A birthday lunch to remember

When I created this blog I thought it was the right time since I wasn't too busy. Since my first post thought it has been a different story. I've been busy busy busy. I wanted my first post to be an ode to macaroni and cheese since I love pasta and I love cheese. Mac and cheese is also a firm family favourite. With no time on my hands I found myself making macaroni meals out of a box instead.


This weekend I had to make time regardless of what other things I had to do since it was my boyfriends birthday and I wanted to spoil him with some good food. Mac and cheese wasn't on the menu since its something we have all the time. I initially planned a great 5 course meal that we were going to have with a few friends but I changed my mind cause my bf wanted it to be just us.


I simplified the menu but it still included a lot of food and cooking. I spent the whole day in the kitchen that day (which I enjoyed) which left me feeling tired today. The menu included:


First Course - Toasted French bread (with garlic butter) topped with roasted tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.



Second Course - This course wasn't supposed to be included but because I was wishing for this from the day before I decided to go ahead and make it. It was beef stir fry with egg noodles.




Third Course - Roasted chicken thighs with mashed potato and roasted vegetables. I served this with a red wine sauce (it was my first attempt and I failed miserably). I was supposed to make a herb crusted rack of lamb for this course but couldn't get and out of frustration turned to chicken. Maybe I should mention why I was so frustrated. I went to our local butchery and asked for a rack of lamb and the sales lady insisted of giving me a rack of ribs. I then asked for the butcher who also insisted that it the same thing. I don't know maybe I wasn't asking for it by the correct name.



Fourth Course - Mmmm....dessert course. White chocolate cheesecake served with strawberry coulis and vanilla ice-cream.



All in all it was worth it. I had lots of washing up to do. I always use lots of dishes when I cook big meals. Did I mention that I even made carrot cake. Oh well I enjoyed it but next year we going out for lunch so that I can enjoy eating the meal while somebody else serves me.

Because man cannot live on desserts alone

I love to cook and I love to bake but I especially love cook and bake desserts and pastries. For as long as I can remember I would always cut my meals in half so that I could leave room for dessert. If I had my way I would live solely on desserts but we all know that's not very practical or healthy. The fact is....we need food to live. Many people tend to think that people who love food just love to eat. Loving food is not - at least for me - is not just about eating (or being greedy) food but about the joy and pleasure that comes from being able to create the kind of food that you enjoy from scratch.

The first blog that I created speaks solely about my love and passion for making (and enjoying) great desserts and pastries. I think I love dessert because it's happy food and I love to be happy and make others happy. I mean show me anybody who doesn't get happy when eating their favourite desserts. I get greater pleasure from watching others eat and enjoy the desserts that I create for them.

I was inspired to write this blog when my sister asked me for a recipe for macaroni and cheese. It was at that very moment that I realised that people don't just look to me for desserts but also for great tasting food. I also realised that there are some people who are just more savoury than sweet. Over the next few weeks I will be working on perfecting the dishes that I love and there's no guessing what my first dish will be....you got that right...macaroni and cheese.

Why macaroni and cheese? Everybody in my family loves macaroni and cheese and its always the table during family gatherings. For some reason I find myself giving instructions on how to make this family staple (for my macaroni and cheese of course) to the same people all the time. I mean I will busy at work or relaxing at home and I would get a call, "Diane how do you make macaroni and cheese again?" or "How do you make that white sauce again". Well at least with this blog I never have to take such calls again.