My Love Affair with Nigel Slater ...

It all started when I got a copy of Nigel Slater's memoir called Toast out of my little public library. I curled up with tea, toast, and Nigel's memories. You've gotta love a kid that truly appreciates food and the making of food, and the sublime sensory imprints that certain foods put on the brain and the heart. I was immediately smitten with Nigel and left that book happy for him when he made the move away from his 'oh so English, stuffy, backwater home' and out into the world.

Then, the movie adaptation came out and of course, I viewed it. And guffawed at Helena Bonham Carter's sassy ass sashaying around the house and bending over that oven door. A sweet adaptation that hit all the highlights, but the book was better and that's all I'll say on THAT.

And yes, on further investigation, I learned that Nigel Slater turned out 'just fine'. Take the boy out of a stiff and stifled family life, let him spread his wings...  and it's amazing the wonderful things he can accomplish! God, if Nigel Slater EVER reads this post, I hope he doesn't take offense at my overly frank impression of his early life. That being said, he has gone on to much better and more fulfilling things than trying to outdo his father's second wife in the kitchen.

Anyway...

Everybody's Doin' It ... the 2013 Foodie Round-Up

New Year's Day is for looking back, even as one looks forward. I've been seeing so many bloggers looking back on their 2013 blogging year to choose their finest, tastiest, most amazing foodie pride moments. I wasn't going to do that and then I got thinking ... I've made some amazingly good dishes this past year and I have not returned to remake many of them because  I was too busy moving on to the next good thing. I have decided to go back and choose one of the recipes from each month of the year and make it again. Sometime during the next couple months or whenever I can get the ingredients (should 'seasonal ingredients' be a huge issue), the following meals will be repeated.

And to keep me honest ... here's the list ... pictures, links and a few words of comment for posterity's sake. Think of it as my list of  Foodie New Year's Resolutions. So here we go ...

January 2013 

King Ranch Casserole

... Note to Self: make half the recipe ! ...

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February 2013

Stohrer's Cake aux Olives et Jambon

... savory quick bread at its finest ...

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March 2013

Spring Greens Salad with New Hampshire Maple Syrup Mustard Vinaigrette





... fresh greens when you REALLY appreciate them ...
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April 2013
Sun-Dried Tomato and Garlic Hummus





... guilt-free snacking ... anyone have a good gluten-free bread stick recipe? ...
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May 2013
Simon Hopkinson's Lemon Surprise Pudding





... Note to Self: must research this guy even more ! ...
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June 2013
Strawberry Shortcakes





.... well, HERE'S a no-brainer!  Bring 'em on! ...
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July 2013
Pan-Seared Lemon Pepper Swordfish with Orecchiette and Peas





.... perfect seafood sear with melt in your mouth pasta ...
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August 2013
Stuffed Portabellas with Melting Fontina (or Tallegio)





... small bite bliss ...
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September 2013
Viennese Potatoes





... a perfect potato side dish ...
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October 2013
Gluten-Free Chai-Spiced Cheesecake with Spiced Apples





... gorgeous use of apples and spices !!! ...
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November 2013
Pizza with Tomatoes, Olives, Capers, and Rosemary





... who knew capers on pizza could be so darn good ?!? ...
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December 2013
Prawn, Chili, and Coriander Pasta





...Note to Self: investigate the gluten-free corn pasta suggestion that Kim made ... thanks, Kim! ...
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So, there you have it ... some of the best of what I made this past year. Looking at the list, I see a few dishes that are loaded with glutens ... and glutens have been bothering me of late. Hence, I will try to get some gluten-free options into the pantry so I can make them again. If I can't, I won't lie, I'll splurge and make the 'real deal' recipe. Life's too short to pass up some of these dishes.

Happy New Year, dear readers! Have a tasty year, but don't forget the good stuff in the archives!