Roast beef and horseradish cream on focaccia

This book makes me want to take up cooking.

Prawn and lime mayonnaise bruschetta

Combine 2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Toast two slices ciabatta; divide 10g baby rocket leaves, eight cooked small prawns and mayonnaise mixture between both slices.

Ham, tomato and avocado bruschetta

Preheat the oven to moderate. Place halved medium egg tomato, cut-side up, on oven tray in moderate oven for 20 min. Toast two slices of ciabatta; divide a quarter of small avocado, 50g shaved ham and tomato halves between slices. Sprinkle with pepper, if desired.

Roast beef and horseradish cream on focaccia

Split one small focaccia in half horizontally. Spread 2 teaspoons horseradish cream on cut-side of one half of focaccia, then top with 50g sliced roast beef, 1/4 cup thickly sliced chargrilled capsicum; 1/4 trimmed baby rocket leaves and remaining half of focaccia.

A Recipe for Knowledge. PBS/NPR Forum Network-FREE

As I’m transitioning from living in the sorority house to my own apartment, I’ve realized I need to learn to cook.  I’ve rolled up my sleeves and started to delve in, but it hasn’t exactly been pretty (Last Friday was a prime example as I attempted to prepare red potatoes with MOUNDS of red pepper seasoning- which by the way, I don’t suggest). But hey, they always say enjoy the ride…it’s part of the journey.

So as I’m learning to cook, I realized a few things: 

1. When I go to the grocery store to buy ingredients for dinner, I have no clue what to get.
2. I can easily drop $50 on ingredients for one meal when I buy everything the butcher suggests (At this point, I may as well have eaten out).
3. I need a cookbook (But I don’t know which one to buy or where to even begin to search).
4. I’m a quite messy chef…so an apron is a MUST!

So I’ve started with problem #4- the apron. My favorite finds are at Anthropologie.  Cute and practical, yet chic and modern. 

• Apron 1 is a little more whimsical and fun- I especially love the ruffles around the collar.  And the best part is, it’s more modern than the traditional apron your grandmother wears.
• Apron 2 exudes the classic chic vibe, but doesn’t feel overly traditional.  The skirt is a bit unexpected, yet still very clean.  It very much reminds me of the style found in Chapel Hill, and that’s probably why I love it.  For those Southern Belles, I envision an off-white, scripted font monogram (probably single letter) several inches under the neckline.

Still working on #1-3…suggestions are always welcome :)

Good Housekeeping’s Cookie Cookbook 251 by badhesterprynne on Flickr.

Source: amazon.com via Kamran on Pinterest

I think I need this

A Recipe for Knowledge. PBS/NPR Forum Network-FREE 

Cooking Lessons

As I’m transitioning from living in the sorority house to my own apartment, I’ve realized I need to learn to cook.  I’ve rolled up my sleeves and started to delve in, but it hasn’t exactly been pretty (Last Friday was a prime example as I attempted to prepare red potatoes with MOUNDS of red pepper seasoning- which by the way, I don’t suggest). But hey, they always say enjoy the ride…it’s part of the journey.

So as I’m learning to cook, I realized a few things: 

1. When I go to the grocery store to buy ingredients for dinner, I have no clue what to get.
2. I can easily drop $50 on ingredients for one meal when I buy everything the butcher suggests (At this point, I may as well have eaten out).
3. I need a cookbook (But I don’t know which one to buy or where to even begin to search).
4. I’m a quite messy chef…so an apron is a MUST!

So I’ve started with problem #4- the apron. My favorite finds are at Anthropologie.  Cute and practical, yet chic and modern. 

• Apron 1 is a little more whimsical and fun- I especially love the ruffles around the collar.  And the best part is, it’s more modern than the traditional apron your grandmother wears.
• Apron 2 exudes the classic chic vibe, but doesn’t feel overly traditional.  The skirt is a bit unexpected, yet still very clean.  It very much reminds me of the style found in Chapel Hill, and that’s probably why I love it.  For those Southern Belles, I envision an off-white, scripted font monogram (probably single letter) several inches under the neckline.

Still working on #1-3.  In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions for a great cookbook investment?