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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, at our neighborhood Great Clips I was
looking for Dr. Phil himself recently.  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 him, 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 that 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
(http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/card/poached_salmon_recipe),
with some candy-sweet Roasted Tomatoes (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/card/roasted_tomatoes_recipe/)
and hearty Mushroom Couscous (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/card/mushroom_couscous_recipe/)
on the side.  That will leave us with plenty of leftovers to add to
Fish Tacos (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/card/fish_tacos_recipe/), Nicoise
Salads (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/card/nicoise_salads_recipe/), and
simple Aglio Olio (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/card/aglio_olio_recipe/) later in
the week.  Not to mention time to watch my favorite "reality"
before bed.

What's Happening Right Now... The Recipes That Started It All

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

For a Pair (http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/recipe_results_two) 
For a Family (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/recipe_results_family) 
For a Crowd (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/recipe_results_crowd)  
Burgers & Sandwiches (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/recipe_results_burgers)  
5 Ingredients or Less (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/recipe_results_five)  
Desserts (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/recipe_results_desserts)  
Drinks (http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/recipe_results_drinks)  
With the snazzy new design of our recipe page (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/recipes/), 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 (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/pages/events/).  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
(http://www.themcalpin.com) 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 (
http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/pages/events/) to find out what
Joanna, Susie, Ellie, Elizabeth, Candace, Amber, Lori, Megan, and
Debba (of Girlfriendology.com (http://www.girlfriendology.com), of
course) are craving.  

Upcoming Events 

September 1st - Strauss & Troy Market on Fountain Square (
http://www.myfountainsquare.com), 11-2.  Crispy Potato and Burgers

September 6th - What's Hot with Molly, Kelly, and Caitlin on 55KRC
(http://www.55krc.com), 3 p.m.  SPECIAL GUEST:  Polly Campbell

September 17th - Third Thursday at The McAlpin.  Register now
(http://cwc.mintpixels.net/pages/events/).  


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 (
http://www.filmcincinnati.com).  (If you missed a second of our
conversation, plug yourself into the podcast that links right here
(
http://www.55krc.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=WhatsHot.xml).)
 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 (http://www.55krc.com) 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 (
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/dining/), 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.  
Advertise with Cooking with Caitlin Because You Can

Take advantage of a smokin' deal, our state-of-the-art optimization
technology, and the good news we pride ourselves in spreading.  Get
the whole scoop by clicking on advertising (
http://cwc.mintpixels.net/pages/events/) at cookingwithcaitlin.com
(http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com); then call Molly at
513.807.6208.