Busy Cooking but NOT Blogging???

Have you missed me? I can honestly say I missed blogging and ironically the preparation of food is what kept me away! Some words of wisdom: the phrase “ I love to cook so if you need some help with church camp….” can result you being in charge of the meals for 75-125 people for four straight nights! Top that on full days in the office from 7:00am-3:30pm and well, a girl’s gotta sleep sometime!

However, I did have to share the beautiful ravioli that came out of some practice cooking rounds in preparation for the Cooking with Passion competition. I wanted so badly to photograph the other things I worked on and the dishes I made, but my episode was filmed yesterday and won’t air until October soooo no spoilers here folks!

I have such respect for the reality TV cooking competitions after this experience. I stayed up last night watching the next Food Network Star finale and tried to imagine myself in their shoes. I am comfortable in front of a camera but I am human too and all it took was the producer to tell me not to begin my sentences with “so” and that was then the first thing coming out of my month! The pressure was intense even on this small local scale so I am impressed that more reality chefs don’t crack under the circumstances. I think I was probably on the verge of tears a few times!

But like most people involved in these sort of efforts, I wouldn’t go back in time  and not enter because it has been such a rewarding experience. I love having people I don’t really know taste and critique my food. I like the creative outlet and the fast-pace and it’s been a joy cooking with one of my dear friends. If you are in Hampton Roads, turn to Cox 11 on Sunday nights and watch Cooking with Passion to see how it all turned out! Reruns of the 1^st six episodes start from the beginning this Sunday the 21^st and lead up to the semi-final rounds which air in October. In the meantime, I owe my family some home-cooked meals…and you the readers more cook crookery!! Stay tuned…..

Wordless Wednesday: The Wonder of the Won-Ton - Ravioli

Steal of the Week: Baked Mozzarella Bites

I am always on the lookout for healthy versions of my family's favorite foods. One of our guilty pleasures is mozzarella sticks. I have never bought them frozen at the grocery and made them at home but on occasion when we are at a restaurant that has them on the menu, we indulge. So I was very excited to receive my August Cooking Light magazine and find one of their Super Fast 20-Minute Cooking recipes was one for Baked Mozzarella Bites! I decided to whip them up as an appetizer one night when I was serving pasta for dinner.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• 3 (1-ounce) sticks part-skim mozzarella string cheese
• 3 tablespoons egg substitute
• Cooking spray
• 1/4 cup lower-sodium marinara sauce (such as McCutcheon's)

Preparation

• 1. Preheat oven to 425°.
• 2. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup panko to pan, and cook for 2 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, and place the panko in a shallow dish.
• 3. Cut mozzarella sticks into 1-inch pieces. Working with one piece at a time, dip cheese in egg substitute; dredge in panko. Place cheese on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 3 minutes or until the cheese is softened and thoroughly heated.
• 4. Pour the marinara sauce into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute or until thoroughly heated, stirring after 30 seconds. Serve with mozzarella pieces.
• David Bonom, Cooking Light  AUGUST 2011
• I used my usual Bertolli tomato sauce that I always have on hand for dipping and these were gobbled up in a minute! I am looking forward to making them again as the magazine suggests for an after-school snack. I also thought these would be a fun little garnish on a salad for us grown-ups although I ate my fair share of these too. 

Wordless Wednesday: Yummy Dinner at The Public House