My Life... An Update

Good morning... And an apology.


I am alive, happy and well.  When last we blogged, I was ankle deep in the 17 day diet, and all went well.  Lost a whopping 22 pounds.  After being off it, I stabilized at 18 pounds down.  Enough to get into the jeans that make my butt look good, so I am happy.  I am back to my own lifestyle diet, more natural foods, nothing with ingredients I can't pronounce, little if any processed foods and real ingredients (butter and heavy cream). As diets go, I can not be happier with the 17 day diet.  All realistic goals were achieved.  As a lifestyle, nothing was really changed, and we will see where I am at in a year.


But that ended a couple weeks ago.  Since then, despite my absence from blogging, I have indeed been cooking up a storm.  Plenty of pizzas, veggies and ...


Even a few fun things...

Like these Frozen Bananas, dipped in chocolate and rolled in peanuts AND BACON (the ELVIS).


But that's a post for another day.


More cooking news from the Cul de Sac... If you read the posts on the diet, you remember I was dieting to attend "the wedding of the century" (to us anyway).  The wedding is this Saturday.  Well, it has become more than just a chance to enjoy family and friends.  I have been asked to help the father of the groom with the rehearsal dinner.  We settled on a menu, and it looks like all my favorites...


Pulled Pork with a Cajun spice rub and Raspberry Chipotle mop and finishing sauce


and... 
All my favorite side dishes...


Side Dishes for a Pulled Pork Meal - Killer Smoker Beans - Blue Cheese Potato Salad and Firecracker Cole Slaw







Cousin David (I'm Cousin Dave, he's Cousin David) is in charge of plenty of other items (Salmon, Turkey and more).  But, it was sure an honor to be asked to help out.  67 people are confirmed for the dinner, but I always make plenty... You're invited if you can find us!


And an update on Books...


My favorite Mystery Writer's site, The Mystery Lover's Kitchen, had a VERY big day yesterday...


3 of the author's that contribute to the site had books released yesterday.  Culinary adventures centered around ice cream, Victorian grand homes and BBQ in Memphis.  Sounds like my summer reading is set.  I got my care package from Amazon.com...

But before I move on to new reading, I need to follow-up on the last book I read from the 6 merry murderesses...


Avery Aamees "Lost and Fondue" came out last month.  Avery was nice enough to send me an advance look at one of the recipes in the book.  I already posted her ...


Garlic and Blue Cheese Fondue


And it was indeed fabulous!  Last "real" food I made before the diet, so the taste lingered for nearly 3 weeks.  Finished the book, and it was (as expected) terrific!  It is very accessable, even if you have not read over the first in the series, but it was fun to revisit old friends.  To live vicariously through the life of someone living their culinary dreams (author and cheese shop owner).  And not to give too much away, there was even a nasty ex-wife that I took particular delight in reading.


So, as always, I highly recommend not only the Mystery Lover's Kitchen site, but also the books they offer. It's called summer reading for a reason.  So plan your summer reading with something you find interesting with the culinary fun they offer.

Besides a fun read, the books also feature recipes.  The ladies from the site are happy to let me post a recipe from their books as a type of advertising.  I do not want to step on their graciousness (or copy right infringement) by posting more than one recipe from each book, but I do want to tell you about a second recipe from "Lost and Fondue"...

I made Avery's recipe for VIDALIA ONION and BACON QUICHE!  Not only was it fantastic, but there was even a surprise ingredient (to me).  there was a little pinch of a spice that really set this apart.  And made my kitchen smell amazing while I was cooking.


Not gonna give anymore away.  If you want to see the recipe... BUY THE BOOK.  Or, if you want to visit the MLK site, you can find the quiche recipe cooked there (full recipe and commentary can be found there).


Click HERE for that post.  I sprinkled my 1/2 tsp of secret ingredient on the top, which is why my quiche came out a bit darker (and more masculine butch looking) than Cleo's version (again, have to go see here take on the recipe).  But the eggy custard center was absolutely delicious.


OK, I promise... back to more regularly posting.


Riley, Julie and Wendy... Your reviews and recipes are coming.


And for fun, visit... here.  Progress is being made!




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