The Why and the How for Learning to Cook Together

I know I should begin the blog with a stellar description of the impressive dinner that I just slaved away on for the better part of the day, while my two angels amused themselves in the playroom with wooden educationally sound toys, or even better, how we cooked dinner together. But… my life isn’t always like that. In fact, rarely like that. Truthfully, never like that. Fine. You made me admit it. But, but, my Thanksgiving spread for 14 was aammmazzing in my defense. I can do it. Really.

So, as much as I love to prepare home cooked meals with as many “from scratch” ingredients as I can muster, sometimes, it just isn’t possible. Today the kids are sick, yet, are still crazy hyper. There have been more “no no”s than “yes yes”s said to my boys in various tones and volumes. Play-dough was fun, but I am now picking it out of the littlest one’s diaper (that is not what I mean by “from scratch” eats, kid). Mama needs a break.

Cue my wonderful husband ordering almost equally wonderful (Who am I kidding! The food definitely gives him a run for his money!) Indian take out from one of our local restaurants

More Than Just Take-Out…

When we relocated out of our last urban camp, to our “wide open spaces” new home, I had nightmarish visions of living forever on bad take out pizza (I love pizza by the way. The good stuff with bubbling cheese, thin dough, and burnt edges) and delivery Chinese food from hell. Think gloppy-cornstarch-protein-in-a-brown-sauce sort of monstrosities. This has proven not to be the case. Sure, the first 6 months were a little more Dante’s Inferno and less Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking for my liking. But, through word of mouth, numerous Yelp searches, and plain old run of the mill lucky strikes, we have our range of restaurants. Indian. Thai. Authentic Bhan Mi & Pho. Sushi. Even a Chinese Dumpling House that we have been told by people “in the know”, tastes like “home”.

Let’s Learn to Cook Together

I made a promise to myself, one night after an endless stream of carry out menus and delivery runs; I was going to learn to cook. I mean, really cook. More than the stand-by recipes learned at my mother’s side or the ones torn from the pages of Food & Wine Magazine. I wanted to understand the how’s & the why’s. To grasp the techniques and the flavors. Why does salt play such a crucial role in cooking chemistry and taste? Why do we use a double boiler to melt chocolate for a ganache? And, maybe, just maybe start creating my own recipes to tantalize and thrill. Let’s do this together!

Back to Reality…

I have a mission… that I’ll start tomorrow! For now, let’s cut back to the delicious Indian Food now sitting on my counter waiting to be devoured. Pakoras. Curries. Chicken Tikka Masala. Dals. YUM. I love my kids, but maybe I should not discourage them from bad behavior if this is my reward at the end of the day. Nah. I’ll just pull out all the wooden toys to replace the technicolor dreamworld that is the playroom.

Check Out What’s on the Menu!

New to at-home mixology? Let’s whip up a fabulous and elegant cocktail together! My Lemon Gin Flora is a great intro into the world of gin sours!

Looking for a comfort food recipe that hits all the high notes? This Smokey Chicken Paprikash tastes like it’s been stewing for the afternoon, but it’s made in under an hour!

Want a Live on TV cooking demo? Catch me on NBC, demonstrating this kid-friendly dessert idea! Mini Sugar Cookie Tarts with Fresh Lemon Curd, Whipped Cream, and Edible Flowers

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