Deadline... what deadline?

After careful reflection on the first month of my admittedly self-imposed Frankies challenge, I have decided to adjust one major parameter to help ensure my success and overall enjoyment of this thing. I am extending the deadline for myself until the end of 2011. I know, I know! How can I just change one of the two rules because it's convenient to me? Well... because I want to :)


I swear! I have very good reasons! First, I embarked on this project just over a month ago and in that time have managed to complete 20 of the 89 recipes. Which, I must say, is pretty darn good. But I'm not sure I can sustain that pace considering all our big summer plans. And I really want this to be fun and not stressful.


Also...
many of the recipes in the Frankies are designed specifically to be enjoyed in the winter months. Braised pork shanks with white beans screams winter comfort food. There are also two different salads that call for puntarelle, which I have just learned is a leafy green that is only available in early spring or late fall. It is, in fact, kinda difficult to find. I actually ordered some seeds and am hoping to harvest my own once the weather cools down so I can actually make these dishes. (that's dedication!) And if the description of the Sardine, Blood Orange & Puntarelle Salad calls it a "wintertime party-time good-time salad", who am I to argue?


Finally, when would you rather go to a big Sunday Sauce finale party, in which big cuts of meat are slow simmered in an huge vat of tomato sauce for hours while we all snack on cheese and antipasto then pasta then said meat all accompanied by wine and followed by tiramisu (sounds awesome, right!). Would you rather have it on an blazing September afternoon or a chilly, rainy December afternoon? Obviously either would be fun... but it seems me something better saved for a dreary winter day.


These hot summer days call for Grilled Squid and Watercress Salad w/ Figs and Mozzarella, Tomato & Red Pepper Sandwiches, and "Clam Night!" (keep your jokes to yourself!). So that's what I'm going to focus on. Can't wait!


(You should know that as I write this I am about halfway through the Braised Short Ribs recipe which is the epitome of winter comfort food. But it is a cool, cloudy summer day and I have been dying to try one of their meaty dishes. This will, however, make no difference to my decision.)