Back Again

Well, hell. It's been awhile.

Without going into full detail about the last six or so weeks - heck, let's give it all the way back to the tree falling on my still-uninhabitable apartment in February! - I've been cooking out of a microwave. And while I've gotten pretty adept at it, to wit:

A take on veggie soup using that ubiquitous college staple, Ramen noodles:

I vary the veggies based on what's on hand or freshest at the store! Souper  easy!

But, now that I am back into a full kitchen, it's game on once again!

Oh, the things you can do with a stove and an oven (not to mention a full size fridge and freezer)!

Over the past few years, I've found joy in cooking, whether for myself or a special someone or for someone in need or who's just hungry and could use a little homemade TLC.

And one of my favorite things to make is pizza. While I admit that I use store-bought, not homemade, crust, that's the only thing about any of my pizzas that's done the "easy" way. Really. This girl knows how to make some pretty delicious concoctions - from my asparagus and Boursin pizza that everyone from the Sweet Man to my girlfriends love: 

It really is so yummy! Get the Mama Nikki's pizza crust (thin or thick) and add olive oil and minced garlic to taste, then thinly sliced or shaved asparagus stalks, top with mozzeralla and Boursin, a little s&p and bake at 425 for about 10 mins.
  

Or my newest creation I made last night, with the same cooking directions as above, but with the following ingredients:

Olive oil and minced garlic, ham, mushroom, spinach and Havarti, dash of s&p = yum!

Something about cooking your own food - as opposed to eating out, which I do love muchly - is just comforting and fun, too. I'm grateful to be back in the kitchen and cooking and eating more tasty things to share with you!

Yours,
Love Bites,
Carrie Neal