Cinnamon Sweet Potato Pancakes + Little Miss Sunshine OST = childlike anticipation manifested through jerk dancing

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                                              (now let's kick off)

Woke up this morning, to have the usual "breakfast of champions"--

- its similar to something my Dad would always eat, so naturally its named for the champ.

 and right after I finished...I realized, its the weekend!

bring out the weekend meals!

Q:what's a weekend meal you say? 

A: view picture to your left (yes, I know, how can you miss it). its like that. it looks like a happy heart attack.... caused by anything super delicious- generally cake like and doughy- that you have a little more time to make than in your usual work week.  its devoured before lounging in the pjs with the paper on your laptop...or winding down for a nap.

Meals like this always got me so excited as a kid that I would dance, wiggle and make silly smiley faces in my chair. waiting for the smell around me, to be put right in front me. probably because its cake for breakfast. Jim Gaffigan says it best.
...and because mimosas and meeting good friends over brunch is involved.
generally here, to the awesome service of Jack (request his section if you go).

-and not to forget, my old job has some kickass brunch and servers too.

aaaaand maybe one day, when I can bring myself to get over to the East Side (and spend that much), I'll try their brunch.

So long as eating east side looks nothing like this:

Had to make a run for the bananas and butter, but Danna and Devotchka keep the elation going in the Little Miss Sunshine OST. 

flipping flapjacks, sun peering in and red wool socks. can't wait to have these tomorrow. happy weekend.

Cinnamon Sweet Potato Pancakes

1 c. flour

2 TBSP brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 pinch nutmeg 

1 pinch cloves (optional, but totally worth adding)

1/4 tsp salt

1 TBSP cinnamon (add extra tsp if you love the stuff)

1 c. soy milk

1 sweet potato boiled and mashed

1 tsp vanilla

earth balance butter (or whatever butter you have and like)

- cut skin off potato, and chop into blocks.

boil in pot on med. high heat till soft enough to puncture through with fork.

about 8 minutes.

- while potatoes are boiling..mix first seven ingredients ('the dry stuff')

in a large bowl...or a measuring cup if you forget altogether that you have a bowl.

- drain potatoes and mash. then pour in potatoes and remaining 'wet' ingredients into dry ingredients. mix well.

you'll notice clumps of sweet potato. they'll add texture if you don't pulverize them.

**pancakes with any added fruit or root will be dense but if the batter seems thicker than usual, add milk by the TBSP. I had to add some to mine.**

-in skillet (non stick hopefully), warm butter (size of pinky fingernail) on med. heat, and dollop batter in about the size of palm.

-fry till edges of pancake bottom become golden. peek for flipping. then of course, flip when ready.

TA- DA!

-serve hot, on plate, to giddy weekend lounger.

I like to eat mine with a side of banana, amazing vermont maple syrup (compliments to Jo&Co.) in my CMU sweatshirt.

Try the pancakes without syrup first. though dense, the sweet potato is a gentle addition that can be overpowered by too much syrup..  more importantly, enjoy it how you like.

Thick and Hearty Split Pea Soup + Eternal Sunshine OST = putting back that something you missed

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(now let's kick off)

Its wintery cold in NYC and we had a bout of snow that made me want a piece of home. whatever that means.
for some its a place. for me its a memory- memories of comfort and peace of mind. old and new.

Jon Brion hits it on the head for me in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. wandering but not lost. lingering but not sad. some chunks are saturated  and others are fading till you catch them again. repetitive but never really gets old..and even when it does, you still wanna have the memory there to dust off, and sigh a smile about later....
you know..like when its lip chapped cold out, and the wind makes you curse all kinds of wrong, and want nothing more than to pour in what you feel like the elements have stripped from you. I give you, 'comfort' via soup.

Thick and Hearty Split Pea Soup
(compliments to Susan V.)

my version after making it 10 times the way my friends,
roommate and I like it:

1 onion chopped
3 cloves garlic chopped 
2 large carrots washed and chopped

2 stalks celery washed and chopped (optional)

1 potato peeled and chopped

1 1/2 c. green split peas, rinsed

4 c. water

3 Tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

*oregano or thyme if you like. perhaps I can steer you away.

don't over add to a good thing. cheapens it..or, just ruins the taste.

-In a pot, warm oil then add garlic and onions.

-stir on med heat till translucent. about 5 min.

-add carrots, potatoes, split peas and 4 c. of water.

-stir to mix. add salt and pepper before the blending takes place.

- bring it to boil, cover and cook on low heat till split peas disintegrate. about 45 min.

(I'd suggest getting up from whatever you'll be doing to stir it halfway through. I know, a little less involvement would be nice but a minute to stir will be worth it.)
- after peas disintegrate, test consistency to your liking. stir uncovered on higher heat to thicken or stir and add water to thin.

- serve hot, in bowl, with spoon, to soup lover.

I like to eat a big ol' bowl of this with asiago cheese on top, while dipping pita chips in it.

but it really does hold up on its own too. rustic, warming, deliciousness.

"I like cooking, you like eating"...

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                                                 (ahh, now let's kick off)

Sooo many friends of mine can agree with the latter part of that quote, but can't relate with the first bit.

totally understood-- most of us are recent college grads, the money can be tight, survival jobs this, new working schedules that, ehhhhhhh who has time to cook?

I DO!....well...because cooking with awesome music is to me what shopping/ sleeping/ watching tv is to some of you. an enjoyment.

and because I like it to such a degree, I want to make it just as easy to find recipes you can actually make. With little time, sweat and money involved.

I generally never spend more than $50 a week on food. YES. in NY.

"even when you eat out?!"

 yes, even when you include eating out.

"how?!"

 watch.. and repeat.

the food above, purchased from Whole Foods and Fairway (my fav. grocery store in ny) combined was $25.89. 
(the sweet potatoes, butternut squash and apples didn't fit into frame) 
and it can get even lower than that when I'm buying fresh finds at outdoor markets around NYC. 
but, I could never be this lady...if you can top that... safe to say, you're working too hard.


so here it is at your fingertips! you'll meet some of my favorite bloggers and their food -as I whip up some of their simplest and tasty dishes- with a few of my own in house creations. all to the underscored musings of our favorite (and newfound) soundtracks.


and by all means, cooking is sharing, so swing a recipe on over and we'll keep the food circulating.
I'll make it, you'll eat it, and before too long, we'll all be cooking...and full..watching tv..and then sleeping..


even if you happen to make the same dish over and over, you cook that damn dish well.


THE FINE PRINT OF THIS AGREEMENT:
1. all food will be shot with the amazing blackberry bold I found in a taxi one night. yes, very lucky. until one day I'm even luckier, and can get a Canon Rebel XSi with a 100mm macro lens. 
exactly like the one Joy the Baker has. her site is food porn 101.


2.there'll be a new soundtrack for every meal. don't hesitate to recommend either. I don't see half as many movies as I should. And I'll try anything new to keep a good groove while I'm cooking.


3. everything I cook will be to the vegetarian/vegan persuasion...
 I just lost readers, I know it. but you'd be surprised how well a lot of meatless dishes turn out, and taste. but for those of you who think "the meat is the meal", this clip is for you. 

then I'll have you over to my apt for a good dinner, and more laughs on account of M & W.


ready? set, go..