Jesus help me believe. ..

you've caught my attention.

I will admit, I've become quite addicted to the Cooking Channel. 

I really don't watch much television at all other than that. 

These two recipes today, made me swoon. 

from:

Jamie _  I could watch him cook all day long.

and Giada. this recipe was such a vibrant combination. 

Click on the Recipe name for any other details. 

Pappardelle with Slow-Braised Leeks and Crispy Porcini Pangrattato .Jamie Oliver

Ingredients

• 5 big leeks, outer leaves trimmed back, washed
• Olive oil
• 3 good knobs butter, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely sliced
• A few sprigs fresh thyme, leaves picked
• A small wineglass white wine
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pint good-quality vegetable or chicken stock
• 12 slices ham, preferably Parma
• 2 (8-ounce) packages fresh lasagne sheets
• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• 2 handfuls freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving

For the Pangrattato:

• 1 small handful dried porcini mushrooms
• 1/2 ciabatta bread, preferably stale, cut into chunks
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary

Directions

Halve the leeks lengthways and cut at an angle into 1/2-inch slices. Heat a wide saucepan, add a splash of oil and a knob of butter, and when you hear a gentle sizzling add the sliced garlic, thyme leaves and leeks. Move the leeks around so every piece gets coated. Pour in the wine, season with pepper and stir in the stock. Cover the leeks with the slices of Parma ham, place a lid on the pan and cook gently for 25 to 30 minutes.[OH mmmmm.mmy!] Once the leeks are tender, take the pan off the heat.

To make the pangrattato:

Whiz the mushrooms and bread with a pinch of salt and pepper in a food processor until the mixture looks like bread crumbs. Heat a generous glug of olive oil in a frying pan. Add the garlic cloves and the rosemary and cook for a minute, then fry the bread crumbs in the oil until golden and crisp. Keep shaking the pan - don't let the bread crumbs catch on the bottom. Drain on paper towels, discard therosemary and garlic and allow the bread crumbs to cool.

Bring a big pan of salted water to the boil. Lay the lasagne sheets on a clean working surface and sprinkle with a little flour. Place the sheets on top of each other and slice into 1/2-inch strips. Toss through your fingers to shake out the pappardelle, then cook in the boiling water 2 minutes or until al dente.

Remove the Parma ham from the saucepan, slice up and stir back into the leeks. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then stir in the Parmesan and the rest of the butter. Drain the pasta, reserving a little of the cooking water, and add the pasta to the leeks. Add a little of the cooking water if need be, to give you a silky, smooth sauce. Serve quickly, sprinkled with some pangrattato, extra Parmesan and any leftover thyme tips. Serve the rest of the pangrattato in a bowl on the side.

Grapefruit, Onion, and Basil Salad .Giada

INGREDIENTS

• 2 grapefruits, trimmed of skin and cut into large slices
• 1/2 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup pitted chopped black olives
• 1 bunch basil, leaves thinly sliced (about 1 cup)

• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• 3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Place the grapefruit slices in a slightly overlapping pattern on a serving platter. Sprinkle the onion slices over the grapefruit. Then sprinkle the olives. Top with the basil and chives. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar and olive oil over the salad. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve.

this made me happy today.

found this on my fliP camera... . stored away

.from a recent visit to my sister's.

if i watch this enough, can i be back in that very moment?

right .now.

Woke up in London yesterday
Found myself in the city near Piccadilly
Don't really know how I got here
I got some pictures on my phone

New names and numbers that I don't know
Address to places like Abbey Road
Day turns to night, night turns to whatever we want
We're young enough to say

Oh this has gotta be the good life
This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good life 

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight
Like this city is on fire tonight
This could really be a good life
A good, good life 


To my friends in New York, I say hello
My friends in L.A. they don't know
Where I've been for the past few years or so
Paris to China to Col-or-ado

Sometimes there's airplanes I can' t jump out
Sometimes there's bullshit that don't work now
We are god of stories but please tell me
What there is to complain about


When you're happy like a fool
Let it take you over
When everything is out
You gotta take it in


Oh this has gotta be the good life
This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good life 

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight
Like this city is on fire tonight
This could really be a good life A good, good life  


Hopelessly
I feel like there might be something that I'll miss
Hopelessly
I feel like the window closes oh so quick
Hopelessly
I'm taking a mental picture of you now
'Cuz hopelessly
The hope is we have so much to feel good about

two new ones

i think the people down the street can probably hear me... .

my sides hurt.

george and mary

Haven't done a Writer's Workshop post in what seems forever.. 

but i've been inspired. 

.putting it lightly.

Here was this week's prompt. 

5.) On a piece of paper write down something that makes you happy...

take a photo of your paper and wa la...there's your post.

dad, me and mom's stone harbor

inspiration

[source]