Cooking Frenzy!

One of my resolutions from 2012: Learn to cook without using recipes

Check.

I am proud to say, I haven't used a single recipe in the past few months. As I'm sure most of you are aware, I love to cook. Matter of fact---I eat, breathe, and live food. When I travel---my focus is food. When I'm at home---my focus is food. Anywhere and everywhere I go---my focus is food. It's a very bad, unhealthy relationship that I have with food and as grossly consumed I am by it, I love every second of this bad habit. (Is that okay to confess?)

I'm pretty sure Daniel wasn't much of a foodie when I first met him, but he, too, has been suckered into this whirlwind of a love affair that I have with cooking, baking and experimenting. Which is why it is undeniably difficult to 'diet' when it comes to wedding goals. Haha. I just remembered my first date with Daniel at The Crow Bar in Corona Del Mar. We ate bone marrow on our first date. OUR FIRST DATE. Ahh--should've been a huge sign at that point that we were meant to be. :-)

Anyway, I thought I'd post some of my most recent culinary concoctions. I've really tried to make things as healthy as possible, and also learn to at least portion control how much we're eating. (I mean, hey, if I can't kick the habit----might as well learn to do it in moderation!)

Cornish Hen with oranges, honey, rosemary in the crockpot.

Hen stewed and delicious w. a side of mushroom quinoa.

Seared white wine and garlic scallops with truffle polenta and steamed artichoke with a yogurt dipping sauce. 

Homemade roasted bone marrow with shallots and parsley!

Breakfast for two: pumpkin dime pancakes with pave potatoes, turkey bacon and poached eggs.

Persian cuisine night with roasted lamb, a potato basmati rice dish and yogurt cucumber dill sauce. Oh, and a side of steamed leeks with a balsamic vinaigrette.  

Ramen night with chicken broth that had been stewing in the crock pot all day, scallions, peppers, shitaake mushrooms, sprouts, limes, basil and mai fun noodles. 

Hope you all had a wonderful new year and enjoyed our culinary masterpieces. Until next time, au revoir!