Tag Archives: SELF

To Quote the Elton John Song…

After a brief respite, I’m back! I feel much more energized, inspired and yes, have still been cooking away in our kitchen. Let’s start with where I’ve been the past few weeks, and that’s with Mrs. Gwyneth Paltrow. I know she’s been getting a lot of flack due to, I believe almost unconsciously or very naively, flaunting her world of privilege while so many others are just trying to get by. Read for yourself the round up Eater.com made of their favorite quotes from her cookbook – mine is the Japanese monastery line – geez.  But, I tried four of her recipes from Bon Appetit and Self magazines and I have to say, the girl can pull a recipe together. Of course, if I were besties with Chef Mario Batali and Mark Bittman I hope I could craft an amazing recipe too. Alas, I am not so let me share with you the ones I loved. Her recipes are simple, quick, short on ingredients yet still bold and delicious in flavor. Our absolute favorites were the pasta dish and the chopped salad…amazing in every way and they are going on heavy rotation in our casa!

Corn Vichysoisse

Roasted Tomato and Anchovy Oreganta Pasta

Grilled Chicken with Peach BBQ Sauce

My Ivy Chopped Salad

Gwyneth Paltrow's Roasted Tomato and Anchovy Oreganata (Photo by Matt Jones)

Now, for a completely shameless plug (who me?! :) ). The Pie Society has been approved to fund our biggest project of the year via Kickstarter.com. We have been selected as a merchant at the Austin Junior League’s 2011 A Christmas Affair – 30,000 people attending and two of us. Mmmmhmmm, yeah, can you hear my dry heaves? We can make it work but could always use support, even if it’s just spreading the news or sending us virtual hugs. Thanks y’all! Here’s the sassy “trailer” we created to quickly tell our story The Pie Society “Trailer” and to donate you can go here.

Animal

No, not this guy. But you can certainly say that I acted as crazy as him when I dug in to this so super/delicious/amazing Chile-Dusted Pork Chops with Strawberries and Grits recipe featured in SELF magazine from Animal restaurant in Los Angeles.

I would have NEVER put these ingredients together but I’m glad I tried this out. First of all, it was really easy to make and the flavors, oh goodness the flavors, were perfect. I especially like that you feel you are being really indulgent with a whole dish that is 433 calories per serving, especially when two slices of cheese only pizza from a national chain is more than that!

Perfect for a meal on your own or this dish could be a spectacular (and quick) option for a dinner party – however get ready for your guests to start acting like the orange-haired crazy Muppet above!

Chile-Dusted Pork Chops with Strawberries and Grits (Photo from Self.com)