Get Cooking

So I did a lot of cooking when I was in Florida for the holidays, but I've done approximately zero since I returned home.  Since I was sick part of the time and traveling last weekend, I sort of have an excuse, but I'm at the point where I can't keep eating out.  It's getting expensive and fattening.  Plus I've been in the mood to start cooking again anyway.  I've been eying a few new recipes like the braised lamb and pea pasta pictured above and quinoa and vege "fried rice". 

I also want to try these two super easy finger foods: avocado and goat cheese wrapped in prosciutto, and fig jam and brie puff pastry bites.  Yes, they both revolve around cheese, but it's just small quantities, so I feel I can justify it.  I simply adore anything made with avocado and I've been trying to find a use for the fig jam I bought back at the Greek Festival last year, so these are perfect.  And wouldn't they be fantastic for a fun dinner with maybe a side salad?  If they pass the test, I may have to roll them out a dinner party as well!

A coworker brought a huge box of homegrown grapefruit into work today and left it in the common area for us to help ourselves.  I snagged 2 and plan to make them into a grapefruit brulee for breakfast this weekend with some scrambled quail eggs and sauteed mushrooms.  I've been having egg cravings lately so I need to stock up on quail eggs.  I also want to use them to make these chocolate pots.  And while I'm on a desert kick, I also want to try my hand at homemade marshmallows - maybe vanilla cardamom flavored?

I'm going to hit up the grocery store this afternoon in hopes that I can make at least a few of these dishes come to fruition.  I'll let you know how they turn out!