5040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127217999290363106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeJnO2w7PI/AAAAAAAAAVw/8GtWCrOkLAw/s1600-h/IMG_5042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeJnO2w7PI/AAAAAAAAAVw/8GtWCrOkLAw/s400/IMG_5042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127218007880297714" border="0" /></a>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-51077060199591601482007-12-13T14:59:00.000-04:002007-12-13T15:24:17.179-04:00not dead. I promise!So it's been a terribly busy semester hereabouts, which would explain the drastic reduction in blog posts. Also, I managed to destroy my digital camera on a canoeing trip with the boyfriend, so I'm hoping fervently that Christmas will yield a new camera, or at least a non-digital camera I can borrow.<br /><br />In the meantime, though, I HAD to commemorate the cooking of my very first turkey, which my mother kindly sent to my roommates and I for the lean time at the end of the semester when none of us had money.<br /><br />So I took the built-in webcam from my MacBook and took some pictures.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/R2GGX7FVdAI/AAAAAAAAAWY/M0pPR7Tcjps/s1600-h/Photo+279.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/R2GGX7FVdAI/AAAAAAAAAWY/M0pPR7Tcjps/s400/Photo+279.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143539994988999682" border="0" /></a>It has a FACE! Honest to goodness!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/R2GGXrFVc_I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/lvP_3poopcc/s1600-h/Photo+264.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/R2GGXrFVc_I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/lvP_3poopcc/s400/Photo+264.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143539990694032370" border="0" /></a><br />Isn't it pretty? It was definitely yummy.<br /><br />As soon as I return home next week, I'm going into full DIY and cooking mode, so expect a lot more exciting things coming up a lot sooner!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />MegMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-1266997331275945592007-10-30T16:47:00.000-03:002007-10-30T17:01:29.664-03:00BEST RESTAURANT EVAR.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeLNe2w7RI/AAAAAAAAAWA/xDz1m6qbxq8/s1600-h/IMG_4832.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeLNe2w7RI/AAAAAAAAAWA/xDz1m6qbxq8/s400/IMG_4832.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127219764521921810" border="0" /></a>Now, with a wine option like that (if it hadn't been the middle of the day...), plus a whalewatching business operating out of the joint (which we took advantage of before lunch), you'd think that would be enough to make this a pretty cool restaurant.<br /><br />You'd be wrong. The decor was charming, the locale was great (way out in the middle of nowhere on a little island), there were boxes full of Trivial Pursuit cards to pass the time, and the service was as homey and friendly as could be. They even let the patrons use the piano in the dining room, and the sweetest little girl from one of the other tables played a bit while we were there. She was good, too.<br /><br />Oh, and the food? The food was phenomenal. The menu had something for everyone (and there were 8 of us with very different palates) and I don't think anyone was disappointed.<br /><br />The problem is? It was months ago, and I'm still thinking about that peanut butter pie...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeLN-2w7SI/AAAAAAAAAWI/CPjpEgk8mjk/s1600-h/IMG_4831.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RyeLN-2w7SI/AAAAAAAAAWI/CPjpEgk8mjk/s400/IMG_4831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127219773111856418" border="0" /></a><br />Cheers,<br />MegMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-83960787698540669632007-10-12T22:19:00.000-03:002007-10-12T22:49:42.464-03:00Pie and a Song<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAesdf5YDI/AAAAAAAAATA/aDzpZIMCMmA/s1600-h/IMG_4442.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAesdf5YDI/AAAAAAAAATA/aDzpZIMCMmA/s400/IMG_4442.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120626525501743154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAesdf5YEI/AAAAAAAAATI/XOr4jwgdjws/s1600-h/IMG_4443.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAesdf5YEI/AAAAAAAAATI/XOr4jwgdjws/s400/IMG_4443.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120626525501743170" border="0" /></a><pre style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">She's my cherry pie<br /><br />Cool drink of water<br /><br />Such a sweet suprise<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAfMNf5YII/AAAAAAAAATo/kgq60ry7Cy0/s1600-h/IMG_4447.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAfMNf5YII/AAAAAAAAATo/kgq60ry7Cy0/s400/IMG_4447.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120627070962589826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Tastes so good<br /><br />Make a grown man cry<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAestf5YGI/AAAAAAAAATY/K7ZeS0QSNcQ/s1600-h/IMG_4445.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAestf5YGI/AAAAAAAAATY/K7ZeS0QSNcQ/s400/IMG_4445.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120626529796710498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Sweet cherry pie<br /><br />Oh yeah<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAes9f5YHI/AAAAAAAAATg/iGTdp5mfCPM/s1600-h/IMG_4446.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAes9f5YHI/AAAAAAAAATg/iGTdp5mfCPM/s400/IMG_4446.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120626534091677810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />She's my cherry pie<br /><br />Put a smile on your face<br /><br />Ten miles wide<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAfMdf5YKI/AAAAAAAAAT4/MEaVWK0tEIw/s1600-h/IMG_4450.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAfMdf5YKI/AAAAAAAAAT4/MEaVWK0tEIw/s400/IMG_4450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120627075257557154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Looks so good<br /><br />Bring a tear to your eye<br /><br />Sweet cherry pie<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAfMtf5YMI/AAAAAAAAAUI/2prQUHIDXjI/s1600-h/IMG_4462.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAfMtf5YMI/AAAAAAAAAUI/2prQUHIDXjI/s400/IMG_4462.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120627079552524482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAftNf5YQI/AAAAAAAAAUo/rnGdsxhi3rU/s1600-h/IMG_4466.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAftNf5YQI/AAAAAAAAAUo/rnGdsxhi3rU/s400/IMG_4466.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120627637898273026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Sweet cherry pie<br /><br />Yeah<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAfs9f5YPI/AAAAAAAAAUg/1imFKQBSmqo/s1600-h/IMG_4465.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RxAfs9f5YPI/AAAAAAAAAUg/1imFKQBSmqo/s400/IMG_4465.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120627633603305714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Swing it!<br /><br />Yeah, so I'm not original. But who cares when there's pictures of cheery pie to ogle?<br /></span></pre>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-77426721223303853592007-08-22T16:33:00.000-03:002007-08-22T17:06:28.430-03:00Sometimes after a long day of editing Powerpoints, writing speaker's notes, sending emails, consulting with your supervisors and colleagues, and doing a bunch of research, a gal just needs to stop and smell the flowers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsySkJgQoQI/AAAAAAAAASw/tfzMxNr9DIo/s1600-h/IMG_4561.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsySkJgQoQI/AAAAAAAAASw/tfzMxNr9DIo/s400/IMG_4561.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101613627628101890" border="0" /></a>Mmmm, that's better. Too bad the flowers don't smell quite as good as my first peach crumbles.<br /><br />I'll be honest: I'm afraid of crumbles. I always, always, ALWAYS manage to screw up the topping somehow, even if I follow the recipe to a T. I've never figured out why this always seems to happen. It's really a shame, because I love crumbles, and I've watched my mother whip up a blueberry crumble in the time it takes to preheat the oven.<br /><br />So on Sunday night, thanks to a pile of beautiful ripe peaches in my fridge, an unwillingness to pack for school, and an inspiring recipe from my Barefoot Contessa cookbook, I knew I had to make peach crumbles in individual ramekins and risk the crumble topping (after all, if it flopped, I'd still have yummy baked peaches underneath).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsyRBJgQoII/AAAAAAAAARw/CovoaxwpHq0/s1600-h/IMG_4544.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsyRBJgQoII/AAAAAAAAARw/CovoaxwpHq0/s400/IMG_4544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101611926821052546" border="0" /></a>I prepared the peaches first, which I had never actually tried before. For those of you who were as ignorant to peach peeling as I was before Sunday, it was pretty easy: all you have to do is put your peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds to a minute, place them immediately in cold water, and peel them one by one.<br />The boiling water loosens the skin from the inner fruity part of the peach, and the cold water bath keeps them from cooking (I think - this is about as scientific as I get). It's a bit messy, but far better than peeling them by hand (I know because I made the mistake of trying to peel by hand first).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsyRDJgQoKI/AAAAAAAAASA/fxC3_hrdc98/s1600-h/IMG_4547.