Pepperoni Tomato Sauce

Pepperoni Tomato Sauce over Pasta

Dried pasta still has its uses. It is pasta anyway, however this is about the sauce. Pepperoni was the base, and while it is a great idea. I now know where to take this to really make it sing. SPICE!

Ingredients
-Pepperoni
-Tomato
-Pasta
-Celery
-Onion

Creation

As said before this was just an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof...

Wait a minute. Back on track. The sauce. Saw pepperoni in the fridge.. figured could render fat. Make tomato sauce serve over pasta. Now I wanted to begin defining this italian/mediterranian style that I haveso kept it simple. Basil. Onions. Celery.

But now I know... and know is half the battle... G... I... Joe!!

Rats. Happened again. Either way next time I know it needs peppers and spice and then it will become...

Beef Ravioli

Beef Ravioli

Yes, follows the theme of homemade pasta. Probably gonna make December the month of Pasta. Yeah that sounds good. 

Ingredients
-Beef
-Homemade Pasta
-Celery
-Onion
-Bechamel

Creation

I remember the first time I made pasta. Attempted to make ravioli. Didn't know the ratios or anything. Was totally dry in the middle. Yeah. Now I know you are supposed to boil them and then add to sauce... who knew?

Being that pasta is one of my favorite things ever being able to make it at home sure does change things.

The stuffing is beef and cheese. Needed a lot more cheese (not a beef lover) but it was and is...

Making Pasta

Making Pasta at Home

This is like a teaser for a later date where I outline the whole process. There aren't many steps and as you can see the pasta above is a little thick. That will all change when I get my first pasta machine. 

Ingredients
-Flour
-Eggs

Creation

And this is what happens when you have way too much meat.. but it was good and because it had homemade pasta it was an...

Shrimp Risotto

Shrimp Risotto

Aww... doesn't it look all pretty? Normally I don't style my food, just plate it nicely, but this time. I couldn't help it. The shrimps were just so good. Could have skipped on the risotto and ate an entire bathtub of the stuff. 

Ingredients
-Shrimp
-Rice
-Carrots
-Spices

Creation

Oh risotto. I have a bittersweet relationship with it. Still learning how to make it perfect, and the stock used to make it came from the last dish. Let nothing go to waste.

Had no wine which was a real buzzkill, but the fresh stock can make up for it.

But forget about the risotto... these shrimps! Thyme and Parsley marinated then sauteed. Was so tasty, pretty sure these alone make this...

Shrimp Fettuce

Shrimp Fettuce

First off, there is no spelling error. Fettuce is a wider form of the oh-so-popular fettuccine, and yes they were made by hand. I tried a couple years back, didn't have a clue what I was doing. Working with pictures in a book. Terrible. So now I see the book again and decide its time. Took three tries though.. imagine the realization when when I realized I was working with medium eggs instead of large.

Ingredients
-Flour
-Eggs
-Shrimp
-Onion
-Basil
-Heavy Cream

Creation

Homemade pasta?! No way. Actually much simpler than even I thought and I use the "well" method. Pretty simple.. quite messy, but being covered in flour makes you look like more of a chef right?

The shrimp are just cooked with a cream sauce. No wine or vinegar. I know right. Focus was on the pasta which makes this...

Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

Ahh. Sweet Potato Pie or Punkin (Yes Punkin) Pie? Guess that will be figured out if I ever do a homemade Punkin Pie. Today sweet potatoes were on sale.. $0.39/lb. I KNOW RIGHT? Being it takes about a pound to make a pie. Being able to make a filling for a pie for about a dollar... double score.

Ingredients
-Sweet Potatoes
-Cream
-Sugar
-Egg
-Spices

Creation

First time using sweet potatoes and it is a simple as boiling them, removing skin, beating with everything else and then baking off in pan.

Second, don't ask about whipped cream... rarely use it actually.

The mixture is very liquidy until after baking, but once its done and cooked properly... grabbed a mug of milk and enjoyed chowing down on...

Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan

Now I really hate using pre-breaded anything, but this is what I had so you gotta make the best use of it. Chicken Parmesan is there only thing I could think of to hide it.... that and a thick homemade tomato sauce.

Ingredients
-Pre-breaded Chicken Breast
-Brisket's Tomato Sauce
-Angel Hair Pasta
-Romano Cheese

Creation
Now I'm not one of those cooks that refuses to cook with stuff like you see on tv. I want to bread things myself and plus pre-breaded limits the uses. Grrness. Oh well.

The sauce. Thick and hearty. Actually because I prefer thick sauces that lends itself to not using anger hair or other spaghetti like sauces. Should have been shells or rotini. Something to grip the chunks of flavor, but I also really like angel hair.

That's pretty much how to turn a pre-breaded chicken breast into...

And that is...

Country-Style Pork

Sauteed Pork with an Apple Gastrique over Potatoes

Haven't cooked these in a while and I always do it the same way. Yeah. Then the potatoes had a little mishap, of which I am blaming the non-stick pan. Yep. I sure am.

Ingredients
-Pork
-Potatoes
-Apples
-Celery
-Ginger
-Onions

Creation

So, saute pork on all sides. Done. Then came the time to make a gastrique. Which apparently I have been almost doing this whole time is I just switch the order of ingredients. Caramelize sugar before deglazing and boom gastrique.

Now the potatoes... sigh. They were supposed to be yellow, but when it came to finish them with a dash of cream the excess oil (Nonstick pan) mixed with the cream and turned it brown.

However, the taste was on point and that is what matters. Especially since it is...