Food & Love: New Leaf(s) and Neglect

Oh blog! How I've neglected you! And how I love you so. So this is my official apology for leaving you here on your lonesome for so long. I've been going through a lot of changes. And not the awkward adolescent kind, but more the liberating adult kind! Wait... that description sounds weird too. Let me clarify. Since we last spoke, I've returned to my normal job, gotten promoted, moved into my very first all-mine apartment in St. Louis (yippee!), cleared away some much unneeded inconveniences in my life and returned to the arms of someone I missed quite a bit. But enough of that boring gab! Let's get to food!

I've definitely had some slumps in the kitchen arena. It's odd, but since I began cooking (legitimately) I had never really struggled too much. Most things I baked (because I'm a sweets junkie) turned out fine- as intended. And perhaps I just got a bit too daring, but for a little bit there, most baked goods were ended up as flops. :( But! Things have taking a turn for the better and just in time for the season change. Which I am utterly stoked about. Yes, I know it's still a bit early, but I've seen leaves on the ground gosh darn it so in my mind Autumn is right around the corner. So back to what's new in food. Along with my new, quaint apartment came a kitchen! Did I mention I have it to myself. Well, I do. So far, I've filled it with one fancy schmancy chef's knife. I went with Global, as recommended by Giada. I spent $100 and let me tell you it was just like they say- worth every single penny! I got a chopping block and a grill pan- finally. And the most exciting purchase, was a 12-cup Kitchen Aid food processor which arrived just the other day and has yet to be used. But no worries I will be breaking in that bad boy tomorrow when I do the prep work for Tuesday night- aka Lasagna night! So now that I'm all settled in, here's my commitment to you, blog and/or readers. For every dish I photograph, I will write you a post. Promise. Until the next recipe please enjoy this "slideshow" of the past couple on months my stomach lived. : )