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsyRDJgQoKI/AAAAAAAAASA/fxC3_hrdc98/s400/IMG_4547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101611961180790946" border="0" /></a>The divine peaches looked awesome in Mom's new bird's-egg blue bowls, so of course I took loads of pictures to avoid starting the dreaded crumble topping.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsyRCJgQoJI/AAAAAAAAAR4/oQtRfuTTAqs/s1600-h/IMG_4545.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsyRCJgQoJI/AAAAAAAAAR4/oQtRfuTTAqs/s400/IMG_4545.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101611944000921746" border="0" /></a>With one last picture (or five) of the pretty ingredients in their pretty bowls and a deep breath, I started my foray into the crumble topping.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsyREpgQoLI/AAAAAAAAASI/b0Sz_TuirUY/s1600-h/IMG_4550.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsyREpgQoLI/AAAAAAAAASI/b0Sz_TuirUY/s400/IMG_4550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101611986950594738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsyRF5gQoMI/AAAAAAAAASQ/UzLLvB2Vpfk/s1600-h/IMG_4551.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsyRF5gQoMI/AAAAAAAAASQ/UzLLvB2Vpfk/s400/IMG_4551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101612008425431234" border="0" /></a>So it looked good, my flour, oats, and brown sugar all mixed together nicely. I only had one ingredient left: the wet one. Butter. Okay, actually it was margarine, but one must make do sometimes. I was quite worried, because I hadn't actually softened it in the microwave: I turned half of it into a puddle. "Oh, great," I thought as I walked apprehensively towards my bowl, "This crumble topping is going to be ruined too, I just feel it."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsySf5gQoNI/AAAAAAAAASY/FBjXClZNWzs/s1600-h/IMG_4554.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsySf5gQoNI/AAAAAAAAASY/FBjXClZNWzs/s400/IMG_4554.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101613554613657810" border="0" /></a>Unsurprisingly, my "crumble-topping-sense" pretty much sucks, and the topping turned out beautifully. There was one tense moment when I wasn't sure that I had added enough "butter", but I was, of course, wrong.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsySf5gQoNI/AAAAAAAAASY/FBjXClZNWzs/s1600-h/IMG_4554.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsySf5gQoNI/AAAAAAAAASY/FBjXClZNWzs/s400/IMG_4554.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101613554613657810" border="0" /></a>Gosh, isn't it beautiful? Look at it! So pretty! All those years of frustration, dissolved into nothing. thanks to my beautiful perfect crumble topping.<br /><br />In a state that can only be described as elation, I whipped up the crumbles, spicing the sliced peaches with pinches of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and popped 'em into the oven, along with a few apple mini-crumbles (I ran out of peaches).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsySiJgQoPI/AAAAAAAAASo/NEYlkhi9cfU/s1600-h/IMG_4560.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsySiJgQoPI/AAAAAAAAASo/NEYlkhi9cfU/s400/IMG_4560.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101613593268363506" border="0" /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >My little brother asked me to take pictures of his fried egg for the blog, so I snuck my crumbles into the background. I'm such a terrible sister. I don't feel too bad, though, because his fried egg was an unphotogenic diva of a fried egg. </span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsySgpgQoOI/AAAAAAAAASg/zxxaB3_UpzA/s1600-h/IMG_4558.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsySgpgQoOI/AAAAAAAAASg/zxxaB3_UpzA/s400/IMG_4558.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101613567498559714" border="0" /></a>And yes, they DID taste as good as they looked. Now THIS is what summer's all about. Until next time!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsySkpgQoRI/AAAAAAAAAS4/gMxJpPstSUY/s1600-h/IMG_4567.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsySkpgQoRI/AAAAAAAAAS4/gMxJpPstSUY/s400/IMG_4567.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101613636218036498" border="0" /></a>Music of the day: "Crush", by Jennifer Paige (cheesy pop, yes, but oh well - my Dad likes the song and he's the purchaser of the peaches: the founder of the feast, as it were)Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-59628598781325116422007-08-21T21:42:00.000-03:002007-09-29T23:15:59.020-03:00Sometimes, less is more.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsuIkJgQoFI/AAAAAAAAARY/fCDf_NLWrpc/s1600-h/IMG_4591.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsuIkJgQoFI/AAAAAAAAARY/fCDf_NLWrpc/s400/IMG_4591.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101321157535113298" border="0" /></a>It is tomato season, and you know what that means in my house? Lots and lots of sandwiches and salads featuring everybody's favorite vegetable...er, fruit. I mean, even my little brother eats them, and he's the kind of guy who would make a meal out of only a big piece of steak (actually, this past weekend, he did - and I joined him, but I ate some humus afterward too).<br /><br />And one thing my mom is good at is sandwiches. In particular, a VERY classic sandwich with tomatoes as a featured ingredient: BLTs. If it were possible to be in love with a sandwich, this would probably be my spouse (the utterly divine ham sandwich at Salvatore's in Halifax is a babe, but totally out of my league, unfortunately).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsuImpgQoHI/AAAAAAAAARo/Oz-I7lpru6U/s1600-h/IMG_4589.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsuImpgQoHI/AAAAAAAAARo/Oz-I7lpru6U/s400/IMG_4589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101321200484786290" border="0" /></a>So since Tom, my little brother, spoiled my dreams of BLTs this weekend by preparing steak (and eating all the tomatoes in the house just to spite me), last night I finally got the sandwich I'd been craving for days. And oh, was it ever dreamy.<br /><br />Since I made it myself, it wasn't quite as special as Mom's, but I know better than to complain. True love is true love, after all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsuIlJgQoGI/AAAAAAAAARg/_yfFYt8whsI/s1600-h/IMG_4590.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsuIlJgQoGI/AAAAAAAAARg/_yfFYt8whsI/s400/IMG_4590.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101321174714982498" border="0" /></a><br />Music of the day: "Ganges a Go-Go" - Kalyanji and Anandji Shah with Dan the Automator and DJ Shadow, from the album <i>Bombay the Hard Way: Guns, Cars and Sitars</i>.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-87832900584313138042007-08-16T17:13:00.001-03:002007-08-21T22:00:07.244-03:00Frustration!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsSyJJgQoAI/AAAAAAAAAQw/gN0SURTLU-M/s1600-h/IMG_3881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsSyJJgQoAI/AAAAAAAAAQw/gN0SURTLU-M/s400/IMG_3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099396548330037250" border="0" /></a>So, these are supposed to be the lazy hazy crazy days of summer, right? Pretty foliage everywhere? Check.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsSyJ5gQoBI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/5DehVqbLE4k/s1600-h/IMG_3883.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsSyJ5gQoBI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/5DehVqbLE4k/s400/IMG_3883.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099396561214939154" border="0" /></a>Easy minimalist yummy cooking with fresh ingredients? Check.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsSyKZgQoCI/AAAAAAAAARA/8qndl7aWrgA/s1600-h/IMG_3891.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsSyKZgQoCI/AAAAAAAAARA/8qndl7aWrgA/s400/IMG_3891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099396569804873762" border="0" /></a>Road trips to beautiful locales? Check.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsSyKpgQoDI/AAAAAAAAARI/AKRbnWhJUzw/s1600-h/IMG_3888.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsSyKpgQoDI/AAAAAAAAARI/AKRbnWhJUzw/s400/IMG_3888.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099396574099841074" border="0" /></a>Boozy thirst-quenchers? Check.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsSyK5gQoEI/AAAAAAAAARQ/brJyWkZK6T8/s1600-h/IMG_3890.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RsSyK5gQoEI/AAAAAAAAARQ/brJyWkZK6T8/s400/IMG_3890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099396578394808386" border="0" /></a>Picnics and party food? Check.<br /><br />So why, oh why, does my Mac refuse to rotate my pictures?Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-16237266798031693092007-07-26T14:51:00.000-03:002007-07-27T14:12:29.190-03:00brownies and cookies and tigers oh my!!Bonjour! It is I, Martha Stewart!! Queen of baking!! Psyche! It's ReemBean, alright, I know I haven't posted in awhile, but here I am with two new recipes to tickle your sweet tooth! These recipes were made in an attempt to please 3 very small hooligans, otherwise known as the spawns of satan, or Greg's 3 cousins, Monica 9, Kara 8, and Kevin 12.<br />First recipe on the list, and now Greg's favorite brownie recipe:<br /><br />Orange Cappuccino Brownies<br />2 oranges<br />3/4 cup butter<br />Coarsley chop:<br />2 squares (1 oz each) semi sweet chocolate<br />2 squares (1 oz each) unsweetened chocolate<br /><br />1 3/4 cups sugar<br />1 tablespoon instant espresso powder or instant coffee granules<br />3 eggs<br />1/4 cup orange flavored liqueur (Grand Marnier or Triple Sec)<br />1 cup all purpose flour<br />1 package (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips<br />2 tablespoons shortening<br /><br />Grease 13x9 inch pan. Finely grate orange peel, and measure 2 teaspoons peel. Melt butter, chopped chocolate squares in large heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar and espresso powder, remove from heat and let cool slightly.