Cook-a-thon #2 (aka where are you guys on this?)

So I made my second two recipes today. And I am proud to say they were a much greater success than the previous two.

I made:

Asparagus with Vinaigrette Sauce

1 lb Asparagus

1/2 cup olive oil

2 tbs chopped Shallots

3 tbs red wine vinegar

1 1/2 Dijon Mustard

2 tbs chopped Italian Parsley

2 hard-boiled egg yolks

salt and pepper

um i have to say, writing out the whole recipe is rather daunting... sigh but here it is anyway.

1) cut or snap off any tough Woody ends from the asparagus and discard. Using a vegetable peeler and starting about 2 inches below each tip peel of the skin of each spear (i skipped that step, it seemed pointless)

2) select a large frying pan large enough to hold the spears flat in a single layer and fill halfway with water.

Bring to a boil , then reduce the heat so the water simmers gently with just a few bubbles breaking on the surface. Lay the asparagus spears flat in the pan so they are covered with an inch of water. cook until tender crisp, 4-8 min. remove from heat and drain well.

3) in a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, shallots, vinegar and mustard. season to taste with salt and pepper and add the parsley.

4) Arrange spears on warmed serving platter. Spoon the dressing over the war asparagus. To garnish using a wooden spoon, force the egg yolks though a fine mesh sieve held over the asparagus (skipped that step too).

the only thing that didn't quite work out was the sauce, i ran out of olive oil so had to guess the rest of the measurements. I still thought it tasted great but Brent thought it was a bit too vinegary.

The second recipe, and the star of the night was the Mozzarella and sun-dried tomato Risotto.

Yum. It did however make A LOT of risotto.

5 1/2 cups Veggie stock

1/3 cup oil packed sun dried tomatoes

1 yellow onion, Chopped

2 cups Aborio rice ( i just used what ever was in the cupboard)

1 cup shredded fresh mozzarella

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 fresh basil, plus whole leaves for garnish

salt and pepper (skipped it)

1)In sauce pan over medium high heat bring the stock to a simmer. adjust the heat to keep the liquid hot.

2)drain the sun dried tomatoes and reserve the oil. add Olive oil if needed to equal 4 tbs, chop and set sun dried tomatoes aside.

3)in a large heavy sauce pan over medium heat warm 2 tbs of the reserved oil. add the onion and saute until translucent, about 8 min. add the rice and stir until white spots appear in the center of the grains, about 1 min. add a ladle full of stock , adjust the temp to maintain a simmer and cook stirring constantly until the liquid is absorbed, about 2 min . continue adding the liquid a ladle full at a time and stirring constantly until the rice is just tender but slightly firm in the center and mixture is creamy. (20-25min)

4)add the mozzarella, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, chopped basil and the remaining 2 tbs of oil (forgot the last bit, tho didn't seem to matter). stir to mix well.

Brent and I both really like this one. The only thing I would change would be to add more Basil. I love basil and there definitely could have been more.

I had initially planned to make a salad with goat cheese as well but was totally overwhelmed with the preparation of two dishes and trying to time them right, that there was no way i could fit anything else in. Up to this point my biggest challenge is the doing more than one thing at once. I think the key hear it to prepare, chop, wash etc. all of the things for ALL of the recipes before hand and have it laid out and organized. Also probably not to be in a rush. Someone, decided he wanted to make chili and i was told mid - preparation that i needed to not take up the whole stove. this caused a bit of a disturbance.

Now i think this is when i need to say I'm a little disappointed that i am the only one who has done anything yet? where are you guys? any ideas - June, this was your idea!!! i expected more. get on it you too!

p.s. Rhiann i found the last of the "Irish potatoes" at the back of my mom's fridge last night, they are now all gone. they were still good :P send me more please.

*side note: Rita sent me home with a whole batch of her oatmeal chocolate chip cookies last weekend!!!! oh they are sssOOOOO good. If you guys were here i would share... but too bad for you!!!

Hurry up and post something.