Week 1-- Sunday August 16, 2009

So today was the start of our culinary journey. In typical me fashion I had procrastinated picking out recipes until today, sooooo.... our choices were limited by what we had on hand. I quickly realized I had to put away the gourmet cook books since I was missing ingredients for all mouthwatering recipes. I finally pulled out my trusty but battered, abused and literally falling apart Better Homes and Gardens book and found Sweet and Sour Pork -- to which I substituted chicken, having a pork less freezer. I had never made this one before as it called for deep frying in batter which I usually avoid like the plague. But I have to admit it was fun and a pleasant change over the normal stir fry fare we usually have.

As for our beloved dessert Chef- Isabel, she had to fore go dreams of Lion House Moon Cake for the less exotic- though extremely delicous- Coconut Oatmeal Cookies. She turned them into Chocolate Coconut Oatmeal Cookies by the casual suggestion of her mom, and thus was born a cookie that rivals my all time favorite from Paradise Bakery -- The chocalate chip coconut one. I'm serious, if we'd had the milk chocolate chips it would have been a dead ringer. I'm afraid we have unleashed my own personal Pandora's Box of calories and sumptuous sugary goodness-- I'm not sure it can ever be closed again. Oh well, more running tomorrow. As for Isabel I am quite impressed at what an accomplished cookie maker she has become. She flies completly solo these days with only a little coaching and reminding about cooking times. Definite progress from the first time she made cookies by herself -- I happened upon the bowl and noticed it looked low on the sugar levels. As she showed me what measuring cup she used I realized she thought that 1 1/4 c. sugar meant one- 1/4 cup and had dutifully put in exactly 1/4 cup each of brown and white sugar. After a mini reminder lesson about fractions, she pointed out that the way it was written was confusing and I had to agree with her on that-- her interpretation was sound. But disaster was averted and those cookies were delectable as well. Now she is much more schooled in recipe reading. I see a bright culinary future ahead- especially in the baking department. She informed me today she has added Chef next to Journalist and Teacher on her growing list of desirable future occupations.

Here are some photo treasures from week one's challenge....