It ain't Jell-o!

The only thing good about expensive fancy restaurants, is of course, the Creme Brulee. I found that out a few years ago when my husband and I got a night without the kids. Extremely under dressed and feeling out of place, we waited patiently with the other "losers" that didn't have reservations. Finally it was our turn..........Can you say, "ala carte"? Want salad with your over priced steak? Extra! Want potatoes with your over priced steak? Extra! We actually paid 7 dollars for a 1/4 wedge of iceberg lettuce with a dab of dressing..What a Rip!!!! Any guesses how much our bill was? So anyway, because of a mess up in the kitchen it took forever to get our food. Lucky for us, they were feeling very generous. We got to share a very tiny ramican of Creme Brulee. On the house!!! This was a delight and the best part of dinner. To quote my husband,"Creme Brulee is like magic in your mouth". No joke. It really is that good. I have always wanted to learn how to make it and was shocked when I learned how easy it was..I even got to use a blow torch....Watch out Emeril Lagasse, here comes trouble!!

And the winner is......Chicken Picatta!

This recipe is one that I have always wanted to try. Well, I did actually try it once, but I am trying to forget about it. Serveral years ago during my lonely single years I went on a date with this total "Nut Job". I remember thinking, "can this date be over yet". Anyway, I ordered Chicken Piccata and well, it wasn't that good. So, I had a bad date and a bad dinner all in the same night. Can it get any worse? Halleujah I am not single anymore.

So years later, I try again, but this time I am cooking it. I took the recipe from a cook book I got several months ago called, "Now Eat This" by Rocco Dispirito. I had the chicken but nothing else for the recipe. That ment I had to load up the kids and get to the store soon because I only had a few hours before my husband got home. All seemed right in the world, until I got home, unloaded the kids, went inside and realized that I had forgotten the eggs...Crap!!!!! I loaded the kids back into the car and ran to the nearest 7-Eleven. Wait for it, this is where it gets good...I went into the store grabbed a Big Gulp and Nibs for the kids, paid and got back in the car. I got home, unloaded the kids, got in the house and realized that I forgot the Damn eggs again!!!!!

Long story short, I finally got the eggs, got home and made what I thought was going to be a delicious dinner.....The Verdict....NOT!!!!!! Well it looks good, but in my humble oppinion it is not worth your time. The recipe calls for Capers. I have never cooked with them or ate them and I probably won't gain. It just gave it a flavor I wasn't used to. Well, the real Judge, my husband hasn't tried it yet, so we will see what he says.......I will let you know.

I have exactly 3 hours to get to the store and make dinner before my husband gets home. Hmmmm, what will it be? Stay tuned to a computer terminal near you........

Ham- and cream Chesse-Stuffed chicken

This recipe wasn't anything special, It was just a recipe I got from the Deen Bros latest cook book, Y'all Come Eat. I love this book. Not because of the amazing recipes inside. Don't get me wrong the recipes are great, but I love the title of the book. It reminds me of my childhood and the many holidays spent in Oklahoma. Nothing warms my heart more than the memory of my Aunt Gayle uttering one simple phrase, " Y'all Come Eat".

Recipe #1 Chicken with Forty Cloves of Garlic with Garlic mash Potatoes Garlic mashed Potatoes

I know, I know, I thought that same thing you are thinking. Forty Cloves of garlic, wow that's a lot. But frankly, the garlic was the least of my worries with this recipe. The recipe called for Cognac and white wine. I want to give up now. I have never cooked with alcohol before and the fear quickly set in. Not being a drinker, I called my friend to see if she could help me find the Cognac and my Sister had some cooking wine in her pantry so I borrowed that too. I actually pealed 40 cloves of garlic...Yee Haw!

When I first smelled the Cognac, It made me feel sick. Gag, it was gross. I couldn't believe I was about to cook with this stuff. When It was time to add the Cognac and wine, the smell was nauseating, but I put it in. At this point I had no confidence that this was going to taste good at all. But I soldiered on and finished the recipe and even made some garlic mashed potatoes for a side dish.

I was hesitant to even taste this dish, but when I did I was shocked how good it was. The Cognac and wine had turned into the base for a thick gravy and the garlic cloves were all tender and sweet. I loved it and and my three year old son said, "this is delicious mom". My husband even like it too.

My Quest to be a better cook!

Several years ago, my husband Jd went on a business trip to Houston. Knowing that I love cook books, he brought me back a copy of, "BAREFOOT IN PARIS, Easy French Food You Can Make at Home," By Ina Garten. I loved it and spent hours looking through the pages imagining making and eating the delicious looking recipes inside. Well, about 4 years have gone by and I have yet to make one recipe in that book. Honestly, I have many cook books that have yet to be cooked from. I think a big reason for this failure was fear. Some recipes, for me, just seemed way over my head and the ingredients too unfamiliar to cook. Whatever the reason, I want to become a better cook. No, this is not the Julie&Julia Project yet again. There is no deadline or pressure. I just want to look at a recipe and say, "I can do that". I am not a writer and I promise there will be no movie or book deals. I am just going to cook, Why? Because I love it. So, I am just going to start cooking and see what happens.



Updates and pictures to come soon~~