We might have gotten the neighbors talking

We have an interesting ritual in this house.  Every Saturday afternoon, at 5 PM, we (me and the peeps) plop down in front of the TV to watch Iron Chef America.  I'm not really sure how this started, except that they like to help me cook, and I'm quite willing to encourage that habit.  Normally, hubby isn't home by then, but as luck would have it, he rolled in at 4:55 last Saturday. 

Now, in case you're never watched an episode, it's two chefs going against each other in a food battle stadium style.  They only have an hour to prepare 5 courses, and by the way, you have to use a secret ingredient in every course that we just unveiled to you 3 seconds ago. 

Now me and the peeps talk about the show during the day.  We try to guess what the secret ingredient is going to be and mimic some of those moves that Mark Dacascos puts on at the beginning of the show.(Who knew you could get a work out watching this show?)

As the show revealed the secret ingredient, the oohs and aahs coming from our living room got any of our neighbors within earshot wondering if we were watching a porno.  We were, sort of...food porn that is.  You see, the secret ingredient was.....

CHEESE!

Oh yes, this house LOVES its cheese.  The secret ingredient was gruyere to be exact.  I immediately began fantasizing about fondue and hubby was alive with anticipation about what gruyere and a strip steak could be doing together.  (Oh, you nasty boy you!)

Oh yes, we're crazy married people with kids in a college town.  Don't worry, we were in bed AND asleep by 9:30.

Spending more time in the kitchen

I realize how strange the title of this blog post sounds. Who wants to spend more time in the kitchen? Actually, I do. I used to do a lot more cooking before my kids were born, but since then, it's a "How fast can I throw something together?" routine. My aunt gave me a subscription to Food Network magazine and I must say that I love it! (The latest issue is in the picture. It's a grilled cheese sandwich with ham, cheese, grilled onions and apple. Yum!) I can't gush enough about their recipes. I would say they are moderate on the complexity, but I love all the new ways to try the "same old foods". I have enjoyed almost every recipe I've made from the magazine and so has my hubby (who doesn't tend to like the "froo-froo" kind of cuisine. *grin* Does anyone have other food and recipe magazines you like?

So along that line, I started my herb garden in pots yesterday. I've only got the basil planted, but the oregano, cilantro, rosemary, and dill are coming. Any other suggestions for herbs? Maybe some mint or tarragon?