Crafty Cookin'

Recently, I've had a strong desire to make pickles, don't ask me where this sudden urge arose from, but it's loud and it's proud and I have a feeling it isn't going anywhere. Whenever I have a sudden urge to do anything, I usually research and research, oh and did I mention research the heck out of it before I commit myself to it? It's true, call it the neurotic slightly-Jewish-by-heritage side, but it's how I roll. I picked up a copy of this gem called Jam It Pickle It Cure It at the library and have been devouring it late at night in my bed. The book's title alone was a worth a trip to my local library branch. This book isn't really all about pickling, though a chapter is dedicated to this craft, but it covers all "crafty" endeavors when it comes to homemade pantry items. The book has "recipes" or "instructions" for making your own butter, bacon, cheese, marshmallows, crackers and more. If you are into food and crafts, this book might bring you to your knees. The bonus is that this book is clean, laid out professionally and has an innate ability to draw you into its world. I've written a few recipes down and made a list of ingredients to get for some food projects. I will definitely keep you informed of the "results".

pasta-rific.

You know the old question, alive or dead, if you could have coffee and a conversation with one person, who would it be? And right now, I'd like to sit down with Ms. Waters! Well, this past weeked I busted out two, count them two, of Alice Waters' recipes. The first was from her most recent book entitled The Art of Simple Food.

Side note - Because I am on a budget, like so many of you out there, I carefully pick and choose the latest cookbooks to add to my overgrown library. Since living on my own, I have used and abused the privilege of my library card, I often raid the cookbook section to taste and try out new recipes. It's a great way of ensuring that you will want a certain book, before you buy it.

Back to the blog, I was definitely in the mood for pasta and had a hankering for some seafood, so I decided to make this simple dish of linguine with clams. Steamed in olive oil, lots of garlic, red chili pepper flakes, chopped italian parsley and white wine, this meal is elegant and hearty. Paul and I enjoyed mopping up the sauce with slices of thick country bread, it should be considered an abominable sin to do let such a delicious sauce go to waste. Waste not, want not, that's my adage.