Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today made Chocolate Chunk Cookies from Martha's Baking Handbook ( used chips, actually). The recipe says these will be thin and crisp, and they are. Frankly a bit too crisp for my taste. I think I prefer to use the standard recipe on the bag with a few alterations: couple extra tbsp of butter, dark brown sugar rather than light brown, and make them BIG. These turn out crisp on the edges, squidgey in the middle, buttery with a somewhat carmelized flavor. I'll stick to that recipe next time.

Books read so far in 2007.....

1. Miss Mole by E.H. Young- I've started collecting Virago Modern Classics and this is one I've recently come across. Loved this, very clever, great point of view. I've been searching out and ordering more by this author. Great way to start the year.
2. The World in my Kitchen by Colette Rossant - this was alright.
3. Toast by Nigel Slater - I want to read everything he's very written. Too bad it's so hard to find in the USA. Will be shopping on Book Depository soon.
4. The Night Watch by Sarah Waters - I liked this more in the beginning and middle when there was more of a ' mystery'. Have enjoyed Fingersmith and Affinity more.
5. Nigella Lawson by Gilly Smith - This is quite scathing and not well written. More a collection of quotes. Lacks cohesion.
6. Where we Lived by Jack Larkin - History of homes in America. Fascinating and wonderful photographs.
7. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky - This was my 2nd read of this, so I can discuss it for bookclub. Wonderful, horrifying and blunt story about human nature.

Right now I'm reading the Omnivore's Dilemma which I suspect is changing my attitudes about everything I put into my mouth and Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk.

I'm trying to come up with a list of 5 books that have been on my shelves for awhile that I'm going to attack in 2007. This is not so easy, as I have a lot to choose from.

To cook or to book that is the question.........

I've been trying to decide if this is to be more about my cooking or reading activity. Only time will tell.

Cranberry Tart

Today I made the Cranberry Sour Apple tart from Once Upon a Tart. I'm not sure if it's because their recipe was better, or the instructions were so complete, but this is the best luck I've had with rolled out anything. Pastry is one of the things in the kitchen that I generally avoid, along with custard, or anything that needs to be beaten in a bowl over simmering water. The only sub I made was to use tart cherries instead of raisins. My daughter loved this - I was able to make a mini tart with the leftover filling and pastry. She loves tart things, including cranberry sauce which this essentially is, or jam. I'll bring this to Iowa for Christmas.

Last night's dinner

I made the cauliflower gratin from Ina Garten. My daughter and I saw her make it on her show recently. I used 50% reduced fat Cabots cheddar instead of the gruyere as it's what I had. The only other change I made was to mix the cheese, breadcrumbs (I used panko), and butter together for the topping. It was yummy, and I ate the leftovers for lunch. I also served sauteed pork chops and peas. What can I say about peas, except they're easy, cheap, and my child eats them.

What to have for dinner?

Today I pulled some Ratatouille out of the freezer that I made this past summer. I used Jack Bishop's recipe from Vegetables Every Day, which I don't remember all the details of. I do remember that he recommended not peeling the eggplant. At the time I wasn't so crazy about the unpeeled eggplant as it was a bit rubbery. My husband thought it was mushrooms. At the time, I thought it was an okay dish and froze the leftovers which have been staring at me for months. Today I pulled out one of the containers and defrosted them and pureed in the blender.......and I have to say it tastes delicious. I think compared to what we were eating at the time, all the fresh veggies, to what we're eating now, that is not-so-fresh, this stuff is amazing. It's like I somehow froze summer and brought it back to life. I'm pretty sure besides eggplant, there are red peppers, onions, zucchini, garlic, fresh herbs in there. The plan is add a can of somewhat drained Muir Glen diced tomatoes, simmer and mix with pasta. If my child eats this I am sure to feel like a genius.

First post!

Why am I doing this? I don't know exactly, but I've been trying to keep track of things that I cook, or want to cook and this seemed like a good place to do it. If anyone but me found it interesting that'd be icing on the cake. Cooking is probably my second favorite thing to do, behind reading. I'm guessing I'll be writing a bit about that as well. I am obsessive about cookbooks, well really, all books. I am a home cook and I cook for myself, my husband, and my 5 year old. I have not ever taken a cooking class as an adult. That's a little about me. I guess I'll begin!