It's been a while...

When actually signing into the blog I realize how much a slacker I've become. I have made a bunch of things and actually taken pictures to go with, but not posted...so here's the first of a few blogs I'm going to attempt over the next few days to catch up. I apologize.

Essentially my weekends are when I cook the most. This past weekend was no exception. I made my own mac and cheese and tried a new variation of my own meatloaf. Both turned out well, coupled with fried cabbage and canned peas (kiddo loves 'em). The piece de resistance was a chocolate heaven version of Baked Alaska that came to me one night as I was trying to get a nap in before work. Honestly, that seems to be when most of my ideas come. I average about four hours of sleep a day...three right before I have to go into work at 11:30pm. I spend a good half hour of that trying to wind down and that's when I have my ideas for this blog and my ideas for dinners and new recipes. This Baked Alaska was one of the best ideas to date.

Baked Alaska is something I never had growing up, but my parents always spoke about how it was their favorite dessert. It was just never served at the restaurants we went to and my parents were never adventurous enough to think of attempting their own. So in comes someone special in my life who reminds me that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach and jokingly states that if I can conquer Baked Alaska, he will marry me. I was panicking a bit because Baked Alaska is a bit complicated to put together, but I managed and it actually turned out very well. Baked Alaska is comprised of layers. The first layer is a cake, traditionally a sponge cake, a thick layer of ice cream (usually a half gallon shaped in a dome, and then topped with a vanilla meringue. My first attempt was with a white layer cake, a half gallon of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, and the vanilla meringue. Was delicious...wish I had a picture to share. Although downfall...I'm not married yet. ;)

So, I promise to get caught up in the next couple blogs. Recipes and pics to come include the mac and cheese and meatloaf, the chocolatey Baked Alaska, and my first attempt at Broccoli alfredo. I also want to discuss my first failure in years...a PA Dutch breakfast cake that I used to make years back. Hang in there people (Jules)...recipes to come.