If I Could Eat At Other Tables...

I wish I could eat everything in the world right now. I see all of my fellow bloggers creating completely fabulous food and I want to be munching away in their kitchens. I'd love to be pulling up a chair and talking to them about their food and their heritage and what they really love to eat when no one is looking.

If I could eat from my fellow bloggers tables today, here is the meal I would want.

Starter

Perfect Potato Soup from The Pioneer Woman

Main Course

Ravioli Nudi in Tomato Sauce from The Sweets Life

Dessert

Chocolate Speckled Salted Shortbread from Bake or Break

What do you want for dinner?

Whilst I'm Not Cooking #14

No-Bake Coconut Cream Goat Cheese Cheesecake from How Sweet It Is

Believe it or not, I have actually cooked a little bit recently! I may even have a new recipe next week! I think part of the reason I've been so quiet is that I'm doing a lot of repeats. I made another big batch of Fall Corn Chowder, I'm about to make Vegan Pumpkin Bread, I'm just not doing much that is new. I'm so boring. I've been eating out quite a lot, too and am terribly behind on restaurant reviews.

I would tell you I'll do better, but I don't want to lie to you. I don't like telling lies.

Fun food things to tell you:

I found Crumpets at Trader Joes and had a minor excited freak out.

I have no sugar left in my house. None. I used it all. I really need to go to the store.

In the last sentence I originally wrote Shore instead of Store. I think this is partly because I want to be on a beach and partly because I'm reading the weirdest book ever called Kafka on the Shore. It's brilliant but so so odd.

I still don't like celery. I don't even wish I did.

I have 507 unread food posts from other bloggers in my Google Reader. I am so behind.

Here are some awesome things that I want to make someday soon: 

Banana Coconut Bread from The Wednesday Chef

Coconut Cream Goat Cheese Cheesecake from How Sweet It Is

Pesto Stuffed Zucchini from Simply Recipes

Bacon Corn Hash from Smitten Kitchen

Salted Rolo Brownie Cookies from Cookies & Cups

Whilst I'm Not Cooking #13

Blueberry Biscuits from Pinch My Salt

We're making progress here in the Valley. I've got one more surgery tomorrow and then I'm hopefully done with it. I'm going to be really happy when this is all over and I can get back on my regular schedule!

In the meantime I am, again, not cooking. But other people have been and here are some of the delicious things that they made. 


Hummiki from Bittersweet
 
Baked Potatoes with Fava Beans from Vegalicious

Eggs Norwegian from The Pioneer Woman

Blueberry Biscuits from Pinch My Salt (lead photo)

Blackberry Buttermilk Snacking Cake from The Amateur Gourmet

Whilst I'm Not Cooking #12

Chocolate Swirl Buns from Smitten Kitchen

I've been swooning over lots of other peoples blogs for the last little while. There are some really gorgeous recipes knocking around the internet right now. Since I don't have much to say, here's twice the normal inspiration!

The Chocoholic's Dessert Bar from Kevin and Amanda (No recipe, just some awesome Food Porn)

Cold Rice Noodles with Peanut Lime Chicken from Smitten Kitchen

Potato Skins from The Pioneer Woman

Chocolate Swirl Buns from Smitten Kitchen (lead photo)

One-Banana Banana Bread from 80 Breakfasts

Tarragon Corn Chowder from Simply Recipes

Mushroom Pate from Vegalicious

Brownie Bottom Caramel Cheesecake Bars from Cookies and Cups

Ginger Bars from The Sweets Life

Graham Cracker Chocolate Chip Muffins from How Sweet It Is

Whilst I'm Not Cooking #11

Frozen Cherry Souffle from Eatori

I'm broke and it sucks. I have so many awesome recipes that I want to make and things that I want to play around with, but I've recently been kicked in the teeth by fate again and need to turn myself into a little turtle and fix my finances.

I'm also out of other projects right now. No pending voice work. No pending twisting (which is a neat wire wrapping thing I do for a very talented lady. When she gets a website, I'll show you). I have a personal writing project to finish but I just can't seem to get going.

