Foodie Fridays

Hey friends, let me tell you - engagement photos are fun! A little awkward, yes, but overall we had an awesome time. I'm anxiously awaiting the 500 pictures that show me rolling my eyes at D. as he laughs at the ridiculous, inappropriate thing he's just said.

One of my new-apartment-resolutions* was to get back into cooking. With all the stress and moving around of the summer, we pretty much fell into a routine of vegetables and pasta every.single.night. Don't get me wrong, I love some veggies and pasta, but it was getting to be a bit much. My goal is to cook at least one recipe per week,** just to broaden what we eat and allow me to experiment a bit more with this gas stove top, which is turning out to be a bit more challenging than it appears!

Since it's Friday and I'm tired, I thought it might be fun to share some of my cooking (mis)adventures.

The past two weeks have been a little unusual, mostly because it's Restaurant Week here in Boston, and, this year, D. and I have broken all records by enjoying this (relatively) affordable deliciousness three separate times. Seriously, I love Restaurant Week. But, I've stuck to my goal. Last week, I attempted, for the very first time, a homemade curry. D. and I love curry, but I've always been a little afraid to try it, until I came across this recipe, which was marketed as simple, beginner's curry making. I will say that it was fairly easy, particularly since the recipe calls for you to simply buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store, rather than to attempt such a thing at home (meats are not my specialty). I had a little difficulty navigating the temperature with the gas stove, but D. went back for seconds, so I think I did okay. Lessons learned: the tomatoes really are not optional. Also, since I have an irrational love for cilantro (which the recipe also recommends), this will need to be attempted again when Shaw's has not run out of this divine ingredient.

This week, the recipe (also taken from Real Simple's Quick and Easy options) was a Greek Tomato Tart. My best friend in the world is currently on an incredible 3-month graduate study abroad trip through the Holy Lands. While she's off exploring all these seriously amazing places, I suppose I've had Mediterranean food on the brain. This recipe also requires the purchase of a ready-made food product - a pie crust - which is good because I don't have any idea how to make my own. It was very easy to make, and, if you like tomatoes, feta, olive, and pie, I don't think you can really go wrong. I will say, though, that my creation resembled less of a pie and more a pile of tomatoes, feta, and olives over what looked like it might once have been a pie crust.


Lots more eating this weekend as D. and I attempt to see lots of people we haven't been able to see in the last few weeks of packing, moving, weddings, and unpacking. What are your weekend plans?




*No, the new year is not the only appropriate time to make resolutions. I like fresh starts, big and small.
**Disclaimer: I follow some lovely blog ladies who appear (from photographs and stories) to be incredible in the kitchen. I am not. I can cook up a good meal if I have a recipe - no creative adding of ingredients here, I'm a rule-follower - but never in my life have I attempted to make ice cream, create my own sausage, or experiment with the perfect homemade tomato sauce.