back in action

Summer's almost over!! I never thought I would be excited to say that.. but I can't wait for things to get busy and normal again. I'm going to come back and read this in a few months and laugh at my stupidity, but whatever. This summer has been full of crap on top of crap, so I'm not sorry to see it go. Not that there haven't been good times, but it seems like there have been an abundance of bad ones. But, at least I'm starting this school year with a good attitude.

For you people bored with my philosophical ramblings, there's light at the end of the tunnel! I have food to write about today! First of all, I have officially made preserves. Which also means that I'm officially an old woman, but that's not so bad, I guess. It was a recipe in my Food Network magazine (which I would highly recommend subscribing to). It's called Plum-Vanilla Preserves, but good luck finding the vanilla beans required for the vanilla part. I ended up just using vanilla extract, because where in Auburn do you even buy vanilla beans?

Now, let me just say that I have no experience or know-how about preserving anything, so bear that in mind. It's mostly just heating things up and stirring, but you have to get the right temperature and consistency.. which I seemed to have. It all seemed to be great, with a good gel consistency, until the last step where I was to add plucots. Then it somehow seemed to go all thin. They were supposed to be sealed in the jar for 24 hours, so I thought that might help. Not really. They still taste good, but more syrupy than jelly-ish. Oh well, here's to trying new things.

Also from my latest Food Network magazine was a recipe for pepper jack stuffed chicken. It was actually the cover recipe, so of course I had to try it.. and it was delicious! And super easy too! All you have to do is mix shredded pepper jack cheese with baby spinach and stuff that into a slit in the chicken breast. Cover the chicken breast with Cajun seasoning and olive oil, and either grill or bake until done. And voila! It was wonderful!

Other than that, I haven't experimented much lately.. I've really been wanting to make a pie, but my roomies aren't here, and I'd feel like a fatty having a pie all to myself. So get ready Meghan and Heather, because it's coming soon! Although that won't go well with my swimsuit diet, I suppose. Not that I'm actually dieting, don't worry people. However, I am single again, so I have to look good, right?

That being said, I have more old lady things to do like laundry and such, so that's it for now!