A Sacred Life

A Sacred Life

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

My inspiration

My Chicken Cacciatore was a success. Besides being inspired from reading Julie and Julia by Julie Powell, Jake is an inspiration to cook as well. Jake can cook. He's one of the most creative people on this planet. Besides being able to write, draw, sculpt and play music... he can also create some amazing dishes. The key is using spices. (I discovered chinese 5 spice while making the pumkin/peanut sauce with shrimp and scallops.)
The key to my Chicken Cacciatore was marinating it in red wine. Trader Joes had chicken thighs that were deboned too. I love Traders. I also used a bit of balsamic glaze in the sauce. I let is sit overnight, letting all the flavors meld and it was perfect for Sundays dinner.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Creative cooking?

Creativity moves into the cooking arena. While eating at one of the very nice restaurants in town not too long ago, I had an idea. I love good food. I also like someone to cook for me. Here we are eating this dinner that I could very well have made myself and spending more than I had anticipated, that I came up with this idea of a cooking game. ( Trying to outdo one another with each meal)
My husband usually has dinner for me on Mondays as I come home late from teaching Yoga. Candlelight dinners! It inspired me to return the favor for when he has to come home late after a football practice or game.
I'm not that great of a cook. But I can read and follow a recipe (somewhat).
I'd rather spend the money at Trader Joes at this point and spend time at home eating a delicious meal with my hubby. AND I don't have to leave a tip.
My first recipe:
Pumpkin-Peanut Curry Noodles with Five-Spice Sheared Scallops and Shrimp.
I saw Rachel Ray cook this and I knew I had to make this.
Don't let the name of the dish scare you. It wasn't hard to make at all. Shopping was the hardest part. What the hell is Five Spice?? I had to leave one store to shop at another where I found it, but then they didn't have the Patak curry paste. But my sister did!
It was a very gratifying Halloween Treat.
And I felt good about it - an accomplishment. The same feeling I usually have after making a piece of artwork that came out better than I expected.
Art and now cooking?? Will wonders never cease.....