A Thoroughly Culinary Spring Break

Confession: Though Little Rhino is currently working her way through two grad classes while working full-time, she often thinks of quitting her program and running FAR away.

Thankfully, just as the Little Rhino started losing her charge, Spring Break came along. Spring Break was not that relaxing or carefree with a 40 hour work week, taxes to do, and wrangling an obstinate cat to the vet. Still, my SmarTrip appreciated the break on Monday. I appreciated a little less homework (stupid knowledge management paper), and everyone appreciated some Little Rhino cookery.

On St. Patrick's Day A.K.A. Diane my awesome co-worker's birthday, I made an old favorite of mine. Bailey's Irish Cream Brownies with green decorating sugar. I used to make them for a Guinness-loving ex who called me Boss (true story). He gladly gobbled them up whenever I made them and so did the birthday girl and my work crew. I like these people.

So, yeah, I love making brownies just about as much as I love making deviled eggs. However, with a no-class Monday, I wanted to make something MEATY!!! So, that Monday I pulled out my dutch oven, bought a butt-load of beef short ribs and cooked them up low and slow Asian-style (courtesy of Emeril Lagasse). I also made some pineapple orange banana cupcakes with orange cream cheese frosting because a super-cupcake loving friend of mine failed to make it to my birthday party due to physical incapacitation. Also, what's not to love about fruity cupcakes with cream cheese frosting?!

Thankfully, the cupcake lover and her husband (a first time Little Rhino dinner guest!!) came healthy and hungry this time. We all drank lots of wine (some of us more than others *rosy cheeked Rhino*), ate lots of bread, ribs, rice, and cupcakes, and laughed A LOT. Wonderful night...not as wonderful a morning for Miss Rhino. No, not hungover just acid reflux/heartburn. Man, I'm getting long in the horn.

Honestly, I could have ended my epic cooking/baking fest there except that the Penn Quarter Farmer's Market started up again on March 24th. As usual, I went gaga for apples and bought four huge Mutsus and another three moderately overweight Braeburns. After buying such crisp and fresh apples, I had no choice but to make a caramel apple pie (I swapped a toffee topping for a lattice one, no need for sugar overkill) for my Dad's and my joint birthday celebration. The family ruled it a success!! We divided the pie at the end the night. The next day, I headed back to class not relaxed, not rested, but completely cooking satisfied.....for now.

I'll Make Them an Offer They Can't Refuse

For Celeste's seventh birthday, she wanted to have a Godfather-themed party. I couldn't refuse her and neither could my friends. I made an extravagant Bolognese lasagna from my Food Network magazine. The Bolognese sauce took three hours to make. It took me another forty-five minutes to make the bechamel, and the bubbling lasagna caused my oven to smoke. However, it came out cheesy, meaty, and toothsome. Followed up with a trio of Ben and Jerry's, it met all of "Godfather" Celeste's demands and made for some tasty Wednesday leftovers.

Frozen Banana Split Pie...Pre-Split

Way back on Super Bowl Sunday, I made frozen banana split pie to
honor the banana split's birthplace, Pittsburgh. The Steelers did not win, and I broke up with my Super Bowl date a couple weeks later. However, the pie turned out beautiful and delicious. Even Mr. "I don't eat mashed potatoes because they're too fattening" couldn't resist it. I think it's pretty clear why Little Rhino dumped him.....