She's A Different Lady, With a Different Style

Sloppy Puffy Omelet with Pesto

Puffy Omelets are as light and fluffy as they look but that airy texture provides a sophisticated eggy flavor you don't get from other cooking methods.  You only need a minute (5 actually) to whip them into submission, but it's either a good workout if you do it manually, or the effort of plugging in a hand mixer.

Spicy sausage, spinach and mozzarella went into mine and topped with a pesto sauce for that extra punch of flavor.  This ginormous treat is only 4 eggs split into two meals.  My half held together just until I slid it on the plate and then it all went to hell.

Have your stuffings ready on the side because it all happens fairly quickly once you lay that poof down in the pan.

Later that night, take-out fried rice and fried spring rolls from Ma Thai-Ger 

I Have Been a Fool for Lesser Things

Continuing my love of all things eggs, I made a ginormous puffy omelet, which I cut in half and since it was so fluffy and light, I felt it was appropriate to eat with bacon and buttered toast.  These are fun to make and require nothing but an arm workout.  Of course, you can use a hand-mixer.

Bad picture of exceptionally vibrant red trees in a row, in various stages of change.  It's interesting when nature creates beauty where it's least appreciated.  I sat and stared at these lovelies for too long. 

And the Sky is a Hazy Shade of Winter

Chef John's One Pan Beef Stroganoff

This stroganoff would have been on point, had I the correct curly egg noodles.  The only downside of having fancy corner markets is that may only carry the healthier, less tasty version of common staples.  This can be an upside as well because we tend to make better choices. In this case,the noodle shouldn't overtake the meat sauce.  They should be able to absorb flavors (but not all of of the sauce, as these did) and provide a balance of textures.  So, although this was great tasting, and God knows I love me a noodle, this type was too thick and wide.  Isn't it funny when you take the time to do something correctly and with your best efforts, it still fails.  That's about how life has been going lately.

Ryan Hall Y'all's Nader Beans!  With weather being big news, you've most likely latched on to a favorite channel or meteorologist.  Ryan Hall is my choice.  A baby-faced Southerner with a positive outlook on crappy weather. Actually, the coffee beans are really good too that he sells on his site.  I bought them to support the rescue efforts done by this man and his compadres out of Kentucky and was quite surprised how good the coffee tasted.  Money has never been too appealing, and I'm hard pressed to find a long list of things I want but really good coffee in the morning, one cup, would be a nice little luxury to enjoy each day.

A puffy omelet made with American Cheese.  

As with any omelet, you could go many ways in regards to toppings or fillings with the puffy variety.  But since the egg taste is mellowed by all the whipping, the sharp tang of the American Cheese is a nice partner.  Its reminiscent of a diner omelet. 

Start Me Up!

Mushroom Puffy Omelet

This might be the year to dive into everything egg.  Methods, dishes, techniques.  I want to make a Dutch Baby.  I've also seen wild looking Korean type omelets on-line that I would love to try.  I don't have non-stick pans that my husband hasn't ruined, so traditional omelets have not been possible, but these fluffy ones sort of work with enough added butter.  Just adding height to eggs and whipping the whites make them so light and airy.  This one perfect food can be transformed by the way it is prepared. It can change the taste and texture entirely.  What a wonderful gift, the egg.  Like the banana, a perfect food. 

Are you a fan of breakfast?  Many are not.  Breakfast is special, like the egg.  What a better way to begin something than with an egg?  That's like the most beginning-est food there is. 

We Gotta Try Harder Baby

A little surprise Pumpkin Carrot cake from Mr Mango corner grocery 

Recently we've contemplated that just like any simple but delicious food, it's not that easy to get a great taco, maybe that much harder.   It can really go off course. You can argue what is the correct version, the crispy corn shell versus the steamed double, but even further, the toppings are essential.  But I say, made right, any taco could be spectacular.  If you serve a more traditional meat taco, the steak should be well seasoned and the star or if you're doing chicken, let it be grilled and tender.  There is nothing worse than a dry taco.  Condiments should be kept to a minimum with fresh pico or salsa, maybe some fresh or pickled onions and lime to squeeze over.  If you're going the route of the American taco, adding fresh lettuce, tomato, sour cream and cheese, then I feel it's best to do this on a crispy shell or it's a soggy mess.  Its seems so basic but it really is hard to get a bangin' taco, or make one for that matter.  This one above from a new taco truck in the neighborhood suspiciously run by middle easterners, serving Empanadas.  This happens here in New York but I always wonder, why?  Perhaps its Halal meat, in that case, everyone needs their variety I suppose, but stay in your lane unless you're bringing something new, or exceptional goods. This was not that.

Leftover Chicken Vegetable Soup for dinner

A Puffy Omelette redo
It's hard to get it right, like this simple Puffy Omelet I've attempted numerous times and succeeded only once.

It's an idiot's task to whisk the whites by hand.  Do yourself a favor and do this with a hand blender.

All I Know is You're My Favorite Mistake

Puffy Omelette

Have you ever made one of these Puffy Omelettes?  Full disclosure, this was a slight fail but made correctly, they make you feel you've done something chef-like, because you have!  You split the egg from the yolk and beat the whites like the dickens before folding the yolks back in.  Then you, well, I'll share the video.  But try it!  I didn't want to ruin it by trying to shove all of this asparagus and sausage inside, so I served on the side but its definitely light and fluffy, and again if done right becomes cloud-like.  It does right by the egg too in making it the delicacy it truly is. 

I Like Watchin' the Puddles Gather Rain

Spring rains are on my top 5 most loved things

Rain Day!

Puffy Omelet

I found an easy way to make 4 eggs tastes like 20 with this super puffy omelet.  I didn't want to pull out the mixer, so I just hand beat the whites and yolks.  What a treat!  You could impress someone with very little effort.  But for me it was all about getting a big bold, egg flavor hit.  Success!

I was in shock that it actually worked.  I thought you would need to do more to get it to poof. 

Baked Stuffed Tomatoes

Later that night I wanted something fresh and tangy.  The one thing I learned about baked stuffed tomatoes is to be sure to season the inside cavity really well.  Baking brings out the sweetness and intensifies that fruity taste. I stuffed with hamburger, mexican rice, parsley, cilantro, onion and lemon zest.