Cookbooks

I really like cookbooks.  Like most people I'm sure, I especially like bright, lively, books with pictures of what the meal 'could' and 'should' look like.  These cookbooks are all fine and dandy, but recently I realized that for me anyways, they haven't been all that useful and utilized.  More importatly, I suppose, I've come across a book thats been a lot more helpful and enlightening.  One thats actually been tucked away, unopened, for probably 2 years. 

I decided to open the book for some reason a few weeks back and it was a revelation.  I had been using recipes found online and in books or just cooking things be experimenting,  without necessarily knowing what I was doing, or the techniques I was using.  This book, more like a binder, on how to cook is broken up and indexed very well.  Basically, its broken up into types of food (i.e. beef, vegetables, eggs, bread, etc).  On top of that it expains different techniques such as braising, roasting, and more.  The book goes into the types of meats, veggies, and other foods and how best to prepare them.  I found it very interesting and as I was reading, felt a lot of gaps fill in in my missing food knowledge.  Gaps I wasn't even sure were there.  I'd definitely suggest it so check it out.  And of course, there are a lot of recipes to choose from!

Recipes

I've been using recipes online forever, but have recently become enamored with one particular website.  Normally, I just google whatever it is that comes to mind, then look through the various links to see which recipe I like (meaning which one I can pull off) and use that one.  http://www.allrecipes.com/ is a site that is often near the top and after some recent exploration of it, I really, really like it.

The reason(s) I really like and use the site are that its very user friendly and oriented.  Users can register and log in and once they've done so, are able to save/add recipes to their 'recipe box.'  It's genius!  Once you find a recipe that you really like by using the search function, you just click the add button and then organize it into the appropriate categories (i.e. appetizer, main dish, bread, etc.).  All the recipes on the site are 'user' added and other members can rate it and give comments/feedback/suggestions. 

Go ahead and check it out.  I'm sure you'll find it useful.

Holla, Challah!

I've been struggling with how, and wanting to make bread for awhile now.  I finally found a good recipe that was perfect for me.  It was relatively easy to make, I didn't need any special ingredients, nor did I need any special tools/equipment.  Right up my alley.

I found a recipe for challah.  My inner Jew just loves it.  It goes great w/butter, honey, or just plain, a bit warmed up.  Delicious.

As I've started messing around with baking more, bread was one thing that I was really interested in, but haven't quite made yet because I didn't have a bread pan, not did I have one of those processors with the plastic spin/spoon thing. 

This recipe just required rolling the dough out into three equal ropes, after allowing to rise.  Then all you do is braid the 3 together, let rise once more and bake basically.  Easy...well...easy enough. 

Now onto tougher breads.

Packers - Undefeated

I debated even writing this post because I'm a little superstitious, but in the end, all I care about is that we win the super bowl, not about an undefeated season.  The Pack is the only remaining undefeated team at 7-0 and now that we're almost at the halfway point, people are starting to talk about it. 

Every few years a team makes a relatively deep, undefeated run and people start talking and comparing them to '72 Dolphins and the '07 Patriots.  The Dolphins are the last team to go undefeated and win the Super Bowl.  The Patriots went undefeated in the regular season, but lost in the playoffs.  To have such an amazing season, but not win it all would be painful.

If it came down to it, I'd rather see us lose a game or two for learning and refocusing so that we got hot at the right time.  Last year's team didn't have great regular season, but they got hot in the end.  Back to back do or die wins against the Bears certainly helped propel them forward.  Either way, the Lombardi Trophy is what matters.  If we can make it a perfect season, even better.

Brewers - playoff baseball!

There Brewers are in the playoffs!  For the first time since I believe '82 they've won their division.  They made it in '08 as the wild card, but got bounced out by Philly.  This year, they have home field for the first series agains the Diamondbacks and there is a great buzz with the team.  They have the best home record in the majors and finally, finally have a solid starting pitching rotation.  They seem to be a very complete team as well.  Great set up man in K-Rod and a closer who has saved 46 straight.  Oh...and they can hit.  4 guys w/over 20 home runs and possibly the best 1-2 punch combo in Braun/Fielder.

I'll be going to the game tomorrow and am pumped!  Had the privilege of going in '08 and there's nothing like playoff baseball.  Packed house, thundersticks, and amazing energy.  Who knows, anything can happen w/these new and improved Brewers!

Baking

I love to cook.  Really really enjoy it.  Never baked before.  Never really had any interest.  Cooking fits my personality.  There are lots of way to do it.  Lots of ways to experiment and sometimes screw-ups can turn into good creations.  Baking on the other hand is totally foreign to me.  Its precise, calculated, and time-sensitive. 

This past week, I tried my hand at baking a little bit.  Started with a pizza dough.  Did some measuring, but not a ton.  Worked out ok, but I didn't add enough flour and it didn't end up being a large pizza.  The recipe is fairly easy so I think that will be an easy repeat performance. 

Shortly thereafter, I attempted making brownies.  The directions from the box made it seem easy, but it was way more difficult than expected.  I made the mix and then poured it into a pan that ended up being way too big.  I tried to recover by spooning the mix into a pan made for small cupcakes.  I ended up baking them for what appeared to be a good amount of time, but they were too dry.  Had it all been in a lump sheet, I think they wouldn't stayed more moist.

Finally, tried making some bread rolls.  Total failure.  Didn't taste good.  Ended up way larger than expected.  Ah well.  I admit that I'm' intrigued.  It will certainly take some more patience and precision, but I can certainly do a few things and will try out a few new ones as well.

Fantasy Football

Ah, the time of year where millions of men and women become armchair quarterbacks.  A great time of year!

I've been playing FF for probably 10 years now.  I've come 2nd and 3rd a few times, but still have yet to win it all.  This year, I'll be playing in 3 leagues.  The game, just like the real NFL is fickle.  Injuries obviously affect your team as well. 

This year, although only a week in, I went 0 - 3.  Not a great start.  I've already lost Tony Moeaki to a season ending injury on one team and probably Peyton Manning in another league. 

You never know though.  Last year in one league, I actually won my division w/ a .500 record.  Maybe, just maybe this will be my year...at least in one league.