Southern Hospitality

I've become obsessed with watching the BBQ Pitmasters show on TLC where they follow several teams as they participate in different competitions. Just watching anyone with such a passion for their food and seeing the amount of time and effort they put in with this hobby is inspiring. And I can't help but by entertained by all the slabs of meat cooking away on grills, smokers and pressure cookers. Watching these teams putting so much love into their marinades and spice blends makes me want to develop some special secret sauces of my own, perhaps I will take this time off from school and work on finding that perfect blend for summer grilling. I definitely crave bbq when I watch the show

Since BBQ is a southern tradition a lot, if not all, of the contestants have that southern way of life and it makes me want to go and visit the south. To try all that down home cooking that is just so delicious! Collard greens, fried chicken, ooey gooey mac and cheese, yeast rolls, BBQ, black eyed peas and SWEET TEA. I just picture myself sitting on some wraparound porch sipping tea and watching the twilight settle in. Oh my! That sounds so ridiculously cheesey, but I get tired of this MPK bubble and I just want to go out and try something completely different than what I am used to and to also sate the travel bug in me that wants to go out and explore everything. It just so happens that I've been watching this show that highlights the South and so that region has jumped up to the top of my list of places to see. And I'm a sucker for southern accents so that's just the cherry on top! hehe.

Expectations for 2010

I had all the best intentions of maintaining this blog, but as with everything, I just couldn't find the motivation to write an entry. I will try to work out a regular schedule of keeping this up, but no promises!

hahah as some of you know I've been working out how to write this entry for some time, just didn't know what direction I wanted to take, so now I'm just going to prattle on about whatever I feel like. Even though its January 18th I still think its appropriate to put out a list of things that I want from myself this year. For whatever reason I want to go out and make mistakes, I suppose its because I've lived my life trying to find the best route to do things, I want to laugh at myself after I do something dumb because I still can. Go out and just do things that I've been to afraid to do because I'm tired of never having any interesting stories! I mean when my family talks about the things they did when they were my age I really feel like I am missing out; fights, late night adventures, road trips and so much more. So as cliche as it may seem I just want to go out and enjoy being young before settling into a caretaker role makes me older than I want to be. What else do I expect out of 2010? I expect fun, family, friends, good food and a tattoo! I definitely want to try my hand at more extravagant meals or more serious pastry decorating and what not, just an improvement on the culinary level with trying to learn more traditional Japanese dishes. Maybe more baking will turn into packages? hahah we shall see, because I have absolutely no motivation at the moment. Hopefully all my expectations will be met and I will be able to achieve them, because I don't expect for a white knight to come in and clean up my life for me. But who knows, maybe I've met that white knight! hahah even so I don't need them to come and fix me, that's totally a do it myself project.

I've gotten back into the habit of reading again, just because I couldn't focus on anything for the longest time. I have quite a few new books to read from Christmas and the books that I bought from Barnes and Noble to be able to get free shipping for my Battle of the Sexes game. So I'm starting the Dexter books, and so far (150 pages in) I like it. I know the basic plot of the book because I've watched a lot of the show but I definitely like reading all the subtext that can't be translated into a tv show. I think that's why I love books so much because of all the little nuances that you can perfectly picture in your mind as you wait for the plot to develop, it just makes me happy because I can become so completely engulfed in an interesting story.

Currently watching Pawn Stars on the History channel because I love it. I'm obsessed with watching shows about how much something can be worth, ie Antiques Road Show. I think it has to do with the stories behind all these objects and the fact that this rare item exists today. I can only imagine with those things have been used for and all the memories that have clung to something. Yeah I'm cheesy, like that I suppose. Pawn Stars is less sappy and more of trying to make a buck, I definitely like seeing the experts coming in and telling the owner all about the stuff to make sure the item is legit and then the bartering part of trying to make a deal. Useful life skills right? I've totally learned how to spot a fake Rolex. Just something fun to watch on a rainy day.

And back to posting a recipe! I think that's what I missed most is seeing the stuff I made up here, because I am proud of the meals I make (while most of them). I made ratatouille the other day and it was a perfect winter vegetable clean up day.

Ratatouille

Ingredients

2 zucchinis

2 yellow squashes

1 small eggplant

mozzarella cheese

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 tsp each of basil, oregano, rosemary

salt and pepper to taste

prep

1. Preheat oven to 350

2. Chop all vegetables into small discs

3. Lay out half the vegetables into a greased 9x13 pan and half the can of tomatoes with a handful of cheese

4. Repeat to make the top layer

5. Cover the pan in foil and cook for 35 minutes

6. Take off foil for 15 minutes until the cheese is browned

7. Serve over rice or pasta!