To Thine Own Self, Be Food

We here in the Midwest United States have had a stupendous winter and early spring.  The temperature reminds me of May as opposed to March.  And so, my grocery shopping reflects, weather-wise, that I'm two months ahead of the game. This morning's grocery cart was laden with all kinds of produce: cucumbers, peppers, Napa cabbage....and cilantro!  I have forgotten (but was happily reminded) how much I love the smell of fresh cilantro - grassy, earthy, happy. And where there's cilantro, there's fresh salsa! A recent cookbook purchase of mine is titled 365 Easy Vegetarian Recipes , and in it is a wonderful recipe for pico de gallo (translation: rooster's beak).  The above photo is that same pico de gallo.  And no, I don't normally mince my tomatoes and onions that fine...this is after about ten seconds in my food processor (I prefer a finer textured salsa for chip-dipping). The recipe calls for the following: one tomato, one onion, two cloves/teaspoon...

I have not posted here in some time.  Why is that, you ask?  Well, it certainly isn't because I haven't been cooking, because of course, I have. Mid-March brings the onset of soccer practice of which we have four kids who play.  Three of the kiddos practice on Mondays and Wednesday from 5:30-7:00, and the high schooler practices every day from 4:00 to 6:00.  AND, three of the kids go to an after-school theatre camp on Tues and Thurs from 3:30-6:00. Seems like it always takes us about two weeks of juggling dinners and eating out sporadically because we establish an eating groove.  I believe that next week will be the beginning of that groove.  :) I'm still baking my own bread (on the sourdough starter I began last fall!), and I've purchased some new cookbooks (of course!).  Sometimes I think I ought to give some away...maybe I'll post a list here and see if there are any takers! Here's an idea I'm toying with.  Dishwasher cooking.  No,...

So mote it be. I suppose things are not quite set in stone, and can change any moment...but there's no harm in making an announcement, I reckon? No major life happenings notwithstanding, I am enrolling in the local community college in the fall - I have been accepted to the Culinary Arts program. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! What does this mean now?  My own restaurant or bakery?  Working with Anne Burrell?  Being on a Food Network television?  Using my school knowledge and degree to plan fabulous meals at home? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Thankfully, out of those I've told of my college plans, nobody has asked what I plan to do once I graduate.  I have no idea anyway right now...and that's way too far down the road anyway.  All I know right now is that school is the first step into the wide unknown.   Take a look at this first term: - Computer Essentials - Safety/Sanitation - Food Service Technology - Culinary Skill...

(To the tune of Garth Brooks's "I've Got Friends in Low Places") ...where the chocolate chips drown and the pumpkin chases... my blues away... I've had incredible luck with desserts in the last two days.  And no, the recipes have not come from fancy cookbooks endorsed by any Food Network personality. Recipe #1: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Location: the side of a box of Oat Wise cereal Oat Wise cereal?  It's likely you've never heard of Oat Wise cereal...but you probably have heard of its more popular counterpart - Life Cereal.  Who would have thought an amazing recipe for cookies lie on the side of an little known store-brand breakfast cereal?  Huh.  Well, as the late Davy Jones might have said..."I'm a believer..." 2/3 c. sugar (or substitute) 1/3 c. brown sugar, packed 1/2 c. (or stick) butter, softened 1/3 c. peanut butter 1 egg 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 1/2 cu...