Before I get started on this I wanna tell anyone who reads this to go check out my very good, very cool, very talented friend over at Topstitch. She makes awesome bags, and you should all contact her and buy one. And buy me one too…

I hope you all had a good Christmas. It was amazing for me; I got wayyyy more than I expected. My mother had given me most of my gifts before Christmas (including my Portolano leopard gloves which I love more than life… almost). But I wasn’t expecting to get half the shit I got yesterday. My dad gave me much needed money and lottery tickets and gave Jay a Target gift card along with some restaurant gift certificates that I of course will be partaking in the use of.

Jay got me some of the best gifts as usual. He got me a dope Jessie Steele apron set. Its beautiful- its pink & brown polka dots and comes with a tea towel and oven mitt. Christmas Eve as I was making & baking all my goodies I was lamenting over needing an apron, especially one that covered more than just my waist. He also got me this Wilton decorating kit, which is friggin’ fantastic because my decorating materials are old & tired & this is awesome. I think its a not-so-subtle hint for me to bake massive amounts of cupcakes for him & for him to bring to work (since he’s been apparently discussing my abilities). Or maybe he just loves me. Or maybe he just loves my cupcakes. Either which way, its pretty dang sweet. I spent most of Christmas night and half of today reading the book that came with it and planning my future baking endeavors. And then we napped on the couch.

My aunt & uncle and cousin surprised us by showing up after dinner which was awesome because I didn’t think I’d see them this year. I love them and I’ve missed them. It was a VERY good Christmas for me!

In other news, I have to add a recipe because thats probably why you came here. I made fried ravioli Christmas Eve, & thought they were good, so I thought I’d share the recipe. Its simple, not too involved. Although I do think these would be even better as a baked ravioli, as in once you fry them, you put some sauce & mozzarella on them in a pan and bake them for awhile. But they were pretty good this way too.

FRIED RAVIOLI

Get your hands on:

• 1-2 cups cornmeal (depending on size of ravioli)
• 1 bag frozen ravioli
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• tomato sauce (for dipping)

Then what you do is:

Boil some water for the ravioli and add some salt to add flavor. Add ravioli and cook to package directions for al dente. Pour cornmeal onto a plate and combine with grated cheese, then season with nutmeg and black pepper. Heat a medium nonstick skillet over moderate heat and add oil and butter. Drain ravioli. DO NOT RINSE. Dust hot, cooked ravioli with cornmeal. Add coated ravioli to the skillet and brown on both sides, 3 or 4 minutes total (depending on how crispy you prefer them). Keep an eye on them though, don’t let them burn! Then repeat. If you make them in 2 batches, you should use half the butter and olive oil at a time. You may also want to scrape and sort of “clean” the skillet in between (being sure to not use water, just scrap with a spatula… because you will get burned), because the cornmeal gathers on the bottom and sort of scorches. Serve with sauce, either on top or on the side.

All in all I give it a 3 out of 5. I’d probably give it a 5 smothered in mozzarella, because I am a fat bastard. Give it a shot if you think it sounds good, and let me know what you think.

My lasagna was a hit with everyone and so were the french toast cupcakes. I’m becoming very popular in the food-making department. I actually think some people in my family still consider me a child (since the I’m the youngest member and the next youngest is like 43 now), and its surprising to them that I cook & bake edible food, not just E-Z-Bake oven stuff. Its lovely to be recognized and appreciated when you go out of your way (and make 2 batches of cupcakes, 2 batches of cookies, a cake, fudge and 2 pans of lasagna.. plus the turkey & stuffing!) to make things nice.

So tomorrow (technically later today) I have part 3 of my Christmas celebrations at Jay’s grandmas house. More gifts!? Insanity.

Its off to bed for me. Merry Christmas to all… and to all a good night.

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