Y Kant Nikki Cook

There is nothing more sad, pathetic and depraved than a 30-year-old food writer who can't cook. In this section, EID's H.B.I.C. Nicole seeks to tap her inner domestic instincts with interesting (we hope), unique (we think) and easy (this is absolutely critical) recipes that will challenge her propensity for all things microwaveable. Julie & Julia? Pfffft. Cooking for Dummies is a lot more hopeful. But maybe this will become a journey of meaningful self-discovery in which Nicole will learn the value of ... oh hell, let's be real, if she just learns how to make a pot roast this will be a smashing success.

Jet's Pizza will be on speed-dial should anything go terribly awry. (Who are we kidding; they already are.)

OCTOBER 26, 2011 Cider Mill French Toast
After two days your heroine is tired, frustrated, and acutely aware of all the reasons why she doesn't really cook in the first place. Taking plain fried doughnuts, soaking them in cinnamon custard, pan-frying them and then covering them in cider caramel sauce sounded easy enough ... until she realized that cooking custard takes 8 days of constant stirring, and NO you can't just turn up the heat.

OCTOBER 25, 2011 Roasted Pumpkin Fondue
The new Y Kant Nikki Cook section almost ends where it begins as the Battle Pumpkin leaves our heroine exhausted and dejected. The end result? 7 pounds of cheese-stuffed pumpkin and an almighty mess in the kitchen.