macaron

I'd really like to try a macaron.  They look so delicious... and pretty.  But I admit trepidation.  I fear I won't like them.  And it's a strange fear... because why am I so emotionally invested in the taste of this item matching the prettiness?  So often I find that the prettiest, most perfect looking confections taste too sugary or gross.  So I often avoid the all too perfect fondant confections and artisinal baked goods.  But sometimes the 'ugly' ones taste worst.

I've had whoopie pies before - the American version of the macaron.  They were huge, bloated monstrosities larger than my hand, stuffed with cream that was more sugary than creamy.  I felt like I was eating a lead weight.  The denseness that lay heavy in my stomach was not worth the mediocre taste.  By comparison, macarons look so delicate and airy.  I just want it to be true.

We used to have a French bakery in town but they never had macarons.  I imagine if they were still in business, they would have capitalized on the trend by now... and consequently, I would have had a true macaron in my stomach already.  But as it stands, I really don't know of any place nearby that would make them, and make them properly.  Just another one of the joys of living in Mid-Western suburbia.

This post has been brought to you by too much coffee and a lack of macarons.

Cooking with Estel

I made something the other night, and you may want to make it too.  So I'm sharing the "recipe."

First, start out with a whole bunch of leftover quinoa because you're an idiot who can't figure out serving sizes.  Make sure to pronounce it "quin-no-ah" like the godless heathen you are.  Dump the quinoa in a bowel.

You will now add things to this quinoa... because things make quinoa even tastier.

The first thing is an orange bell pepper.  Chop it into little pieces and try not to eat most of it before you put it in the quinoa.  It is to be eaten with the quinoa.  This is very important.

Next, chop up some baby carrots.  Why baby carrots?  Because you can almost always guarantee that I have a half-eaten bag in my fridge.

After that you will chop up an avocado because avocados are perfect.  Interpret that as you will.

Lastly, you will chop up some fresh cilantro.

Throw everything in a bowl.  Add salt, pepper, and ginger to taste.  Just eyeball that shit... don't worry, I trust you.

Mix it up and put it in your mouth.

Mom strikes again - Cooking Fun

I made lasagna last week (hot damn! it was delicious) but once again it seemed to take forever to cook.  Honestly, it probably should have cooked longer but we were starving.  So a couple days later when I was at my mom's...

me:  I don't know why my lasagna never cooks right.  I follow your recipe to the letter.

mom:  oh, well maybe it's the stove.  or maybe it's the pan you're using?

me:  I use the same damn glass pan that you use.

mom:  I don't use a glass pan.

me:  Yes, you do.  It's the same one you use for the sweet potatoes.

mom:  But I don't use it for the lasagna.

me:  Yes, you do.

mom:  No, I use the brown pan.

*Just told me last week that I could borrow the brown pan to transport cupcakes because it's my grandma's old pan from the 60s that she NEVER USES FOR ANYTHING.*

me: ...

mom:  It's probably the glass pan that's the problem.  Glass usually takes longer to cook than metal.

me:  I'm well aware...


*The next day*

me: Hunny, didn't mom give us that glass pan?

le boyfriend:  I dunno.

me:  I'm serious.  That wasn't something we bought together, right?

le boyfriend:  I don't think so.

me:  Goddamnit!  I knew it!  I swear to god I remember shopping at Target with mom and her buying that pan for me so I could specifically make lasagna in it!


Seriously... it's like she plans these things.

Breakfast Time

I got desperate this morning and ate some of le boyfriend's cereal.  Ugh.  I'm usually not much of a cereal person to be honest.  I ate cereal as a kid... but mostly it was just handfuls of dry cereal as a snack rather than a legitimate breakfast option.  When I do buy cereals as an adult, a rare occasion to be sure, I usually buy some tiny $4 bag of organic granola.  But I needed something quick and easy this morning and le boyfriends cereal sounded good...

Special K with chocolate and strawberries... How could I go wrong?  When I opened up the bag I was greeted by large slices of freeze-dried strawberries.  So far, so good.  But I noticed there weren't any chocolate pieces in my bowl.  I shook the box a few times and tried again.  Nothing.  WTF.  Finally, I dug my hand in and searched.  I came up with a tiny sliver of chocolate that barely tasted like anything when I put it in my mouth.  So, as most of my brilliant plans begin, I said "fuck it" and dumped some dark chocolate Velata chips in the bowl.

I added in my soy milk and we were good to go.  Except, UGH.  What's up with all the sugariness?  I thought Special K was an adult cereal ffs.  I might as well go eat the Reese's Puffs in the cupboard - at least they taste good!  I just really hate that fake sugar taste when things have been overly (artificially) sweetened.  It's not necessary!  It just makes me want to puke.  I actually needed the Velata chips for balance as they were the least sweet thing in the bowl. 

Ugh.... I think it's time to make some coffee, wake up, and find some real food.