Journal

2011 - Week 2 Cooking Results

Tortellini with Italian Sausage, Fennel, and Mushrooms (p60 December 2010 Bon Appétit)

I made this as quickly as I could and in doing so accidently pour several of the filled tortellini into the sink, as opposed to where they were supposed to go.  Luckily, I suppose, the package of tortellini was more then I actually needed, so I guess it worked out, but I still dislike being wasteful.  Overall I enjoyed this, however I would've liked to do it in a  12" pan instead of a 10" (my largest non-stick) and I think the mushrooms should have been more of a dice, instead of a slice.  It makes them not so big (even though I'm not opposed to mushrooms, there is some of that lingering distaste that I remember).  The Itallian sausage that I used is quite nice.  And because of this it really added to this as a dish.

Chicken Cutlets with Romesco and Serrano (prosciutto) Cracklin's (p56 December 2010 Bon Appétit)

Some delicious prosciutto made right here in Iowa really took this up and let it be wonderful.  It was pretty easy to follow the directions and made a dish for myself and Shannon.  I halved the recipe, but not for the romesco.  I ended up using the extra Romesco as an additional sauce on the leftover pumpkin lasagna.  It made for a good meal and cooked up pretty quickly.

Chicken cutlets with romesco and serrano cracklins

Curried Lentil Soup (p56 December 2010 Bon Appétit)

I almost had enough lentils for what the recipe called for, but decided that it was silly to buy another bag of lentils for just another 1/6th of a cup.  So it was lessened.  Honestly, this was kind of bland.  At the end I added more salt and some Pickapeppa Sauce.  It transitioned into a bit more.  I guess the real test here is to see if I'll eat the leftovers...

Curried Lentil Soup

Poached Eggs and Parmesan Cheese over Toasted Brioche with Pistou

It was Saturday (yesterday) and after working almost 8 hours at work (it's got to push me into the 70 hour mark for the week) and I knew I didn't have an basil (I had tried the previous Sunday to get basil at 3 stores).  So I said screw it and instead made some bacon, egg and avocado sandwiches.

Bacon egg and avocado sandwich

Frittata with Cheese, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Basil

This recipe was messed up.  The eggs didn't solidify.  So I ended up cooking it a bit more on the stove top and then in the oven again (though this time not on broil).  Eventually it came together enough to actually eat it with out egg oozing out.

Frittata with Cheese, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil

Tuna Bocadillos

A piquilio pepper?  Funny thing was after not hearing about it, I saw a couple of references over the next week.  I used jalapeno instead, though Shannon skipped them on her sandwich.