<br /><br />Beat in eggs one at a time with wire whisk, whisk in liqueur and orange peel. Beat flour into chocolate mixture until just blended, spread batter evenly into pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees F, until center is just set, and remove from oven, let cool on wire rack.<br /><br />While brownies are baking, melt chocolate chips and shortening in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, after removing the brownies from the oven, spread melted chocolate over brownies and let cool completely.<br /><br />Cut into 2 inch squares and garnish with thin strip of orange peel. To make thin strips of orange peel use citrus zester and tie the strips into little knots.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ogpWAH2qWJA/Rqjnec85anI/AAAAAAAAAAc/RPco_qpK8J4/s1600-h/lakehouse07+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ogpWAH2qWJA/Rqjnec85anI/AAAAAAAAAAc/RPco_qpK8J4/s400/lakehouse07+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091573889096051314" border="0" /></a>I'm a regular Martha Stewart! Don't they look awesome??<br /><br />Second recipe is a version of chocolate chip cookies that is super awesome for kids.<br />Mini M&M cookies:<br />2 1/4 cups all purpose flour<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />3/4 teaspoon salt<br />1 cup butter or margarine, softened<br />3/4 cup sugar<br />3/4 cup brown sugar<br />2 large eggs<br />1 teaspoon vanilla<br />1 package (12 oz) mini m&ms<br />1 cup peanut butter chips<br /><br />Stir flour, baking soda, and salt together in bowl. Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, in large bowl until fluffy. Then beat in eggs and vanilla, then add flour and blend on low until well blended. Stir in m&ms and peanut butter chips with mixing spoon. Drop heaping teaspoons full onto ungreased cookie sheet 3 inches apart. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown, at 375 dedgrees F. Remove cookies from oven and let cool for a few minutes, then remove to cool on wire rack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ogpWAH2qWJA/RqkBus85aoI/AAAAAAAAAAk/-w3N67kSiZs/s1600-h/lakehouse07+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ogpWAH2qWJA/RqkBus85aoI/AAAAAAAAAAk/-w3N67kSiZs/s400/lakehouse07+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091602755571247746" border="0" /></a>The verdict? So good Greg got mad at everyone because they ate all "his" cookies, and he only got one. I had to substitute the peanut butter chips in this recipe for Greg, so I used white chocolate/semi sweet chocolate swirl chips instead.<br /><br />This is ReemBean, signing off.ReemBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15117544994447774193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-10421042853956176292007-07-17T10:40:00.001-03:002007-08-21T22:28:57.613-03:00A Red Kind of Day...Hello, all. It's Meg. I'm terribly sorry for dropping off the edge of the universe, dear readers. Work has been keeping me busy, as has re-reading the first six Harry Potter books in preparation for the release of the seventh and final book (I'm halfway through book 3 right now...will I be able to finish between 1000-2000 pages by Saturday?). Also, I have acquired a shiny new Mac laptop (his name is Squishy), and I've been spending a lot of my spare time converting from my PC ways. This has all led to very little cooking going on.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RpzI91Qn-vI/AAAAAAAAAPw/heCBLmqgV8c/s1600-h/IMG_3796.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RpzI91Qn-vI/AAAAAAAAAPw/heCBLmqgV8c/s400/IMG_3796.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088162643616201458" border="0" /></a>However, I did a fair bit of cooking in June, so here comes part of my backlog.<br /><br />As I did last year, this year I made Dad's birthday cake. Instead of busting out my Nigella cookbooks, I allowed my father to make a request. He asked for a family favorite: Red Waldorf Cake. It's named after the hotel where it is said to have originated, according to family legend, and some distant cousin alledgedly paid 125 dollars in order to acquire the recipe. I have no clue how true this story is, but the cake IS delicious, so it doesn't really matter.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RpzJAFQn-yI/AAAAAAAAAQI/9MfsdcnUfyM/s1600-h/IMG_3800.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RpzJAFQn-yI/AAAAAAAAAQI/9MfsdcnUfyM/s400/IMG_3800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088162682270907170" border="0" /></a>I started baking in the afternoon, happily mixing the odd red batter which smelled strongly of chocolate. I daydreamed about the final product on a pretty cake platter, covered in snow-white buttercream, and tried my best not to salivate.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RpzI_lQn-wI/AAAAAAAAAP4/FgwfAKVxQPs/s1600-h/IMG_3797.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RpzI_lQn-wI/AAAAAAAAAP4/FgwfAKVxQPs/s400/IMG_3797.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088162673680972546" border="0" /></a>Then the doorbell rang. I had gotten a package, as it turns out, and it contained my new red iPod. It couldn't have come on a more colour-appropriate day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RpzJAFQn-zI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/XXjxt2AH4hY/s1600-h/IMG_3799.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RpzJAFQn-zI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/XXjxt2AH4hY/s400/IMG_3799.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088162682270907186" border="0" /></a>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-47803102455269661782007-06-28T15:35:00.000-03:002007-06-28T15:51:43.449-03:00Gourmet Pizza For The GourmandGood day, little reader(s). I am Reema Mk. 2, master chef extraordinaire. I've been training for weeks and weeks to perfect my craft, no longer satisfied with food that looks like someone coughed up a lung. While my predecessor Reema has failed to achieve this goal, I feel that, with this latest entry, I have achieved my long-sought dream.<br /><br />Tonight's epic meal began just like any other in this household. I lay on a couch, deep in thought and pondering what I could possibly cook for dinner. Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, it came to me: pizza! It was a genius idea, and I certainly had all of the ingredients. In addition, I've made pizza from scratch several times before, so it would be a piece of cake for me to cook it.<br /><br />So, I assembled all of my ingredients.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/RoP_sMqtN8I/AAAAAAAAAA8/X3kLUAptAlM/s1600-h/IMG_6823.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/RoP_sMqtN8I/AAAAAAAAAA8/X3kLUAptAlM/s320/IMG_6823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081185939383728066" border="0" /></a><br />After preparing the dough, my lovely assistant Tess added just enough tomato sauce to quench our ravenous appetite for the unfortunate red vegetable.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/RoQARcqtN9I/AAAAAAAAABE/5cZnlE8ckhU/s1600-h/IMG_6824.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/RoQARcqtN9I/AAAAAAAAABE/5cZnlE8ckhU/s320/IMG_6824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081186579333855186" border="0" /></a>I felt that the frozen pizzas we found in the freezer would be a wonderful touch, and boy was it ever. Not only were they an excellent model for what my own pizza should look like, but they had been in the freezer for a couple of months and needed to get eaten.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/RoQA7cqtN-I/AAAAAAAAABM/Sb7DW5gAKJc/s1600-h/IMG_6825.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/RoQA7cqtN-I/AAAAAAAAABM/Sb7DW5gAKJc/s320/IMG_6825.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081187300888360930" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately, at this stage of the creation process my gourmet pizza doesn't look especially appetizing. But delicious? I think so!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/RoQBgcqtN_I/AAAAAAAAABU/3PmsfT-0Ssk/s1600-h/IMG_6827.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/RoQBgcqtN_I/AAAAAAAAABU/3PmsfT-0Ssk/s320/IMG_6827.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081187936543520754" border="0" /></a>After adding the only cheese that we had in the house--muenster--I added a few herbs and spices. The first herb is actually a product called Herbamare, which we got when my vegan cousin wanted to make Tofurkey palatable for the family. I also added cilantro and basil for that extra bit of flavor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/RoQCPMqtOAI/AAAAAAAAABc/-cro7o-0-lc/s1600-h/IMG_6828.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/RoQCPMqtOAI/AAAAAAAAABc/-cro7o-0-lc/s320/IMG_6828.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081188739702405122" border="0" /></a><br />After cooking in a 425 degree oven for about ten minutes, one can easily tell that I'm quite excited by this ample fete. Unfortunately, it would seem I put a little too much muenster on my pizza, and some of it melted off. Luckily, I had the foresight to put a large baking pan underneath my pizza stone in case such a thing would happen. And how was this pizza? Just ask my lovely assistant!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/RoQDA8qtOBI/AAAAAAAAABk/uCl5kFn0i6I/s1600-h/IMG_6830.