I told you I was working on it! As previously mentioned, one of my 2010 goals is to learn to cook more. I can honestly say and I am embarrassed to admit, I have only mastered 3 meals. Sloppy Joes, Chili and now Scallops.
So last night at 9:30pm Chris and I decide to have a date night and he wanted scallops. The seafood lady wasn't too happy with me when we strolled in the door asking for scallops 30 minutes before closing. I cant help that we are night shifters and decide on dinner at 9:30!
I didn't remember how I made the scallops last time, all I knew is I combined 2 recipes and they turned out awesome. This time I followed an actual recipe and I think I like my made up version better. Now if I could only remember it!
So here I am whipping up a dinner at 11pm, apron and all. Don't mind the scarf, it's been REAL CHILLY here in Florida the past few nights. It's nothing compared to what I grew up in, but after being transplanted in Florida for 9 years you forget what cold feels like. Brrrrrr!
Don't you love my Rachel Ray pans?
So now I am trying to find my next dinner to master. Any ideas? Do I want to master a casserole? Chicken dinner? Something in the crock pot? Ahhh, too many decisions!
I tried. I really did, I promise. I was so excited about them too. I thought about them all last night and I think it's the only festive thing this season I was looking forward to.
Christmas Angel Sugar cookies decorated by yours truly.
Well. It didn't go as planned, at all.
It all started when I saw blogs and FB status updates about baking cookies. Well gosh darn it, it sounded like a great idea! I mean my Grandpa was a baker and owned a bakery, so it should be in my blood, right? HA! I wanted to make a few different shapes but really wanted to make angel cookies to bring to work, since I work the next few nights and I really should contribute to the food everyone will be eating. Easy plan, or so I thought.
I couldn't find a darn angel cookie cutter for the life of me. So I bought a pack of 3 small ones at Target and figured they would work. Then I came home with enough ingredients to make 2 batches. I was so ready! Chris was shocked that I was even in the kitchen to make something that didn't require a microwave. I mean how hard could it be to make a freaking cookie, just follow the darn recipe right?
So I started taking some good photos so I could share my experience with you all like the cooking blogs do. And here's how it went.
So I went shopping, got all my ingredients. Which most of I didn't even have in my pantry. Shhhh
This can't be too hard to follow right? This cook book has NEVER let me down. Until today.
Getting started.
I'm a very messy baker.
Why the heck are they so poofy?
This is after several attempts of rolling sticky dough, baking a few batches that all turned out fluffy, bland and well just plain awful. I made a mess and it really looks like a flour, sprinkle & food coloring tornado came through. 
So needless to say, I am going to work the next few nights empty handed. I did give Chris a good laugh and he tried to stay encouraging and say they tasted great, but he is such a bad liar. Ha!
So if you have any recipes for cookies you swear by that is a guarantee I can't screw them up, please send them my way. I am determined to do my Grandpa proud and make some good sugar cookies.
I am not a cook nor do I try to say I can cook. I have written about this before and said i was going to make an effort this year to try harder to learn new dishes and get better at hanging out in the kitchen.
While the girls cooked, the boys play Wii. At least it keeps them out of the kitchen. It was nice to all be able to get together again with our busy schedules. It's rare that we get to do this. We ended up ending then night by the camp fire outside and it was the perfect night for a fire, it's been SO cold in Florida this week.
