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Showing posts from November, 2012

My Thanksgiving, in Pictures

So, with a whole eight weeks of culinary school under my belt, I felt totally qualified to volunteer to host the in-laws for Thanksgiving dinner.  However, shortly after I committed us to the job, I was working on my mise en place .  The menu (or at least what I was providing) was completed within a couple of weeks, and I used the remaining time to "test" out the recipes on my family (they were willing participants). The turkey, the centerpiece, the piece de resistance...how was I going to do it?  Enter NPR (National Public Radio).  I happened to be driving to or from school when I heard Alton Brown being interviewed about dos and don'ts of Turkey Preparation (don't - stuff your turkey or baste it).  He mentioned brining as a method of preparation, and right there is when I knew I wanted to try THAT for my turkey.  Then, he talked about 'spatchcocking', and that sounded less appealing (the concept, that is...the word itself is actually...

A Month of Thankfulness...Food-Related and Otherwise

I just picked up, and have begun browsing, Alice Waters's The Art of Simple Food , and for the first time ever, I'm looking at these recipes (by an accomplished, well-known, chef ) and I'm thinking, Hey, I can do these! Well, the truth be told, I could do the recipes before...but now I feel like I'm beginning to understand the logic behind them.  They do not daunt me, is what I mean. So, last night, I'm regaling my husband with tales of fava bean puree and kale and butternut squash soup before bedtime.  I'm also discussing (quite animatedly) the cauliflower gratin we had for supper.  To his credit, he is nodding and acknowledging my comments and suggestions, albeit with the sluggish energy of someone who's ready for bed.  :) And there's what I'm thankful for: a partner who is a.) willing to try any foodstuff I throw under his nose and b.) not so wrapped up in his own chaotic little world.