Too Much Of Everything

There is beauty in simplicity. There is beauty in simplicity. There is beauty in simplicity. I have to constantly remind myself of this in life and in cooking. There IS such a thing as too much of something good, right? Otherwise, there wouldnt be a saying about it. My entire life I have struggled with the idea that everything is too simple and as a consequence I turn on my inner idea wheel and start amping things up until I pass the "just right" mark and stray wildly into the "overly complicated" territory. This went for puffy paint tshirts in middle school - "oh, sarah yours is so pretty! Kate....yours is....wow. Did something explode?!" --- This also goes for accessorizing. Earrings dont seem like enough, add this engagement ring - what I need is a necklace and a bracelet and all of the sudden I'm fucking Cleopatra.

Its alot to take in and I have noticed lately I can plan an elaborate meal and the BEST part of it is what I kept simple. I need to keep reminding myself that to really excel and be the best cook I can be. That being said, we had a great weekend and didnt eat out ONCE! I say this but we cooked two full meals for friends both nights and had breakfast in as usual and ate leftovers Sunday. The SF hippie in me wants to think that is rad! but really, I missed eating out. I fucking love it.

I made Poached Fig spread (see below) and I served it just with crackers but I think it would be best on a piece of bread. We also made a Low Country Boil with fresh shrimp and lobster from the Ferry Building and paired it with corn on the cobb tossed in basil butter. It was a great night with Marq and Dawn and Morinda and Alex.

Poached Fig, Goat Cheese and Honey Spread
6 fresh figs
2/3 cup goat cheese
2 tablespoons of honey
1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar

1 cup of water

Step One: Bring 1 cup of water to a simmer. Throw in figs whole and boil until soft. About 3 minutes. Set aside and cool.

Step Two: In a food processor combine the figs, the goat cheese and processsssss! Once processed put in a bowl and fold in the honey. Salt and pepper to taste.

Step Three: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Below are pics of the Low Country Boil and Corn with Basil Butter. Basil butter was just butter with basil that I put in the food processor and salt and pepper!