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/RoQDA8qtOBI/AAAAAAAAABk/uCl5kFn0i6I/s320/IMG_6830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081189594400897042" border="0" /></a><br />The word "delicious" comes to mind. Mmm mmm good.Boney Jellyfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969528634024065681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-53485170650874217892007-06-07T17:36:00.001-03:002007-06-07T18:51:38.277-03:00Feeding Moi!This, dear readers, is an adventure in Fettuccine Alfredo! It is my entry to Presto Pasta Nights over at http://onceuponafeast.blogspot.com/<br />Recipe calls for<br />3/4 pound fettuccine<br />6 tablespoons unsalted butter<br />2/3 cup heavy cream<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />Generous dash white pepper<br />Generous dash ground nutmeg<br />1 cup freshly grated parmesan<br />2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley<br /><br />Make your fettuccine in boiling water<br />Mix heavy cream and butter until butter is melted and it boils a bit, then mix in white pepper, salt and nutmeg, then mix in cheese and remove from heat. Mix cheese until blended.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ogpWAH2qWJA/Rmhs56BqZGI/AAAAAAAAAAM/H02r9B-NZx4/s1600-h/foodblog+069.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ogpWAH2qWJA/Rmhs56BqZGI/AAAAAAAAAAM/H02r9B-NZx4/s400/foodblog+069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073424722317436002" border="0" /></a><br />Drain your fettuccine and then poor in the sauce, then mix in the parsley. Garnish with a fresh sprig of parsley and voila!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ogpWAH2qWJA/RmhtJaBqZHI/AAAAAAAAAAU/2wzbW2uwUIE/s1600-h/foodblog+076.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ogpWAH2qWJA/RmhtJaBqZHI/AAAAAAAAAAU/2wzbW2uwUIE/s400/foodblog+076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073424988605408370" border="0" /></a>ReemBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15117544994447774193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-78876845624726081752007-06-04T23:07:00.000-03:002007-06-04T23:50:07.640-03:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTOB7EHtAI/AAAAAAAAAPg/5G_ncaReUF4/s1600-h/a+121.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTOB7EHtAI/AAAAAAAAAPg/5G_ncaReUF4/s400/a+121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072405612756186114" border="0" /></a>This past weekend, I went on a short road trip of sorts with my mother, grandmother, and mom's neighbour, Anne. A good time was had by all, taking in the beautiful scenery and stuffing ourselves full of awesome foodstuffs. Here are a few of the highlights:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTILrEHs0I/AAAAAAAAAOA/Gj-eS_8R9T4/s1600-h/a+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTILrEHs0I/AAAAAAAAAOA/Gj-eS_8R9T4/s400/a+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072399183190143810" border="0" /></a>Veggie sushi! It was made fresh a few minutes before I bought it. It had avocado, lettuce, cucumber, and carrot, which is never a combo I've seen in sushi before. I'm still not sure if there were chives in it too, but it doesn't matter because it was tasty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTNO7EHs5I/AAAAAAAAAOo/3QvcLQnSC14/s1600-h/a+028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTNO7EHs5I/AAAAAAAAAOo/3QvcLQnSC14/s400/a+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072404736582857618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTIL7EHs1I/AAAAAAAAAOI/Pp3EO4_Z-I8/s1600-h/a+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTIL7EHs1I/AAAAAAAAAOI/Pp3EO4_Z-I8/s400/a+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072399187485111122" border="0" /></a>The mini-macaron in front might look familiar to the two of you who've read this blog before, as it's a smaller version of the gorgeous chocolate macaron I raved about back in December. The same bakery that shows up at the Brewery Market in Halifax every week was also at the Market in Kentville, and because we were there earlier than when I usually go to markets, they still had plenty of pastries left (though all the big macarons were gone, sigh). Anyway, the mini version might just be better than the full one, since it has a much thinner layer of ganache but the addition of a piece of VERY good dark chocolate, which added new textural and flavour dimensions. YUMMY.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTNPbEHs8I/AAAAAAAAAPA/18eVqW98UMg/s1600-h/a+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTNPbEHs8I/AAAAAAAAAPA/18eVqW98UMg/s400/a+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072404745172792258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTIL7EHs2I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/JAVJV9ZsMRw/s1600-h/a+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTIL7EHs2I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/JAVJV9ZsMRw/s400/a+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072399187485111138" border="0" /></a>Also yummy was the exquisite chocolate-pistachio sable something-or-other. It was almost too beautiful to eat (emphasis on "almost"). I was quite glad I chose to eat the blackberry garnish last, because the clean taste of the fruit washed away the buttery richness of the ganaches very nicely. The ganaches were almost too rich; it would have been better if there had been less. The flavour of the sable cookie couldn't stand up to its toppings because it was far outnumbered. That's a shame, since the cookie was very good on its own. As a whole, though, I was very pleased with the delectable pastry - it was worth a foodgasm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTIMbEHs4I/AAAAAAAAAOg/dLS3qDfNubg/s1600-h/a+066.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTIMbEHs4I/AAAAAAAAAOg/dLS3qDfNubg/s400/a+066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072399196075045762" border="0" /></a>Mmm, spanakopita. One of my absolute favorite Greek dishes, if not my most favourite of all. It tastes like summer.<br /><br />And now, for some nature shots, because the Annapolis Valley is beautiful:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTOBrEHs_I/AAAAAAAAAPY/atRFgvfAWGg/s1600-h/a+079.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTOBrEHs_I/AAAAAAAAAPY/atRFgvfAWGg/s400/a+079.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072405608461218802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTNP7EHs9I/AAAAAAAAAPI/mCPu7Cd3FEY/s1600-h/a+064.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTNP7EHs9I/AAAAAAAAAPI/mCPu7Cd3FEY/s400/a+064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072404753762726866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTNPLEHs6I/AAAAAAAAAOw/2wL6J0I40hM/s1600-h/a+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTNPLEHs6I/AAAAAAAAAOw/2wL6J0I40hM/s400/a+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072404740877824930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTOAbEHs-I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/Dp7QAC_TM_0/s1600-h/a+073.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTOAbEHs-I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/Dp7QAC_TM_0/s400/a+073.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072405586986382306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTOCrEHtBI/AAAAAAAAAPo/1-QOVT7dXd0/s1600-h/a+138.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTOCrEHtBI/AAAAAAAAAPo/1-QOVT7dXd0/s400/a+138.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072405625641088018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTNPLEHs7I/AAAAAAAAAO4/0HMkuBOnxk0/s1600-h/a+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmTNPLEHs7I/AAAAAAAAAO4/0HMkuBOnxk0/s400/a+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072404740877824946" border="0" /></a>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-43295656457574401432007-06-03T15:55:00.000-03:002007-06-03T16:21:49.229-03:00My First Sushi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSw9h9htI/AAAAAAAAANo/W9VvEtuuUAw/s1600-h/u+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSw9h9htI/AAAAAAAAANo/W9VvEtuuUAw/s400/u+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071918237709338322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSw9h9huI/AAAAAAAAANw/IWScZHVC6RI/s1600-h/u+034.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSw9h9huI/AAAAAAAAANw/IWScZHVC6RI/s400/u+034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071918237709338338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSxNh9hvI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Ha5KRjYfXVk/s1600-h/u+038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSxNh9hvI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Ha5KRjYfXVk/s400/u+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071918242004305650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSFdh9hrI/AAAAAAAAANY/rx5HJG5X6z0/s1600-h/u+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSFdh9hrI/AAAAAAAAANY/rx5HJG5X6z0/s400/u+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071917490385028786" border="0" /></a>Had you told me 3 years ago that one day I would be suffering from a serious jones for some sushi, I'd have laughed in your face. "Not only did I hate my first piece of sushi so much that I immediately named it one of my least favourite foods," I would have scoffed, "But I also cannot stand to eat seafood." I know, of course, that it is possible to eat sushi without getting seafood involved, as I did then, but if you eat sushi for any length of time you are bound to encounter fish at some point.