Now We’re Cooking

February 1, 2008

I love to cook. Truth be told, though, I think Ted is probably better at cooking than me. And actually, I think I enjoy the process/prep of cooking more than the actual result.

When I cook I often turn it into this production– as if I have my own cooking show. I like to chop onions with more flourish than usual, talk to myself, cheat to the camera, throw minced garlic into a pan with enthusiasm, ooh and ahh at the sizzle of olive oil.

It’s kind of like what I used to do as a kid– pretend I was on a talk show like Merv Griffin or Mike Douglas (Gawd, does that age/date me???). I would sit on the shabby gold couches in our wood-paneled living room and pretend I was being interviewed about my career and my life, stopping off and on for station identification and to sip water from a mug.

I thought I was the only one who did this but a few months ago when I took a creative writing workshop night class the fabulous instructor revealed that she sometimes envisions herself being interviewed by Terry Gross–her with the soothing, intelligent voice– and I had to laugh: I do that too! Sometimes on my way to school, or coming home from school after listening to Terry I imagine myself being interviewed by her, what she would ask me, what I would say.

Am I crazy, or what? Does anyone else do this?

Anyway, here are some pix from some recent cooking ‘shows’ of mine.

Oh, and by the way, have you seen this TOO CUTE FOR WORDS website, hi monkey.net? Which stars a tiny stuffed monkey– he makes crafts, food, cookies, travels to exotic countries, hangs with monks. It’s my new web obsession.

We get most of our fish, like this Ahi, from Trader Joe’s. Yes, it was already marinated, but I added more stuff, like sesame and light sodium soy and of course ginger.

Everything’s better with ginger, and mary ann. har har. ok, not funny.

I’ve recently started to cook more Bok Choy. Bok Choy is the ‘white cabbage’ and is soo tasty with just a smidge of garlic and ginger and scallions and broth.

hey, how did that Sam Adams Light get there?

I’ve also rediscovered corn. Corn on the cob especially– with Smart Start Butter. Did you know you don’t have to boil corn in a pot of water? That you can steam it more effectively in just an inch of water. MMMMmmmm.

Last week we had Ted’s sister in law, Laura, stay one night with us (she was at a conference in LA and drove down). She’s wonderful. We met Eduardo out for a drink and then saw this funky fun band that played 60s surf music (think BeachBlanket Bingo but with an EMO twist) . The band was named Monsters From Mars and they were so much fun!  They did an instrumental Beach-Blanket-Bingo version of Britney Spears’ Toxic that was outta control. I wish I had bought a T-shirt.

Anyway, for Laura’s visit I made a Weight Watchers Bruschetta that was deeelicious. And only one point per serving.

of course I used the freshest tomatoes and basil.

But I also made a low-cal Hummus (that was Weight Watchers approved!) from a website called This Mama Cooks! 2 points per 1/2 cup. yowza!

I added sliced bell peppers to give it a bit more flavor.

Gotta love appliances like the Cuisinart (a wedding gift).

Speaking of gifts, I meant to post some of the recent Christmas gifts I either gave, or received this past holiday, like this awesome Ice Crusher from Tonya’s shop–called The Happydashery on Etsy:

I gave this Ice Crusher to Ted for Christmas. It’s one of my favorite gifts. So cool and vintage, black and shiny.

Tonya seems to find the funky-est, funnest stuff. She’s also got a great website which often features pictures of her ADORABLE son, aptly named Dash. And this week she’s doing a giveaway on her blog featuring one of her funky finds. Check it out. And while you’re at it, check out her hubby Neil’s blog (he’s doing a giveaway too). I’m telling you, the three of them are so cute they should be modeling for JCrew (or JCrafts?). Cuteness all around.

I gave my best buddy Eduardo this super neato bar set from Cocokelly on Etsy. It was their last one, but Tonya does have one in her Etsy shop, so check her out.

Found this gem– Owl Lamp on Etsy as well, from Dandelion Girl’s shop. I couldn’t resist!

And finally, my most recent T-shirt came from Etsy, too– from the shop Secret Lovers. Gotta love a shirt that states: Beards Not Bombs.