I haven’t done a French dish for quite a while – it’s been like six months, right? So I figured it’s time. This one barely counts but it’s in the book so it does count. And it’s a new recipe so Kitchen Therapy, too!!

I really wasn’t sure how this one would turn out but I did like it. Honestly it’s a lot like “egg in a cup” we do in a microwave, but the cream adds a really nice smooth flavor and texture. Perfect for dipping with toast. This would be a great breakfast or brunch and was easy to make. Would be fun to do for friends!

Preheat oven to 375.

Using 1/2 teaspoon butter, butter the ramekin, saving a dot for later. Add a tablespoon of cream and set the ramekin in a pan of simmering water (3/4 inch), over moderate heat.. When the cream is hot, break in one or two eggs. Poor another tablespoon of cream over egg and top with a dot of butter.

Place in the middle of the hot oven and bake for 7 to 10 minutes. Egg yolk will get slightly white over. Eggs are done when they are just set but still tremble slightly. THey will set a little more when ramekins are removed, so don’t overcook.

Season with salt and pepper.

*Ramekins may remain in pan of hot water, out of the oven, for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. To prevent overcooking, remove eggs from oven when slightly underdone.

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook 16 ounces spaghetti noodles until al denta. Drain well; toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside.

While pasta cooks, start on bacon. In a large skillet, cook 8 slices of bacon (diced) until slightly crisp; remove and drain onto paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat (drain the rest) and add 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Add 1/4 cups chopped onion to pan and cook over medium heat until onion is translucent. Add 1 garlic clove (minced) and cook 1 minute more.

Return cooked bacon to pan; add cooked spaghetti. Toss to coat and heat through, adding more olive oil if it seems dry or sticks together.

To ensure a creamy, silky sauce, mix 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons heavy cream and 2 whole eggs (beaten). Stir sauce into pasta, off heat. Toss constantly with tongs until eggs are barely set.

Serve immediately with chopped parsley sprinkled on top and extra Parmesan cheese at table.

Preheat oven to 375.

Whisk together:
1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

In an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1-1/2 cups sugar

Mix un medium-high speed until pale and fluffy.

Mix in:
1/2 cup melted and cooled unsalted butter

Add:
1 large egg
1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Mix until creamy.

Reduce to low and gradually add flour mixture. Mix until just combined.

Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup chocolate chips (optional).

Using a 2 tablespoon scoop, drop dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake 12 minutes, edges will be firm. Let cool on pan for 2 minutes before moving to cooling rack.

Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days.

So.. the past year has been one of growth and reflection. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure myself out, figure out what I want and who I am and where I’m going. The past several weeks have been difficult in that I haven’t been able to see and feel that. I haven’t been able to work on myself. I’ve been doing so much better, but the fact is I’m not done, I may never be “done”. The past couple weeks have shown me that even more.

I need to get back to working on myself. I haven’t been doing all the things I love to do. I haven’t been excited and hopeful. And I need to get back to that. I need to knit more, and not just because I have a deadline, but because I want to. I need to read more. Going back through the notes I took during my therapy sessions, I keep coming back to the notes saying to do the things you love. Not wait til you feel like it or are in the mood, just do it and you WILL feel like it and you will get in the mood.

I’m going to work on something I’m calling Kitchen Therapy. I’m going to focus on doing a new recipe every week – not just baking, but entrees and appetizers as well. I love cooking and baking. I have neglected it so much, eating corn dogs and easy stir fry meals and not spending a lot of time working recipes and trying new ingredients. And I think I need to. So that’s my first goal in making changes to settle my life again.

Since I don’t get paid til Friday, I don’t have a lot of options for a new recipe this week so I am going to do some baking (besides, I need to do something for a get-together tomorrow) and try out a new cookie recipe. Next week I’ll do something savory. Pics and details to come as I try to find myself again through cooking.

So.. I remember when Josh and I first moved in together. He was my first real roommate after living alone for a couple of years. The first night I followed him around like a puppy. Literally, I’d be in the same room with him always. He laughed at me and told me there were other rooms in the house. I guess it was just weird having someone else around, not a guest, someone who lives there too.

Sad, and maybe a little funny.. cause at the end, we were never in the same room at all, and basically acting like we both lived alone but in the same house.