ode to a rarity

dear kitchen,

thank you for opening your arms to me this week, and allowing me in to cook. i know i am a stranger, and you only see me when i have a hankering (or order) to bake, so i appreciate your hospitality.

i really did not enjoy the butternut squash casserole i made monday night, as much as i had hoped. perhaps it was because i used the wrong opening on the garlic powder (the 'pour' side rather than 'sprinkle') and i felt like i could have killed every single cullen and friend in each twilight movie with my dish. perhaps it was because it made much less than i had thought, and i didn't have left overs. or perhaps it was because i forgot the cheese, or i was too impatient to wait for the casserole to finish heating up so i stuck everyone's dish in the microwave to finish. despite all of this, i am glad i cooked, and it was a good, easy warm up and inspiration to keep 'er going.

wednesday was a different story. i thoroughly enjoyed the pasta i made last night. roasting the cherry tomatoes was easy, and fun to watch. also made me feel good to not be using a sugary, processed sauce, but fresh, yummy 'collapsed' tomatoes instead. the quinoa pasta was a great subsitute for aly's gluten allergy, even though the noodles stuck together. they were tasty, and knowing it was healthfully carbing me up for the big race on sunday made it taste even better. i also am AMAZED at the magic bullet (oh, magic bullet, my unsung hero!!) for grating my whole block of parmasean cheese. the whole recipe was easy and fast, and i loved that i was confident to ad lib a little and add my own flavors (roasted red peppers and chicken basil sausage). i also was super stoked i had my own fresh basil plant (planted and grown from seeds by moi) to add in at the last minute.

so kitchen, i write this ode to you, to celebrate your hospitality and love for me. even though i haven't cooked with you in a long, loonnng time, you never fail and my confidence in our relationship comes back, just like riding a bike. i am now inspired to actually COOK for my house guests this weekend, and perhaps even for myself, the following week.

i must confess, however, if our love continues to grow, i will have to continue my love affair with the gym. otherwise i'll get too fat to fit into you, dear kitchen. i hope you can understand.

love,
kj