It's a Good Day for a Project

I made a vow to myself last fall: No whining on the blog about the weather this winter. Besides the fact that it's, uh, whining, professionally speaking it's just lazy -- certainly there are more interesting angles for writing about beef stew than Baby it's Cold Outside. (Though I have to say, that was a pretty good post...and a pretty great recipe.) Well, anyway, as anyone who lives in the Northeast knows, my vow has been extremely easy to keep: We celebrated Christmas on a 70-degree day; the girls didn't break out their parkas until January 1; and Saturday is the first time this winter that we are expecting some real snow.

I can't even believe it's winter-hating me saying this, but I cannot wait.

Why? It's almost Pavlovian. When I hear the phrase "expecting up to a foot," I immediately think "It's a good day for a project."

As in a kitchen project. As in the opposite of the make-it-to-get-it-done kind of cooking mindset that we're locked into all week. Anyone who has read Dinner: The Playbook might recognize these as recipes that Keep The Spark Alive. Some examples:

A zillion-ingredient Chicken Mole

Bon Appetit's Shoyu Ramen

Andy Ricker's Real Deal Pad Thai

Giuliano Bugialli's luscious-but-laborious Minestrone

Maya Kamal's Chicken with Green Chilies and Tamarind

There's also homemade sushi, pictured way up top (exact instructions coming soon to a blog near you), and Homemade Fettuccini with Leeks and Bacon, which you can find on page 228 of Dinner: A Love Story.

But here's the thing, there has been a lot of snow in the past few years, which means this particular rotation in my house is threatening to run its course. And so I ask: What about you? Have you guys had any triumphs in the Project Cooking category? I'd love to hear about them -- preferably in time to shop before the storm hits. The fussier, the fancier, the more complicated the better. Thanks in advance and stay warm!