Extreme Makeover: Dinner Edition

I've just learned that the Cincinnati area from where we hail is quite the hot-spot for reality show viewership, auditions, and filming altogether.  You know, for all the times I've thought for sure I was living in my own version of The Truman Show, I'm not the least bit surprised.

Certainly when my lovely children decided to melt down down down to the ground in the front pew of church, I suspected we may be starring in something.  When their sister's baptism turned into an exorcism at the flip of a Cheerio, I knew we were the "before" of the next Super Nanny.  Then, recently, at our neighborhood Great Clips I was looking for Dr. Phil himself.  I arrived with a clip full of tangled hair and a stack of pictures of Rihanna.  With scissors in one hand and a picture-day comb in the other, the hairdresser assured me - in a tough love-laden voice - that no amount of haircutting is going to make me look like Rihanna.  I mean, come on.  I won't be able to sing either?!?  A girl can dream, right?  (It was a control issue anyway.  How much time ya got, Doc?)

But it was years ago, long before I traveled with the Pea Soup Parade and did NOT look like Rihanna, that I believe I may have broken into "reality."  It was at my husband's ten-year high school reunion.  We were newly married, and I was just as preggo as I could be.  Dale was trading memories with some old buddies when I was surrounded by a gaggle of women who clearly adored my man, and the most charming among them reached over and ate right off my plate.  Marking her territory, I suppose.  Nice.  My very own reality hell.

Now I know - I think...I know - that it's not me that being filmed, but the far more interesting folks around me here in Cincy.  Why, the Bengals are in the middle of Hard Knocks, the students of the School for the Creative and Performing Arts are currently Taking the Stage, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition just left a deserving local family with a spanking new home.  This true reality frees up the energy I need to makeover my family's week of meals.  So, tonight I'll make an extra large side of Cream Poached Salmon, with some candy-sweet Roasted Tomatoes and hearty Mushroom Couscous on the side.  That will leave us with plenty of leftovers to add to Fish Tacos , Nicoise Salads, and simple Aglio Olio later in the week.  Not to mention time to watch my favorite "reality" before bed.

They're organized folks.  That's right.  The recipes that just keep bringing you back to cookingwithcaitlin.com are organized "in the most delightful way."  (Think Mary Poppins right there.)

For a Pair
For a Family
For a Crowd
Burgers & Sandwiches 
5 Ingredients or Less 
Desserts  
Drinks

With the snazzy new design of our recipe page, you can match your hungry self to the appropriate bucket of food fun, and dig right in.  Don't waste time sifting through the options; click right to the recipes you fancy.

September Third Thursday:  Tailored to Our Friends

Join us in just a couple weeks for Cooking with Caitlin's signature event, Third Thursday at The McAlpin.  National Women's Friendship Month begins today, and we can't think of a better way to celebrate than over nine courses of fresh food prepared in petit-four proportions.  And drinks provided by The McAlpin to wash them all down, of course.

In honor of our closest friends, and the entire month that celebrates them, Caitlin is crafting a new menu like you've never tasted before.  Each course has been requested by a special friend, and will be named accordingly.  Register right now to find out what Joanna, Susie, Ellie, Elizabeth, Candace, Amber, Lori, Megan, and Debba (of Girlfriendology.com, of course) are craving. 

What's HOT:Dinners and Some Movies

It's what's so very hot, in fact, that has inspired this entire newsletter today.  Over the weekend Molly, Caitlin, and I got the lucky chance to sit down with Kristen Erwin of The Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Film Commission.  (If you missed a second of our conversation, plug yourself into the podcast that links right here). Kristen opened our eyes to the great many opportunities television, commercial, and film productions bring to our region.  She also shared some hilarious behind-the-scenes anecdotes from sets that filmed in town.  Let's just say you'll be blown away by the Seabiscuit story.

Plan to sit still, however, for this Sunday's broadcast. Tune into 55KRC through which we will be streaming live at 3 p.m. for the interview that Caitlin is already touting as her favorite.  We get to pick the brain of Polly Campbell, The Cincinnati Enquirer's restaurant critic.  It is on Polly's articles, reviews, blogs, and tweets that Caitlin herself feeds.  If for no other reason, listen to know what star-struck sounds like.

Upcoming Events

September 1st - Strauss & Troy Market on Fountain Square, 11-2.  Crispy Potato and Parsley Butter Burgers

September 6th - What's Hot with Molly, Kelly, and Caitlin on 55KRC, 3 p.m.  SPECIAL GUEST:  Polly Campbell

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Get the whole scoop by clicking on advertising at cookingwithcaitlin.com; then email or call Molly at 513.807.6208.