a big fan of the big pan

When I took out my cookbooks yesterday one fell on the floor, opened to this recipe. I wanted to make something rustic where it was all made in one big pan, and I am not one to argue with fate. A giant bowl of spaghetti topped with crispy salami, fennel, plum tomatoes and fried breadcrumbs is a pretty tasty way to cap off a low key weekend.



For dessert I busted out an old favourite, Sheila's Pudding. The best thing about it is that you can substitute almost any fruit and it will still be delicious. I've made it with peaches, pears, mixed berries, and of course, apples. The rest of the dish (brown sugar, vanilla bean, and a dough on top that soaks up all the juices on the bottom) goes so well with anything that it is virtually foolproof. The combination of smells coming from the oven was heavenly and the scoop of double churned vanilla ice cream on top melted into all the goodness on the plate.

Super Bowl Sunday is next week and I think we should have a big party and drink lots of beer and eat lots of finger foods. I'll even make cookies in the shape of little footballs, with the laces out.