I am not a chef, I am not a baker, in fact, I can’t even convert ounces to cups without the help of Google. But I like to try. I like to check out recipes, drool over how delicious the pictures look, but always manage to get bummed out when my concoction just doesn’t look like the picture.
Most of my cooking adventures fail. Events have resulted in inside jokes such as “the puddle cake” and “melted balls.”
I watch the Food Network and buy cook books, but nothing seems to help. I’ve mastered two meals – crock pot lasagna and potato leek soup. SOMETIMES my cookies turn out OK, but then again, it never fails that I burn one tray.What does it take, practice? Some lessons? I’m not sure, but what I do know is that I have no natural talent. I’ve babysat for very cuisine-talented families, including the Mineo kids and Miss Laurie’s kids. I’ve eaten some GREAT home-cooked meals, but looks like none of their talents rubbed off. Hell, I cooked those kids mac n cheese or pizza for dinner. Nothing gourmet, and certainly not what they were used to from their parents. I still find Kraft and a Tombstone vital labels in the kitchen.
This weekend, my BFF Jackie and I took part in our latest cooking adventure to break in my new kitchen. This recipe Jackie actually located on Pintrest, but came from The Apron Gal.
Here is a quick peek into our SUCCESSFUL baking quest: Baked S’mores -- get the recipe there
We started by mixing all the ingredients together in a bowl to make the crusts. We had to double the recipe, because as per usual, I was not prepared, and did not have the proper sized tray.
Once the dough was made, we placed it in the bottom of the tray and rolled it out pretty thin.
Then we added layer one: CHOCOLATE!
Then we added layer one: CHOCOLATE!
Layer two: FLUFF!
And then Jackie carefully put the top dough layer on... which ended up being way messier than the first dough layer
Here is the sweet, sweet dessert - baking away, getting ewwey and gooey
After 30 minutes, and once it was "golden brown" we took it out of the oven. Waiting 15 minutes or so was tough - I wanted to dig in right away!
Here is the final product. Beyond delicious, and tastes just like a camp fire s'more. I would certainly recommend serving them warm, and the next day, just heat it up in the microwave for a few seconds.Basically, I need help. Our picture does not look like the one from The Apron Gal. But I bet it tasted just as damn good! I would love to take some cooking classes and learn a little more about making quality meals for two. Any suggestions?
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Kayte, as your friend of many years I may be able to help you. Not to toot my own horn but I am a damn good home cook. Ask Kristen and Jeff they will tell you. If You want to learn homey cooking/baking I am your girl! But if you want to learn something fancy or a little more technical, Jimmy, my boyfriend of five years happens to me a ridiculously talented trained chef who would love to teach/impress you anytime. I too cannot convert ounces/grams too cups without Google and I often find myself looking through his cookbooks for a few minutes before tossing the delicious pages aside. Jimmy says all you need is a scale...and all I hear is tedious steps I don't feel like doing. -Andrea
ReplyDeleteAndre - when you move back from Florida, i would like to schedule a cooking date with you! xoxox
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