…. about cooking. First and foremost, get yourself a good cookbook!  This week I was given a copy of Mark Bittman’s  How to Cook Everything. Much to my surprise, it was as much fun to read as it was to actually prepare recipes.

I discovered that the reason my roast beef was over cooked last week was not because my thermometer is broken, but because I cooked it to  160° instead of 145°. I actually knew this but apparently had a brain fart.I learned about knives: what kind I need and how to keep them sharp. Consequently, I threw out three old useless knives and discovered I have what I need except for a chef’s knife.Now, do I continue with a whetstone or shop for an electric sharpener?

I learned that I will no longer use nonstick cookware, because I have learned to properly use olive oil in my classic copper bottom Revere Ware pans. Not only that, but I like the way they look so much that I am shopping for a new pot rack  in order to show them off. Vain, I know, but what can I say. We are in an extended kitchen remodel  anyway, so now is the right time.

This week’s new recipes include blueberry muffins, chicken Mark Nuggets, vegetable stock (which I used for a tasty chicken and mushroom pilaf and a delicious vegetable beef soup)and some chocolate butter cookies for dessert. Do you want a good laugh? I did not like the way the cookies tasted  so I threw away the rest of the batter after a dozen cookies. The next morning, my daughter said, these are pretty good dad. Oops, guess I still have a lot to learn.

Looking forward to more cooking adventures this week!