little bitty girl

Have I mentioned how unbelievable smoldering it's been for the past week? So much for trying to go as AC-free as possible this summer. Although I must admit that we've used it less this year than we have in the past. We just cannot go without it when the temperature hits the 30's because our apartment is always 10 degrees hotter than it is outside. Fans, open windows and doors do nothing to abate the problem. And poor Mindy, when it's preposterous like this, she does nothing but lies on her back with a really pathetic look on her face.

Anyway, the great thing about the summer is that I tend to get so much more inspired to cook. The variety of local produce is simply endless and I tend to take the time to go to the markets that carry local products; as opposed to my cop out of going to those large supermarkets.

So here is my list of things that I want to learn to cook or learn to cook better:

Black Pepper Crab
Beets
Beef Bone Marrow
Cerviche
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken Stock
Duck
Miso
New Pastas (other than my regular standbys)
Risotto
Smelts
Truffles

I am sure the list will get longer as I get exposed to cooking shows, magazines, food blogs etc. but I think that's a good list so far. Does anyone have any suggestions?