Happy 2010!
I don't usually make NY's resolutions, but hey 2010 might be the year I do the opposite of everything I used to do. Remember the Seinfeld episode "The Opposite" ?
Indianapolis Amy's 2010 Resolutions
Blog more often: The plan is twice a week. Stay tuned!
Travel: I hope to travel more in 2010- even if it's a day trip and plan to include more trips on Indianapolis Amy.
Cooking: I'd like to try and attempt a few things I've never made, like tapas (my brother, Peter and my sister-in-law, Jennifer gave me a tapas gift basket from Dean and Deluca). And as far as desserts, I'd like to try to make a ricotta cheesecake or a chocolate souffle.
Organization: Over the next few weeks I plan to do a little clean up on the site and organize things a bit.
Personal resolutions:
Worry less: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
What NY's resolutions did you make?
Cooking
I never met a macaroni and cheese dish I didn't like. I'm not loyal to a certain recipe or list of ingredients. It's all good. I was so excited when I read about Macbar- a New York City macaroni and cheese restaurant. Seriously! All different kinds of macaroni and cheese. Amen!
I was looking for a new macaroni and cheese recipe and flipped through Nigella Express and found a mac n' cheese recipe which is more souffle-like.
Macaroni and Cheese (from Nigella Express, by Nigella Lawson)
ingredients
8 oz macaroni
2 cups coarsely chopped mature Cheddar or red Leicester cheese, or a mixture of both
1 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs
grating of fresh nutmeg
1) Preheat the oven to 425 F. Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions, drain, and then put back in the hot pan.
2) While the pasta's cooking, put the cheese, evaporated milk, eggs, and nutmeg in a processor and blitz to mix. Or grate the cheese and mix everything by hand.
3) Pour over the macaroni, stir well, and season to taste.
4) Tip into a 10-inch diameter dish (wide and shallow is best) and bake for about 10-15 minutes or until it is bubbling and blistering on top.
Serves 4
*The above recipe is from Nigella's cookbook-- but I made a couple changes. I used 1 cup Vermont sharp Cheddar (white) from Dakin Farm and 1 cup mild cheddar I had in the fridge. I also decided to skip the nutmeg.
The mac n' cheese turned out well and if you're looking for a different recipe- it's a nice twist and more of a souffle mac n'cheese.
macaroni and cheese
The next mac n' cheese I plan to tackle is the deep fried variety. I tried mac bites (deep fried macaroni and cheese!) a few years ago at The Whistle Stop in the Keys and I loved them.
Afghan food in Indianapolis
Kabob Korner- I have a weakness for Afghan cuisine and adored the food and everything about Indy's Kabul restaurant which closed several years ago. Good news! A few years back Kabul's owner opened Kabob Korner, located right across from Castleton Square. I hadn't been there in a while and definitely plan to go back on a more regular basis. I generally get takeout at Kabob Korner because it is very casual and I think of it more of a takeout place. But on this visit, I sat inside. I always order lamb because Kabob Korner prepares it so well. They know how to season the lamb perfectly and it's always tender. When you go- be sure to ask for a side of green sauce (kind of a chutney) and a side of chili sauce (if you're looking for a bit of a kick).
Here's a sampling:
manto- light dumplings (almost like a pasta) stuffed with ground beef, topped with a tomato sauce and yogurt. These dumplings melt in your mouth.
aush- a brothy soup with ground beef, beans, noodles and seasoned with a mixture of spices, including dill. Hearty and comforting.
lamb with basmati rice (some of the best basmati rice around), pita, and yogurt sauce
My favorite! quabili pallow with lamb- brown rice with carrots, raisins, and tender lamb. I dream about this dish! I love it that much! Such an interesting mix of flavors.
Kabob Korner, 6066 E. 82nd Street, Indianapolis (317) 577-9610.
Happy Birthday to Jenn!
Happy Birthday to my friend, Jenn! Jenn's husband, Jim invited a bunch of us to Pizzology to celebrate Jenn's birthday. All the best for a rockin' year ahead!
Birthday cake from Maggie Moo's
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