What I really want to do is read. I want to curl up with a new book that immerses me. In the grid at the Circus there is a copy of A Million Little Pieces floating around. I wish it were my copy. I've read the first four pages and I want to read the whole thing. I've been reading a set of books for a while and I'm on the last one, but the whole series really hasn't grabbed me. I want a book to grab me and shake me around until I'm either ecstatic or crying. Or maybe both. Any suggestions?

You should make these if you get the chance. Then tell me how they are.

Dill Pickle Kale Chips from The Copycat Cook
I love the idea of these. In my brain they would be reminiscent of Salt and Vinegar potato chips but about 300 times healthier.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Bread from Bake or Break
This looks so incredibly moist and wonderful.

Frozen Cherry Souffle from Eatori (lead photo)
No cooking is involved in this one. Deceptively delicious, eh?

Carrot Raisin Salad from The Copycat Cook
I love how simple this one looks. I can imagine the flavors bursting on my tongue.

Salt and Pepper Shrimp from Coconut and Lime
Another really delicious and simple looking dish.

Whilst I'm Not Cooking #10

Grilled Fontina and Blackberry Smash Sandwich by How Sweet It Is

Well, the sucky news from today is that, yet again, Great Britain did not win their own tennis tournament. We haven't won since my grandmother was 5 years old. It's extremely disheartening.

I was the crazy person on Pacific Time who got up at 6am to see it. Since my Stunt Guy had to leave to head to the convention he is working out, it seemed like I should suck it up and wake up too. So I watched the tennis, got sad, then went to take a nap with the intention of getting up and making cake. My timer for 20 minutes went off. I switched it on for ten more, then promptly woke up an hour and a half later with less then 20 minutes to get ready and out the door for work. See if you hit your timer when you are sleeping, sometimes you hit the button twice by accident. I switched my timer off when it still read 9:59.

Whoops!

So, since I didn't get to make cake, I thought I would just have to show you a few other things that I didn't make. Here are a few of my recent food blog favorites. 

Grilled Fontina and Blackberry Smash Sandwiches from How Sweet It Is (lead photo)

Blackberry Gin Fizz from Smitten Kitchen

Vegan Mac and Cheese from Vegalicious (The base is carrots, which is such a neat idea!)

Yoghurt Cake from The Actor's Diet

Carrot Cake Bars from Fat Free Vegan

Whilst I'm Not Cooking #9

It's been a week of lots of ups and downs and highs and lows. I managed to spend some time with my Stunt Guy, but it, of course, wasn't enough. I've got some other projects that I'm working on that are taking more time than I thought, so I'm in one of those places where I have so much to do that I find myself not wanting to do anything. I'm going to kick myself in the butt right now and get going.

I've got a nice list of recipes to play with this coming weekend, and a lot of great inspiration from around the blogosphere. Here are some great recent recipes from my fellow food bloggers:

Macaron Cake from Sprinkle Bakes

Oatmeal Sourdough Rolls from The Sweets Life

White Chocolate Raspberry Tart from Have Cake Will Travel

Creamy Lemon Potato Salad from The Pioneer Woman

Ginger Walnut Chocolate Blondies from Joy the Baker

Wow. I guess I'm secretly in a baking mood today.

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What are you baking these days?

Whilst I'm Not Cooking #8

The biggest news this week was the addition of Evelyn to my family. Other than that, I'm still working on recording an Audio Book. I've not yet filled my docket for things to cook this coming weekend. I should have a new Marshall meal posted next week.

Pantry busting is going well, though I need to come up with some pasta dishes that aren't terribly unhealthy. Any ideas?

Did you know that lots of Salted Spoon recipes are on Pinterest? Here is my board for other peoples recipes that I find awesome, just in case you want more recipes from around the web!

Here are some awesome recipes from my Google Reader this week that I hope I'll get to make soon.

Red Potatoes with Olives, Feta and Mint from The Sweets Life

White Bean Gnocchi from Eat Tori

Homemade Cheese Crackers from 101 Cookbooks

Pan Fried Turkey Sage Scotch Eggs from Coconut & Lime

Homemade Asiago Cheese Bagels from How Sweet It Is

The above picture is very simply titled "Iris" and you can purchase it here.

