Okay, I kid, the truth is that I do try to cook a lot but it doesn't mean that it's any good. Last week, I attempted to make this beautiful sounding Thai curry chicken soup. It started off very hopeful - the broth was slightly sour and spicy, the chicken was just perfectly seasoned. I was ready to put this recipe on the short list of dishes that I've mastered until the time came to put the rice noodles in. To give me some credit, I personally don't think it was all my fault. My close friend (as we obviously know each other well, since I do have two of his cookbooks) Chef Michael Smith didn't specify what type of rice noodles he wanted and when I guess-timated on the actual amount, all the noodle soaked up the broth and I ended up having soggy Pad Thai instead of soup for dinner.
Hmm, I'm starting to sound a bit whiney. Let me assure you, that's only one part of who I am. Maybe I should tell you a lttle bit about myself. I'm a new wife (5 months on January 6th!!), an elementary school teacher (but that's irrelevant, especially right now that I'm on Christmas break) and a foodie. Or a wannabe foodie, I'm not sure. What would you call a person who watches The Food Network almost exclusively, has a collection of over 50 cookbooks, talks incessantly about food, eating and restaurants, yet doesn't really know how to cook well? Sure, my husband says he likes everything I cook, but if he really liked it so much, would it take him two and a half hours to finish one plate of food and wouldn't he at least try not to fall asleep in between mouthfuls? At least this lifestyle keeps him lean but it'd be nice if he found pleasure in food almost as much as I do.
So here is my challenge: I, Jen G, is on a quest to become a better cook. You know, like Alex Guarnaschelli on Iron Chef Super Chefs, where she cooks so intricately and thoughtfully but at the same time is so humble about her talent. Just like Alex, I too will be humble about my forecoming talent. I will cook, actually use my 50+ cookbooks and follow the tricks and techniques that I learn on The Food Network, and one day, Jordan and my sister (who is a wannabe foodie too but better at it), will try my food and will learn to enjoy it (and not laugh!).
Come follow my mission, as I'm sure that documenting it all is really half the battle.
Here is one little picture of one of my favourite food victories :)
