The tide is changing I can feel it. The days are longer, spring skiing is around the corner and my thoughts go to making simpler, cozier one pot meals. Soon the daylight will highlight all those dusty shabby corners in the house that have been hidden by candlelight and parties and I will have to divide my time between the compelling urge of “spring cleaning
” and the constant need to create wonderful meals. So I’m strapping on my colourful apron and rolling up my sleeves using up forgotten pantry items to come up with new just throw everything in the pot creations. Cleaning can wait, for now.
|
|||||
|
It’s confirmed, love IS everywhere. Well here we are in the month of love. I could go on and on about all the wonderful, warm and fuzzy, insightful things we should be thinking about during this month of heartfelt recognition and I would like too but I’m not sure I would be able to stop. Despite the cravings for all things sweet, chocolate, candy, sentiment, in my opinion nothing says I love you like “honey you don’t have to cook this week” and that could be for him, for her or maybe yourself.
So I took my own advice and ended up with an intimate (only 3 people) quasi impromptu dinner party on Saturday night. There was new music, check out A.A. Bondy – When The Devil’s Loose, someone did bring a wonderful bottle of never before had wine,, Albet i Noya – Lignum, 2006, Spain, yummy and the menu revolved around what I was craving, elegant appetizers, which made for what felt like a special meal. Virtually everything was purchased in my neighbourhood and took no time to prepare. It went like this, a plate of gorgeous goat’s cheeses with artisan bread, escargots baked in red wine and garlic butter, sauteed sea scallops with leeks in a champagne sauce, a simple garlic and olive oil pasta with fresh parmesan and a cleansing salad accompanied by a homemade vinaigrette. See? Easy!
January, could it be any longer, grayer? The 21 day cycle is over for all you resolutionistas. Congratulations! I’m taking this time to pour over beautiful feast for the eyes and stomach cookbooks, picture books really and I am reminded of how much I love to cook for my friends. I think this is the best blah buster out there. Find a gorgeous recipe make it easy make it a challenge try something new or make your favorite tried and true and make it for your friends. Everyone comes over with something, a new CD, a new wine, hysterical pictures or stories from the holidays and the happiness of knowing they’re going to enjoy a night of great food, music and company that didn’t break the bank and feels like a night out but everyone stayed in. It’s the best.
The current challenge I encounter these days is preparing breakfast for a twelve year old boy every morning while he grows an inch a day! How can I keep it interesting and nutritious enough to feed the body and soul? Eggs I say! Organic if possible, necessary I believe. Eggs are a different meal every time, boiled then eaten with butter and french salt, scrambled with hot sauce, hidden in a breakfast sandwich or when required you pull out the big guns like this little treasure.
Sometimes it’s just not meant to be. Excitedly I pulled out the raw green pumpkin seeds this morning in anticipation of roasting them in Tamari (a healthier alternative to soy sauce) and providing a yummy little snack. Kids love them, they are awesome with a cocktail, both nutritious and so delicious. I lovingly rolled them in the Tamari, baked them, forgot about them, inadvertently burned them (forgot they were in the oven while preheating for the North African chicken dish I was prepping for dinner) and tried to save them by placing them out in the snow to cool down, then I dropped the cookie sheet. Bon Appétit little squirrels.
I woke up today to a small random pile of gifts that had to find a new home. My favourite, a new green Creuset “style” pot. In order to put it in it’s place the cupboard above the stove needed purging, finally, after that successful task I noticed the pantry in the corner loomed, bursting at the seams, now was the time. Two satisfying hours later, pantry joy and bliss. It’s the New Year, it’s time, do it and if all else fails don’t forget My Everyday Gourmet offers Pantry Organizing Services as well.
Happy Cleaning! |
|||||
|
Copyright © 2010 My Everyday Gourmet - All Rights Reserved |
|||||
