Best Eggs Ever!

So I don't usually make breakfast but I had nothing really important to do today and no work. I guess it probably would be more of a brunch since I didn't actually get up until 2:00pm.

Anywho...

Two Portobello Mushrooms (Whole)
1 Vine of Grape Tomatoes (roughly 6)
Drizzle of Olive Oil
2 or 3 Eggs (free range organic of course)
1 or 2 Scallions
S & P
Butter
Fresh Bread (whichever kind you like)

Throw the tomatoes & mushrooms into a skillet with a little oil and let it simmer for 10 minutes or so. Don't remove the tomatoes from the vine because it seems easier to cook and remove from heat. Also just looks nicer.

Take 3 eggs throw them into a saucepan then add a chunk of butter, however much you prefer but for me its 1/6 of a stick. (DON"T WHISK & DON'T ADD ANY S&P) Put it on medium heat and then start mixing, don't stop mixing but remove from the heat then return to heat while you mix. Make sense? After a few minutes they should be fluffy and beautiful, at this point throw in a pinch of salt & pepper & 1 or 2 diced scallions. Now remove from heat.

I had never cooked scrambled eggs this way and maybe I am the only one but who knows. If you haven't done it like this try it I would say it was the best I had ever eaten.

Don't forget to use some fresh bread like pumpernickel or sourdough... Try to get a fresh loaf and cut into thick slices for toasting. Usually I would have a little butter & marmite but whatever you add is your choice. Most everyone I know thinks marmite is awful on so many levels... There loss.

I just recently learned that adding any spices to eggs before cooking begins the break down process which actually gives you a watered down egg. Did you know that? Because I did not. 

I got this recipe from Gordon Ramsey off of youtube... Try it Eat it Love it!

World Food Programme

I added a widget on the side bar to Social Vibe for the World Food Programme. If you have a free second please click the link and help out. It only takes a minute of your time and it's free. 

Thanks Much!

Share the love... Ferrero Rocher.

I didn't get a chance to cook yesterday because it seemed like work dragged on quite late, however, I did have a chance to pick up some Ferrero Rocher. You know the ones in the gold packaging that are amazing. You would be surprised at how many people have no idea what they are.

After careful research on the Guinness Book of World Records Food Section I had found that there actually is one that involves eating these delicious chocolates in a 60 second time slot. The record is only for 7, really?!? I being the fool that I am was positive I could consume twenty easily or at least more then 7.

As I lined up the unwrapped chocolates and prepped myself for the glorious triumph I was about to have I couldn't stop laughing, may have had something to do with Gaurav filming this and laughing at me like a small child.

"15 seconds... 10 seconds... 5 seconds... GO!!!" I was off like a small crippled mule it wasn't going as well as I had thought I couldn't even swallow the first 3 I was dying and laughing all at the same time while trying to stuff more of these little bastards in my mouth. Then he called it "TIME" I looked up with a mouthful and looked back down in shame... I HAD ONLY CONSUMED 5! Not even fully because most of it was still in my mouth.

It however was quite fun!

I just figured I need more practice so for the holidays I am asking for a giant tub of Ferrero Rocher. I am going to win this one.

Cheers

Pasta & Rice... & Cheese

I don't know how many people have ever tried this but I suggest you do. Spaghetti with Basmati Rice, Broccoli, Chili Powder & Cheddar Cheese... It was actually a little heavy which I wasn't expecting since I had no real pasta sauce, I would assume it was the cheese rice combo... ha! My friend seemed surprisingly happy with the mix however he may have been lying because he didn't actually eat any of it, only a taste. Not the best confidence booster but baby steps are good I guess.

Try it out.

1 Cup Wild Basmati Rice Pilaf with Wasabi Peas ( I used the Trader Joe brand & it was tasty)

1 lb Broccoli

3 Teaspoons Chili Sauce/Paprika

1 Pinch o'Salt

1 Clove of Garlic

1 lb Thin Spaghetti

1 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese

Its good to boil the water for the rice and pasta before cooking the broccoli, add 2.5 cups of water per box of basmati rice & 1 tablespoon of butter, bring to a boil then add contents. Return to a boil then simmer for 20 minutes. You now have rice...

