tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85405889367969975052024-03-05T21:36:40.977-05:00Culinary WannabeI'm learning to cook the "new" fashioned way- with the help of cooking shows, food blogs, cookbooks and pretty much anything I can get my hands on. This blog will showcase the ups and downs of my attempts in the kitchen, and all my little foodie adventures in-between.Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-57761548359023653082012-06-01T19:11:00.002-04:002012-07-22T12:53:41.690-04:00Come See Me!I've started a new blog - The Mommy Games. More of the same great food, but also tidbits from my life and mommydom. Come visit!Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-39165196153113481212010-01-21T20:51:00.003-05:002010-01-21T20:55:42.040-05:00Signing OutHi Everyone! Sorry I've been missing for months and months, but as you probably have guessed by now, I've decided to take a break from food blogging. I'm in my second trimester with our first little baby, and while I was very blessed to not have any of the nasty side effects that generally accompany pregnancy, I'm just doggone tired and have no energy to cook or blog. I'm so sorry that I haven't Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-82496909121405476142009-07-01T07:31:00.003-04:002009-07-01T07:36:20.848-04:00Off to the Beach!Hi everyone! Just wanted to let ya'll know that the hubs and I are taking a little vacation down to Turks and Caicos and will be out of pocket for the next few weeks. I had meant to get a few things posted before we left, but the weather had miraculously turned sunny, and I just couldn't bring myself to sit inside. Hope everyone is enjoying the summer, and I will see you in a few!Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-49685368550959710792009-06-25T14:40:00.000-04:002009-06-25T14:43:42.662-04:00Gettin' my Southerness on with Shrimp and GritsPeople either love or hate grits, which is primarily based on which side of the Mason-Dixon line they call home. In the south, grits are an absolute staple and present at nearly every breakfast table. In the north, they are thought to be as bland as cardboard and are nearly impossible to find (yes, you will get weird looks from the grocery clerk if you ask for them). Personally, I love 'em. But ICulinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-9167533548787861322009-06-22T13:55:00.001-04:002009-06-22T13:55:01.564-04:00Grilled Asparagus and Melon SaladHappy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Although we've been battling the elements up here in the northeast, we did get in a few outdoor activities. I am lucky enough to volunteer for an amazing organization, Girls on the Run, in which we help young girls train to run a 5k at the end of their school semester. Their big race was this weekend, and I am thanking the heavens that the rainCulinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-58842349667268889442009-06-17T10:30:00.001-04:002009-06-17T10:30:00.708-04:00Mint Chocolate Cream Cheese BrowniesDoes the name alone have you swooning? Oh yes, they are just as good as they sound. Maybe even better. Grace, of A Southern Grace, made these a while back, and let me just send a big ole "Thank-You" her way, cause these babies rock! Cream cheese brownies were already one of my favorite desserts, but the mint in these took them to a whole nother level. Considering that the mint oreo balls I made Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-48135747713686826772009-06-15T07:05:00.002-04:002009-06-15T07:05:00.108-04:00Dumplings and Pineapple Fried RiceI decided to try and participate in the Daring Cooks challenge this month, which was to make homemade dumplings. The challenge was put together by Jen of Use Real Butter. She has an awesome site and I've been a loyal follower for quite some time now. I was pretty excited that she picked dumplings, but was curious as to how difficult the process was going to be. I'll let you know right from the Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-77134926890432681032009-06-11T09:30:00.008-04:002009-06-11T09:31:44.128-04:00No Grill? No Problem!Every where I look these days, someone seems to be talking about grilling out. It's all over the blogs, magazines, even the tv. This would be fine and dandy, given it is summer and all, except for the fact that grilling is not so possible when you live in a high rise apartment complex. Not that this is reason enough to move out to the burbs or anything, but we all want what we don't have, and I Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-22568060262783742632009-06-08T11:50:00.001-04:002009-06-08T11:50:00.445-04:00Manic