The yummy addiction of Fried Rice

Okay, so it might not be the healthiest meal, but I feel it comes close.  I have been on a fried rice kick for a few months now, its so fast, easy and exciting-- the mixing of flavors, the creativity of picking and choosing my ingredients.  I love it!

Have you ever made fried rice?  Its easy!

Thank you, Mr. Ruhlman

Dear Mr. Ruhlman,
I didn't think it was possible.  Onions, a tab of butter, salt, pepper, and water.  Oh, and stale bread and cheese.  A bunch of kitchen staples that melded together to create the absolute best rainy day dinner I have ever had.  Yesterday, I made your French Onion Soup.  I cooked the onions for about 5 hours, until they were brown and deliciously caramelized with wonderful cooked bits on the bottom of the stockpot.

I wish I had a picture of my masterpiece, but BD and I ate it too quickly last night for dinner.  It was the best french onion soup I ever had.  BD actually blended his with a immersion blender, because he doesn't like the texture of the onions, but I loved it.  We both ate it up and wished I made more.

This morning, my tummy is tellling me different, but that's because I indulged.  And, for the calorie counters-- its seriously low in calories (with the exception of the bread and cheese) but amazingly filling and full of flavor.  I can't believe we didn't add anything but water to the onions (and salt and pepper).

Thank you, Michael Ruhlman.  Thank you for introducing me to the wonderful world of simplistic cooking.  There is a special art to this wonderful comfort food, anyone can do it...I just wish I had a picture to show everyone.  I ate too quickly!


For those who don't know Ruhlman, please visit his website:  www.ruhlman.com.  He is frequently seen alongside Anthony Bourdain on his many different incantations of his show.  He also authors many amazing cookbooks, including my boyfriend's (BD) favorite:

Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking and Curing by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn

Michael Ruhlman on Amazon

Recipe: Chicken and Mushrooms - Easier than you think!

Let's give credit where credits due:  I saw this page in the February Good Housekeeping and couldn't resist trying it for (of all nights) Valentine's Day Dinner with BD.  Thank you Good Housekeeping!! AMAZINGLY GOOD!!  FRENCH RESTAURANT GOOD!!

February 2014 Good Housekeeping

I saw this recipe for Herbed Skillet Chicken and thought of it as a suggestion or outline, a basic skeleton of a recipe that can easily be tweeked by the comfortable cook.  Here is what I came up with!

Look at all that yummy sauce and beautifully roasted skin!

Homemade Tomato Flatbread Pizza

Making dinner for BD tonight, French bread and garlic shrimp pasta.  I took a bit of the bread dough and decided to make an appetizer with some garlic, olive oil, and heirloom tomatoes.  Voila!