I have never once measured out water to boil pasta, maybe I just never understood the point... Boil water in a large pot for the spaghetti, add a pinch of salt for flavor. Most store bought pastas take an average of 12min to cook once the water is boiling so keep in eye on it. Nothing worse then overcooked pasta. 12 min later you now have pasta...

Now saute the broccoli for a few minutes or until soft in the olive oil & seasoning, try not to let it get too soft because then you will just end up with soggy green mush. I also like a little crunch in it.

Take all the ingredients (no cheese yet) and throw into a large skillet or wok with a tiny bit of butter, anything big enough to mix around without sloshing food all around the stove top.

Saute this mix for 5 minutes mixing all the flavors together then remove from heat slap the grated cheese into the mix and enjoy.

Salmon Butter Bacon...

When I was in the fish market in Oregon this past summer I found the most amazing fillet of salmon I had ever seen. Most likely someone caught it behind the store because it seems like wild salmon rivers are on every doorstep in Oregon, so beautiful!

Anyway... One would think with such a perfect fillet you would put maybe a little lemon and olive oil in the mix and call it a day. No! Grabbed some stone ground mustard, honey, garlic, and a pound of bacon yes I said it PORK! Oh and don't forget butter lots and lots of butter because there is really nothing in the world better then BUTTER! 

Headed back to the house and made quite the little concoction rubbing down the fillet with the mustard/garlic mix and then wrapping bacon around the fillet finally a drizzle of honey with half a stick of butter, wrapped in foil, that baby hit the grill! I have now turned a very healthy fish dinner in to something that should and will clog most arteries. Served with a side of healthy jasmine rice with lemon rind to give a little balance, it made its debut and let me tell you it was so good. Interesting how the bacon flavored the salmon is such a way I had never really tasted before. It could have very well been that all I really tasted was bacon and butter but who knows. I did by accident overcook it just a tad because of the grill; always blame the grill. I had never worked with a Weber, shameful I know. I blame the old man for that one, sorry dad. Needless to say everyone was extremely happy with this new version of salmon. 

It's quite simple if anyone is interested in throwing it together. I have tried it since in the oven as well and comes out just as nicely but usually cooks a bit faster so have to keep in eye on it at 345 for 18 minutes or so depending on the size.  I have yet to use a measuring cup for any part of this recipe so feel free to go wild with it. I find that measuring isn't usually necessary unless you are baking in which case you had better or something will go horribly wrong.

This week I am going to force upon my friends the infamous Banoffee Pie from which they may not recover, and an attempt to duplicate the stuffed portobello mushroom burger deep fried on a hamburger bun.  I think my roommate may be a bit heavier after this experiment.

I will have recipes for both posted.

Cheers.       

Skippy Cajun Pasta...

I was bored sometime around 5:00pm today, so I wandered around my kitchen or what vaguely resembles a kitchen in my tiny apartment and came across Pasta, Skippy PB, Cajun Spice and Maple Syrup. I was intrigued to see what I could do so with this. Alas it was something that words cannot describe. Like a peanut butter sandwich gone horribly wrong, with a hint of Cajun. Nothing you would ever feed anyone or anything. My poor roommates girlfriend was forced to try it to give me a second opinion, and without a second passing by she heaved it out and said "NO".  I now feel like my PB Pasta will be scrapped and reevaluated at a later date. I figured Thai Peanut is good but mine was far from anything served in a Thai Restaurant... Back to the drawing board.

Cheers

The Beginning!

After watching Julie & Julia I was inspired to create a blog about my adventures in cooking! I have enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program at The French Culinary Institute in NYC which will begin February 28, 2010. The excitement is brewing and I am ready to conquer the culinary world, this will chronicle my journey. I know I was born to cook for people, something about watching as they devour some concoction I have created gives me such an immense pleasure and is terrifying all at the same time. I don't deal with rejection well...

I wonder if anyone will even read this blog? If it will make its way out into the world of cyberspace to end up floating around with no real purpose, other then for me to ramble on and on about abstract food endeavours. 

Its going to be fun either way. 

My best friend always encouraged me to write cos it seems that my thought process is very unusual and my cooking even more so. So hopefully along the way someone will find some humor and maybe a few interesting food recipes to try out. Anything approved by the masses (my few friends willing to try the dishes) will have recipes/instructions to follow.

Cheers.