MondaysDoes my title have you singing yet? I'll go ahead and apologize if the Bangles are stuck in your head all day. I don't know very many people that get excited for a Monday. Even though I'm not really working at the minute, Sunday nights are still filled with a little bit of dread over the coming day. It's just something about the world waking up from its mini vacation and heading back into the Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-833541865178550582009-06-04T13:00:00.002-04:002009-06-04T13:00:01.414-04:00Strawberry GelatoThis post is going to be short and sweet today. Mainly because I have forfeited my life over to a series of books that have captured the hearts of teenage girls everywhere. Yes, I am slightly embarrassed to say that I have jumped on the Twilight bandwagon. I know I'm a little late to the party, but I'm sure making up for lost time. I simply cannot put these books down! They have me completely Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-13231059127310801982009-05-31T07:42:00.001-04:002009-05-31T07:52:17.437-04:00To All You New Cooks Out There....Today is my little blog's birthday (hence the cupcake)! I can't believe it's already been a year. Well, I can believe it when I think of how far I've come in my cooking skills - from the days where making scrambled eggs seemed challenging, to now making dishes I once thought of as strictly restaurant food. I have a long way to go, but find that each time I step into the kitchen I feel a little Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-37350378165045759692009-05-27T12:25:00.001-04:002009-05-27T12:25:00.476-04:00Cheesy Rosemary Drop BiscuitsDon't you just love culinary karma. You know, when you stumble upon a delicious recipe and just so happen to have practically everything in your kitchen already. You might even be struck with a great idea on how to jazz up said recipe. This is culinary karma. For the record I also believe in shopping karma - where you put the beautiful, but pricey dress back on the rack and return a week later toCulinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-40679450971798849662009-05-21T14:30:00.001-04:002009-05-21T14:30:00.806-04:00Because Cupcakes Are So Last YearFor years, every birthday in our house has included the infamous Magnolia Bakery cupcakes. People line up around the block waiting to get into the itty bitty store in the west village to buy of box of these treasured cupcakes. Truth be told, I'm not the biggest fan of the traditional vanilla or chocolate. They are a little grainy and dry and the frosting makes my teeth hurt just thinking about itCulinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-22301524711302024082009-05-19T11:35:00.003-04:002009-05-19T11:36:56.765-04:00Lunch at Momofuku Noodle BarThis week is Brad's birthday week. I say birthday week because we literally do a week long celebration (sometimes month long, but that gets a little overplayed). We did a number of dinners this weekend with friends and also with Brad's parents, who were making a quick stop in nyc. One of Brad's favorite places to go in the city is Momofuku Noodle Bar, a small hipster hangout in the lower east Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-86537036594095598492009-05-14T17:05:00.001-04:002009-05-14T17:05:00.645-04:00Burrito in DisguiseI do a little happy dance every time I open the mailbox to find the latest issue of Gourmet Magazine. My doormen and neighbors get a kick out of it, but they've become quite accustomed to it ever since I found this and this, and have since had many a wonderful presents waiting for me at home. After my little display, I hop on the elevator, balance the dog on one arm, water bottle and oversized Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-5919741324705011812009-05-11T17:40:00.002-04:002009-05-11T17:43:42.021-04:00Strawberry Yogurt MuffinsI've been a bad little blogger lately. We've been so busy enjoying the lovely change in weather, that there has been very little cooking going on. Instead we've been having dinner with friends, golfing, and just quickly grabbing things as we go. This on-the-go mentality is actually what lead me to these muffins. I'm not normally a muffin gal. If I'm going to go to the trouble to bake something Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-65711882207821685582009-05-05T16:45:00.002-04:002009-05-05T16:45:20.327-04:00Roasted Pepper GuacamoleIn my somewhat humble opinion, this is the BEST guacamole ever. I've tried just about every version under the sun, from the minimalist type they make in Cabo, to the elaborate types made table side at fancy NYC restaurants, and this one is by far my