Styles That Might Not Catch On

I'm still trying to figure this out.  Is it underwear? Pajamas?  It can't be something to be worn out in public.  So what's the deal? I've decided that it must be a special garment for boys with sensitive nipples.

Random Shirtless Guy Gone Wild

I tried to make this post a typical Random Shirtless Guy quickie, but Google had so many hot shirtless pictures of whippet-thin nineteen-year-old Erin Mommsen that I couldn't settle on just one. So, here's six pic of Erin. Born in the Dominican Republic, but raised in Pennsylvania, Erin is the current Model of the Week at Models.com, so check that out if you want to see some pictures of him with his shirt on.

Next Up: Rouladen

Rosemary Shortbread Cookies – Not for Nothing

As I was making these rosemary shortbread cookies, I couldn’t help but think of one of my many culinary pet peeves, which is when people add some random ingredient to a recipe, just for the sake of making it different. This is not one of those times.

While rosemary may seem like a strange addition at first glance, it works so perfectly in these, that I’d argue they're actually better than the original. There’s something so interesting about how the subtle hit of resinous herb works with this sweet, buttery cookie.

I should mention that the time given is just a guide. It depends on the shape and thickness of your cookies, so be sure to start checking them at around 40-45 minutes. You can pull them as soon as they turn golden, but that depends on how mild a flavor you want.

The longer they bake, the darker they get, and the nuttier the butter gets. Some prefer their shortbread cookies light and mild, while others will let them go until they turn brown. If you haven’t made them before, I’m afraid you’ll have to do some tests. I hope you give these amazing shortbread cookies a try soon. Enjoy!

Extra Credit Project: Make these using a round cookie cutter, and use them to make  strawberry ice cream sandwiches.

Ingredients for about 32 Rosemary Shortbread Cookies:

8 oz (1 cup) cool unsalted butter, cut into thin slices

1/2 cup white sugar

1/8 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp kosher salt or 1/2 tsp fine table salt

2 tbsp finely chopped rosemary (but do not mince, or it may be too strong)

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (10 oz by weight)

Warm Calamari Salad – The Best-Laid Plans of Squid and Men

There was nothing wrong with this warm calamari salad, except the most important thing. I’ve had “cast-iron calamari” before, which featured gorgeously seared, almost charred, pieces of squid. While well caramelized, the calamari was still tender and moist, which means it was only cooked for a few minutes, over what must have been dangerously high heat.

I figured as long as I got my pan hot enough, I should be fine. Wrong. Well, technically right, but wrong because I added way too much into the pan at one time. I really needed to do a single order at a time, and it probably would have been fine, but once that whole pound went in, the temp dropped, and you saw the results.

I still enjoyed a flavorful, healthy lunch, but not the one I’d dreamed about. The good news however, was that I ate the leftovers cold, tossed with the same salad ingredients, and it was actually better. So, if you are planning on doing the same recipe, as shown, I would suggest serving it chilled instead. I hope you give this, or that, a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 4 Warm Calamari Salads:

1 pound cleaned calamari

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon of chipotle powder

pinch of cayenne

1 packed teaspoon light brown sugar

1 sliced jalapeno, seeded

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste once cooked

For the salad base:

4 handfuls baby arugula

1 can (15-oz) cooked white beans, drained, rinsed

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup olive oil