Life’s a Dance

Does anyone remember this show that was on the Food Network? I’m not sure when it was canceled or when it came on. I remember watching it when we lived in Chicago. And maybe in college too. I’ve been trying to think of the name of the show on-and-off for many months. Today I was reading a thread on some random board (no, I haven’t read all 127 PAGES yet!!) moarning the loss of *good* Food Network shows and someone mentioned Curtis Aikens. I wasn’t positive if the face I was thinking of belonged to him or not. I did a search and found him AND the name of that darn show that I have spent way too much brain power over! Anyway…I LOVED that show. I liked seeing ‘real’ people cook, see their homes & families, learn about their family’s history & traditions.

As I was reading that thread, I thought to so many shows I used to love watching on TFN. Ready, Set, Cook!, The Best Of, Food Finds, Pick of the Day (a really old show), Cooking Monday through Friday (another really old show), Food 911, Sweet Dreams, David Rosengarten (not a ‘flashy’ personality but incredibly passionate), Too Hot Tamales (another really old show), Cooking Live, East Meets West (not food I’d actually cook but SO interesting…plus Ming Tsai is HOT! ;-), Door Knock Dinners, Melting Pot (with the rotating ethnic chefs), Ultimate Kitchens (not a cooking show but showed great kitchens!).  So many good shows gone by the wayside.  I still enjoy some of the current shows (Alton Brown *swoon*) but so much of it isn’t about actual cooking anymore.  I loved The Best of & Food Finds but there have been SO many duplicate-type shows none of which, IMO, are as good as the originals.  Like MTV is no longer about n’music, Food Network isn’t much about cooking anymore.  And as much as I’m all for quick & easy, I loved seeing shows that showcased more complex dishes too.

And your reward for reading my mourning of Food Network, here’s a recipe I made this week. It is very light & perfect for spring & summer. And they are so quick to make! I froze the extras. (Take one at the night prior or reheat in the microwave.)

I’d love a new recipe, if anyone wants to share one in the comments!

Lemon Butter Muffins

6 T. butter at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 large lemon, zested & juiced
2 cups self-rising flour

Glaze:
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1-2 T. lemon juice or milk
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Heat oven to 400. Prepare 12 muffin cups for baking.

Combine buttter & sugar until creamy. Add the egg, milk, 3 T. lemon juice & 1 t. lemon zest. Stir until combined. Fold in the flour (with a spoon, not the mixer) until *just* combined. Batter will be lumpy. Bake until light & fluffy and they just spring back when touched, about 18-20 minutes. Cool in pan for 5 minutes. Remove from pan & cool 15 minutes before glazing.

To prepare glaze, place confectioners’ sugar in a small bowl and whisk in 1 T. of liquid. Add more liquid, 1 t. at a time, until you reach a thin glaze consistency.. Add lemon zest. Glaze muffins.

Notes: I used about twice the amount of lemon zest for both the muffins & the glaze. I used half lemon juice & half milk for the glaze. I wanted a little extra punch from the juice but thought the milk would make it more creamy tasting.