If you've been hanging out here with me for a while, you know something about me that surprises many, and generates envy in others: I don't cook. Stuart does pretty much all of the cooking around here, with me stepping in on Father's Day, or after a (rare) particularly long day when Stuart needs a break. Really. I don't cook. I bake - all the time, several times a week, but I don't do any cooking. (Well, I do lunch for me & the kiddies, but you know. That's not really cooking. And I have Katie as my sous-chef.)
A little ways back, I borrowed the book A Homemade Life from the library. I had never read the blog Orangette before, but I kept hearing about it on blogs, and thought I'd check it out. I was totally unprepared, both for the huge enjoyment I got from each chapter, and from the insane desire I suddenly felt to cook something. Me? Cook something?
Mais Oui! I cooked a whole meal - All By Myself. And I'm still using the recipes - my personal favourites are the Grotto Eggs (will you be surprised to hear I had never, ever made scrambled eggs before?) and the red cabbage salad. Mmmm. Even better - the whole crew ate the food I made - and liked it! (Especially Liam.)
Oh I love that book - is that the French Yoghurt Cake in the first picture? A firm favourite in our house. I'm glad to hear you found it inspiring too, it really is wonderful. I'm going to Seattle in the autumn so I'm hoping to fit in a trip to Delancey, v exciting!
Posted by: Sarah | August 26, 2009 at 11:46 PM
YES! That book is on my wish list :^) I've been reading her blog for quite awhile, and if I'm not mistaken, she's from Oklahoma, a very funny lady too. Is that the FY cake? I've baked it several times, it's GOOD!
I love your apron too ;^)
Posted by: marianne | August 27, 2009 at 05:32 AM
Very nice!
Posted by: Patty | August 27, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Looks delicious! I didn't learn how to cook for eons myself. I just a week or two ago learned how to fry an egg. Whoo!
Posted by: Carrie K | August 27, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Good job! Cooking is my least favorite responsibility.
Posted by: Tammy | August 28, 2009 at 08:42 AM
I'd say Liam likes it; look at him digging right in there to get the last bits!
Posted by: Julie | August 28, 2009 at 09:03 AM
*Gasp* Really? You don't cook? Funny, no one in my family cooks (mother, grandmother, aunts, sisters etc. ) but I do. Every time my dad is with us he just stares at me while I am cooking and wonders out loud "where I came from"?! Hmmm...maybe we're long lost relatives ;)
I am glad you enjoyed it, cooking that is! Is that a great book? I have been wondering about it.
Posted by: SpiderWomanKnits | August 28, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Oh I am green- with envy of course - not looking at your yummy food! You don't cook - I have a deal that the man of the house will do one meal on a weekend - but his always seems to be takeaway, or something I have made and frozen that he reheats!
Great job Charity - it looks very tasty.
Posted by: Karen | August 30, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Well done Charity. Holly has taken over baking now and after 24 years of it I'm a very happy bunny.
Posted by: angie Cox | August 31, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Looks delicious! Going to have to check out that book...
Posted by: ali | August 31, 2009 at 07:42 PM