Traitor.

M committed a cardinal sin tonight.

We visited my parents for dinner on very short notice because I decided to capture a stray cat that has been wandering around their house for quite some time.

Despite the last-minute plans, Mumsies was able to turn out a feast.

She placed dish after platter after bowl on the table until I pleaded for her to stop bustling around the kitchen and come join us.

There were many veggie-friendly dishes (finally my parents have accepted my decision to go pescatarian).

But the kicker, the crème de la crème, the dish that caused me to swivel, look at M and ask him if he would like to retract his statement?

That was the Spicy Beef Stir-fry. I had made a similar spicy beef dish on Father’s Day and M said it was great.

Tonight, however, he was singing a different tune.

M: “Mmmm…this is amazing! Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever had anything this good.”

*Silence except for gobbling noises from M*

“Are you sure about that? Think carefully.”

M: “Uh. Uh. Yours was good too, just different.”

*Death stare*

Even though M may have lost the privilege of having a hot, prompt dinner greet him every night for a few weeks, I have to admit Mumsies is incredibly skilled in the kitchen.

I secretly asked her for her recipe. Maybe I will be able to replicate her spicy beef dish and then will not have to suffer through M’s effusive praise for another cook.

xoxo,

Jenn

Cookie Fairy drops in again!

There is really nothing quite like the joy of receiving a square box in the mail stamped “Perishable.”

And lucky me, this is the second gift the Cookie Fairy delivered!

Instead of citrusy cranberry sugar cookies, this batch contained adorable, golden madelines.

I love madelines. Simple, sweet, and intensely buttery, they definitely do it for me when I need a hit of dessert.

I do find most store-bought madelines too thick, too cakey, or too cloying though.

But of course the Cookie Fairy would commit no such pedestrian mistakes. His creations are sheer glory.

Thinner than most madelines I have tasted, the cookies had a crisp exterior, almost shell-like. Once past the teeny bit of resistance, the inside was soft, slightly crumbly, and altogether amazing. And their dainty, delicate shape made me feel like a lady while I ate it. Bonus.

I had no idea madelines could taste like this.

I ate two. Had lunch. Ate another two. Gave a few away because I was frightened for my thighs.

I did manage to save one for M though. He raved as well.

xoxo,

Jenn