The Stuff I'm Not Cooking
Monday, May 9, 2011 at 7:30AM 
To kick off No-Cook Week, I would like to talk about the dishes that I'm not making.
I have lofty goals for cooking. I own a collection of cooking magazines, cookbooks, recipes printed from the internet and passed down from family and friends. I keep them stacked in a cabinet in my kitchen (see above photo). I even have a special binder where I keep the "really enticing" recipes in clear sleeves, organized by section.
Caramelized edamame beans with ponzu sauce!
Sweet potato gnocchi with brown butter sauce!
Ginger ice cream with chunks of sugared rhubarb!
I saved all these recipes because at one point i REALLY wanted to cook or bake every single one. And I thought I would, too. But I haven't
There are a few reasons for this:
1. While I do host dinner parties occasionally, I have a limited number of mouths to feed in my apartment. It's only myself and Toby my dog around these parts. And as you may recall, John hates keeping leftovers (or anything other than Encyclopedia Britannicas) in his fridge. So who would eat it all?
2. Who the $%^* has the time? I haven't even managed to take my laundry out of the dryer. I just open the door in the morning and rifle through for matching socks. Also the dog needs a bath. Oh yeah, and I need to lie on my couch and drink blended White Russians while watching the Big Lebowski. I really do.
So I need some motivation. A little help. From you readers, if you would be so kind. I'm going to give you three options. I'd like to know, of the three options, what you'd like me to cook. And then I will take the most voted-for choice and make it. And tell you aaaaaaall about it, of course. With photos! If you're in the area, I might let you come over and help me eat it.
Here are the options:
1. Perfect Gnocchi with Butter and Cheese: I love the orange tint to these guys. It is aparently acheived with carrot puree. I am intrigued, are you?
2. Harissa Chicken with Green Chile and Tomato Salad: I'm intrigued by Harissa lately. It's spicy, but it has flavor too. And I just don't know what to do with it. But this seems like a good idea, no?
3. Creamy Fig and Chili Pasta: This one seems to have everything – sweetness from the figs, spicy chilis, and a soft creaminess. Extra bonus: pasta. I promise, if you choose this one, I will even hand-make the pasta. No lie.
So those are the choices. What do you think? Post your vote in the comments section and at the end of the week, the recipe with the most votes wins!
Reader Comments (4)
Would be more than happy to help you get rid of some Perfect Gnocchi leftovers....
I vote for this: 2. Harissa Chicken with Green Chile and Tomato Salad!
Though I'd also like to chime in on another thing. I've noticed an uptick (maybe it's just because I'm actually getting out) in creamy, delicious chocolate sorbet. It's like totally rich and dark. And dairy free, which means I can eat it, without seeming it at all. You make now!!!!
I first had it here:
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/sweet-tooth-groms-genius-gelato/
Can't go wrong with the gnocchi with butter and cheese
I vote for Gnocchi because it's the kind of thing you will want to make over and over again until you perfect it. And if you can make perfect gnocchi, that is a true culinary accomplishment.