Cooking Up a Storm

You may have noticed that I've been really into cooking & baking lately. My constant visits to gorgeous food blogs on the net has awakened the long-dormant Martha Stewart/Ina Garten in me. And getting recipes and knowing that they look good & actually taste good makes it so much easier.

Just recently, I've edited my blog to include updates on some food blogs that I actually follow: smittenkitchen, pioneerwoman (I heart!), our very own pinoycook.net and simplyrecipes (have to add some more). Locally, I am inspired by blogs of scrappers (or relations) who also indulge in their culinary passion among them Tnapay, Sheryl Martinez (hubby's a fantastic chef/foodie), Lee Imao's food critique blog, among others.

And I got even more excited when I got this baby just this January 2009.

No, it's not a 5-digit Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer though it certainly looks like one. It's a Protech Meat Processor (well, don't ask me.....that's what it said on their mailer!) which I bought from Makro Cubao. The demo unit displayed right at the entrance immediately beckoned to me as I walked in to do my regular shopping.

"Buy me! Buy me! Haven't you been wanting to have me or something like me ever since?" "

"Bet you're expensive!"

"I'm only P3,999!"

I looked at the price and said to myself, "Hhmmmm.... P3,999 for a Kitchen Aid is not bad at all." (I didn't know yet what it actually was )

"Whoa!" That's when I did a double-take! How can a KA be so cheap!

Flashback: I HAVE been wishing to have one of these ever since. Years ago, I remember it selling for about P15k at Price Smart (now S&R). Well yes it was cheaper than the going price then at Rustan's but still much too steep for me. Besides, DH said that it was a refurbished unit, whatever that meant. Anyway, I still had my trusty hand mixer (but makes me pasmado after baking...lol!)

Mind you it wasn't an easy decision for me. What if it breaks down after a few days? What if it just looks like a KA but doesn't perform like one? Oh, but it's just too good a deal to let go so I interviewed the merchandiser and asked for a demo of a unit. He took out the bowl , the paddle, the dough hook, the wire whip... oh dear, they look exactly like a KA! A bonus is the meat grinder attachment with 2 blades. Am I dreaming?

Ok, after 10 minutes it was riding on my cart and I was walked around with a silly grin on my face as I hurried to finish my shopping.

So today I baked Crispy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies by Smitten Kitchen and Ina Garten's Chocolate which I saw from Tnapay's blog.

The cookies turned out into giants because I was in hurry to put the dough on the pan. I used an ice cream scooper which makes it so much easier. Verdict: It is (!) crispy outside & chewy inside. Just make sure to add more chocolate chips if making giant ones. Definitely a keeper. Meanwhile, Ina Garten 's chocolate recipe is also a keeper. It's easy to follow and delicious. Just not so hot about the chocolate frosting. Maybe I'll use my old one.

Of course, DS was kind enough to "clean" the bowl & spatula for me.And for dinner, we had Pasta Puttanesca
and Chicken Pot Pie. Try this recipe I got from Smitten Kitchen! It is absolutely easy to make and really, really yummy!

I usually psych and prepare myself a few days before by looking for recipes and checking if I have the ingredients at hand. I just make one final trip to the grocery before the chosen cooking day. Hmmmm... I 'm really enjoying myself. And my family, too! Uh-oh, just a bit scared about the waist-line.

Oh well, I'm hanging up my apron for now . Now off to see what I can whip up next....