Monday, February 26, 2007

food, glorious food!

Hope I haven't used that post title yet . . .

Anyhow, I've been cooking these past few days, thanks in large part to a major stock-up trip to the co-op last Thursday. News from my kitchen:

Friday night, Dan and I had his brother, Ryan, over to my apartment for dinner. I made a bunch of really yummy, Greek-type food. First, I experimented with using a new "secret ingredient" for homemade hummus:
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Who knew Chana Dal made awesome hummus?!?!? My homemade hummus is still much thicker than I'd like it to be, but I'll work that out eventually. I think I have the taste closer, now -- added more tahini this time, and I liked it much better. (Mmmm hummus!)

Served the hummus on an apps platter with sliced cucumber, grape tomatoes, kalamata olives (I'm coming 'round to olives, but I'm not loving them yet,) a few stuffed grape leaves (that I purchased,) and some pieces of Wasa crispbread. I forgot to buy pita. Silly Catherine.
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And the main event, in leftover form, since once the food comes out of the oven and the guests arrive, I tend to forget that I have a camera! (Eating and talking are much more important than photograph-taking, usually.)
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Dan and Ryan put down two pieces of spinach pie each, and the apps platter was completely empty at the end of the evening. (And I thought one hungry boy was a challenge! Alas.)

I also made chili and cornbread this past weekend.
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Last week, Michelle and I went to the thrift store, and I had a major kitchen score -- an 8-inch cast iron skillet for three bucks! I had gotten rid of my old nonstick 8-inch skillet a while ago, because the coating had begun to come off and hence, the skillet was no longer nonstick. Look at the baby, so happy with her new mama!
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And, I broke in the new skillet tonight, to make myself some hashbrowns for dinner. Well, hashbrowns to go alongside scrambled tofu, topped with salsa and sliced avocado.
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I really never do tire of scrambled tofu. :)

NOW, on to the exciting part! After a very long hiatus, I have decided to start working on my cookbook again. Work is looking a little light this month, and money will be interesting, but at least I'm going to take advantage of my free time and finish up the manuscript! (I hope I hope I hope!)

Off to edit . . .

6 comments:

theONLYtania said...

Oh man, that spinach pie looks really great! Well done. Good find on the skillet as well!

I didn't know that split peas were CHICKpeas.. guess you learn something new every day!

bazu said...

Oh my god- split peas in hummus, who knew? But it sounds marvelous. All your food looks good- I never tire of scrambled tofu either, but I don't make it nearly often enough. Good luck with your book!

Anonymous said...

Everything looks great! I am sure it was enjoyed by the guys.

I often make "hummus" with different beans (beans other than chickpeas)--isn't it good?! Yellow split peas are one of my favorites.

Good luck on the cookbook!

Courtney

KleoPatra said...

i am such a hummus fan... haven't made it from scratch but i love when other peeps do. i'm first in line with pita bread to dip in there.

Waiting for more info on that cookbook!! Looking forward to it...

Crystal said...

Oh, so you also have a giant bag of Chana Dal. Too bad we don't live closer to each other and could share. I've been wondering what the heck I'm going to use all these for and now I know - thanks!

-Crystal

MeloMeals said...

Is that Okra in your chili? Interesting...
Your greek inspired meal looks delicious.. and I can totally see how chana dahl works in hummus...

great score on the cast iron. I adore mine.. they are truly the best nonstick pans ever!