Sunday, March 14, 2010

Catching up/New Creations

I've been so busy lately that I haven't updated the blog. Between my second teaching job, finals, giving two big presentations at a conference in Minneapolis and starting a garden, I have just started trying some new things in the kitchen. Look for the garden update later this week.

Since I am starting a garden, I need to be able to prepare the veggies I'm growing to my liking. One thing I'm attempting is Brussels sprouts. I've really only eaten them about 3 times in my life, all being deliciously prepared. Two times Ron made them on special occasions and the other time I had them at Niche (for non STLers, it's a very upscale restaurant that is very "hot" right now). Don't ask me why I decided to grow them. Just sounded interesting. Anyhow, I bought some and prepared them and now they are my new favorite veggie! Ben also gives them 5 stars and even asks for more. I definitely think they get a bad rep. Anyhow, my first try at them, I just sauteed them with some butter until they were nice and caramelized. I also made squash (summer and zucchini) risotto with barley instead of rice, which worked out really well. I know I need to work on my presentation, but here is my finished product:



Tonight I decided to make risotto again since it turned out so well the first time. This time I put broccoli and Brussels sprouts in it.



While I was chopping veggies, I noticed that my dog Ruby was nowhere to be seen. Whenever I'm cooking and she isn't there, I know she is getting into SOMETHING. So I walk into the living room and realize that she is playing with something green. And she doesn't have a green toy. Hmmm. Turned out that she really likes broccoli!



Making the risotto was the second thing I thought to make. The first thing was beer bread, which my friend Brooke gave me a recipe for a month or so ago. I had asked for it because she made it at Mardi Gras 2009 and I remember it being delicious. I was a little nervous that I wouldn't like it as much considering things usually seem to taste better when tipsy, which I was when I had it at Brooke's. Anyhow, I followed the directions and this is what I came up with:



The bread was warm and soft and delicious! The whole meal looked like this and was freaking awesome.