Autumn is here and it is about 90 degrees with an overcast sky. Miami is quite lovely....in January. Ah well, it isn't exactly a great day to have a raging oven on for about 5 hours, but that is exactly what I did. First up, a lovely Nutella pound cake. I must say, this is absolutely delicious. A rich tender and very moist crumb with a lovely swirl of rich chocolatey hazelnut spread. Just go with your favorite pound cake recipe and after you prepare your pan pour about 1/3 of the batter in then half a jar of very smooth, pourable Nutella and then the next third of the bater and the other half of the 13 oz jar of Nutella and then the final third of the pound cake batter. You may need to nuke the Nutella for about 15 seconds or in my case I just let it sit near a window and well...in this heat, that was it. The result is a rich and delicious pound cake. If you really feel you must add something else I suppose a ganache topping isn't out of the question but..I wouldn't. This is going to go great with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream.

My next endeavor is the slow braising of a lovely piece of pork. I let the pork slowly braise in the oven for about 3 and 1/2 hours in lemongrass, green onions, garlic, and 5 spice powder; then threw together a lovely glaze of rice wine vinegar, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, tamari sauce, ketchup and honey. It is sitting in the oven now and will be removed shortly and shredded to go in some buns. Delicious! A pan-asian fusion sandwich is what I am aiming for. I hope to post a picture if i get a chance.

Will be posting up some pictures soon of experimental photography. I am on a quest and am in the process of practicing with my Canon Powershot but hope to get another one if my picture taking improves. I am also dabbling in making my little films that are waaaaaaay better than my pictures. Wish me luck or you if you plan on seeing them!

Le Sandwich

Now this is the way to get your veggies! Sun dried tomato ciabatta filled with roasted eggplant, tomato, onion, garlic, zucchini, red peppers and yellow squash. Use any combination of vegetables you prefer, just slice your veggies to fit your bread, sprinkle with olive oil, herbs de provence, or your favorite combination, and your favorite vinegar. I used white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, herbs de provence with some extra thyme and fresh basil from my garden. Then roast in a 350 degree oven until they are suited to your taste. I personally roast them until caramelized and soft. You can do this the day before and keep them moist with some olive oil in the fridge.

Spread some of the olive oil from the veggies on your bread and put under the broiler until it suits you, I love it lightly toasted and brown. Layer on your veggies and sprinkle one side with goat cheese and the other side with a slice of your favorite cheese. I used muenster. Place under the broiler one more time to melt the cheese. Add some balsamic vinegar and fresh basil to some good quality mayo and spread to your liking, if at all, and you have a fantastic sandwich. You can also grill it if you have a pannini grill. I don't so I use my oven. I have had a great lunch and am looking forward to a real southern bbq dinner.

Ribs (bee and pork), sweet coleslaw and baked beans dinner. The ribs have a very spicy dry rub that consists of dark brown sugar, cumin, salt, pepper, pinch of cayenne, chili powder, paprika, coriander and vinegar. Make it a nice thick paste and rub your ribs. The desert for today is a thick and creamy rice pudding. Very simple! Just boil some short grain rice in water with a pinch of salt, a cinnamon stick and a lemon rind. When the rice is dry just add milk (any kind will do, non-fat, whole, 2%, half and half, cream....) and cook down until the mixture is amalgamated but do not overcook or upon cooling it will become a whole mass. I can't give you time, I just know when it's done. Then I like to add raisins and spoon them into bowls and cover them with powdered cinnamon. This is really good cold!