Sunday, May 15, 2011

Ham, Broccoli and Cheese Dijon Pasta, Couscous Stuffed Tomatos and Banana Pudding Fruit Pie

The first meal for my blog seems elaborate, but they were all items that I developed from the available items in my kitchen.

My recipes are listed below with short directions, just click the "read more" link to see the recipes as well as some small techniques I learned along this mighty journey that may make yours easier. Enjoy!

 Pasta and tomato finished product

Introductions First

They always say "put your best foot forward," and with this first post on my blog, I think it's important to cover the basics.

First off, Kanipshin is a word. Yes, you can look it up and the proper English spelling is a sterile-looking "conniption" meaning to "throw a fit, or an anger tantrum."

Kanipshin means the same thing, only I chose it in it's original Yiddish spelling, first because it's fun to read, and second, because I think it's something everyone does everyday, and life is usually a barrel full of kanipshins waiting to happen.

Second, this blog isn't to be a blog about my life and woes solely, but I think a bit of learning comes from examining other people's experiences. I will do my best not to fill it with "he said, she said" and try to cut it down to the raw parts - the feelings, the thoughts and most importantly, the food.

Yes food and emotion go hand in hand. I cook to de-stress, and I cook to laugh, and I cook because I love to cook. I have been told that I am a good chef by family and friends, albeit a bit of a dare-devil.  Alongside my creative cooking twists, I also have been declared a fashion-crazed clothes hoarder. And while I DO have an overabundance of outfits and shoes, they are all quite essential in that I need plenty of materials to experiment properly. In that way, my style and cooking correlate rather well, with risks being taken in both areas, and the mix of
delight and disaster being both sides of me that I love.

So, we begin. It is my hope that with this blog I will give advice and good recipes to those in similar situations as myself, as well as give a hint of humor and creativity to those who are not.

Be ready for a Kanipshin - especially tonight. I am making a cheese and broccoli ham pasta dish, with a side of couscous stuffed tomatoes for dinner for my boyfriend and I. There will also be a surprise dessert - I'll let you know what it is, when I figure it out myself.

I will post the recipes for all of my dishes later on, and explain some basic things on developing the meal the right way. I won't hide the mistakes either.

In closing, thank you for any of you who have read this post thus far. And, maybe it's time to stop and ask yourself.

Have you had your Kanipshin today?