favorite. It's the roasted garlic and red peppers that add just a bit of a unique flavor and really separate this one from the pack.I've been making Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-27986047966473167452009-05-01T09:00:00.001-04:002009-05-01T09:00:01.513-04:00Remember that thing about eating healthy....Well that is out the door! Ladies, would you all back me up when I say that at certain times of the month (guys, don't squirm too much, this is as in depth as I'm going to go), we are simply slaves to our cravings. I mean all the good intentions in the world aren't going to fight off the chocolate, then salty, then sweet, then sour, and back to chocolate cravings. We might as well just throw up Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-8421097739262133742009-04-27T10:30:00.003-04:002009-05-14T17:10:06.250-04:00Chicken PaillardIs anyone else enjoying the weather as much as me?? It has been absolutely beautiful in NYC! We spent this whole weekend outside, and I already started today off with a run through the park. Even little Suki seems energized by the weather change. With bathing suit season quickly approaching (or here!), I think we could all use a little healthy eating. I know everyone spent the whole winter eatingCulinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-55049234571263796592009-04-22T23:30:00.002-04:002009-04-22T23:32:40.980-04:00I'm back - and with Spring RisottoI'm back! My poor little blog, it has been so neglected the past few weeks. I was on vacation down in GA (at the Masters!), and then when I got home I just decided to enact a little no-computer time. You ever do that? I find that just simply not turning my computer on allows me to accomplish so much more in a day. The same goes for the tv, which I find just totally zaps my energy. I've now Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-69838100430939586282009-04-02T10:00:00.001-04:002009-04-02T10:00:00.801-04:00Skillet CornbreadFor the past few weeks, I have been absolutely smitten with a new cookbook - The Cornbread Gospels. This lovely book is written by Crescent Dragonwagon, and is the result of years of research and just an all-out passion for cornbread. It is loaded with history, storytelling and of course, many wonderful recipes. This is one of those cookbooks that you read like a novel. By the end, you not only Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-56318328371337334132009-03-30T14:05:00.001-04:002009-03-30T14:06:25.982-04:00Milos TsatsikiBrad and I love to try new restaurants in the city. Our list of "to visits" is constantly growing, and I think we would probably have to eat out every night for the next month just to scratch off all the ones we currently have down. That being said, more often than not, we are constantly revisiting our favorites. We have our favorite brunch spot, local Italian, 24-hour diner and even our Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-66642510445893140052009-03-26T11:35:00.001-04:002009-03-26T11:35:00.834-04:00Grape and Rosemary FoccaciaThis is going to be a real quick post today, because we are a house of sickies! Brad and me both have a bug, and even little Suki is sick. Taking care of sick dog when you yourself feel like your head is going to explode -- is this a prep course for kids, or what?! But on to the fun stuff - I've been saving this recipe for a while to show ya'll, and was hoping I would have a chance to make it Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-64898804766943618982009-03-24T08:20:00.002-04:002009-03-24T08:20:34.977-04:00Chicken SaltimboccaI will be the first to admit that I'm not exactly a huge chicken fan. I just think it's a bit bland, and would much rather be eating its red meat counterpart. That being said, I am currently in serious need of a detox. I visited one of my nearest and dearest in Nashville this weekend, and literally ate my way through the city. From BBQ and cheap and greasy Mexican to lots of gravy and late night Culinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8540588936796997505.post-17494076722474531272009-03-19T12:30:00.001-04:002009-03-19T12:30:00.321-04:00Housewife's Banana BreadI'm pretty sure that everyone already has their favorite banana bread recipe. I know I do - my mom's. This is not a post for hers though, because see the thing about my mom's banana bread is, that it's simply hers. It's what she's known for and I'm pretty sure that if I ever tried to make it, there would be no chance of it tasting as good as when she does. Guess it just has that extra little "momCulinary Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208524536289963761noreply@blogger.com29