Ravioli with Apples and Walnuts

I made this ravioli with a recipe from my favorite magazine. It looked good but I was a little nervous. Sounded too simple to be delicious - but it turned out to be a delightful explosion of flavor. You should try it - but make sure to watch those nuts as they're cooking because I burned my first batch (don't tell).

Serves 4 Hands-On Time: 20m Total Time: 20m

Ingredients

• 1 pound cheese ravioli (fresh or frozen)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1 crisp apple (such as Braeburn or Gala), cut into matchsticks
• 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)

Directions

1. Cook the ravioli according to the package directions.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts and cook, stirring often, until lightly toasted and fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Add the apple, parsley, 1⁄2 teaspoon salt, and 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper and toss to combine. Spoon over the ravioli and sprinkle with the Parmesan.

Here is a picture of mine.
Not bad eh? Maybe it's hard to tell on such a dark plate.

in a jam.

Strawberries were on mega-sale at Safeway which was a little sign from the grocery store gods that I should make that freezer jam that I've been wanting to try for years now. As I was strolling the isles at an un-named grocery store (Safeway), I was talking with my mom on the phone and asking what else I needed to buy to make freezer jam. She did some research on the Internet and basically came up with: "Well, honey, you need a lot of sugar". So sugar I bought (and pectin and cheetos in case I needed them in the process of making jam).

I consulted with some of my more domestic friends who are experienced in the ways of jam, and set off to make our supply of strawberry jam for the year.

Well...it actually took me a couple of days to get around to making it which stressed me out because they are very serious on the instructions about using perfectly ripe fruit. And, as it turns out, there is just a simple recipe included in the box of pectin that calls for strawberries, sugar, and pectin. Easy peasy. And....wah-lah!


Oh, and my year's supply of jam turned out to make exactly two and a half jars...which will last approximately two and a half weeks. I just wanted to leave room for improvement.

Cake Show Cakes

I went to the National Capital Area Cake Show and it was really fun. We mostly looked around at the display cakes, most of which were amazing. We decorated our own delicious cupcake and checked out some cool vendors. Here are a few pics from a couple of our favorite cakes.

Cake #1

I love the butterflies holding up the fondant ribbon

And this string work was incredible. Each string by hand!
Cake #2

This picture just doesn't do it justice. We went back to look at it several times.

I can't even imagine how long it would have taken these people to make these cakes. And I'm sure they weigh hundreds of pounds. It was fun to see the entries from all different divisions from beginner 4-year-olds to master. It was a fun day. Thanks for coming with me, Carl.