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Young & HungryIf you can't take the heat, get outta the kitchen! |
| 20 May |
They always say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and, well, it finally worked, making me the proud new owner of a shiny sparkly glittery diamond ring! That said, I have cooked for many a man without the reward of a platinum set symbol of lifetime commitment, but perhaps I had just not yet reached my full potential as a culinary temptress. On a recent occasion I was lucky enough to be in possession of young hungry fiancé’s favorite childhood recipe courtesy of future mother-in-law. Thank you! Even with my new heightened powers of palate persuasion it helps to have the aid of a good recipe… Such is the history of the following Garlic Shrimp & Rice, which served as a yummy surprise for my plus one after a long day at work and school. I do have to start practicing my homemaking skills now don’t I!
| 5 January |
In need of something warm, rich, and creamy that won’t break the theoretical calorie or actual bank? This risotto just screams comfort food! Perhaps that’s why it’s one of my favorite things… I find it ironic that New Years, with all its resolutions and whatnot, falls right when you feel like wrapping yourself up in the Snuggie you got for Christmas and not coming out until Spring. Speaking of Snuggies, I am now the proud owner of a hot chocolate brown Dreamie. Snuggie’s O.U.T. Especially after they failed to send me my free sample… What is a Dreamie you ask? It’s a fleece blanket with a sizeable pocket at one end for your pillow! I am about one day away from bringing my shiny new Dreamie into work to stop the shivering during these cold winter months. Seriously though, I’m cold inside and out. Day and night. Layers or bare. Get the point? So before you end up like me, fired after being caught purple-handed with my pillow-laden Dreamie and space heater, try this risotto to keep those cozy feelings coming even when it’s 8 degrees outside.
| 3 August |
Wherefore art my beloved pan?
Sleeping soundly in my kitchen
In the dark cabinet it’s hidden
Hiding from the light of day
It is safely tucked away
Waiting just to see the light
And satiate my appetite
What fine feast will be up next
Perhaps the tuna it likes best?
Take me out you silly girl
Trash the fried food lest I hurl
Why go into the light of day
Forced to chased the bugs away
When you have me to grill you right
Satiate that lusty appetite
All you need is some meat
To whip up a tasty treat
Or some veggies from the market
Will complete your evening banquet
You save me from mosquito bites
When favoring some lite delights
Alas there is some use for man
To flip and baste while I do tan
Prepare for you something I will
As long as your masculine duties fulfilled
My skills were honed on the island
Where the grill was fully manned
But now an army I have none
And so the battle’s to be won
Yes I’ve seen you try to ignite
That flame which burns in you so bright
But fire lady… stay away
You’ve yet to see another day
Stick with me I’ll treat you well
Soon you’ll hear that dinner bell
Ring with opportunity
Here to feed you so hungry
And for the night now you are free
To try a dessert recipe
Square or round we care not
This grill pan will not be forgot
For forever we will be
Cooking in perfect harmonyTo bring these recipes to you
Dear reader something fresh and new
Winter spring or chilly fall
The weather no need mind at all
For you now can feel the thrill
Charred nothings from your Calphalon grill!
| 20 July |
First of all, congratulations to the bride to be. I am beyond elated for you and beyond grateful to you for providing me with an opportunity to FINALLY make these shrimp. Giada made this recipe at least a year ago and it has been loitering around my recipe box ever since. For those of you that know me, you know that once I get something in my head it is undoubtedly going to remain there haunting me and stressing me out until I finally concede. This and timeliness (which is of course next to Godliness) are the only ways in which I am OCD, but they are surely enough to drive me and others to a supreme state of irritation. If only I were infuriatingly clean as well…
I think I owe my obsession over this recipe to my larger goal of achieving the perfect polenta. Some might disagree, insisting that such a thing does not exist. Polenta is not the bland evil stepbrother of grits, the bastard child of an affair with a Italian import who, oozing with machismo and wooing unknowing women with their pretty accent and open conduct, swept Mrs. cornmeal away. No. When done right, I know in my heart that cornmeal can trump our precious Southern grits. One day, hopefully while I still have the leftover cornmeal in my pantry, I will perfect the yellow stepchild and I will share the resulting recipe with all of you.
Until then I want to share with you this recipe for polenta crusted shrimp. I made them for my friend’s wedding shower and they were about as good as I spent the last year dreaming them to be. Speaking of dreams, I had to endure my Mom cheering me on in a cupcake eating contest in attempt to fulfill her dream of grandbabies and marriage. I was charged with finding the hidden wedding ring which, like the brides bouquet, would mean that I too would soon get married. Ten cupcakes later and still sans ring I surrendered. Perhaps my Italian prince is simply charming, but that doesn’t mean my polenta dreams can’t come true.
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