Cooking by the Book

As a chef who cooks pretty much every day, I am in constant need of inspiration. I do about four specials a night and although some are repeated favorites, it is a constant challenge to create fresh and interesting dishes. I do hop up on the computer often, doing an advance search on www.epicurious.com, but a couple of times a week I do it the old fashioned way...I thumb through a few cookbooks.

Cookbooks are irreplacable, in my opinion. From the pictures to the index, a book can provide so much more than a computer screen is able to. This past week was very busy with the President's Day holiday. I needed to make specials that were both familiar (for families with teenagers) and creative. I have about ten cookbooks on the shelf in the kitchen; There are about one hundred up here in my office. Those ten books are my go to regional cookbooks. Last week my mentors were Julia Child and Madhur Jaffrey.

I find that it is very important to stick with ingredients that are classic to the region. Much like the Indian-style Ice Dance last night of Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White, I want to be true to the original. A cookbook is essential for this. In Indian Cooking, Madhur Jaffrey is so down to earth in her explanation of Indian food that I feel comfortable attempting a dish like Lamb in Creamy Almond Sauce and pairing it with Lentils with Mushrooms and Ginger.

Julia Child is my favorite of all television chefs. She invented the role, and with such confidence! Her cookbook, The French Chef Cookbook, based on her television series, is perfect for those classic French dishes that you just don't see much anymore with our country's "new American" cuisine. In the past few weeks I have made Beef Bourguignon, Blanquette du Veau, and Chocolate Mousse. I had a blast! Sure, I am not really used to looking at a recipe and following it to the letter, but if any cookbook can reward meticulous execution with fabulous results, it's Julia's book. Her recipes are concise, simple to understand, and thorough.

Do you have a cut of meat in your refrigerator that you need to cook tonight? Have a little fun with it. Leave your mystery novel at home today and take a cookbook on the commute with you. By the time you get home from work you will be so full of power and inspiration that you will want to video tape yourself cooking!

Pot Lucks Rule!

Yesterday was not only Superbowl Sunday, it was my friend, Margot's, 40th birthday. Needless to say it was a day full of eating and drinking. My day started at home with egg, caramelized onion, and sharp provolone sandwiches made for my family (complete with visiting cousins), and finished with Duncan and I making pizza roll ups and banana berry smoothies at my sister-in-law's house for the big game. It is the middle part of my day that was spectacularly impressive. This was the pot luck brunch that Susie threw in honor of Margot.

Pot lucks can be risky, right? Too much bean dip, not enough salad. That said, my girlfriends really know how to bring it when asked to provide. The twelve of us started with the following: Mimosas, bloodys, and bellinis, Serena's homemade muffins and Jackie's coffee cake, cheese, salami and crackers with Susie's homemade mustard, shrimp cocktail, and fresh fruit. An hour of somewhat civilized conversation and 2-3 drinks later led us to the sit down brunch. Check this out: Amanda's poached salmon with potato pancakes and dill hollandaise, Dina's pecan praline french toast, Michele's Mickey Mouse waffles with fresh berries and whipped cream, Mimi's sausage, cheese and egg enchiladas, and spiral ham with more of Susie's crazy good mustard. We ate like queens. I was so impressed with the spread. My girlfriends rock! Of course we managed to toast the birthday girl many times over, eat our faces off, and retire to the basement for a little Wii and an always too revealing game of Truth or Dare. Really, Dina? Ellen, my God! And yes- guilty as charged.

After we had heard just about enough of each others sordid past that we pretty much already knew, having grown up together, we made our way back upstairs for my birthday carrot cake that paired very nicely with Margot and Michele's Strawberry cupcakes. This, of course called for another round of Mimosas, a well-tuned birthday song, and many gasps of "Oh, I couldn't, well, maybe a sliver." The day rocked, just like my friends. Happy Birthday, Margot... and Who Dat? Yay Saints!

Chicken Soup

I am a pretty healthy person.  I hardly ever get sick.  Once a year, maybe. I was pretty darn sick this weekend.  All I wanted was some Chicken Soup.  So I made some.  I have to admit that I am generally not very enthusiastic about cooking at home.  After all, I do it every day at work.  But this Monday I really needed good soup.

I went to the restaurant and got a locally raised guinea hen that I had roasted the day before.  I brought it home with some carrots, onions, celery, mushrooms, fresh thyme and parsley, and already cooked egg noodles.  (Those noodles were a blessing.  One step to omit.)  I took the meat off the bone of the hen and put it aside.  I chopped the veggies along with some fresh garlic and put it aside.  I simmered the bones with some of the carrot, onion, celery, and thyme while I took my 7 year old, Duncan, to hockey practice.   

One hour later the stock was ready. When we got home from the rink the house was filled with aromas of hope for my cold.  I sauteed the veggies in my Le Creuset pot, putting a lid on for about ten minutes until they were soft.  I added the hen meat and fresh herbs. I then strained the stock into the pot. I let all of that simmer for about 15 minutes, added the noodles and tested for seasoning. 

I could hardly contain myself.  I was curious about my animalistic need for this soup.  My excitement was contaigous as evident by my husband and son's lurking around the kitchen. I poured three bowls.  I passed out spoons and napkins.  We savored, silent for several minutes.  (As I inhaled the soup, I thought to myself- Oh my, this is so good.  I hit the nail on the head.  I feel like a real mom.  Like my mom.)  Just then Duncan slurped loudly and turned his head to me and said, "Mom, this is as good as it gets."  I am feeling much better today.