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Whilst I'm Not Cooking #7

It's been a very very crazy week filled with lots of ups and downs for me here in the Valley. My big news is that I got a contract to record an Audio Book, which is extremely exciting and is going to involve a lot of work. I'm really chomping at the bit to get started on it tomorrow! It's a memoir of a woman raised in South Africa.
In hand with that, my website for my voice work launched, and you can check it out here if you are curious:

Redd Horrocks

And also, since everything should come in threes, you can now get directly to this blog by going to:

www.saltedspoon.com

How busy was I this week?!

Since I've got all this extra work to do, I'm wondering if anyone is interested in doing a guest post for me. I'd love to see a couple of your recipes featured here on Salted Spoon. If you're interested, just send me a note using the contact form in the Sidebar to the right!

And now, here is what I've found awesome and inspiring this week:

Brandy Snaps from Lottie + Doof
*Update: I made these! They were really yummy with my Strawberry Fruit Fool. The only note I have on this recipe is that when putting the second batch on an already warm baking pan, they spread significantly more and needed much less time to bake. Might be good to rotate two pans and have one cool all the way while the other is in the over. 

Spicy Butternut Squash Pie from The Copycat Cook

Chocolate Chip Cookies from Everybody Likes Sandwiches

Chive Blossom Vinegar from Food in Jars

Spring Pea Hummus from Simply Recipes

The Photograph above is entitled "Double Cherry" and you can purchase it here

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Whilst I'm Not Cooking #6

Lets see. Whats new? Well, my new roommate moved in. I booked tickets to go visit my Stunt Guy in June. I then put an adorable count down to this on my phone because I'm a giant dork. We've given up on the idea of going to Europe in August, but hopefully we will have a lovely mini-vacation in Florida instead and then go and visit my family in December if money works out.

I've been cooking some on the weekends, which is good! Here are some recipes that I'm probably going to try and make someday. New at the bottom of this post is a link to all the other Whilst I'm Not Cooking posts. Since I'm actually making things from them, I'm updating them with notes and putting a little counter on how many of the recipes I've made. Check them out!


Blue Cheese, Hazelnut and Honey Polenta from Joy the Baker

Warm, Crisp and a Little Melty Croutons from Smitten Kitchen

Mini Donut Muffins from The Sweets Life

Parmesan Cheese Spread from 101 Cookbooks

Strawberry Passionfruit Tart from Desserts for Breakfast

The Photo in this post is entitled "Tabular" and you can buy it here.

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Whilst I'm Not Cooking #5

This week I've finally gotten a handle on things. I'm back in my kitchen and I'm being a happy panda. I've been really enjoying playing around with food this week and I've got new recipes coming your way incredibly soon. Here are a few things that I found in my Google Reader recently that I'm completely inspired by.

Braided Garlic-Herb Bread from The Sweets Life

Sugared Coconut Raspberries and Rhubarb Polenta Cake from Desserts for Breakfast

Fig Gorgonzola and Honey Tartines from Tartelette
*Update. I made this sort of. I couldn't get figs, so instead I used D'Anjou pear. It was a huge hit at my birthday wine and cheese event. I'll definitely make it again!

Everything Bagel Bombs from Amateur Gourmet

Broccolini Salad from 101 Cookbooks

Like the picture? It is entitled Promise and can be found here.

Whilst I'm Not Cooking #4

It's getting pretty warm here in the valley... over 80 degrees on average now. I'm shunning my air conditioner still, but the ceiling fans are starting to see some action.

Tomorrow, my brother, sister-in-law, father, step-mother and baby niece are going to arrive from England, followed by my Stunt Guy on tuesday. I'm incredibly excited and trying very hard to get lots of things done in preparation. My apartment is almost clean and I'm a pound closer to my goal weight. I'm pretty sure it's all going to go haywire over the next week though, not that I care a whole bunch right now!

Healthy Pulled Chicken from Wine & Butter
*Update. I made this! It was really good. The only problem I had with it was that I had real trouble finding little bones. I will take care next time to remove some. It also made a LOT. I actually still have some in my freezer that I plan to use for some kind of burrito type thing. 