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSFdh9hqI/AAAAAAAAANQ/0dnMZ9z8OWQ/s1600-h/u+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSFdh9hqI/AAAAAAAAANQ/0dnMZ9z8OWQ/s400/u+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071917490385028770" border="0" /></a>But Reema made me try it again... and again... and again, and the next thing you know it's one of my favorite meals, and I'm ordering king crab, lobster, and Alaska rolls without breaking a sweat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSE9h9hnI/AAAAAAAAAM4/QnDFlhKLd8Q/s1600-h/u+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSE9h9hnI/AAAAAAAAAM4/QnDFlhKLd8Q/s400/u+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071917481795094130" border="0" /></a>Fast forward to about three weeks ago. My friend Travis is coming for a visit, and he likes sushi just as much as I do. Granted, he'd only eaten it once before - at a dinner where all three of the contributors to this blog were present, actually. Anyway, while cleaning in preparation for Travis' arrival I had found my sushi set. At that very moment I decided it was time to make some serious California rolls - because really, who DOESN'T like those?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSFNh9hoI/AAAAAAAAANA/xI3IyIa8iAc/s1600-h/u+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSFNh9hoI/AAAAAAAAANA/xI3IyIa8iAc/s400/u+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071917486090061442" border="0" /></a>Though attempting to make inside-out sushi was not as much of a success as I had hoped, it was still pretty yummy. I'm going to do more research next time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSFNh9hpI/AAAAAAAAANI/7Sa_8xIlwVA/s1600-h/u+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSFNh9hpI/AAAAAAAAANI/7Sa_8xIlwVA/s400/u+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071917486090061458" border="0" /></a>I highly recommend the "Sushi Day" blog (see sidebar) if you're interested in making your own maki. It is totally worth the effort. We didn't get too creative with the recipe, but making up your own maki is a fun time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSwth9hsI/AAAAAAAAANg/T7KkuLGtbkM/s1600-h/u+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RmMSwth9hsI/AAAAAAAAANg/T7KkuLGtbkM/s400/u+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071918233414371010" border="0" /></a>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-63921538552101105532007-05-19T02:26:00.000-03:002007-05-19T02:45:10.376-03:00Pad Thai (or, Why I'm not REAL white trash)Hello all!<br /><br />As you may have noticed, there have been two posts recently which were not written by me, Meg. Reema and Reema mk. 2 (aka Alex, the guy responsible for the major design revamp of this blog) have each written an introductory post, and they both feature disgusting-looking food (you both know I love you to bits). I promise I haven't developed a case of schizophrenia.<br /><br />But since this is (er, was) my food blog, I'd better keep up with the Reemases. So without further ado, I give you Pad Thai a la Meg (actually, I totally stole the four-page-long recipe from Chez Pim, but shhhhh)!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rk6MnNh9hiI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/t2K8vXbUvJo/s1600-h/s+221.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rk6MnNh9hiI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/t2K8vXbUvJo/s400/s+221.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066141236113278498" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, so it didn't start out very glamorously. This is reconstituted tamarind... stuff. The lady at the asian grocery store didn't tell us exactly what it was, and the packaging was in some language that I am unable to read. Mom and I took pictures because we thought it looked funny. Okay, and disgusting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rk6Mnth9hjI/AAAAAAAAAMY/SG8xeJY7U0k/s1600-h/s+222.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rk6Mnth9hjI/AAAAAAAAAMY/SG8xeJY7U0k/s400/s+222.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066141244703213106" border="0" /></a><br />Have I mentioned lately that my mom is a fantastic multi-tasker? Unlike Reemas 2 and 2, I get an awesome lady helping out in the kitchen. Here she is socializing and slicing chicken simultaneously.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rk6MoNh9hkI/AAAAAAAAAMg/wR9OFHb-omQ/s1600-h/s+224.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rk6MoNh9hkI/AAAAAAAAAMg/wR9OFHb-omQ/s400/s+224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066141253293147714" border="0" /></a><br />Thankfully, the ugly-looking tamaring melded together with some fish sauce and a ton of brown sugar to make a very sweet and delectable coating for our Pad Thai. Now for the stirfrying!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rk6Modh9hlI/AAAAAAAAAMo/Sag4TFnrt9k/s1600-h/s+228.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rk6Modh9hlI/AAAAAAAAAMo/Sag4TFnrt9k/s400/s+228.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066141257588115026" border="0" /></a><br />Actually, it's very difficult to stirfry really quickly, even WITH an assistant on hand, so no pictures. But isn't it a beautiful end result?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rk6Mo9h9hmI/AAAAAAAAAMw/Q0k3K900jQE/s1600-h/s+231.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rk6Mo9h9hmI/AAAAAAAAAMw/Q0k3K900jQE/s400/s+231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066141266178049634" border="0" /></a><br />Ta-da! Until next time, folks.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-37442449560358642862007-05-19T00:17:00.000-03:002007-05-19T00:40:24.540-03:00Meg is Lazy, So Here I Am.<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Call me Reema Mk. 2, another of Meg's myriad friends that are aiming for internet stardom by posting on Teh Culinary Skillz. After months of work, I have passed Meg's rigorous examination in order to be accepted by a Food Blogging expert such as she. Like my predecessor, the lovely Ms. Reema, my food also looks like somebody vomited up a lung (you know I feel nothing but love toward you, Reema), but I assure you it tastes good. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Tonight's experiment was a result of dozens of minutes of negotiations between Meg and myself. The decision stemmed from the fact that my kitchen contains very few ingredients to put into anything, and so we came to a decision: let's make a quiche using every vegetable in the kitchen. Taking into account that I had no wheat for a crust or milk/cheese for it, a quick bit of googling yielded a wheat-less, dairy-less recipe called Sweet Broccoli Quiche, which was, in fact, nothing more than vegetables and egg poured into a pan and then baked. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The recipe:</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A shitload of eggs<br />Three handfuls of frozen broccoli<br />A large amount of salt<br />A larger amount of pepper<br />One humongous potato<br />Perhaps one or more small onions<br />1 tsp. unsalted butter</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Nevertheless, let's begin this simplistic experiment. On to the pictures!</p> <p><a name="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066103633137962594"></a><br /></p><center><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qabiBDmI/AAAAAAAAAA0/y4r-Kjrw9YA/s1600-h/DCP_1032.JPG"><img src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qabiBDmI/AAAAAAAAAA0/y4r-Kjrw9YA/s320/DCP_1032.JPG" name="graphics1" align="bottom" border="0" height="213" vspace="5" width="320" /></a> <p></p> </center><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">From left to right: the container used to bake the quiche, onions, potatoes, eggs, and broccoli. As I said, I don't have much to work with here. I took out an extra potato and onion because I wanted to eat something while it cooked.</p> <center><p><a name="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066103482814107170"></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qRriBDiI/AAAAAAAAAAU/8U6AAlcceWg/s1600-h/DCP_1033.JPG"><img src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qRriBDiI/AAAAAAAAAAU/8U6AAlcceWg/s320/DCP_1033.JPG" name="graphics2" align="bottom" border="0" height="213" vspace="5" width="320" /></a> </p> </center><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">There's everything, pre-mixing. I rubbed butter all over the container and loaded the eggs with salt and pepper. The vegetables also received a brief two minutes in the microwave to soften up before being put into this unholy concoction.</p> <center><p><a name="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066103508583910978"></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qTLiBDkI/AAAAAAAAAAk/Jfw_oTfyreA/s1600-h/DCP_1035.JPG"><img src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qTLiBDkI/AAAAAAAAAAk/Jfw_oTfyreA/s320/DCP_1035.JPG" name="graphics3" align="bottom" border="0" height="213" vspace="5" width="320" /></a> </p></center> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I found some parmesan cheese at the last minute, which made it look even more like devil vomit.</p> <center><p><a name="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066103530058747474"></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qUbiBDlI/AAAAAAAAAAs/9TtydfJtmIU/s1600-h/DCP_1039.JPG"><img src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qUbiBDlI/AAAAAAAAAAs/9TtydfJtmIU/s320/DCP_1039.JPG" name="graphics4" align="bottom" border="0" height="213" vspace="5" width="320" /></a> </p></center><p></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">After an hour of baking in a 350 degree oven, this is the finished product. I tested it by slicing at it with a knife, which is why it's sliced.