She cooks!

[happychemist]

I found a reprieve yesterday night; J's college friend was in town and we went out to dinner with him.

But tonight, I stepped up to the plate. I followed recipes from Giada De Laurentiis's book, Everyday Italian. I had caught her show one day while I was in DC and was impressed with her simple recipes, as well as how hungry I got while watching her. As I do love Italian food, I gave her cookbook a shot. Tonight, I made Cheese Tortellini in light broth (p. 91) and Salmon baked in foil (p. 164). If you look at the recipes, they're actually relatively simple. The hardest thing I had to do tonight was learn how to chop up a shallot.

But...it was good! Jeff really loved it. I loved the tomato mixture from the salmon; the tomatoes we chose were sooo juicy and sweet. Yum. We had this with a chardonnay from Napa Valley Vineyards, and that went really well with the fish. The recipes were easy to follow, so I recommend the book!

Anyhow, I'm feeling pretty smug now.

Comments

[greenislove.livejournal.com]

I love Italian food!

Meep! Jennifer Knapp! *love*

[the-mongrel.livejournal.com]

Mmmm! Sounds delicious!

[adventurat.livejournal.com]

Umm, scrummy! Well done, you!

[mklutz]

It...it sounds so good! I kind of want this book now. O_O

[happychemist.livejournal.com]

The book is great. I went through it and started flagging the recipes taht I was interested in trying and I literally flagged every other page in that book!

I say go to a bookstore and flip through...:) Never hurts to check it out, right? >:)

[mklutz]

You are -so- cruel right when I need desperately to buy The Riverside Chaucer and We Love Katamari. :P

[jennlynnfs.livejournal.com]

Yay Crystal!

I <3 Giada DeLaurentis. I've cooked a few of her dishes before and they are simple, but good. I love her cheese tortellini in light broth. I made that for you and Vicky once. Did you make the parmesan crisps that go with the soup? I have trouble getting it crispy.

Anyway, go Crystal! Cooking can be so much fun.

[happychemist.livejournal.com]

While I was looking over recipes and saw that tortellini in light broth recipe, I knew I'd had it before! I just couldn't remember where! Now I do!

I didn't do any parmesan crisps. Not that ambitious yet...:p

[jennlynnfs.livejournal.com]

I think you need that special bake sheet she uses. I forget what it's called. I saw her make this dish in an episode and was inspired to try it. Only I don't have that special bake sheet, so it didn't come out crispy. So instead, I just sprinkle the cheese directly into the soup. :)

I was going to try to make her twiced baked chocolate chip anise cookies. I was going to do it over the summer, but it was just too hot to bake. I think now is a perfect time to try.

[the-marchioness.livejournal.com]

I think you need that special bake sheet she uses. I forget what it's called.

Was it a silpat baking sheet liner? Those things look so cool. Every time I see one used on the FN, I want! :)

[jennlynnfs.livejournal.com]

I think you're right. That sounds right. I want one too! They're kind of expensive tho. It would be awesome to have, but I don't bake v. often, so I can't justify getting it for some of the times I bake. :P

But they are cool!

[worldmaker-13.livejournal.com]

yeah for cooking!!

Way to go!

[spotzle.livejournal.com]

It sounds yummy.

And I hope Jeff did the dishes for you. :)