New Year and New Opportunities

Happy New Year! 2013 is here and I am still in denial (thus the January 7th post I suppose). I am done with school for the first time in almost 3 years and while my work life is ramping up, my time away from home (and unfortunately the kitchen) will only be for a little while so I am constantly thinking about all the things I want to accomplish this year food wise.

Lucky me, my year got started off in a great direction when I submitted a recipe and picture for Fabio Viviani's Kitchen Academy Challenge. Now clearly I have mad love for Fabio already so I subscribe to his blog, and his Facebook.. and his Twitter and a newsletter...anyway, point is, he gives 5 ingredients you must use and whatever other ingredients you want. Then, you make a dish, snap a photo and submit it and your recipe. I missed Week #1 but Week#2 was carrots, mozzarella, mint, pine nuts and ham. So I made this:

Carrot and ham soup with a mint pesto and mozzarella croutons. And guess what?

I ended up on his Pinterest board: Fabio's Kitchen Academy Challenge #2

Okay, it is a contest...but I did not enter it just to have a chance to win (and looking at the competition, holy smokes there are some creative folks out there and winning is probably not an option!) but to prove my culinary chops. And that is among my resolutions: get better in the kitchen and take risks and put myself out there. It may not be my full time job, or even a part time one, but I love it. The only thing I enjoy more than cooking and creating recipes and making food for others is being with my awesome family and friends. So, I raise my tongs to you readers...this year is going to be tasty!

Woe of the Working Mom - The Cook Crook Returns

Well -obviously your friend the Cook Crook has not made it into cyber world recently - what with Easter and work travel I couldn't even believe it was Monday already! Easter dinner was success though that I look forward to sharing as was my trip to California which had it's own share of cook crook moments.

So much to catch up on but let me put in one quick comment about the Virginia Culinary expo I attended yesterday. So many vendors there with their personal creations (salsa, relish, BBQ sauce, seasonings, dip mixes, etc.) - it was truly inspirational that anyone is capable of creating something delicious that can be shared with the world. I also want to put in a plug for Top Chef and one of my favorites: Fabio from season 5 who gave a cooking demonstration yesterday and was not only honest and entertaining but inspirational in his own right in terms of the simplicity of food and how 10 minutes of time to cook doesn't have to mean "peel back cellophane and heat 3 minutes". Thanks for reminding all of us and for continuing to keep fun in cooking!