</p> <center><p><a name="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066103495699009074"></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qSbiBDjI/AAAAAAAAAAc/vrcFpnjtYSE/s1600-h/DCP_1040.JPG"><img src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qSbiBDjI/AAAAAAAAAAc/vrcFpnjtYSE/s320/DCP_1040.JPG" name="graphics5" align="bottom" border="0" height="213" vspace="5" width="320" /></a></p></center><br />This is what it looks like on my plate. It resembles quiche in a way that makes me happy. <u><br /></u><br />And there you have it: an easy, flavorful quiche that can be made with whatever the hell you have in the refrigerator. I'd recommend putting some more vegetables in it, or some bacon. I'd recommend covering the top with something so it doesn't look like shit. Don't believe me that it tastes good? Just look at this picture of my Dad, one of the satisfied eaters of my concoction.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qSbiBDjI/AAAAAAAAAAc/vrcFpnjtYSE/s1600-h/DCP_1040.JPG"> </a> <p></p> <center><p><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qRbiBDhI/AAAAAAAAAAM/F_xts1CDLOQ/s1600-h/DCP_1041.JPG"><img src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_PbaPbcoYVt4/Rk5qRbiBDhI/AAAAAAAAAAM/F_xts1CDLOQ/s320/DCP_1041.JPG" name="graphics6" align="bottom" border="0" height="213" vspace="5" width="320" /></a></p></center><br />This is my Dad eating it. We both enjoyed it. P.S. He doesn't look like a retard in real life.<br /><br /><br /><p></p>Boney Jellyfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969528634024065681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-2708820107443240352007-05-14T16:06:00.000-03:002007-05-14T16:30:53.928-03:00Feeding the picky eaterAs Meg has already told you, I'll be spending the summer with my picky eater boyfriend, Greg. Since he is such a picky eater, it is a challenge to find recipes that he will enjoy, and a game of manipulation by allowing him to choose from various recipes so he can't say "I don't like so and so", because he chose it. So, I decided to go with an old faithful recipe for my first post, Lemon Garlic Chicken, and a new veggie recipe, Cheesy Cauliflower and Broccoli.<br />Lemon Garlic Chicken calls for :<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rki0UNjH4-I/AAAAAAAAALo/VKTeApza9rE/s1600-h/foodblog+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rki0UNjH4-I/AAAAAAAAALo/VKTeApza9rE/s320/foodblog+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064496040305484770" border="0" /></a><br />Juice of one lemon<br />enough olive oil to coat the skillet<br />2 or 3 crushed diced garlic cloves (depending on the size, if they're small use more)<br />2 chicken breasts<br />seasoned fine bread crumbs<br />2 eggs, 1/3 cup of milk<br />shredded cheddar cheese<br /><br />First, you must beat the eggs and milk together, then you dip the chicken breasts in the eggs and milk batter, drop the chicken breasts in a bag of dry bread crumbs and shake until coated.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rki0ddjH4_I/AAAAAAAAALw/sMxgIbvd9MY/s1600-h/foodblog+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rki0ddjH4_I/AAAAAAAAALw/sMxgIbvd9MY/s320/foodblog+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064496199219274738" border="0" /></a> In the skillet, over medium, heat the olive oil, lemon juice and crushed diced garlic cloves, then drop the chicken in the pan and brown both sides. I'm paranoid about cooking chicken so I usually turn down the heat so it doesn't burn, and let it cook for a long while.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rki0p9jH5AI/AAAAAAAAAL4/jozryGnC60A/s1600-h/foodblog+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rki0p9jH5AI/AAAAAAAAAL4/jozryGnC60A/s320/foodblog+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064496413967639554" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span> Don't slice it open to check for pinkness, it lets the juices run and then you'll end up with dry chicken. Once you're sure the chicken is done, shred some cheddar cheese on top if you'd like, and let melt for a couple minutes. I feel the cheddar cheese is a bit pointless, so I don't usually use it.<br /><br />Cheesy broccoli and cauliflower calls for:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rki09djH5BI/AAAAAAAAAMA/291RiuIwEyQ/s1600-h/foodblog+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rki09djH5BI/AAAAAAAAAMA/291RiuIwEyQ/s320/foodblog+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064496748975088658" border="0" /></a><br />1 cup broccoli florets<br />1 cup cauliflower florets<br />1 can cheddar cheese soup<br />1/2 can milk<br />and 4 slices of cooked bacon, or more depending on your taste<br /><br />First, you have to cook the broccoli and cauliflower, steaming it is healthier, but you can also boil it, only until tender crisp, so for a few minutes. In the meantime, heat the can of cheddar cheese soup with half a can of milk, then ad the cooked veggies to the soup, and ad crumbled bacon. Stir until all veggies are coated and bacon is mixed in.<br /><br />And voila! Cheesy goodness with veggies and bacon, and lemony juicy chicken, fit for a picky eater.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rki1NNjH5CI/AAAAAAAAAMI/l5dWmBMrdv8/s1600-h/foodblog+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rki1NNjH5CI/AAAAAAAAAMI/l5dWmBMrdv8/s320/foodblog+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064497019558028322" border="0" /></a><br />I should mention that I used 3 chicken breasts instead of two because I didn't want the 3rd one to go bad in the fridge, so I used it anyway and split it in half for the two of us.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-42354153301321446772007-05-11T17:32:00.000-03:002007-05-12T04:02:45.267-03:00Be Our Guest!Hi all! I've been back home for few weeks now, and I'm settling in well. Once I get a job, I'll be all set. I've cooked a few things since I've been home but haven't had a chance to blog about them between visiting friends and family, babysitting, catching up on 8 months' worth of missed sleep, and reformatting my computer. Twice.<br /><br />But the reason for this particular post is to inform you about my dear friend Reema. She is currently living with her boyfriend and has plenty of time to cook, so cooking is what she's been up to. However, the boyfriend is a picky eater, so she's spending a lot of time searching for recipes online. I recommended the food blogs that I link to on my food blog, and then Reema had a brilliant idea.<br /><br />"You should let me be a guest blogger on your food blog!"<br /><br />And so, ladies and gents, meet Reema. She's a charmer, I promise. After all, she converted me from a girl who wouldn't touch seafood into an Alaska roll addict and sushi aficionado.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RkTcT9jH42I/AAAAAAAAAKo/46RxUJUvFPA/s1600-h/y+063.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RkTcT9jH42I/AAAAAAAAAKo/46RxUJUvFPA/s400/y+063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063414116568785762" border="0" /></a><br />She's already promised some delectable posts, and soon I'll be sharing my Pad Thai story. Happy May, everybody!Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-40128835453107627892007-04-18T12:19:00.000-03:002007-04-18T12:57:58.061-03:00I'm not dead, I promise!I just haven't cooked much lately, and what I have cooked? Hasn't been very photogenic. And what has been photogenic? Took me so long to cook that I was too tired and/or busy to blog about it.<br /><br />Also, this term has been really hectic at school. I'll be done in a few days, but I'm just counting down until then.<br /><br />This summer, however, I will have plenty of free time and a fully-stocked kitchen at my disposal, and I am looking forward to getting back into food blogging again.<br /><br />To tide you over, here are some pictures (some food, some not) of my fantastic vacation in Florida in February.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY4rJhO0GI/AAAAAAAAAIA/vT2jK8XZcx4/s1600-h/a+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY4rJhO0GI/AAAAAAAAAIA/vT2jK8XZcx4/s400/a+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054789945710792802" border="0" /></a>My first picture taken in Florida was of food. Typical. Unfortunately, I discovered that I don't really like Thai tea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY4rZhO0HI/AAAAAAAAAII/SA0zQhZSrzM/s1600-h/a+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY4rZhO0HI/AAAAAAAAAII/SA0zQhZSrzM/s400/a+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054789950005760114" border="0" /></a>My uncle's dish: free range barbecued chicken. This was divine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY4rphO0II/AAAAAAAAAIQ/Sx-aoU6fk74/s1600-h/a+037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY4rphO0II/AAAAAAAAAIQ/Sx-aoU6fk74/s400/a+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054789954300727426" border="0" /></a>My dish was a chef's specialty called "Dreaming Chicken", and had lots of peanuts and veggies. It was yummy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY4rphO0JI/AAAAAAAAAIY/6Zm8wWi5IJc/s1600-h/a+054.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY4rphO0JI/AAAAAAAAAIY/6Zm8wWi5IJc/s400/a+054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054789954300727442" border="0" /></a>The view from the back of the boat on our snorkelling expedition in Key Largo. This is on our way past all the rich people's houses in the canal on our way to the ocean.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY4r5hO0KI/AAAAAAAAAIg/3W9hiUprQZU/s1600-h/a+063.