Friday, April 10, 2009

nothing in live is certain except for cooking and taxes

Sorry that I've been such a bad blogger. I will be updating more this weekend. I've got a bunch of photos, etc. from cooking/backing `
Aaaaaaanyway, I'm looking forward to trying out a new recipe this weeked that I came across: Mock Risotto.
I was going to make this carrot soup recipe but since I'm just cooking for myself, it will have to wait till next week.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Cook book

I ran across this book today where I work (in a University Library) and just had to mention it because it is interesting for a variety of reasons. The title is "Becoming a Chef" and has chapters from a variety of chefs including Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali along with a large selection of recipes. There are definitely some stand out recipes in the book in addition to the advice about becoming a chef, a pastry chef or a baker. I can't wait to try out some of the stuff in it including just the basic stuff like making your own tomato sauce.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

baking vote!

This coming friday we're having a sort of potluck thing this friday for valentine's day (we're having it the day before) and I can't quite decide what to make. I've narrowed it down to a few options but I definitely need help deciding. I keep going back and forth before between what is easy and wanting to make something completely from scratch. given that it is during the work week, easy keeps sounding better.

anyway, here are the options. so, if you'd comment with your vote it would be much appreciated. I'll make sure to post the pictures of the final choice later, thanks!






Chocolate Dipped Strawberries (without the tuxedo effect)

Vote no longer needed.
This winner was decided as the Lemon Tea Bread!

I'm making it Thursday and will post pictures as soon as I get the chance (probably next week).



Wednesday, January 28, 2009

imminent return

a contessa's backyard will officially return in mid-february, just in time for me to finish up my grad school applications.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

advertising

i know i still owe real posts but i had to stop by to advertise for a new etsy page started by my bff's mom: http://www.sallysunshine.etsy.com/. she does hand made glass jewelry. check it out!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

i apologize that it has been so long since my last blog. i have been taking pictures of new recipes i've tried and will upload them with comments forthwith (this word makes me smile). i'm also planning on making red velvet cupcakes and rice krispy treats for the office christmas party next week. if i can find a star shaped cookie cutter, i might make them rice krispies ala angela from the show the office which means put on a skewer with a ribbon tied on it so they look like fairy wands. i real post is coming soon.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

This post is made possible mainly in part to Meg, a friend and fellow blogger who is a fan of Heidi's cooking blog.
I have long admired the recipe for pea dumplings and finally got around to make them today and they were absolutely delicious! I think they are one of the best things I've ever eaten. I did mine differently than the directions because I didn't have a blender or food processor. So, I actually used a hand mixer and a potato smasher which seemed to work fine.

ingredients list:
2 cups (about 10 ounces) cups peas (freshly shelled or frozen)
2/3 cup ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
scant 1/2 tea spoon fine grain sea salt
1 small shallot, minced
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
zest of one large lemon
and a package of wonton or round wrappers

one person note to this: the wonton wrappers may actually be in the vegetable section right next to the alphalpha sprouts as they are made by the same copy. at least this is how they were in publix.

I chose to fry them instead of steam them. I apologize for the slight fuziness in the images. My camera lens is a bit dirty.

the full recipe is available on her website.

here are some pictures of my process and how the final result came out:


the peas, ricotta, and olive oil pre mix



post mix and plus parmesan, shallots and lemon zest



filling the wonton wrappers with the pea dumpling mix



some of the wontons in their prepared shape. my package of wonton wrappers didn't include folding instructions, however I found a number of helpful videos on youtube, in particular this one. You'll need to skip forward to about a minute and 55 seconds into the video as he shows a recipe in the beginning for filling for dumplings.



dumplings in the frying pan



the finished product with a little of the filling for garnish in the center.

It was a tiring but fun process and I definitely feel very accomplished after making something like this.

More later