Why I don't have a food blog...

There is so much talk about what kind of a blogger someone is... I've got it narrowed down to a lot of kind of bloggers I'm NOT...  Today:  Why I'm not a food blogger... part 1  (because it was getting way too long and the topsy turvy cake really deserves its own post)

I'm not "useless" in the kitchen, really... I can whip up a nutritious and delicious (don't listen to the kids) meal in no time flat...  if I feel like it.

I just rarely feel like it.

I think that the good people over at My Blog Spark must have heard the rumors... maybe ManOfTheHouse sent a strongly worded letter... either way they were kind enough to send me a little package containing some Lemon Pepper Panko breading and a Big (holy cow, did I mention it was BIG) Cookbook by famous chef-dude Michael Chiarello for inspiration.

It took me a few days to be prepared enough to actually USE the breading - because I had to actually have the chicken thawed and sliced...  what I really wanted was salmon... but that requires going to the only store in town that actually sells quality salmon - you know, that store that I find WAY too much at that I "need" and can't get out without spending less than $150...  and if I need toilet paper today and buy it, the good news is I shouldn't need it again for 6 months!  (anyone "need" some lettuce - 5 heads?  seriously?) 

Where was I again... oh yeah... cooking... I'm easily distractable...  at least when my mind wanders on my blog the smoke alarm doesn't go off.

ManOfTheHouse actually did 85% of the work...  because dipping something in egg wash - then flour - then breading has a tendency to leave a film (about an inch thick) on the fingers...  which I find a tad on the nasty side.

The man's fingers looked gross, but the chicken fingers looked yummy - and smelled delicious - so delicious that we generously coated the chicken (and some slices of potato for Teen Vegetarian - yes I did do the potatoes FIRST... wouldn't want to accidentally contaminate him or something, pshhhh....

hmmm... so I'm not a food photographer... get over it.

and it tasted delicious - as long as you're old enough to have grown taste buds.  the kids are SO picky!  Truthfully, our "generous coating" might have been a bit too generous.  Spicy isn't appreciated in the under 16 set (that'd be all of them).

So I took the leftovers...  made up a simple bechamel sauce, (that's code for opening a jar of white sauce) sliced the coated chicken paper thin, and created a pasta sauce that Michael Chiarello would be jealous of!  Seriously - I would have ordered this in a restaurant.  I liked it SO much that I didn't take pictures... you'll just have to imagine the creamy ivory sauce poured over Penne noodles in an avocado green bowl...  I may not be a world famous chef but I DO have some gorgeous serving dishes!

What's that you ask???  Did the kids eat this?  whatever... we're training our children to survive on corn chips and whatever non-poisonous insects they can trap.
Actually, I think 3 of them ate this quite well... and if you consider that one is a vegetarian and one was having an hour long cry over it not being "Taco Tuesday" (it was Saturday!) then that's actually pretty darn good!

Not enough evidence against me starting my very own cooking blog?  Since I'm so handy in the kitchen and all...

how's this?

now, normally - the layering of stuffing, turkey and mashed potatoes - covered in Yams would make me want to Yog... but... since we're hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year... it's actually starting to appeal... it'll  certainly cut down on the number of serving dishes I have to wash and worry about breaking.

The bonus?  everyone will have saved room for dessert...

Just wait until you see the Pumppleberry pie I'm making :)

*please, if you're among the family members planning on eating at my house - plan on eating lots - it will not resemble a cake in any way, I promise. Lemon Pepper Panko Turkey actually would be yummy :)


**oh, and if your child is under 12... sorry, they will get a paper plate... don't take offense... it's just that I like my dishes - and I want to keep liking my nieces and nephews :)

*** and for anyone who cares (the FCC... who isn't really a blog follower so why does it matter) I did get the book and the Panko breading as a promotional item from General Mills (through MyBlogSpark) - with the understanding that I would write about it... or not... I chose to.  I was under no obligation to actually like it or say anything nice at all.  Niceties and the fact that I found it tasty are 100% my own.


****oh and the photo disclaimer - the first came from the MyBlogSpark website (with their permission - nay... encouragement)  - the next two are mine - and the last one came from this other non-cooking blog.


*****I need a nap!