things i like {may 2011}

This week is shaping up to be a doozy, but in a good way. Today, I'm off to meet with my editor at Working Mother. It's going to be an interesting visit, given last week saw a major reorginzation and the letting go of the editor-in-chief, executive editor, managing editor and photo editor. This is a regular meeting to review cookbooks, but still, I take nothing for granted, especially in publishing.

Times like this are a necessary reminder that while life as a freelancer can be exhausting and nerve-wracking, at least I'm in control of my own destiny to a larger degree. Our managing editor had been with the magazine since 1988. I don't know how you begin to start anew after 22 years at a job. I always equate freelancers with sharks—we must keep moving or we'd die. Our survival is all about developing new relationships, in the hopes of having a few extra balls in the air in case one comes crashing down. Staff jobs are amazing for the regular paycheck, benefits, and who doesn't love a good title, but when you come to work on a Tuesday only to find out Friday is your last day, that leaves you in a most unexpected pickle—and not the kind you want to preserve.

Tomorrow welcomes a meeting of which I can't talk about, but let's just say I'm happy for it, regardless of where it goes. There's also an event with Kelly Ripa and Tom Colicchio. I'm partly excited but mostly self conscious of what to wear. Have you seen Ripa's biceps?

Friday ushers in my arrival to DC for Eat, Write, Retreat, I'll be speaking on a panel aptly titled "Beyond Your Blog". Just in case I'm too frenzied to pop back in this week, I thought I'd share a few things I've been enjoying lately to keep your appetite satisfied. But I do want to share a chickpea recipe sooner than later, so don't be surprised if I circle back for one more visit before I board the loooong bus ride to our nation's capital.

• One of my new favorites is watermelon radish (psst—it's in the photo above). I developed a very fun recipe for the Love Your Veggies campaign, for which I'm a paid spokesperson. I've included it below. Sorry there's no pic—it was ready after the prime lighting for shooting was all gone. I promise you'll love it.

• I love pasta—it's no secret. I suspect a few of you do too, so add this book by Domenica Marchetti to your queue. It's a definitive collection of excellently written recipes that is sure to be on your kitchen counter for years to come. So far, I've made the carbonara, and the girls loved it just as much as mama. Sadly the Mr. worked late, and I ate the leftovers for lunch the next day!

• Homemade crème fraîche. Three more perfect words have never been uttered. No more shelling out big bucks for double cream to slather on scones. I even used it in this crepe from a couple of weeks ago. If you haven't tried your hand at it yet,  go visit Britt to see how easy it is to make. 

• Ever since Iowa Girl Eats wrote about my no-yeast cinnamon buns a few days ago, I've been dreaming about them too. It's been a few months since I've made them, and I intend to remedy that this week. Gooey, fragrant, cinnamon-filled pillows of dough ready in less than hour—why not?

• Ice pop season is here. I can't wait for these to arrive in the mail. I think the kids will be thrilled too.

• Whenever I want to nourish my mind, heart and soul, Kim is my go-to gal. Her honesty is raw, refreshing and a must read.

Check out some more great veggie and gardening tips from my fellow mom panelists at LoveYourVeggies.com.