In the Kitchen...

One of my goals this year is to be more creative and economic in the kitchen.

I am still learning how to balance what I have in my pantry/refrigerator and the gourmet recipes I find online or in magazines, but the process is slowly making a dent in my cooking styles. In a recent mail batch, Bon Appetit sent me a package (encouraging me to subscribe... sorry not this time) with a set of mini recipe cards, including a yummy-looking zucchini white pizza. This week was a perfect time to attempt this recipe even though our fridge has become perilously empty and our schedules are running tight.


The final product?















I tweaked the recipe quite a bit, using a homemade crust recipe (rather than store-bought refrigerated dough -- no purchased items!); leftover ground buffalo meat; and a bottled Garlic Alfredo sauce rather than the called-for soft cheese spread. Granted, the recipe could have been even more made-from-scratch, but remember: I was working with what I had!

It turned out well and definitely worth trying again. My only qualm was the flavor of the crust... it left something to be desired. I'm still seeking the perfect pizza crust recipe -- cheaper than delivery, and so much more fun!

Any suggestions for recipes?

Books

CURRENTLY READING:

Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart
Beth Pattilo

Mindless pleasure reading for those few moments between work and more work (e.g. from paid job to housewifely duties). I generally really dislike "fan fiction" in the vein of Jane Austen, but this one caught my attention (I always judge a book by its cover), and while the writing is still sub-par, the storyline is still fairly enjoyable. And, like I said, it's mindless pleasure reading.

Villette
Charlotte Bronte

I am an undying fan of turn-of-the-century novels by female authors with a predilection for governess stories and unlikely romances in tragedy-turned-idyllic settings. I suppose everyone has a weakness. Well, this is one of the few Bronte books that I have never read and so far... extremely enjoyable. My only disappointing is my own lack of ability to translate the French conversation intermittent throughout the storyline.

Freelance Design in Practice
Cathy Fishel

Intensely interesting and infinitely useful for the freelancer in question (yours truly).

And even more to come as we (DH and I) have recently joined a Book Club (gasp!). What is on your current reading list?

Recipe FAIL

I wouldn't call myself a gourmet chef, and I don't really make up recipes off the top of my head... so I generally spend a little time each week perusing my small collection of cookbooks, or cooking websites for recipes that I can use for dinner. My most recent exciting discovery is The Nest website (sequel to "The Knot" for brides-to-be, prequel to "The Bump" for moms-to-be and so on... they seriously have you set up for life) filled with articles and information for newly-weds from decorating to cooking for two or buying a new home. I've had some fun searching through their recipes database and decided to try this one out last night for dinner:

Meatballs and Snowpeas

Unfortunately, it didn't work out as expected. It could have been that I'm recovering from a cold and my sense of smell (therefore, taste) is still a little off... or it could just be the recipe, but DH and I were both a little put off. I didn't even finish mine! His first comment was "Tastes like ketchup...." (and I had left the ketchup out of the recipe). I was really hoping it would be as delectable as it looks in the photo, but it was definitely a recipe FAIL. Perhaps it needs some tweaking? I'd be willing to try again with suggestions.... any takers?