Recipes for Cook

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Saturday, May 3, 2014

FWYI Links You Should Care About

Because Im trying to ensure repeat business here on my blog, Im coming up with all kinds of hair-brained schemes to manipulate yall to coming back here with what are commonly referred to in the blogosphere as "regular installments".

I kicked the first installment "How I Would Wear It" (HIWWI for short) off a few weeks ago to deafening applause. In yet another stroke of brilliance (and because I just cant get enough of blogs, I tell ya...I finally can empathize with Courtney Loves heroin addiction), Ive decided every other Tuesday henceforth shall be "FWYI" days.

"Melissa, shouldnt that be F.Y.I.?" you may be asking yourself. To which I say "Ha. HahahahahahahahHAHAHAHA HA!"

No. No, it shouldnt. Any "Workaholics" fans in the house? If you dont know what Im referring to, check out the second video in my newly updated "About" section. Should clear things up a scoach.

Anydiddle, here are some links to things Ive found entertaining and "FWYI"-worthy:

Im sorry, what was that? I couldnt hear you over your temporary LIP TATTOO! - Fashion by He

Screw this "Whole 30" diet...I want this butterfinger cupcake and I want it NOW!!! - Gingerbread Bagels

Since were on the topic of things-Im-not-allowed-to-eat, I would seriously considering killing a man to have a piece of this Mexican Cheesecake. But like, hed have to be a mean man that doesnt like cats or small children or something. - Taylor Made

After that cupcake, you may wanna cover up your fat with an adorable one-piece. Good thing Rockstar Diaries is giving one away! - Rockstar Diaries

Is anyone else seriously considering trying the temporary lip tattoo, btw??? No...?? Just me? Typical.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Almond Arugula Pesto – About as Subtle as a Shovel to the Face

This short, but very green video recipe for an almond arugula pesto, shows you one of my favorite uses for the ubiquitous bitter green. I like an arugula salad as much as the next guy, but its also nice to use the peppery green as something more than a lettuce.

Arugula is also quite a beautiful herb. Fragrant, spicy, crisp; it makes one hell of a good pesto. I paired it with raw almonds for a combo that was just amazing on the grilled hanger steak you can see here. Subtle its not, but thats okay sometimes.

I know the conventional wisdom with most sauces is that they should compliment the main ingredient, not overpower it. Here, that simply does not apply. Not only does this sauce overpower whatever you serve it with, it obliterates it completely. But, it works!

Ive posted the ingredients below, but I beg you not to measure as you make this sauce. This is one recipe that should come out slightly different every time you make it. If that seems like a strange statement, you may be missing one of the most important aspects of cooking – the rewards of randomness.

As you make this pesto, your subconscious will take over, and any variations in the final product will magically benefit whatever your eating this with. Of course, like most of my best theories, I cant prove this.

As I mention in the video, when shopping for the arugula, try and get some fully-grown leaves. That mild, ultra-baby stuff make a nice safe salad, but for a sauce like this you want the dangerous, fully developed flavor of the more mature leave. I hope you give this easy recipe a try. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
Large handful of arugula leaves, blanched
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup raw almonds
4 cloves garlic
salt to taste