Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Holiday Treats

Well the wonderful Domestic Goddess has me on the holiday baking kick tonight. I am not much of a baker, but we will be enjoying US Thanksgiving with our friends in San Antonio tomorrow and felt that I should bring a few goodies along. After all, she will be making the turkey and all the fixin's along with about five different pies and cheesecake. I put together a hostess basket that turned out quite nicely. To give it a personal touch, I made two recipes blogged by the Goddess herself, and had pretty good results. First I made the Chocolate Chip and Almond Biscotti and packaged it in a glass and brushed silver canister, which I hope will be enjoyed by my coffee drinkin' hostess. Also, I tried her decadent (but untraditional) Snow-Flecked Brownies which are dark chocolate with white chocolate morsels. I packaged the brownies in Chinese take out containers adorned with Christmas trees that I picked up at the Container Store this week.

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Friday, November 17, 2006

Cheese Pick

Happy Friday Y'all! I've got a Fall cheese pick for you. It isn't a strong cheese, for you stinky cheese fanatics. But a nice treat to have with some bread, crackers, or apples while sitting around on a Fall evening in front of a fire with a glass of wine. I picked it up at Central Market last weekend. It is called "Mirabo Walnuss" or Mirabo Walnut and is a soft, creamy cow's milk cheese from Germany with crushed walnuts throughout. It is produced by Kaserei Champignon. I really like it. I read on a cheese supply site that it is really good with full bodied red wines or fruity, full-scented whites. Enjoy!

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Sea & Tree

Worked yet another Terry Conlan class at the Cooking School on Tuesday. It was his "Sea & Tree" class and featured Seafood and Nuts. All low fat recipes, but big on flavor.

Here's what was served: 'Indian Candy' Salmon with Smoked Almonds; Hazelnut Crusted Cod with Jerusalem Artichoke Puree; Bourbon Street Shrimp; Walnut Crusted Trout with Citron Gastrique; Crab and Pine Nut Lasagna; and Cranberry/Rhubarb Crisp with Warm Lemon Curd and Vanilla Frozen Yogurt.

Again, a good time and the food was great!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Kitchen Tools



I have never been one to buy kitchen "gadgets". However, my husband may disagree since the cupboards and drawers are crammed full with something! But while browsing online on vacation to find the Mario Batali Oil drizzler to match my utensil crock, I came across the RSVP Onion Goggles. They arrived yesterday and I put them to the test cutting a strong red onion for my steak salad last evening. They worked! No tears (I usually cry like a baby). I also ordered from the same company, ChefTools, the Batali oil drizzler in Persimmon, the Penne Trivet (which was too pretty to sit on the counter, I put it on the wall), and a Batali cutting board. I was extremely disappointed in the cutting board. I'm pretty sure Mario never uses this thing. It has a curved back and is very awkward. I do not recommend it and I can't believe he would even endorse it. Overall a good shopping experience.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Potential Gig

So I may have my first "cranberry Relish" paid gig. The neighbors have asked me to cater their holiday party in December. We still have all the details to figure out, but it's pretty exciting. Hopefully things will work out and I'll be on my way! cranberry Relish or bust...

Snack Time

I think I enjoy "snacks" and appetizers more than meals. For example, yesterday I munched on Honeycrisp Apple slices, Beemster Vlaskaas cheese, and a couple of pieces of French country bread smeared with some garlic I roasted for dinner's homemade pizza. Although the pizza was good (homemade dough and sauce), the snack was just so scrumptious and satisfying! I need to remember the satisfaction in eating something so flavorful and worth while. Unlike the Milk Duds from the Halloween candy bag that I just ate because they were there...