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY4r5hO0KI/AAAAAAAAAIg/3W9hiUprQZU/s400/a+063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054789958595694754" border="0" /></a>We were snorkelling 4 and 1/2 nautical miles from shore! It looked like we were being dropped in the middle of the ocean, but the water was only about 10 feet deep. Those boats had other snorkelling groups with them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY6RphO0LI/AAAAAAAAAIo/29RqjS_I43w/s1600-h/a+073.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY6RphO0LI/AAAAAAAAAIo/29RqjS_I43w/s400/a+073.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054791706647384242" border="0" /></a>We called this the "Key Lime House"! And yes, Virginia, the water really was that green.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY6R5hO0MI/AAAAAAAAAIw/7HDOSC7Ay3g/s1600-h/a+080.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY6R5hO0MI/AAAAAAAAAIw/7HDOSC7Ay3g/s400/a+080.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054791710942351554" border="0" /></a>If it's not food or buildings, it's beautiful flowers. And the Keys had them in spades.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY6R5hO0NI/AAAAAAAAAI4/V0_NZjZWmWU/s1600-h/a+092.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY6R5hO0NI/AAAAAAAAAI4/V0_NZjZWmWU/s400/a+092.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054791710942351570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY6SJhO0OI/AAAAAAAAAJA/F90u-NOEh38/s1600-h/a+093.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY6SJhO0OI/AAAAAAAAAJA/F90u-NOEh38/s400/a+093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054791715237318882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY6SJhO0PI/AAAAAAAAAJI/eWqguIdzw8A/s1600-h/a+094.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY6SJhO0PI/AAAAAAAAAJI/eWqguIdzw8A/s400/a+094.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054791715237318898" border="0" /></a>The buildings in Key West were really adorable, too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY7c5hO0QI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/szBu0YQBBe8/s1600-h/a+095.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY7c5hO0QI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/szBu0YQBBe8/s400/a+095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054792999432540418" border="0" /></a>This guy was wandering the streets of Key West all by himself. We ate gelato instead of him, though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY7dZhO0SI/AAAAAAAAAJg/fIvdNrKwvZc/s1600-h/a+127.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY7dZhO0SI/AAAAAAAAAJg/fIvdNrKwvZc/s400/a+127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054793008022475042" border="0" /></a>Our friend Mr. Gator. We met him on an airboat on the fringes of the Everglades.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY7dphO0TI/AAAAAAAAAJo/KRUxks2QY7Y/s1600-h/a+129.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY7dphO0TI/AAAAAAAAAJo/KRUxks2QY7Y/s400/a+129.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054793012317442354" border="0" /></a>There's a better angle of him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY7d5hO0UI/AAAAAAAAAJw/91ncKt8wIrg/s1600-h/a+157.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY7d5hO0UI/AAAAAAAAAJw/91ncKt8wIrg/s400/a+157.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054793016612409666" border="0" /></a>This was so cute. The Everglades park has had a mini-zoo, and you could pay 10 USD to pet the tiger or the bobcat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY9ephO0VI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/iVf6JLZaLYk/s1600-h/a+163.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY9ephO0VI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/iVf6JLZaLYk/s400/a+163.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054795228520567122" border="0" /></a>The panther was the most beuatiful animal there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY9ephO0WI/AAAAAAAAAKA/UEuNWpi4Lhw/s1600-h/a+179.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY9ephO0WI/AAAAAAAAAKA/UEuNWpi4Lhw/s400/a+179.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054795228520567138" border="0" /></a>The afroducks were the most hilarious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY9fJhO0XI/AAAAAAAAAKI/ZkMD3YUE4Vs/s1600-h/a+197.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY9fJhO0XI/AAAAAAAAAKI/ZkMD3YUE4Vs/s400/a+197.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054795237110501746" border="0" /></a>An artsy effect caused by sticky lens cover. This is the major beach at Fort Lauderdale.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY9fZhO0YI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/IzYuWC2LcRA/s1600-h/a+202.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY9fZhO0YI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/IzYuWC2LcRA/s400/a+202.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054795241405469058" border="0" /></a>The ocean is usually a-hoppin' with activity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY9f5hO0ZI/AAAAAAAAAKY/TPTUoTlA1YA/s1600-h/a+297.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/RiY9f5hO0ZI/AAAAAAAAAKY/TPTUoTlA1YA/s400/a+297.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054795249995403666" border="0" /></a>Near the end of our ghost tour in Ft. Lauderdale. Our guide (in the cape on the far left) was great; funny as heck and rambly.<br /><br />Thanks for joining me on a photo version of my vacation. Now I want to go back...<br /></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-57957529885907207092007-01-31T22:30:00.000-04:002007-01-31T22:49:46.228-04:00The best kind of booze is educational booze.You may recall my mentioning a presentation on Spanish history in my last post. It was the topic I'd chosen (though not formally) for my oral presentation for Spanish class, mostly because I have an odd fasciantion with the dangerously inbred Habsburg monarchy. It was so frustrating that every time I tried to work on it, I'd find myself giving up and browsing food blogs instead. That's when it hit me: why the heck would I present a frivolous, tabloid-worthy history lesson when the obvious answer was looking me in the face?<br /><br />I had a lot of trouble deciding which foods from Spanish-speaking countries I'd choose to make. If it was a main course, it had to be vegetarian. It had to be authentic; I refuse to serve my classmates chips and salsa from a bag and a jar. It had to be easy to make and easy to transport.<br /><br />It didn't take long for the sweets to grab my attention. I debated cupcakes for a bit, but scrapped it due to authenticity reasons. Wanting something more authentic and still sweet meant flan, which I had none of the ingredients or equipment for (I was unable to splurge on the supplies due to my upcoming trip to the US of A - more on that later). Then, a few days ago, one of my friends said, "Why go to the trouble of making all that food when you could just make sangria?". I agreed, got permission from my prof to use real wine, and got to work.<br /><br />I'd decided from near the get-go to make sangria and some food. While returning home on the bus one night, a classmate from spanish plonked down next to me. He was drunk and heading home from the bar (but it's okay; it was Robbie Burns Day). When I told him of my plan to make sangria with non-alcoholic wine, he insisted that I spike it with real wine. I opted in the end to use all real wine.<br /><br />So what if my class is at 11:30 in the morning? That's close enough to noon to count, I think.<br /><br />I'm anxious as all heck for the presentation tomorrow, of course, because for some reason speaking formally in front of people makes me dead nervous. However, rest assured that I won't be chugging any of this until AFTER I've presented. Cheers!<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span><u><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Una receta tradicional por la sangr</span></u><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">í</span><u><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">a<o:p></o:p></span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">1 y ½ litros de vino tinto<o:p></o:p><br />1 <strong><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; font-weight: normal;">apuro </span></strong>de canela<o:p></o:p><br />1 taza de jugo de naranja<o:p></o:p><br />¼ taza de jugo de cal<o:p></o:p><br />½ taza de jugo de lim</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">ó</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">n<o:p></o:p><br />¼ taza de az</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">ú</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">car<o:p></o:p><br />frutas cortados (naranjas, lim</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">ó</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">nes, cales, y melocot</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">ó</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">nes son las frutas mas comúnes)<o:p><br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p><br />Vierto todos los ingredients líquidos juntos en una jarra. Mezcle revolviendo hasta el az</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">ú</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">car es derretido. Agregue todos las frutas. Refrigere por la noche y sirve con hielo manana.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><br /><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">PS: Translating this in Babelfish is hilarious!