shutterboo

This week, Mel and I got together again to dirty up her kitchen.  I made out like a bandit with leftovers which almost makes me feel guilty – I did download actions for her Photoshop though.  She’ll thank me later once she’s been staring at the computer for 5 hours straight and wonders where the time went.

I took a lot of photos and had a lot of favorites, so not all will make it to the blog – flickr is holding them hostage.  I’ve decided I like using my camera [with the 50mm lens] at Mel’s because the there’s just enough light and with the correct white balance I don’t have to touch the photos afterwards.  They are good as is.  I think it’s her new lights over the island.  That’s what I’m telling people anyway.

OK.  So this time Mel made homemade beef & noodles, the way grandma used to do it.  I can’t remember ever having homemade egg noodles.  Mel says they’re a cinch to make; it’s the drying out part that makes it tricky.  Tricky tricky tricky.  And then you have to cut them really really thin otherwise they grow to be the size of Buick.  And I don’t think you want a Buick on your stove.

Yummy noodles.  Good to eat right off the cutting board.

And in the pot they go.  With beef broth and shredded beef from the pot roast.  It smelled so good.  And these noodles cooked up super fast.

Hello, Dinner.  How you doin’?

Served with a side of pancetta-laced green beans and warm french bread with real butter.  I love me some homemade egg noodles!  But I couldn’t eat too much.  Had to save room.

Mel found a stellar cupcake recipe on Bakerella – she talks about on her blog Splendid Sweets – and though there’s 57 steps from start to finish, it’s worth it.  Believe me, it’s worth it.  Let me just share a few photos.

The Making of Heaven In A Paper Liner

(aka Bourbon Sweet Potato Cupcakes)

My favorite photo of the night:

Mel has embraced photographing her sweets.  And since she’s sporting a “new” camera (so long hunk, hello mammajamma) I think this will continue.  I love it.  The lady is stretching her arm out to get a shot.  I think a food blogger has been born.  No?