Grilled Moroccan Turkey Skewers with Crimini Fried Rice:

For those that tried visiting this blog a few weeks past, you might have seen a “Fatal Error” message that prevented anyone access to the site, including administrator access. One of the interesting, and difficult, things about having a food blog is that it’s not just about cooking, photography, and writing. First there was the design, then the coding, then the ongoing updating of plugins and IT support when something goes awry. Oh, and then write original recipes, source fresh ingredients, prepare, plate, style the setting, wait for the right daylight, set the right exposure, take the picture, adjust white balance and crop, and then on to write something pithy and otherwise meaningful about the original inspiration. Is it time to eat yet?

The fatal error to the site was self-inflicted in my attempt to actually try and fix a different problem. But the irony is that fatal error reminded me my own fatal mistake in recent cooking. In keeping the blog fresh with ongoing postings, I forgot the most fun part of cooking for me – “winging it.” Nothing planned, nothing written, with no intention of shooting an artful photo, and some of the best ingredients in the dishes we’ve served up over the years have been leftover portions from other undocumented concoctions. Last night, I came home, looked in the refrigerator, purposefully grabbed a variety of fresh ingredients, and produced a meal that delivered the “OMG” expressions immediately followed by what can only be described as – devouration. Those aha moments in life might be far and few between, but when they arrive, greet them with open arms and plenty of leftovers.

SECRET INGREDIENT:  a leftover sauce that I can’t remember how I made

TIP: Wing it often, write about it when you can

Grilled Moroccan Turkey Skewers with Crimini Fried Rice

• Ground turkey
• Salt & fresh pepper
• Ramps
• Garlic
• Cinnamon
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Red pepper flakes
• Smokey spice rub (can’t remember what’s in it)

For Rice

• Crimini mushrooms
• Olive oil
• Shallot
• Some homemade fatty stock
• Leftover Jasmine rice
• Parsley
• Scallions
• Some sauce I made