On Reflection and the New Year

As the world welcomes the year 2012, I reflect upon all the ups and downs, moments of joy and sorrow, the personal growth and goals attained over the course of last year. I recall pieces of my life lost and give thanks for new ones discovered. I consider all the new recipes tried and tasted (successful or otherwise) and all the new restaurants experienced. I think about the many changes that have occurred in the past year and know that things are as they should be in the my universe.

In addition to the normal New Years resolutions (eat healthier, get in shape, blah blah blah) I am resolving to cook more at home, document it, and share those adventures with the world of the interweb. To get the year kicked off right, instead of a normal post with one particular recipe, I am planning more of a highlights reel; various food adventures that I intended to post but never got around to. I have had fun cooking with friends and family as well as professionally. I even picked up a few dinner parties to cook for towards the end of last year!

Summer in Seattle brought delicious produce that turned into even better meals. All these glorious fresh tomatoes were used in various salads and sauces

while the perfectly ripe blackberries turned into mojitos and sorbet.

Locally caught spotted prawns were mixed with sweet onion, fresh sweet corn, and avocado for a delicious appetizer to a delightful meal of roasted chicken, wild rice pilaf, and steamed artichoke.

Fresh peppers, cucumbers, and jalepenos were pickled or turned to jam and canned to enjoy later in the season.

Or on burgers.

Birthday breakfasts (and "just because" breakfast feasts) were made and family dinners celebrated.

Eggs Benedict and Huevos Rancheros:

Everyone's favorite pork tenderloin with a red wine sauce over potato and parsnip puree, red wine and black peppercorn poached pears, and chicken cacciatore.

Knowledge from my time in Italy mixed with a splash of boredom resulted in some experimenting while at work. Spicy, nourishing chicken noodle soup with freshly made noodles and potato gnocchi with a prosciutto sage brown butter sauce were the most notable results.

And those dinner parties I mentioned? A perfect time to try some new things like duck breast served with red onion jam, rutabaga puree, and a bitter green, tart cherry, and hazelnut salad or old recipes used in new ways such as pairing pork tenderloin with balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts and spiced sweet potato pancakes. My new assistant in these ventures happens to be a fabulous baker and he created a delicious pumpkin cheese cake with dulce de leche and candied pumpkin seeds for the autumn themed pork dinner.

For Christmas I received a really awesome camera that I am still figuring out but it should help me stay motivated to take pictures of my food to share. This journey through my food life of the past year has inspired me to go make some lunch and hopefully it will have a similar effect on the reader. If anyone has any questions, comments, or desire to know any of these recipes please feel free to add a comment!

And as always, Chop On into 2012!