Rhubarb, Almond, Plum and Yoghurt Cake from Eat Tori

Carrot Cake Pancakes from Smitten Kitchen

Petite Vanilla Scones from The Pioneer Woman

Orange Vanilla Semolina Cake from What's For Lunch Honey


Hmm. Guess I'm in more of a cake mood than I thought that I was!

By the way, the picture above is an old one from when I used to do photography. Expect more!

Whilst I'm Not Cooking #3

We interrupt this carefully planned week of cooking, giveaway results and other food blogging to bring you a new segment. We're going to call it "Fun With Laproscopic Appendectomies!". Catchy, no?
Way back last Saturday, my awesome Stunt Guy, John, was feeling a bit off in his tummy. On Sunday he upped this to "discomfort", then on Monday he was upping it to "man, this kinda hurts". Coming from him, that was a pretty strong statement. He has a really high threshold for pain. So, I went off to work and he decided he was going to rest up. Then, a couple of hours later I got a fantastically worrisome text that said "Can we afford an ER visit?".
So of course, I dropped everything and went to get him and took him to the ER. Then, around 2am they confirmed what we had been suspecting... appendicitis. He'd have to have an appendectomy really really soon. So, they admitted him to the hospital to yoink the offending vestigial organ.




This is my proof of life picture from after the surgery. Boy, was he ever miserable and hungry. They released him about 27 hours after surgery and I now have him bundled up at home while he eats chicken noodle soup and drinks ginger ale. He was supposed to be moving cross country on Sunday, but we've held that up by a couple of days. Of course, my world is kind of upside down right now too, and the house is a mess, and I think I'll need to order chinese tonight because the pantry is not exactly stocked, but hey, my guy is okay and thats really about all I need right now.

I do have a food picture for you though. Whilst in the hospital, John was actually served this meal of Filet Mignon with Broccoli and Twice Baked Potatoes. The steak itself was pretty good, though the potatoes were crappy. I mostly really dug the fact that they made the plate pretty.



So, here is what I had planned to make this weekend:

Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons from The Sweets Life

Pork Chops in Garlic and Wine from The Pioneer Woman

*Update! I made this and I have to say, it was completely delicious. I highly recommend trying this recipe out!

We were supposed to have dinner with the lovely Mary, but that didn't exactly pan out.

So, give me a couple of days to get my guy on his feet, myself back to work, and a bunch of other stuff done around the house and then I'll be back with recipes and giveaway winners!

Whilst I Am Not Cooking

Still not much time for me in the kitchen, though I did have the fabulous Myles over for brunch. I made a Goat Cheese, Tomato and Spinach Quiche similar to the recipe found here. He made biscuits and Man Hash Browns, which are made just like normal hash browns except that you use Bacon Grease instead of oil or butter and you have to make them in a cast iron skillet. Delicious.

When I have a few minutes in the evening I generally pull out the cookbook that I am currently reading. I read cookbooks like novels, and I keep little post it tabs next to my bed so I can mark recipes that I like. Right now, I'm reading Girl in the Kitchen by Stephanie Izard. I've always been a huge fan of Stephanie's since she became the first woman to win Top Chef, but I have to say I don't love her book yet. I was a good 100 pages in before I marked a single recipe to try. It seems like every blurb about a dish references one of her restaurants... it doesn't tell me about where the food came from. I'm just not feeling the soul. But I'm sticking with it and hopefully I'll see what I'm looking for soon.

If I were in my kitchen, these are the things that I would want to make right now:

Chocolate Orange Pots de Creme from Pioneer Woman

*Update! I did make these, though I left out the Grand Marnier and topped them with white chocolate mousse and then a peppermint whipped cream. This recipe came together remarkably easily, and I hope to tweak it and share my layered version soon.

Greek Lemon Chicken from Everybody Likes Sandwiches

Butter Pecan Shortbread from Bake or Break

Wild Rice Salad with Roasted Vegetable and Lemon-Tahini Dressing from David Lebovitz

*Update. I made this! I really loved it, though I found it a little heavy on the tahini. I'd back that off next time and use a touch more lemon.

Cheezy Jalapeno Pull Bread from Simply Recipes


What are some other recipes that you've seen lately but haven't had time to make?