Little inspirations

I started this blog to learn more about my habits as a cook. I know this. I was not as much of a pantry cook as I am now. Trips to the grocery store were a regular routine. I'd visit three or four stores to locate ingredients - for one meal. I am not doing that today. Shopping is once per week and I have to rely on the supply to meet my demands.

Fortunately, I have a well-stocked pantry. That includes two freezers. Last night, the inspiration for dinner came in two forms: an Instagram post and the mail. And I shopped in my kitchen for ingredients.

First up - a cocktail. I made rosemary gimlets, recipe by David Lebovitz. He recently released a new book, Drinking French, a beautiful book of beverages distilled and not. He posts the most wonderful Instastories from his apartment in Paris. Ahh.

I just happened to have some leftover simple syrup in the fridge. I grabbed some rosemary from the pot in the front of my house and removed the leaves into a small pot with the syrup. A quick boil, then rests for a few minutes, then strain. In a shaker, I added 2 oz of gin, 3/4 oz of fresh lime juice, 3/4 oz of rosemary syrup. Lots of ice. Shake, shake, shake. Voila! Rosemary Gimlets.

Next up - dinner inspiration. My Southern Living magazine arrived full of beautiful photos of great travel destinations. So I traveled to my freezer. Shrimp. I always have a big bag of Costco shrimp in the freezer. A couple of slices of bacon in the fridge. Grits in the pantry. Hello Shrimp and Grits. I also used up the last of the green onions and parsley. Some steamed broccoli on the side just because it was on hand. Delish. Funny how dinner can take you to the places you love.