She cooks? She cooks!

I just finished making a Tomato Feta Pasta Salad (by Ina -- we're on a first name basis now, ha) and it tastes fab!

Shocked? You should be because I haven't set foot in a kitchen (to prepare a real meal other than sandwiches) in ages. But now, out of necessity -- my taste buds are bored w/ rice everyday -- I dared.

It also helps that Mom announced a few weeks ago that she was bored with her own food. So enter Miss Creativity completely motivated by an palate-adventurous set of parents (aka "an audience"). Now cooking sounds fun as fun as it looks on the Food Network or Anthony Bourdain, and I only committed to one night a week. (Today, Sunday, was an exception... I got inspired going to the Newark farmer's market.

I've done two Wednesdays now, and both were successful: they liked it, they ate it, and nobody got sick. Well... sorta. Mom's tummy didn't like the mango sorbet we had for dessert (too sour) -- sorry, Ma.

First time out:
Bruschetta apps
Roast Chicken (can't find the recipe)
Moroccan Pilaf (Emeril)
Green beans
Mango sorbet

Second time:
Caprese apps
Salmon with Lemon, Capers and Rosemary (Giada)
Oven Roasted Red Potatoes w/ Rosemary and Garlic (Paula)
Asparagus
Vaniila ice cream

How fun that I have (well, we all have) access to delicious recipes from the coolest chefs and you can search for everything online (I only search for EASY things for now, and desserts? Hm... not quite ready for primetime yet).

I'm having fun for now, and I don't feel like a nerdy-birdy in the kitchen anymore. Mom leaves me alone and she has practically everything I need, though I did find a mini-food processor on sale today -- and it's mine all mine!

Dad keeps asking for mungo -- a Filipino bean dish that I've never cared for -- and I keep telling him NO WAY. I'm not going to make them food that they make themselves, otherwise what's the point?! Then he teases me: "Are we having spaghetti tonight?" because that's all I'd admit to knowing how to make over the years. NO DAD, WE ARE NOT HAVING SPAGHETTI!

Wednesday's coming up and I don't know what I'll make yet. Yummy... got any easy faves for me? :)

Hey, I can dance!

Never looked so lithe before (Thanks Janis)!

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