Future posts will include an increased cast of characters.  For Christmas I got a KitchenAid stand-mixer and a Cuisinart food processor.  I have not yet used either to their fullest potential but already have proposed a polygamous marriage between the three of us; I respect my partners in culinary matrimony equally and adore the unique joy each brings into my life.

Stay tuned for kitchen calamities and artichoke adventures. — K.

I washed the grapefruit down with decadent chocolate milk. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it decadent, but it is damn good and balances out the health of having a half a grapefruit and calling it breakfast.

Today I decided to try brussel sprouts. I’ve never eaten a brussel sprout ’cause my Daddy didn’t like brussel sprouts and he did all the cooking and there it is. No brussel sprouts. But I saw this Ina Garten recipe, and figured it was worth seeing what all the hate and fuss was about. I made a small, snack-sized batch in case they were going to be truly atrocious.

The verdict?
Not bad, but not good either. I can see why people say sprouts have a “nutty” flavor, but I’m not about to go nutty over them – ha HA. The kosher salt was definitely a good idea, and I’ll certainly eat the others that are hanging out in my crisper…
But I don’t know that I’ll buy them again.

Pot-pie tonight.

Ah, but what did you eat for dinner Katharine? Nice of you to ask. I tried to make caramelized sweet potatoes. Not “tried.” I’ve had many preparations of sweet potatoes in my day and found all of them delicious, because the sweet potato is an under-loved and delicious vegetable. These however, were not delicious. Yes they were gingery. But somehow the onions were burnt and parts of the potato were not cooked through. If I did not know what good sweet potatoes would taste like, I might have enjoyed this monstrosity. Since I know better however, I was unimpressed.

In my cooking exploits this evening I also injured myself. The sweet potatoes did not want to go quietly and required a great deal of force to cut apart. On one occasion the knife slipped and got my thumb. Not a full-bodied slice, but the tips of the serrated edge poked holes in my thumb. Since I was cooking for myself, and am a maverick, I bled on the potatoes. Hard-core.

Pot-pie tomorrow.

Just broccoli. Garlicky, lemon-y, cheesy broccoli.
As a college student, I’m ashamed of myself.

Now I think this was nutritious: you got your fruit and your whole grain in the bread, peanut-butter for protein, and honey s’all natural. Right?

(I also had a banana and a hard-boiled egg. But I wasn’t as proud of the cooking for either of those).

I made this delicious pasta with eggplant I saw on The Pioneer Woman Cooks. I ran out of parmesan and mostly did without, but it was still delicious and oddly savory for something so veggie-friendly. Ordinarily I would’ve fixed a salad and a vegetable, but I’m tired and I didn’t feel like it.

I did however pop the cork on a tremendous bottle of wine, a Moscato from Gallo Twin Valley. Blogging about wine is worse than blogging about food, but I will say this: it sells for under ten dollars but has the taste of a twenty to twenty-five dollar wine. Sweet and fruity, I was reminded of a good vigonier. Probably the best wine I’ve tried in at least six months.

Woof. I’m going to bed!

While I was reheating my quiche I got a good deep whiff of my stock that I’m cooking from last night’s chicken. It’s the whole carcass, bones, some skin, innards, a little meat and the fat that oozed into the pan, with celery, onions, salt and pepper. I’m about two hours in and it already smells fantastic.

Unfortunately instant oatmeal isn’t as healthy as real oatmeal, and it has high fructose corn syrup which I’m trying – desperately trying – to eliminate from my diet. Lucky for me real oatmeal is more satisfying and just as easy if you make it in the microwave.

My favorite oatmeal preparation is oatmeal + raisins + walnuts + brown sugar + cinnamon. It equals delicious. A bit of a sugar fix, but sometimes that’s what I need to get out the door on Monday.

There will definitely be no oatmeal tomorrow because I’ve run flat out! In a way this is a blessing, because I’ve been dying to try steel-cut oats since I saw this recipe on The Kitchn. I know it will take more time but the idea of a truly chewy oatmeal gets my mouth a-waterin’!

Later this week I’ll check out some farther out grocery stores to suss out the oatmeal situation. I also need new tea and would like an opportunity to ogle fancy cheese and “luxury” grocery items.

Happy eating!