<br /></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-33472682989028085302007-01-22T22:04:00.000-04:002007-01-29T01:32:17.871-04:00Snickerdoodles for Supper<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2FPiEf1MI/AAAAAAAAAHM/FRTMBokRHls/s1600-h/x+099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2FPiEf1MI/AAAAAAAAAHM/FRTMBokRHls/s400/x+099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025319261105542338" border="0" /></a>It was a Monday night at the library. I'd been in class from about 11:30am until 8pm with one two-hour break for lunch which had been spent studying. Frustrated about a project on Spanish history, I found myself leaving behind wikipedia entries about "Carlos the Bewitched" in favour of some food blogs. As I browsed happily, I saw that Jasmine over at Confessions of a Cardamom Addict had declared January 15th as "a day that really schmecks" in honour of Edna Staebler's birthday. I was intrigued and delighted when I found an invitation amongst my emails.<br /><br />Edna Staebler is a Canadian culinary icon. Her cookbooks are eternally popular; I remember seeing them on the shelves at the library where I worked during high school. Though I have not had the pleasure of reading any of them yet, I am sure that I will do so as soon as I manage to get my greedy little paws on one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2FPiEf1NI/AAAAAAAAAHU/VBUVY97PtzM/s1600-h/x+105.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2FPiEf1NI/AAAAAAAAAHU/VBUVY97PtzM/s400/x+105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025319261105542354" border="0" /></a>Burnt out from a long day at school, I figured it was about time to bake something. Since I had no way of getting my hands on a copy of any of Edna's cookbooks at that moment, unfortunately, I instead began browsing websites featuring Amish and Mennonite cooking. Then, to my delight, I found a website which had a recipe for "Amish Snickerdoodles".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2FQCEf1OI/AAAAAAAAAHc/C1cXMY5eUxM/s1600-h/x+112.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2FQCEf1OI/AAAAAAAAAHc/C1cXMY5eUxM/s400/x+112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025319269695476962" border="0" /></a>Allow me to digress for a moment. Two of current roommates lived on my floor in residence last year. After Thanksgiving (if memory serves), my mother sent me back to school with more cookies than any single person could possibly eat, so I very kindly shared the cookie love with my floormates. Most of them had never tried snickerdoodles before, and in fact, Mom never made them very often. However, they garnered enthusiastic raves from a lot of my floormates, in particular Shan, one of my current roommates. I figured they would be a pretty safe choice and rushed home to get to work.<br /><br />As I'd been in class all day, I'd barely eaten, and at 11pm on a Monday night I found myself with a pile of cookies and a glass of milk serving as supper. Though I'm not sure Edna would have endorsed this practice, I think she would have liked the cookies.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2FQSEf1PI/AAAAAAAAAHk/y_bMvqy0Tpo/s1600-h/x+141.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2FQSEf1PI/AAAAAAAAAHk/y_bMvqy0Tpo/s400/x+141.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025319273990444274" border="0" /></a>"Amish Snickerdoodles" - recipe modified from "Aaron's A to Z Garden of Recipes" website<br />My imprecise recipe notation may not be your cup of tea. I'm not a scientific person and I tend to tweak things to my liking, using the fictional "baker's instinct" I seem to think I inherited from my mom. This explains my cracktastic yield of 43 cookies, among other things... I hope you enjoy it anyway.<br /><br />1/2 c. margarine or butter<br />1/2 c. solid shortening<br />2 eggs<br />1 c. white sugar<br />1/2 c. cinnamon sugar<br />2 c. white flour<br />3/4 c. whole wheat flour<br />1 tsp. baking soda<br />cinnamon sugar, made to taste (because really, it's a matter of taste; I add a pinch of ginger and nutmeg to my cinnamon sugar)<br /><br />Mix the first 5 ingredients thoroughly in large bowl. Sift the flour and baking soda; add to first mixture. Form dough into balls and roll in cinnamon sugar. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies (a good indicator is when the bottoms are just starting to brown). As Aaron, the author of the original recipe, notes, you may top the cookies with red-hots if you desire (I don't like them, personally). These cookies store well and freeze beautifully. Yield: 43 medium-sized cookies.<br /><br />Recipe notes: The recipe called for margarine, but I used butter to no ill effect (I'm told it makes a difference sometimes...). You can use all white flour; I like a bit of whole wheat in my baked goods. I don't recommend mixing more than half-and-half, or it gets very dense (though if you like very dense, by all means dense it up!). To make things more interesting, I added some cinnamon sugar to the batter as well as on top; it really added another dimension of flavour and texture to the cookies.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-90264752467086519012007-01-18T00:24:00.000-04:002007-01-22T22:13:05.862-04:00Menu for Hope III results<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Ra756RyavZI/AAAAAAAAAGc/bCpqH_YuAnk/s1600-h/v+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Ra756RyavZI/AAAAAAAAAGc/bCpqH_YuAnk/s400/v+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021225414167281042" border="0" /></a>After weeks of waiting in anticipation for the results, we have now found out the winners of the Menu for Hope III raffle, posted by <a href="http://chezpim.typepad.com/blogs/2007/01/menu_for_hope_r.html">Pim</a> on her website on January 15th.<br /><br />I was thrilled to discover that I won a Creative Zen mp3 player (that my younger brother insisted that I bid on), as well as a food-related mystery prize. I am going to have a very fun time with it; I already listen to music while cooking, and now I won't have to go looking for my digital camera to take pictures while cooking. I am utterly thrilled.<br /><br />I'm just as thrilled at the thought of preparing and sending out my prize package, which was won by Peasantwench. P, my darling, please send me an email with your contact details using the email address you provided on the donation form, and I will traipse happily to the nearest post office and send it to you posthaste. I'm going to go prepare it to be mailed right this moment; I'm that excited.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30715238.post-78825922020290249402007-01-17T12:40:00.000-04:002007-01-29T01:21:14.192-04:00Birthday Brownies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2DbyEf1JI/AAAAAAAAAGo/82TKQhDnQpU/s1600-h/x+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2DbyEf1JI/AAAAAAAAAGo/82TKQhDnQpU/s400/x+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025317272535684242" border="0" /></a><br />It's never too late to say "Happy New Year!" Sure, we may be 17 days in already, but I haven't had the chance to upload my pictures onto my computer. This term is shaping up to be super-busy.<br /><br />I spent New Year's Eve and a significant chunk of new Year's Day at a log cabin in the southwest tip of rural Nova Scotia. My friend Sare's birthday is on January 2nd, but since she was going back to her college that day, she decided to celebrate the New Year and her birthday jointly.<br /><br />I went out to her house on a crisp, cool December night. We packed up two 4-wheelers (one with a wagon attached to carry our copious amounts of stuff) and drove through beautiful snow-glazed forest trails as the starry sky stretched out above us. As we drove along, I couldn't think of a more perfect way to spend the last hours of 2006. The generator at the cabin wasn't turned on, so we relied on candlelight and a wood stove to suit our needs. We played board games, missed the official countdown (we shouted "Happy New Year!" at about 5 past 12 and marvelled at how loudly our voices echoed over the lake), set off lovely fireworks, got my New Year's kiss from my friend's dog, and snuggled up in the loft, warmed by the wood stove's heat, to sleep.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2DcSEf1KI/AAAAAAAAAGw/hvDiFME_V9M/s1600-h/x+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2DcSEf1KI/AAAAAAAAAGw/hvDiFME_V9M/s400/x+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025317281125618850" border="0" /></a><br />A few days prior to this, Sare had visited my house and we baked brownies together and took kooky pictures, some of which are in the previous post. We came across a recipe for "Gourmet Mint Brownies" in a Pillsbury cookie cookbook, but didn't have all the ingredients to make them. Sare joked that she would love to have some for her birthday, so I obliged. After days of agonizing at supermarkets trying to find peppermint extract, my father brought some home on December 31st. I was ecstatic; I had nearly given up hope. I then set to work and baked those suckers.<br /><br />As they were being cut up and put onto a tray to take to the party with me, my family descended, rather like vultures, on the brownies. I managed to distract them by taking lots of pictures and blinding them with camera flashes. As you can see, it works wonders.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2DciEf1LI/AAAAAAAAAG4/b6pv2vSiIyw/s1600-h/x+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2kuldD24vgI/Rb2DciEf1LI/AAAAAAAAAG4/b6pv2vSiIyw/s400/x+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025317285420586162" border="0" /></a>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07007449702143034584noreply@blogger.com0