The Cooking Bug

So I've caught some sort of bug this week...The Cooking Bug. It's not like I don't cook often anyway, but this week it's been crazy. Maybe it's because I've been watching too much Iron Chef or my favorite TNFNS Aarti making mad dishes, but I've been making tons of yummy food. Here is what's I've cooked.....

• Aloo Gobi - This yummy Indian dish has potatoes and cauliflower in it. It's suppose to be more of a dry dish but mine usually ends up a bit saucier than it should...but it's SUPER good! (Hey I rhymed!)
  
• Chicken Korma - Okay, so I do have some help on this one. Seeds of Changes makes a delicious Korma simmer sauce. I cook up the chicken and saute onions before cooking them in the sauce. Then I add freshly chopped cilantro and serve it with Basmati rice.
• Aarti's Unemployment Dinner (aka Swiss chard, tomato and Great Northern Bean saute) - This is a great side dish, but makes a wonderful main dish as well. I came across this recipe at aartipaarti.com and decided to make it to go along with my brother-in-laws brined pork a few weeks ago. I had used mustard greens last time, but this time (once again there was no swiss chard at the store) I used spinach. The creaminess of the beans and the tang of the tomatoes make this dish a keeper. Go Team Aarti!
  
• Cheese Logs - I received this great recipe from my friend to make for my son. They are soft enough for him to eat (with his limited teeth) and have a yummy cheddar flavor. It's nice adding another item to his list of snacks.
  
• Spicy Tofu with Pork - Holy Cow! This was SO good I'm not even sure I made it. Haha! There is a place in Tucson, Lucky's, that I always went to to get this spicy dish. Since I haven't been there in years, I thought I'd try making my own. I must say that mine is better. Heehee! It's nice to be able to add more of 'this and that' if you want. (I guess that's why cooking is so much fun.) The only thing I would have done different is use firmer tofu.
• Buffalo Baby's Pancakes - This is another friend recommended item that I made for my son but I ate as well. It has great ingredients like rye flour, flax seed, yogurt, blueberries, and honey. At first I thought they would be too dense for him, but he gobbled them right up....and I ate 4....shhhh.....don't tell.
• Whole Wheat Bread - I made some homemade bread a few weeks back and Afton would beg for it. I think he ate a loaf and a half on his own. I decided to make some more for him today. Currently it is on it's second rise. The house should be smelling good this evening!

In (Cooking) Heaven

After picking up an awesome black Calvin Klein suit for Nippon at Macy's, we strolled along toward the children clothing section. On the way we passed by the cookware and kitchen appliances. We have been needing new cookware FOREVER and stopped to look as we always do. There was this beautiful 10-piece set calling our names. Oh the delicious creations I could make with such a set! The store clerk saw the yearning in our eyes and swiftly came to give his shpeel. The set came with a free 5-quart dutch oven and a 7 piece kitchen tool set. (!!!) We decide to walk over to the kids clothing to think about it. This did not take long. We are now the proud owners of a Calphalon Unison set. YAY! Unfortunately (or maybe not) they didn't have the kitchen tool set, so they told us to pick something of equal value ($50). We chose a round grill pan. Sweeeeeeet!

Now I ask....is it weird that I'm this excited about cookware? I tell you no. These pots & pans are fantabulous. The food cooks faster, tastes better, and they look amazing. This purchase is right up there with my Dyson Animal Vac. Pure heaven.