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!

Pinterest Recipe: Pineapple Cake

I am becoming quite fond of Pinterest and its easy to access recipes. Equally enjoyable are the easy recipes, especially for things I am not as good at, like baking. So how could I turn down a cake that was two ingredients? Yep, just one 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple and one box of angel food cake mix. My kitchen smells amazing. The true test will be my office mates reaction tomorrow!