I can cook anything, and Everything!

It is time for a new post on this site. Last year when I became an adult and started cooking for myself at the age of 26 (translation, I had to start cooking again because I no longer worked at a restaurant or lived close enough to Del Taco to bike there twice a day), my wonderful sister Nikki sent me a cookbook entitled "How to Cook Everything". This is a great book, it is really about being able to cook whatever you want. I was using it this summer to make sure I was cooking eggs properly (I wasn't, LOW heat makes them more tender), and I came across a suggestion for poached eggs. Now we all know that poached eggs are delicious but not so easy to cook, well now they are. All you have to do is put a little water in the frying pan after they have cooked a little, cover it, and viola! The top of the eggs are steamed and delish. Don't thank me, thank the folks at Leaperville. OK, thank both of us.

Dench Frip

because i am the nicest sister ever, i decided to make a surprise dinner for jamie. the dinner wasn't a surprise, the food was (the best kind of surprise.) in wasn't until after all my hard planning and blood and sweat and tears went into this dinner that i learned that jamie doesn't even like french dip.
but this wasn't just french dip, no no, this was french dip supreme. you start with the basics: au jus packet, hoagie rolls, and then elaborate. only the best roast beef in the world (albertson's deli roast beef), tillamook pepper jack cheese (we only live like 40 minutes away from tillamook, it's like not a big deal) and walla walla sweet onions-all broiled to melted perfection. coupled with the rare red pear and simply limeade, what you have is the pinnacle of tastes all complimenting each other nicely.
feast with your eyes and be jealous!

Forget What You Know

Sometimes we get stuck in a rut. Routines can get mundane and boring. I'm here to tell you all that it does not have to be that way. While necessity may be the mother of invention, hunger can also step in to father an invention or two. My roommate Steve is a testament to that fact. He loves to eat, and he loves to try new things. Here he is eating a sandwich that he made on our recent camping trip to Camp Ritchie.

Steve claims to have put everything on the table on this sandwich. Some of what I personally witnessed: mayonnaise, mustard, jelly, turkey, other sandwich meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pasta salad, tuna salad, chicken salad, and I'm sure tons of other stuff. He ate it and loved it. So don't be held back by fear and petty stereotypes, go with your gut. Pun intended.

We Love Tofu

We love tofu in our family. This is Harrison eating tofu.


This is Harrison when he has finished his tofu. He's sad.


I want to get a quick poll if anyone else in the family likes tofu? I have a few recipes I make with it that are delicious, but I'm only going to share them if there are any interested parties. And more importantly, I'd like to know if anyone has any delicious recipes involving tofu?

Quick reasons why it is so delicious:
1) Tofu never has fat, gristle, tendons, bones, bloody/stretchy veins or any other disgusting thing that can often be found when working with meat. It is a joy to work with raw tofu. Seriously, a joy.
2) You can't really go wrong with cooking tofu. It is never pink or raw on the inside and it always tastes delicious (as long as you've put it in a delicious sauce).
3) It is a nice change to the cooking repertoire, and it stays good in the fridge for a long time. No defrosting!!!
4) It is cheap. Maybe I should have led with this one.

I hope I've converted you to this tasty treat or at least reminded you of a food friend you may have been neglecting. Tofu. Now give me your recipes.

Craig's Cheesesteaks

If you like cheesesteaks, you like Craig! This was the most delicious cheesesteak I have ever tasted, and luckily Brooke and I were staying at Nicki and Craig's so we could be there to enjoy it! Thanks again guys!

Lisa+ Kim+ Jamie+ Brooke+ Asher+ Ollie+Harrison+Crepes= PARTY!!

Lisa's famous crepes (well, mom's crepes but with Lisa's special touch; cocoa) are soooo delicious. Add nutella, strawberries, caramel, whipped cream, and yummy cream cheese spread, and you are in heaven! Funny thing is, the adults pigged out way more than the kiddies! But aren't they cute?

Bremon Bars (Brooke and Lemon)

I zested my finger right into these Lemon Bars, but it was worth it to cook with Asher and Ollie.