Culinary Crafts

Hands-down one of my favorite Utah catering companies (and arguably the best in the state - just ask Utah's Best of State), Culinary Crafts expertly weaves mouth-watering cuisine and artistic presentations that provide clients with not only food but an entire, exhilarating experience. Well, good news! Mary Crafts, one of the founders of Culinary Crafts is sharing her food genius with the rest of us! The Culinary Crafts blog features their monthly recipes and I'm dying to try this divine caramelized onion vinaigrette recipe. Check it out!

i quit.

My mom makes the most amazing homemade split pea soup. Naturally I should have known mine would turn out nothing like hers.

How did my husband put it? "Looks like baby crap in a really bad diaper blow out," which was accompanied by retching sounds and a finger down his throat. Rude, right? So I punched him in the face. Ok, I'm kidding...I don't condone spousal abuse...usually. At least when I actually agree with him:

Shut it peanut gallery. My cooking confidence is far too fragile.

new england clam chowder.

The Constituents:

• 2 (6 ounce) can minced clams
• 4 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 carrot, grated
• 2 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 (12 fluid ounce) cans evaporated milk

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, drain the clams and reserve the juice. Add water to the juice as needed to total 1 3/4 cups liquid. Cover the clams and put in refrigerator for later.
2. In a slow cooker combine the bacon, potatoes, onion, carrot, soup, ground black pepper, evaporated milk and reserved clam juice with water. Cover and cook on low setting for 9 to 11 hours OR on high setting for 4 to 5 hours. Add the clams and cook on high setting for another hour.

Verdict:
I was a little skeptical using clams from a can (how raunchy does that sound?), but it turned out absolutely fabulous...we're talking some serious competition for Legal Sea Foods. When cooking (especially on high), make sure you stir it once awhile to avoid burning.

i confess.

Lame...has it really been a month since I posted? My sincere apology, reader. This time I'm not crying wolf. I will continue my quest to become a domestic goddess. In fact, I've got quite a repertoire of recipes to try out this week:

• Clam Chowder
• Chili
• Taco Chicken
• Chicken Tortilla Soup

Stay tuned!

truth be told.

I hate cooking. I mean, I really really do not enjoy it. Not to be confused with my absolute amorosity for food - I love food...I just hate cooking it. Hence my reasoning for starting this blog, to provide a foundation of sorts where I could learn and explore the basics of cooking and the ways of the kitchen. And to get advice and suggestions from readers...once I can actually garner a few (if you are the one person reading this...thank you). So bear with me...it's bound to be an interesting, hilarious, admittedly sometimes boring and most certainly embarrassing cultivation.

oh my barf.

"Wrong on so many levels." Introducing the Bacon Krispy Kreme Burger. Can you say instant coronary?

food & love.

...the two new greatest joys of my life. I may be a novice at one, but rest assured, I am a master at the other. my hubby will be thrilled to know i've been cookin' up (pun intended) an array of brilliant ideas on how to seamlessly meld the two together. And since sharing, caring, and altruism are just a part of who I am, you now can be privy to my genius notions.

1. As I'm wont to do, cook for your hubby in nothin' but some fancy knickers (or less, if you're feeling a little adventurous...but no pressure, start slow). Now, if you have children or are prone to frequent, uninvited and obnoxious guests, I would advise you to be wise in selecting the right time for such a world rockin' display. This is one reason we will not be having kiddies for awhile...talk about a damper on things!
2. Did you know strawberries, bananas, and chocolates are aphrodisiacs? On a not-so-romantic and rather disgusting note, so are oysters, figs, and caviar...in case you're a fan.
   
3. They say champagne is the "drink of love"...but trust me, if you're in the mood Martinelli's works just fabulously. Add in a few giggles and stumbles and it's just like the real thing.
   
4. Without disclosing anything too precarious that could conjure up unwarranted mental images, avoid honey - it crystallizes. Enough said.
   
5. Food coma = not sexy! If you're planning on having a crazy, wild night reminiscent of your honeymoon (albiet with some subsequent acquired skill), avoid eating anything fatty, greasy, heavy, or from a fast-food diarrahea drive-thru.
6. (My apologies...now I have you thinking about rather unpleasant bowel movements, don't I?)
7. I once heard of a couple cooking a romantic meal together in their fireplace. Personally, I struggle with simply an open flame on the stove...a fireplace may be hazardous to far more than just our love life. But to each his own!
   
8. Seductively feed each other - but be forewarned...laughing out loud may foster feelings of inadequacy and foolishness in your man.
9. You may think that food shaped in cute hearts may provoke feelings of romance, lust, and passion in your hubby but let's be honest...it all tastes the same to him, so refer to surefire #1.