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Wednesday, June 18, 2003

The truffles were a big hit

And made me very popular with the Russian Babes (tm) at Jeem's annual blowout. They survived the eight hours in transit quite well, too (I used a BIG ice pack).

Time to make some more for the anniversary party in two weeks. The lemon were especially praised.

I have been looking for "Ready Crust" shortbread pie crust to make the yummy pie Alli made me for my birthday. Cream cheese filling with almond extract and amaretto, sliced fruit on top glazed with apricot. Since the fruit included blackberries and raspberries, it was the PERFECT birthday concoction for me.

Raspberries down to $.89 at Berkeley Bowl. Oink Oink. Real Tomatoes are coming soon.

In other food news, Alli and I went to Penzey's in Naperville and bought lots of interesting things. Not too much damage, although I have to get jars to containerize the spices I brought in bags. One of the great things about the store is that you can sniff before you buy.

Sunday, June 08, 2003

Shuffle off to Truffle-O

Finally dipped the remaining lemon truffles, scooped the hazelnut ganache, and hope to dip them today and form the kahlua centers. Decided I was bringing truffles to the party next weekend so am in production mode. I can dip them tomorrow night. I might also make some raspberry rolled.

It's going to be a busy day in the kitchen - planning to make enchiladas (with zucchini, corn, black beans, peppers) and raspberry muffins as well. Let's see how much I get done.

Monday, June 02, 2003

Having a heat wave ...

Made chicken salad for myself for the first time. I eat it but not often, and I've just gotten back into the habit of buying chicken. Had breast meat that needed eating. It's a warm day and I don't want to do anything elaborate. But how to fix?

Got the brillant idea of checking Laurie Colwin for suggestions and came up with a winner - curried mayo, with raisins and pecans (which I toasted). Added celery to her suggestions. Did NOT make the curry powder myself according to spec but added a big pinch of ginger to the jarred stuff. Very tasty and no need to go to the grocery to replenish my diminishing stores since I had all the stuff. I was also pleased with myself for winging it (no "exact recipe"). I will make the curry Laurie's way when I have the spices totally organized.

Looked up chicken salad variants in "How to Cook without a Book" and Pam's curried chicken was pretty similar. No pecans which I think did add a certain flair (and was worth turning the oven on briefly for to toast).

I will try salsa verde (Italian style, not mexican) a la Cook's Illustrated with the remaining chicken boob. Thinking of what to have with that (pasta?) Need to eat that soon.

No furniture moving tonight but will need to stop by Andronico's for fish. It will also likely be warm tomorrow - the wind is not blowing like crazy in the trees outside my windows and that is A Sign.

Sunday, June 01, 2003

cat food, human food

Spent a lot of last weekend cooking, and still eating a lot of it. Frittata for breakfasts - good idea, will repeat in smaller quantities (finished this am). Raspberry muffins (in freezer for breakfasts next week). Salmon (for me and the cat). Middle eastern chopped salad (just finished that today). A big pan of enchiladas (black bean and corn - corn was 5 for $1 at safeway) - lunch tomorrow and Tuesday. Truffle centers.

I need to form the truffles and recontainerize the chicken broth for freezing. Also see if the asparagus and mushrooms are any good (asparagus and mushroom cream pasta sauce sounds good and a nice break from all the mexican food I've been eating lately :-).

The cat trots along quite nicely when I open up a jar of baby food chicken. I knew she was basically ok when that happened :-). But she was not interested in the salad shrimp.

Halibut on special at Andronicos - will get some since I will feed Furniture Movers tomorrow night. halibut, rice, asparagus - late spring menu.

Shopping/cooking nights probably Tues and Weds, if I don't have a wake to go to.