New York . . . New York!

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A beautiful gift from France, our Lady of Liberty in NYC

Every March is conference season in my line of work and this month is no exception. It is time for me to change roles and switch from professor to student and learn more about how to improve on what I do in my chosen vocation of teaching.

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Now usually in March I attend meetings in the warmer Southern U.S. states (you know . . . places like Hilton Head, SC, Destin, FL, or Savannah, GA), but this time I've chosen to, yes, go NORTH instead! I'll be peeling the Big Apple for the next few days of Spring Break. If I stayed home for break, I'd just spend the whole week catching up on cleaning the house! :-( So this is a MUCH better destination!

W.D. is going to tag along with me, so that we can spend evenings dining in oh-so-much-nicer eateries than we have here in our little village of a town nearby the acreage. We've already done our research and decided on a scrumptiously delicious Italian restaurant in the financial district near Wall Street. During the day we plan on going to some great deli's for huge submarine sandwiches, sky high NY cheesecake, and, of course, some genuine, authentic NY bagels! We've also got some great pizzarias on our list of go-to's! Mmmm, I'm hungry already! I'll give you the full scoop on how each of these experiences are when I return, cuz this week I'm trading in my kitchen apron for a seat at several tables in New York City! I know that I'll come home with more culinary inspiration to use in my own kitchen to share with you.

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I am SO excited about this trip since I have not been back to New York City since just before 9/11 and the tragedy against our beautiful nation.

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I'll be checking in my blog for your comments, because if you happen to have ANY recommendations for foodie hot spots, please let me know. I'll do my best to squeeze my friends' suggestions in.

So ciao for now my good friends, I'm off to do some BIG apple peeling!

The infamous Times Square where my hotel window will be looking right out on.

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Creamy Risotto with Lemon, Asiago and Rosemary!

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Ahhh, creamy, cheesey risotto!

What a wonderful creation from the food gods, you are!

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This week the "I Heart Cooking Clubs" bloggers prepared 'grains' recipes from Nigella Lawson. Each and every one of her creations has filled our tummies with delight and our faces with smiles. I simply MUST run out and collect her cookbooks! For this theme on grains, I selected rice, more specifically, risotto.

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So many people sadly shy away from preparing risotto due to the continual stirring and adding of broth while the rice absorbs the broth and becomes creamier by the minute. For me, the process of standing by the stove, and the stirring, stirring, stirring while the cream thickens around the rice is beautiful in the love and patience required for this specialty. The results always reward the patient cook!

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Just look at this gorgeous, creamy, rich risotto . . . simplicity and perfection!

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Ooey, Gooey & Fudgey Mississippi Mud Cake

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Good old Huckleberry Finn would have been SO proud of this cake named after his favorite American river -- Mississippi Mud Cake!  This cake is the February selection for "The Cake Slice Bakers" group and I just could not wait to make it. I have had this cake many times in many places with my husband, W.D., and each and every time it has just been indescribably wonderful! Oh my goodness, this baby is so sweet that you need some vanilla ice cream to bring it down a notch and/or a huge glass of milk or water to drink. It is so RICH, SWEET, GOOEY, FUDGEY and SINFULLY RICH!
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