Not feeling it today....

I am having one of those days where I have a shit ton to do at work and no motivation to do it. We have up to 14 new hires starting in October, that I need to get started on building out, a bunch of upgrades for existing employees, and a couple of test machines to trial run a new version of our auditing softwares...so it's not like I have nothing to do, just no gumption to do it.

Doesn't help that I finished the reading the entirety of the internet like an hour ago.....who says I have no ambition?

Duck Confit over a White Bean and Kale Ragu

Made this dish the other day. Duck confit is actually super easy, despite it's fancy heritage. Just cover the duck legs with some olive oil (traditionally duck fat, but I only bought duck legs, so wouldn't be able to render the fat from the carcass) to about 2/3'rd up the side of the duck legs, add some aromatics (I used celery, carrot, onion, whole garlic cloves, and some thyme sprigs) then bump it in an oven set to about 265 degrees. Let it cook low and slow for about 3 hours. Once the time is up, remove the legs, and strain the oil, removing the solids, but reserving the fat. Place the legs at the bottom of a bowl, and then cover with said fat so that it completely submerses the duck legs, this is what makes it a 'confit', i.e. to preserve in it's own fat. I am told you can keep the legs like this, shelf stable, for like 2 months....I have never let a duck leg sit uneaten ANYWHERE for that long, so I can't say for sure. When it comes time to eat, just take the leg out of it's fatbath, scrape off the excess oil, and then pan sear (I use a non stick pan for this) the legs, skin side down at first until the skin is dark brown and crispy, and then the other side until it is warm all the way through.
This is a seriously unctuous dish, full of flavor and richness, give it a try sometime!

Exciting Local Political News for Massachusetts

Elizabeth Warren is throwing her hat in the ring to win back the late Ted Kennedy's seat from incumbent Scott Brown. I am thrilled that she is running, I am certain her campaign will be much more robust than Martha Coakley's, I supported Martha, but she just didn't put in the hours you need to run a succesful campaign....she basically gave the seat to Brown.

I look forward to this campaign, and getting Massachusetts back on track and back in the Blue! Go Warren!!!

You Don't Even Know!!!!

This video is fucking hilarious.

Cooking with little people

The little guy doesn't eat much, it's a source of consternation for us, but try not to make it a "thing", and hope he gets over it soon. One thing he does love though, and loves to make with his Dad is Pizza!!!



I make it with San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella, and the basil you see is from my own garden.....so tasty!!!



The wee fellow even made his own personal pizza! Look at how proud he is down there!

Nate's first day of school!!!!

Jumping back into the blogosphere people, and what better way to start than with another fresh starter, my boy. The little guy turned 5 last week, and today started his first day of K1 kindergarden. I can't tell you how proud of him I am, and how excited he was to go!!!