Thursday, February 15, 2007

IMPROV DINING


OK...here's the thing...I already own TOO MANY COOKBOOKS!
SO...how do I justify $$$$ on another?
That's what I've been asking myself since this little gem came into my home via the library.
My line of thinking is...if it has this many flags for recipes I must try, then perhaps I should just bite the proverbial bullet, and buy the cookbook!
FETTUCINE WITH ROQUEFORT, LEMON ZEST & FRESH ROSEMARY
(improv-ed by Cyn...linguine with danish bleu cheese, lemon zest, and dried rosemary)

From pg 147 of said cookbook comes this pasta dish, served alongside perfectly grilled, medium/rare, NY Strips, stir fried shrimp with a touch of cayenne and garlic, and baby portabellas, cooked to perfection with onions, olive oil, a bit of butter, and garlic added at the last minute, just long enough to infuse the shrooms, but not get overly done, cause who likes bitter garlic?
This was fabulous as a side to the steaks! I was going to toss a salad and use the danish bleu in the dressing, but my insatiable cravings for pasta got in the way. This dish seemed like the perfect compromise. Not SO much pasta as it became the whole focus of the meal, but a delicious way to incorporate the enormous amount of the bleu cheese I had bought from Costco 2 weeks before, and still give the steaks the glory they deserved!
(I must say, tho, I went easy on the beef, and heavy on the pasta...what can I say?...it's the nature of the beast)


The GRAND FINALE was a cake mix, yes you heard me right, a cake mix bought for me by my oldest daughter and her boyfriend, as part of a food basket I received for Christmas. (Plus...who could resist the name....CIN-FUL chocolate cake!!!) Now, I don't usually partake in much of anything sweet, as I try to limit those sugar carbs, but I have been waiting for a special occasion to make this. Valentines Day seemed perfect! Made with "all natural" ingredients, some even on the healthy side, it was a snap to put together. This mix also had a bit of "improv" added, as it called for 1 cup of milk, and all I had on hand was buttermilk. So, buttermilk it was!

I would buy this again, in a heartbeat! It was moist, densely rich, and ultra chocolatey.
The perfect ending to a less than perfect day.
(as I have said before, you, my friends, have NO IDEA what is going on here...I could write a book, or at least the 1st season of a new soap opera!!!)
Thank God for prayer!
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15 comments:

Lovella ♥ said...

the Pasta dish sounds divine. When we have had a stressful day/week it is amazing how much pasta gets put in the pot. This recipe looks just scrumptious. I hope that a new day brings new hope for your situation. hugs, and prayers . .

Rachel said...

This has made me very hungry!! It all looks lovely and I'm sure it tasted yummy!!

Anonymous said...

Cyn - it seems that drama and maybe trauma are the soup-du-jour these days. I'm with you on prayer!!!

savvycityfarmer said...

I see part of the cake is missing...wish it was on my plate with my coffee.

Anonymous said...

Oh no... I hope all becomes well there. I say chocolate is the cure for anything... you are well on your way!

Anonymous said...

slurp! Ah heck! Buy the darn book:) what will one more hurt??? that pasta just made me drooool..or maybe it was that cake?

Mindy said...

Looks absolutely delicious...especially the chocolate cake...yum! Standing with you in prayer Cyn!

Rosa said...

Oh yum. Everything looks sooo good. I love mixes. They aren't all bad! I too have way too many cookbooks. I'm going to put a new shelf in the kitchen just for them. Maybe then I will use them. Ya think?

Katie said...

The pasta does sound good - but that chocolate cake....I'm like you, I don't do a lot of sweets but that definitely looks 'calorie worthy'

Anonymous said...

Don't buy the book yet. It's on its way to you via media mail. A gift for you because of the joy you bring to our lives through your blog and your personality. Love you.

Farmgirl Cyn said...

I'm pretty much speechless right now, and if you know me at all, you know how difficult that would be to accomplish, cause I ALWAYS have somethin' to say! Whoever "anonymous" is, You have really no idea how touched I am right now. I have one or two "friends for life", several "really good friends", but to have these kinds of relationships with people I have never met face to face, to have encountered the love that pours from my "new friends on the blog", is just something I could never have imagined when I started this whole blogger stuff nearly 2 years ago. I thank you in advance for your most thoughtful gift, and even more than the gift itself, that you would even think to bless me like this.
Cindy

savvycityfarmer said...

Soon we will know the mystery woman, eh????
God works in special special ways.

diana said...

wow how sweet is that.... a blog buddy... cant wait to hear about more dishes from the cookbook.

kansasrose said...

Oh sweet Cyn you are a delight and a blessing! I often wish we were neighbors...but ya know the way you cook girl I would be constantly sampling those scrumptous dishes and you would have to roll me home! These look just delish! What a beautiful gesture anonymous did...you deserve a whole library of cookbooks honey! I love you!

Lovella ♥ said...

I wanted to call my post today "by special request of Farmgircyn" but I didn't. Come and read the answer to your question.