Chaotic Cookery! ~ Thanks to Chrissy Teigen's: Cravings and Hungry for More

How do you thank someone for being there for you no matter what?  What do you say to let them know how much you appreciate their sleepless nights on uncomfortable cots and incommodious chairs in nasty hospital rooms?  For wiping your stanky ass...over and over...because you can't?  For coming when you call ~ no questions asked?  Who research, plan, prep, travel with, and prepare amazing meals for your recovery?  For giving up EVERYTHING they are busy with in their lives - family, fun, activities, work - for you?  You can't.  There are no words.  There are no things.  Nothing can express what I feel.  Nothing will ever repay what I owe to Ruthie and Bentie for all the care they have provided me over the years.  Bless 'em.  They signed up for the wrong chick as I can put on a horrifying cancer show more than once!!!!  Still, during the debacle that was my addenocarcinoma incarceration, I wanted to show my appreciation somehow!  But, being unable to leave the house or do much of anything...what could that be?  Lovely, outspoken, and fabulous Chrissy Teigen to the rescue!  Her humor had already made me and Ruthie laugh.  Her cookbooks had rave reviews.  And, the titles were perfect for my mood:  Cravings and Hungry for More.  With Amazon at my fingertips, I purchased a copy of each for both of them, inscribing them with my feeble thanks.

Since then, we have shared many laughs just reading them!  Yes!  They are actually good reading.  CT is funny AF!!!  Though the recipes may not be in a league with Jacques Pepin (and I don't think she was aiming for that!!!) they are accessible and yummy!  We have had such fun cooking and comparing, even though we are now apart.  Here is a bit of our Chrissy Teigen cookery!

My version of CT's Banana Bread. I had a little trouble liking it at first.  Because, Banana Bread in my head, per my recipe ~ is very different.  This one is like a cake with chocolate and coconut.  Once I was able to think of it as cake, I liked it much more.  It was very moist and actually got better over time as the flavors melded.  Rose and Jamie LOVED it!!!

Ruthie's version of  CT's Carrot Coconut Soup and mine below.

Ruthie liked hers a lot. Mine was good, served here with slow roasted tomatoes, hummus and pita. However, it was made at a time when I, due to where I was in my recovery, could not tolerate the spice recommended, nor the fried shallots as a topping.  I will have to make it again, now that I can!

Roasted Cauliflower, Feta, and Orzo Salad.  I served mine warm, though I think chilled would be good as well.  Easy and yummy.

I made this in the fall when I had a bounty crop of basil in need of harvesting before frost struck. CT's Pad Grapow Chicken (basically - Basil Chicken) was simple and delicious!  Three cups of basil leaves may be difficult to attain at other times!!

THIS!!!!  Sweet Miso-butter Cod!!!!!  CT made hers with snap peas.  I used pan seared squash with a bit of miso butter added in.  The part of the recipe for miso-butter is gold!!!  It makes a lot and after using it here, I used it on baked salmon, melted on top of steaks and roasted veggies (per her Seared Steak with spicy garlic-miso butter and same skillet Asparagus)!  IT. IS. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheesy Spicy Breakfast Hash by Ruthie.  She made this (as well as CT's Spicy Italian Sausage Meatloaf) for her guys and reports both were big hits!  (Even though she forgot to top the hash with cheese!!!!!  NOW if something is good WITHOUT the cheese?  That's seriously GOOD!!!!)

I love polenta (or grits...if you prefer!!!)!  But man!  CT's Cheesy Polenta with Mushrooms kicks it up a notch!!!

My version of Ron's Hobo Burger Dinners.  They were easy, tasty and fun.  Would be great for kids.  Also, another reason to love Chrissy Teigen.  She included her family - kids, dogs, father, husband, and mom - in both her books. She is a wonder at keeping it real.  Nice!

Though there are no photos to go with, I've also made CT's Sesame Salmon Soba Salad, Sesame Chicken Noodles, and her Baked Pasta Alla Norma with Mozzarella Bombs.  All were good, though B said he liked my Dan Dan Noodles and Pasta Bake better than the last two, but he is rather prejudiced.  All in all, the recipes have been dependable and delicious.  I still have plenty I want to try.  In particular - CT's Dutch Baby Pancake, French Toast Casserole, Everything Bagel Cream Cheese Breakfast Bake, Cobb Salad, Roasted Carrot and Avocado Salad with Lime Dressing, Jalapeno Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese, Lemony Arugula Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, Tom Yum Noodles, Pepper's Pork-stuffed Cucumber Soup (Yep. Even Julia Child professed the wonder of cooked cukes!!!), Frito Pie, Thai Fishcakes, Sh*t on Toast ~ and there's more!  I better get cooking!!

Thanks, Bentie and Ruthie.  Really.  Even though no words or recipes are sufficient to express what I feel; I love you. - cess