Nurse, Baker, or Cook?

Cooking and baking are two of my passions. Which is amazing, because at home, before I moved out, my mom was determined to teach me how to cook- and I hated every single rotten minute of it. Then I met Matthew, married Matthew, and like most men, Matthew loves to eat. It was around this time I realized that I love to cook and bake for people who love to eat. My passion for cooking/baking may also have developed once I had my own kitchen and I didn't have to look all around my mother's very tiny, and very unorganized kitchen for every single thing that I needed! There are times that I wonder if I shouldn't have gone to chef school and become a cook, or a baker. I would think it would be a lot less stressful then nursing, and I have seen the pleasure that a great cook receives from making fantastic food and pleasing a crowd.

Each week I usually spend hours pouring over emails, websites, cookbooks and cooking magazines, trying to come up with new meals that are season appropriate (I mean who wants soup, chili and stew in July when it is 100 degrees outside?), and I also look for meals that will suit our taste, and that are convenient for the week. ( I mean I look to cook and bake, but I also have a life outside of the kitchen, and if we are having a busy week I am not going to plan on making ravioli from scratch! ). I also try to plan so that I use the meat that we have on hand (we always have beef and pork in our freezer from my family), and whatever chicken and fish is on sale at the store.

Tonight's specialty? Sausage bread. This is actually one of my mom's recipes. Whenever I feed this to friends and family it is a huge hit. In fact, at the beginning of each semester I usually make this for one of the Nyack College students who likes to visit our apartment, as a "welcome back", as this is his favorite meal that I make.

The recipe is so easy, try it!

1 lb bulk sausage, cooked

2 cups shredded mixed Italian cheeses

1 frozen bread dough, thawed, or fresh bread dough

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp ground pepper

Preheat oven to 400. Roll out bread dough into a rectangle shape, about a 12 inches in length, and 6 inches in width.

In a bowl, mix together cooked sausage, cheeses, garlic powder and pepper (add more garlic powder and pepper if needed for taste).

Spread sausage unto rolled out bread dough. Fold over sides of dough to connect in the middle. (It should look like a stromboli or a calzone). Place on a greased baking stone, or cookie sheet.

Bake for about 10 minutes, and turn oven down to 350. Continue to bake an additional 20 minutes until top is golden brown. Let cool. Serve by cutting into slices.

This can be eaten hot or cold. Enjoy.