Mozzarella, Tomato and Strawberry Salad

This was so delicious!  I had strawberries from the farmer's market and wanted to do something different with them and this was the perfect solution.  I added balsamic vinegar because it goes so well with strawberries.

Spinach and Bacon Quiche

Finally made a dish from this month's menu.  It was delicious, but I used a pre-made crust which was not very good, and used a larger size tart pan which made the quiche too flat.  Flavors were great though.  Next time I will try the mushroom one, although I know Ben will pick out the mushrooms.  He would probably eat a bacon and cheese quiche.

Snickerdoodles

Ben and I made the most amazing snickerdoodles that are still fresh after 3 days.  From Cook's Illustrated baking book.

failing!

OK, I've made nothing so far!!  I can't believe how hard it is to find time.  The kids have too many activities.  I really should make the quiche even though it is too late, b/c I have the stuff and I'm sure it's delicious.

Brown sugar brownies

Ben was inspired to cook last night so I let him choose a recipe.  He chose walnut brown sugar squares (sans walnuts) from the Magnolia Cookbook.  I have to say they were a complete disappointment compared to the ones I grew up with.  I have to try to find my mom's old recipe.  Ben liked them though and they were very easy.  The strangest thing was that they smelled exactly like graham crackers and there was no graham flour involved.

I want to make the spinach bacon quiche for this week, but Ben has a track meet so I will probably make it this weekend.

Sugar Crusted French Toast

I made my first recipe from Around My French Table.  I didn't follow the recipe exactly--I just mixed eggs, cream vanilla, and cinnamon, and dipped the kid's stale sandwich bread in it.  The key is sprinkling sugar over the pan before putting the bread in and then doing the same for the other side.  It is magical!  The sugar makes a crunchy golden crust that is delectable.  I now know why the instructions say to wipe the pan afer each piece of  bread--the sugar that stays in the pan burns quickly.  I am now soaking my pan, but it was worth it.  This is the only french toast I'll be making in the future.

Not-so french friday

Well so far I've had a bagel and a burrito and I have pizza planned for dinner.  Not very francais!  I think I'll make french toast tomorrow, does that count?  Maybe tomorrow night I'll do Dorie's short ribs.  I'm sure they will be delicious and it's supposed to be cold this weekend.

Missed the pepper steak

I've already blown it by missing my first week.  Supposed to make pepper steak, but I think my recipe is better and we were too busy last week.  This week is tortone du chevre which I thought was cheesecake, but really looks like a savory goat cheese cake.  Not too sure who would eat this and I'll be at the track meet until 8 Thursday, so probably not going to happen.  I'm much more inclined to make something from April's menu like the garlic crumb coated broccoli.

Pebble Beach

Amazing weekend at the Pebble Beach Food and Wine event.  Tasted wine from the best wineries and had delectable food from amazing chefs.