EZ Peas-Z: To do's...well, trying to do's

Have you ever set out to check a major "to-do" off the list only to find you are missing a key component to getting said task done? I have been positioning myself to tackle a major project all week. I made sure I had enough food to be able to do leftovers tonight, got my birthday thank-you notes addressed, and kept up with the dishes all day to ensure I could devote 2 hours to this arduous task. What could possibly require this much preparation? Ironing. Ugh. The only thing I hate more than ironing is staring at the laundry basket full of clothes to be ironed in our bedroom. What was the missing piece? A functioning iron. Kind of important and really no way to work around this one. Looks likes am going to have to purchase a new Rowenta here in the next day or so.

Speaking of missing components...despite all of my planning for our meals each week, we often are digging through the cabinets looking for an appropriate substitute for some forgotten ingredient. The great thing about cooking is that it tends to be pretty forgiving. The other great thing about cooking is that we are living in the age of the Internet. Missing buttermilk? Google "buttermilk substitutions" and you will learn that you can actually MAKE it with some milk and lemon juice! Who knew?

While we are on the subject, one thing I DO know that is that allspice does not make an appropriate substitute for nutmeg in any way, shape, or form. Don't even try it, I've done the legwork and it ain't pretty (or tasty). In fact, the best way I can think of to spoil a good muffin is to sub in some allspice for the nutmeg. As a disclaimer, I made this little snafu back when I lived in Boston and was just barely out of college. Fortunately, Flick patiently waited for me to come into my own in the kitchen - I would like to think it is paying off for him!

Exhibit A: Inappropriate Ingredient Substitution

I am continuing forth with my shift to the new recipe site. Here are the five recipes for this week - we are a little heavy on the chicken only because I am working in alphabetical order at this point in order to ensure that I don't miss any of the recipes on my old site! If you are looking for something a little different, hit the "recipes" tab on the menu bar for a list of recipes by type.