Culinary Therapy

What's a lady to do when she's singing the blues? Some drink, some actually do sing others may go see their therapists. Me? This mujer goes to the store, buys tasty ingredients and cooks.

There is something incredibly soothing about the various steps that go into preparing a meal. I find a certain zen meditative state when I'm chopping vegetables, preparing my pots and pans, activities that I have performed countless times that feel as comfortable and familiar as my own skin. At the same time it's also a very sensual experience. Each step in the process invokes my senses: the myriad shades of green and cream on the inside of a brussels sprout, the scent of shallots frying in butter, the sizzle of the fish as I slide it into the pan. And we cannot forget the reward of the taste of food freshly prepared by one's own hands. I cannot draw, paint or even take an inspired photograph but I can create delicious works of art with my hands that fill the palate with layers of flavors like the paint on a canvas.

So what was on my menu tonight? Tilapia in a white wine/lemon/butter sauce and roasted balsamic brussels sprouts. For dessert I cheated and bought a mini apple pie from Whole Foods. And oh yes, dear reader, it was all quite sabroso.

I will take my kitchen over Freud any day.

Is anything prettier?

Freshly made Pico De Gallo, originally uploaded by postmod_sexgeek.

Just made this right now to go with dinner and I really don't think there are many things prettier than the red, white and green combo of classic tomato salsas, esp when one makes pico de gallo. I will be using this in the tacos I am making from the left over pork chop I had sitting in the fridge. OM NOM NOM!

On Food Pr0n and Lady Pr0n

Almost afternoon, whatever.

As is my usual habit when I wake, I checked my phone for new email and was amused to find that Tastespotting had "followed" me back on Twitter ( I added them last night in a fit of food pr0n desire). For the uninitiated, Tastespotting is leading purveyor of glossy, sexy, inspiring, mouth watering foor pr0n. Each gorgeous photo of lusty dishes, playful cupcakes and juicy tarts links back to the recipe so that we average Joes and Janes can try our hands at creating our very own yummy centerfold spreads of food. Do not click that second link if you're hungry. Just sayin'.

Now for those of you who like porn of a more...human flavor, I just read on Vi's blog that Hegre now has iHegre available for the iPhone. Now personally, I am not particularly inspired by the Hegre lovelies because they're just too skinny and conventional for me but they are quite lovely in their own way and I know more than a few of you will like their looks. And yes, those links are very NSFW so don't click if you're not alone or around porn friendly types.

And that does it for me for now. I need to go get dressed and get some things accomplished around the house before it snowballs out of control...

Sexgeek eats

Mondays are always painful for me. Well almost always but this is especially true if I have imbibed a bit too much on Sunday and end up with a bit of a hangover and tons of things to do that day. When that happens, dinner is best when it is low fuss and very simple but also very comforting and satisfying. Tonight's menu? I am trying out a new recipe that is apparently an old Roman dish, Pasta Cacio e Pepe. In other words, pasta with romano and black pepper. Molto semplice, sì?

The recipe is so easy as to be laughable and yet sounds incredibly delish. Cook some pasta and then drain, reserving some of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot and toss it with pecorino, butter, pepper and the pasta water. Voila! Dinner is served. Doesn't get much easier, does it? This is a perfect Monday night meal for when you have no desire to fiddle and fuss with anything more complex. I'll let you know how it turns out. ;)