A FRIDGE FULL OF FOOD...

Happy New Year (and catch up)

 

Just wanted to post real quick and say "Happy New Year!" to everyone. 

I will be back after the first with lots more recipes and photos like the recipe for the kickass banana cake recipe I developed for the famiy Christmas party and photos of the caviar/champagne feast for New Year's.... right now, like everyone, I'm just awash in personal stuff so I'm taking a little blogging break to give my family attention (I see you all grinning--I know you can relate!) and work on my New Year's Resolutions.

See you in 2009!

Merry Christmas!

Answer to the Chicken Question (Email)

To the person who sent me an email a few minutes ago asking if it's okay to flour the chicken the day before....yes.  I usually flour my chicken a few hours before so the coating will adhere better when it's fried.  I don't see why doing it the day before would make a huge difference.

  Just make sure you put it in a container and in the fridge overnight, obviously.

Sorry for blogging the answer. I accidentally deleted your email into cyber oblivion before I could answer.

New Jammies and Egg Nog

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

Last of the NICU Christmas Hats

 

Last of the NICU knitting for Christmas.

I took the doc hats in and they were a big hit. Can't remember if I posted the pic of those or not so this may be a repeat:

 

The hats were a big hit. The docs have been wearing them around the NICU this past week, making the parents and RN's grin so that makes my day!

I'm cleaning house today, finally decorating, and will start cooking tomorrow.  Hope everyone is having a joyous holiday season so far.

Look for These: Cuties Clementines

Look for these: Cuties Clementines

 

I'm starting a new series called "Look for This!" to point out new-to-me foods stuffs or products or whatever that trip my trigger.  Cuties Clementines are one of those "look for these!" items.  I got my hands on a crate of them and, man, did they go fast at my house.  I thought they were the best Clementines (a type of mandarin orange) I'd ever eaten and then after I'd shipped out a few with several friends I kept getting the same comment back "Best Clementines I've ever eaten. Where can I get more?"

I also like that their marketing campaign is all about childhood obesity (and adult obesity) because they're right. It's just as easy to grab and peel a lush little sweet tart piece of fruit as it is to open a pack of ding dongs and the fruit is much more satisifying to both your palate and your body. The thing is we can eat crap all day long but our bodies are going to keep yelling for more food because we not getting the nutrition and sustainance we need. 

I applaud them for marketing that angle to remind all of us that when it comes to the choice of Twinkies or Fruit, we're better off in every way to choose the fruit.

So Look for These: Cuties Clementines!

You can also find more info here:  www.cutiescitrus.com

 

I'm starting a new series called "Look for This!" to point out new-to-me foods stuffs or products or whatever that trip my trigger.  Cuties Clementines are one of those "look for these!" items.  I got my hands on a crate of them and, man, did they go fast at my house.  I thought they were the best Clementines (a type of mandarin orange) I'd ever eaten and then after I'd shipped out a few with several friends I kept getting the same comment back "Best Clementines I've ever eaten. Where can I get more?"

I also like that their marketing campaign is all about childhood obesity (and adult obesity) because they're right. It's just as easy to grab and peel a lush little sweet tart piece of fruit as it is to open a pack of ding dongs and the fruit is much more satisifying to both your palate and your body. The thing is we can eat crap all day long but our bodies are going to keep yelling for more food because we not getting the nutrition and sustainance we need. 

I applaud them for marketing that angle to remind all of us that when it comes to the choice of Twinkies or Fruit, we're better off in every way to choose the fruit.

So Look for These: Cuties Clementines!

You can also find more info here:  www.cutiescitrus.com

Preparing for New Year's Eve: Caviar and Foie Gras

 

Gearing up for New Year's Eve, which I won the work lottery to be off for that one holiday. Yay!  No running down to help the ER with whatever idiocy the new year brings in!

We'll be celebrating at home with James and Lynn, and Aunti Miranda.  In preparation I got our caviar and foie gras order in to Petrossian, along with a mother-of-pearl caviar spoon.  As a presenter, I'm going to use one of the beautiful depression glass bowls from my grandmother's collection or Gene's grandmother's collection, I've forgotten who owned them but the set is beautiful.

And then Aunti and Lynn and I will be making accoutrement for the caviar and foie gras and other treats for the evening.  Gene and James are in charge of the champagne.

The one punchline so far was when Chase called me to verify an "odd" charge going through on my card. What? Don't I order caviar every day?  Puh-leaze.  Hehehehehe.  When I called Petrossian back and told them what happened the gal laughed and said "Don't worry about it. That happens ALL the time. At least they're checking to make sure it's really YOU."

www.petrossian.com

Petrossian is the same bar/company where we had caviar at the Bellagio in Vegas. We enjoyed it so much I ordered the same kind only twice as much, the Tsar Imperial.

The little blue bag in the upper right hand corner of the photo is the way the caviar came chilled. It has two mini cold packs, one on top and one on bottom of the jar of caviar to keep it chilled.  The spoon came in its own little velvet holder.

Cartoon of the Day

Hot Chicken Salad stuffed Puff Pastry

 

I served this the other night to friends and while they oohed and ahhhed, I quietly laughed into my sleeve.  It's so simple. Really.  The presentation is much more impressive than the time required to make it and it's yummy so that's a win-win.

I Love My New Bathroom--It's Finished!

 

   

Click below for more pics of the details...