Oh Hey!

After taking months off from blogging I realized that I only really want to post food pictures and share recipes. Having to write an actual post about anything else just doesn't fit into my schedule anymore, but if ya'll are interested in perusing recipes I'm trying, head on over to my tumblr for strictly food.

Holiday Cooking

2012! Hopefully the year where I get really close to finishing my MBA, while also really expanding on my efforts in the kitchen. We brought in 2012 with friends and a successful dinner party, which was a really great start.

I made a New Year's ham, inspired by food52, however I wasn't clear on what to buy at the store so I ended up with a pre-cooked ham instead of the fresh cut the recipe calls for. Not a huge deal as it was still delicious, and I still rubbed it with roasted garlic, herbs, and doused it with orange juice. After three hours it was crackling, dark, and juicy.

Sides were a sweet potato and sage gratin, with cream and caramelized onions (yes, make this now), and a simple kale salad with ricotta salata (also an easy winner). 

I also made roasted garlic beer bread, from Women's Health, which actually has some great recipes that are consistently healthy. This one is made with all whole wheat pastry flour, and uses olive oil for the fat.

To use up ham leftovers I made a split pea soup today, using thekitchn as a starting point and adding in pinto beans, napa cabbage, and parsley at the end. 

Lastly, I tried a ricotta cheesecake for Christmas at my parent's, and while it was good overall, I cooked it a bit long so it ended up a little dry. Please note that after 1 hour and 15 minutes, the cake will not be set. You should take it out anyway. I also could not find plain matzo, which the recipe says adds some lightness. I would be interested to taste the difference. 

Peanut Butter Cookies

Yeah yeah, another recipe from 101cookbooks. They're just so good!

Peruvian Style Roast Chicken

I made this chicken a while back, and the recipe just reappeared in my inbox from Whole Foods so I thought I'd share. It's chicken, sliced lemons, peppers and onions roasted with cumin. Easy and delicious!

Recipes!

This old-fashioned oatmeal cake with coconut/pecan topping has become a quick favorite.

Baked beans with bacon, sage and tomato sauce. I only used four slices of bacon, enough to get the flavor with less fatty fat. 

Meatloaf is not the most photogenic, but this turkey recipe from the kitchn is super yummy. I ran out of barbecue sauce and made it up a bit and this still came out great. 

Lastly, all three of my holiday cookie recipes have come from Heidi this year, she just has such lovely ideas. Below are her sparkling ginger chip (aka "crack cookies"), and limoncello macaroons. Um yes, yum. 

Making me insanely happyyy

Chicken Parm

I free-styled some chicken parm on Sunday night, and it really came out great so I wanted to share. Part of it's success was the sauce, I always use this recipe as a starting point, and this week I sauted the onions first in some butter, garlic, fennel seeds, chili pepper flakes, oregano and red wine. Then added the San Marzanos, cooked down for about an hour, and pureed to a thick sauce consistency. I'm telling you, this is the easiest way to make sauce/please don't ever buy a jar again.

For the chicken, I used Tyler as a starting point because his Italian always inspires, and subbed in panko for bread crumbs. I also added lemon zest, fresh thyme, oregano, salt/pepp to the panko. Easy to make, and delicious to eat.