6.29.2010

italia!

a good friend of mine ;) went to Italy recently. what a bummer place to go on vacation, right? *note sarcastic tone* Well, anyway she brought me back a package of pasta. I have never seen anything like this before, but I was excited! It looked like rolled up pizza dough. I translated the instructions. Slice it. Boil it for 2-3 (yep) minutes in salt water. Drain. Top with seasonings or sauce. this is my abbreviated version. Don't worry i followed the real directions.
I was freaking out. As it was cooking it was looking less and less like any pasta I had ever had, but I couldn't cook it any longer either. It would have fallen apart! So I topped it with some Olive oil, seasonings and Parmesan cheese. It turned out pretty good. Had a strange consistency, but it was definitely Italian, with a hint of pancakeness. We ate half of it like that and then added some "spaghetti" sauce to it, to see if it was good that way too. It was. My improvements for next time will be to slice it thinner, I think it should be the same thickness of fettuccine. and add more Parmesan cheese. (just because everything is better with parmesan)
Haley- thank you for this cooking adventure! I will treasure it always! And next time you go to Italy, you can bring me back anything. Adventure is my middle name.

6.11.2010

southern buttermilk cornbread


This really is that simple. Even if you aren't wanting to make cornbread from scratch if you add a tablespoon of sugar or honey to the mix, it gives it a slightly new taste. And your guests will think you worked on it all day. The picture is from betty crocker...yet again, I didn't take a picture!

1 1/2 cups of yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
(optional)tablespoon of honey

Heat oven to 450°F. Grease bottom and side of 9-inch round pan or 8-inch square pan with shortening or spray with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix all ingredients with spoon until blended. Beat vigorously 30 seconds. Pour batter into pan.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.