https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/rainycooks/Recently this blog was to chronicle the journey I was taking, entering a cooking competition. That changed, but I wasn't ready to give it up so instead, I decided to mix things up a bit. hourly12000-01-01T12:00+00:00https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/rainycooks/477154The following conversation ensued several days ago while sitting in a hotel room with my eight year old, in Chicago: "Sweetie, why don't we head down to the pool for awhile?" Daughter- "uh, do we have to? I'd like to keep watching the Food Network. Right now we are learning to make a red pepper...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/rainycooks/475439My kitchen had fruit everywhere... Every colander, every bowl... every inch of countertop was covered... But the end result was truly exquisite... What a truly perfect way to spend a few breezy summer days! (*Note* over those three days I canned 14 different fruits, sauces, etc. Since this is a...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/rainycooks/474045Literally... As in Canning. In the morning we will head to the market to pick up a few necessities and then it's to the hot kitchen, jars steaming and ready to go. That's the one bad thing about canning... It's so hot when you do it, and it's a hot task without the long summer days. The best...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/rainycooks/472787I had decided, back in June, that I would devote each month- for the rest of the year- to mastering different versions of one food. I was late, in the month, when I decided to honor The Grilled Cheese. I had, at first, decided July might make a good Macaroni & Cheese month. Untraditional, right?...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/rainycooks/472191On Saturday I presented a feast to my family. There was sun-dried tomato & Asiago chicken over homemade tortellini with grilled aspearagus... For dessert I served a milk chocolate marble cheesecake. On Sunday we hosted a small Wii party, with several dilectable dips, spreads, breads and chips. It...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/rainycooks/470835So, I couldn't allow my Grilled Cheese quest to end at an average, yet golden sandwich. I decided instead to dedicate June of 07 as Grilled Cheese month. Every month I will pick a dish which is, in essence, similar to a blank canvas... I will tweak it out and see what variations will reach...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/rainycooks/469996Two months ago, I injured my arm. Since then, my family has been patiently enduring a few boxed meals, lots of Morning Star Farms-centered dinners and grilling out. Ok, the grilling out was inevitable. Even so, I had promised I would make my husband a chocolate marble cheesecake for Father's Day....https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/rainycooks/469797Isn't it funny how things progress? When I learned that I loved cooking, (or began to love it) i became obsessant about purchasing cookbooks. Some were Duds. Some were truly amazing. I realized which publishers really put out quality cookbook works of art. And with my love for cooking, came a...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/rainycooks/469594I remember that afternoon in the bookstore. The scent of books consuming me as I lovingly caressed their covers. I hadn't planned on buying anything. No. I was there solely for the purpose of c onnection. It was my fingers first, which met the book. It's cover felt like any book, but it was...