Sausagefest 2008

The 4th annual Sausagefest is this weekend, and promises to be even meatier and juicier than ever before. And involve red velvet cake. My favorite sausages are the spicy red-hot thuringers at Schmeisser's Home Made Sausage (7649 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714).
Thuringers! These sausages originated in Thuringia, and are lower in fat than most other German sausages. Wikipedia suggests that you prepare them, "roasted over charcoal or on a grill rubbed with bacon." I agree.

Ahoy!

So I know the last thing I need is a new handbag, but I ran across these at work today: Sea Bags.
Good (hilarious) company name, adorable handbags made out of recycled sailboat sails. I want vintagey ones in every size.

Pappardelle

Last night was pappardelle and Project Runway night. The menu was Pappardelle with Tomato Basil Cream Bolognese.

(Actual picture of my actual dinner!)

Recipe: Combine 1 lb. ground veal, and brown. Add 2 cups homemade tomato sauce and
1/2 cup dry red wine. Simmer as long as you care to simmer. Add papparedelle (homemade or cooked to package directions), 1 cup of chiffonade basil, a splash of half and half, and a handful of fresh grated Parmesan.

Vegeta!

What's the best thing to come out of Yugoslavia since 1959? Vegeta! It is an all-purpose seasoning for your foods. Sure, it is loaded with MSG, but so what? I also wouldn't call it gourmet.

1 tsp. + 2 cups couscous = deliciousness

Frrrrench Fooods

The past few days I've found myself more than usually obsessed with Thomas Keller. And who isn't? He has one of the greatest restaurants in the world (The French Laundry), he was a consultant for one of the best food movies ever (Ratatouille) and my most favoriteist blog is based on his cookbook.
I will probably never cook his food, as it is super time-consuming and takes days to prepare a single dish. Unless it involves poached eggs.

Puppydoodles

I don't know if you guys like puppies, but I do. Especially Miniature Australian Shepard/Poodle mixes. Especially those named Josie, (as in the Steely Dan song). ESPECIALLY those that like to nomnomnom on furniture and drywall and alarm clocks...

Did I get a puppy? The answer might probably be yes.

Salmon Sadness...

Turns out, commercial salmon fishing was canceled along the West Coast this year. Although this still allows for the Copper River salmon in Alaska to be sold this season, the price has jumped dramatically to $30-$40 a pound.

Now we'll have to make the most of our salmon. I suggest filling puff pastry with a nice fillet, some homemade pesto, and some wilted arugula and garlic. Extra points for making the puff pastry pocket look like a fish.