Summer Cooking

So, I love cooking. I love cooking and food so much that I even changed careers to be close to it. 5 years ago I went to Culinary School and studied Hospitality and Restaurant Management. It kind of works well with my other degree in Anthropology. I am now a catering manager at a large corporate food service account. I work kind of crappy hours 6:30 to 4 on most days. Twice a week the hubby and I carpool. So I work a more normal 8-5. It  has kind of eased the mommy guilt of not seeing my monkey in the morning. Anyway...so I work a lot. I also love cooking and we cook at home 90% of the time. Working 50 hours a week, cooking and hanging out with my little family and trying to throw in some craft time doesn't leave much time to blog.

Now back to the food! I especially love to cook with fresh seasonal ingredients. My farmer's market is literally outside my door on Saturday mornings so I have no excuse. We belong to a CSA for our meat and I love it. Here are pictures of a few things that I have made this month. Maybe this weekend I'll throw in some recipes.

Fig and Goat Cheese Pizza and Tempura Fried Squash Blossoms

Braised Lamb Shanks with Polenta

Panko Crusted Fish and Thai Basil Eggplant Beef

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Kirras Boutique: Huge Summertime Giveaway!

Check out Kirras Boutique Giveaway! You all know I am a sucker for a good giveaway and this one is no exception! 8 winners!

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Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

This is one of my stand by recipes. Only 4 ingredients and super easy to make. I use Alton Brown's Recipe from Food Network. I change it a little bit and only use chicken legs and thighs. It seems to cook faster that way.

First you preheat the oven to 350. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Toss with a 2 tablespoons olive oil and brown on both sides in a wide frying pan or skillet over high heat.

  Remove from heat, add oil, thyme, and garlic cloves. Cover and bake for 1 1/2 hours.

Before I put it in the oven.

After baking for 90 minutes.

 

 

 

 

Served with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans